Ottawa police shoot and kill dog

Ottawa police have shot and killed a dog in the city's east end after police say the dog charged an officer.

It happened around 4 p.m. Thursday afternoon in the Olgilvie and Montreal roads area, while police responded to a call that a dog had attacked a child.

Police say the received a 911 call that a dog had attacked a child at a nearby gas station.

Police say when they arrived on the scene, the child was not there, but a dog was.

"The first officer on scene arrived and saw the dog, and when he approached the dog, the dog charged at him, so he had to put the dog down," said Ottawa Police Sergeant Sam Hill.

Neighbour say the dog appeared to be a pitbull.

One resident said she believes it was likely her neighbour's pet that was shot.

"She was a really sweet dog, you always hear such bad things about pitbulls but she was really kind and gentle and really loving with the kids.  It's kind of heartbreaking if it is her," said area resident Krystle Matar.

She says the dog would often play with her young daughters.

"She was hyper, certainly no worse than any other dog, really, she was a young dog... she jumped on them, but that was it," Matar said.

Police shut down a stretch of Olgilvie Road between Montreal Road and Naskapi Drive to investigate.

They have spoken to the dog owner and to witnesses.

"Whenever a policeman draws his weapon, the public is very concerned, they want to know what's going on," said Sgt. Hill.

"As a police service, we want to know exactly what happened as well."

So far, no charges have been laid.