Champaign Police are investigating the fatal shooting of a dog during a DUI arrest in the 1000 block of W. William St. Thursday.
Champaign Police officers responded to the scene at approximately 11:26 p.m. for a report of a female driving under the influence, according to a press release.
The driver, Lisa Ehler, 52, reportedly “cut off” another vehicle near the area of Prospect Avenue and Springfield Avenue. She continued to drive and proceeded through a red light.
Once officers arrived at the driver’s home in the 1000 block of W. William St, officers made contact with Ehler and arrested her on the charge of driving under the influence of alcohol.
While officers were arresting Ehler, a male, John Cargo, 41, exited the residence and attempted to get into her vehicle. Officers ordered Cargo to stay away from the vehicle and after speaking to the officers, he walked back into the residence. He was heard yelling for his dog.
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Officers ordered Cargo to keep the dog inside, but the man unleashed the pit bull out of the house while directing his arms toward the officers. One officer attempted to kick the dog away from him.
The officer, fearing an attack, fatally shot the dog and contacted an Animal Control Officer.
Cargo resisted arrest and caused injuries to himself and an officer after they fell into a thorn bush and on top of landscaping bricks.
Cargo was arrested on the charge of aggravated assault and was transported to Carle Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. He was later transported to the Champaign County Satellite Jail. The officer did not require medical attention.
As department policy, CPD will conduct a professional standards investigation and the case will also be presented to a firearms discharge review board.
The professional standards investigation will determine whether or not the firearm discharge was consistent with department policy. Additionally, it will evaluate training considerations, policy considerations, firearms equipment and the quality of supervision prior to, during and after the firearm discharge incident. A report of its findings will be submitted to the chief of police.
The Firearms Discharge Review Board will meet to review all reports concerning the involved incident, the professional standards investigation report. If necessary, the board will also hear direct testimony from officers and witnesses. The board will then make factual conclusions and recommendations to the chief of police.
