Policeman Pepper-Sprays, Tasers, Shoots Pet Dog After It Attacks Courier Driver

A policeman pepper-sprayed, tasered and shot a pet dog after it attacked a courier driver. The incident took place in Queensland, Australia, on Monday.

Speaking to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Bonnie Chaplin, the dog’s owner, said she returned home Monday to find a police officer and a courier driver at her property. She then noticed that her 10-month-old American Staffordshire Terrier had a gunshot wound.

Recalling the incident, Chaplin said, “I rushed home from town and when I arrived there was the courier driver here and a police officer here. He explained to me 'I've pepper sprayed your dog, I've tasered your dog, kicked him in the head and pinned him to the ground under my foot and shot him.'"

Chaplin said there was blood everywhere and her pet was "dragging his leg.” She added that she had previously informed the courier company to tell the drivers to not enter the property.

“The courier has come through locked and electronic gates, and he used an override switch on the gate to get access. The parcel that he had was no signature, there was no reason that he needed to walk the 50 meters into the house. The parcel was actually small enough to fit in our mail box. The dogs are protecting our home and our kids,” she said.

“The police officer was protecting himself apparently, I just felt it was excessive force used. Where he was shot was one meter inside our gate," she said.

Fastway Couriers issued a statement saying that the driver suffered bites to his arms and legs requiring stitches but was recovering.

"We are pleased to confirm that our courier is now at home recovering, having been released from hospital following treatment for injuries to his arms and legs. This has obviously been a traumatic experience for him and the authorities involved in bringing the situation under control,” the company spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, Chaplin said the dog would be undergoing a surgery to amputate its leg.