New Zealand Cops Shoot Dead Service Dog That Escaped Onto Airport Runway

The dog, named Grizz, was reportedly on the loose for around three hours before the shooting, which was considered a last resort. Emergency operations had attempted to recover Grizz through other means before instructing police to shoot the dog.

Unfortunately an Aviation Security dog was shot this morn @AKL_Airport staff had tried for 3 hours to catch it our thoughts are with handler

— Auckland Airport (@AKL_Airport) March 16, 2017

Airport authorities say they are investigating what originally spooked Grizz and whether it can be avoided in future with other service dogs.

Inspector Tracy Phillips, one of the police officers on the scene, confirmed that the dog’s death wasn’t an outcome anyone particularly wanted. “This followed considerable efforts over several hours by Avsec and airport staff to contain the dog,” she said. “This is not an outcome which anyone wanted, and police were only asked to be involved as a last resort.”

The response from the public in New Zealand has been pretty harsh – with many on social media and beyond demanding to know why Grizz wasn’t tranquilised as a last resort instead of being killed. 

. @AKL_Airport so the dog died? If so the dog died so commercial airlines could avoid expensive delay costs. Absolutely shameful decision.

— Carolyn Deuchar (@CarolynD_NZ) March 16, 2017

So Auckland airport security fatally shot their own dog because it was delaying flights. They didn’t tranquilize, they killed. Poor dog 🙁

— Reagan Morris (@TheReaganMorris) March 16, 2017

Embarrassed to be a kiwi today. Killing a dog so flights can continue Auckland Airport. No excuse! Disgusting #poordog #aucklandairport

— juliette banks (@julzbanks) March 16, 2017

“Do they not have a tranquiliser gun?” asked TV host Hilary Barry. “I don’t care if your plane is delayed. You don’t need to shoot the dog.”

A review of the incident is currently underway.

Source: Sydney Morning Herald.