The Champaign Police Department is continuing to investigate a firearm discharge in which a police officer fatally shot a dog in the area around John Street and Crescent Drive on Nov. 17.

According to a Champaign Police Department news release, a female was walking her dog on a leash when a pitbull ran up and attacked it. The female and other witnesses tried to separate the dogs by kicking the pitbull but the female lost hold of her dog’s leash. Their efforts were unsuccessful.  

When officers arrived on the scene, the dogs were still fighting and, in an attempt end the fight, police officer Andre Davis fired several shots. Both dogs sustained injuries from the shots, but the female’s dog suffered from a fatal wound and died on the scene, according to the news release.  

Animal control was called to secure the pitbull.

Stephanie Joos, director of the Champaign County Animal Control, said the owner of the pitbull never came forward and no identification or micro chip was found on the dog.

“He was held for seven days to see if someone came to claim him but he did go unclaimed,” Joos said. “He was euthanized at the end.”

Two internal reviews are being conducted to determine if the firearm discharge was an appropriate action for the officer to take, according to a Champaign Police Department news release. The case will go through two steps: Professional Standards Investigation and the Firearms Discharge Review Board, and will later be submitted to Police Chief Anthony Cobb.

Champaign Police spokeswoman Rene Dunne said no further information is available about the investigation at this point.

Carina can be reached at [email protected].