Police shoot dog after officer attacked during impaired driving arrest

Owen Sound police vehicle pictured in this file image.

An Owen Sound police officer was bitten multiple times by a dog during an impaired driving arrest Saturday night, prompting another officer to intervene and shoot the animal with a pistol.

Police say they were called in the evening after a concerned citizen reported a white pickup truck driving erratically in the area of 16th Street East.

The caller told officers the vehicle was allegedly hitting curbs and failing to follow traffic controls.

Officers tracked down the truck and conducted a stop in the 1900 block of 17th Street East. During the investigation, the man failed his roadside screening test and was placed under arrest.

Police say while officers were attempting to arrest the suspect, a dog inside the pickup truck suddenly attacked one of the officers, biting them several times.

A second officer intervened and managed to get the dog to release the officer. Police say the dog then reportedly charged at a third officer aggressively.

Fearing for their safety, the officer discharged their service pistol.

The injured officer was taken to the hospital where they received treatment for the bite wounds and were later released.

The driver was taken to the police station where breath samples were taken. Police allege the results were above the legal alcohol limit.

The Owen Sound man has been charged with impaired operation and operation with more than 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood.

He is scheduled to appear in court at a later date.