Manitoba’s police oversight body has announced that no charges will be pressed against an officer who fatally shot an aggressive dog that had bitten him on a southern First Nation reserve last year. The Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba has also endorsed a recommendation for the officer to undergo additional training on the use of non-lethal force, according to a report made public on Monday.
The incident took place when a Manitoba First Nations Police Service officer went to apprehend an individual at a residence in Swan Lake First Nation in June 2025. As the officer was exiting the property, he was bitten by a dog. Subsequently, the officer returned to the residence and discharged his weapon, resulting in the death of the chained-up dog, with family members and children present inside the home.
According to the report, the homeowner informed investigators that the officer initially requested permission to search the property for a missing family member before indicating he would return with a warrant. Upon his return, the officer stated that the dog had bitten him and needed to be euthanized due to a previous biting incident involving another person, which was verified by the watchdog’s inquiry.
Approximately 10 minutes later, the officer revisited the residence and fatally shot the dog with a high-powered rifle before departing. A witness inside the home mentioned taking precautions by closing curtains and moving children away from the window upon seeing the officer with the rifle.
An assessment of the scene, including measurements and photographs, revealed that the dog was positioned about two feet from the deck steps of the home when it was shot, aligning with the front window of the residence.
While the officer declined to be interviewed by the police watchdog, he provided a written account of the events, stating that the dog had lunged at him initially, forcing him to kick the animal away and retreat into the house. The officer asserted that he returned to the residence after tending to his injury at the detachment and shot the dog in a manner that ensured public safety, considering the presence of two children inside.
A report from the police service asserted that the officer’s actions were justifiable given the dog’s aggressive behavior but criticized the lack of consideration for non-lethal alternatives, recommending further training. The Crown declined to pursue criminal charges under the Criminal Code or the Animal Care Act, as per the watchdog’s findings.
Despite acknowledging the dog’s aggression and the validity of lethal force in certain situations, the watchdog concurred with the suggestion in the police service’s report that the officer should have explored all available options, including non-lethal measures.
