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Mountie, police dog and ‘aggressive,’ unleashed dog injured in shooting: Yk RCMP

Brendan Burke/NNSL photoRCMP vehicle

After initially stating that a lone “aggressive” dog was injured after being shot by a Yellowknife RCMP officer, police now say a Mountie, along with his service dog, also sustained injuries during the Wednesday morning incident downtown.

The shooting happened around 10:45 a.m., when NT RCMP Police Dog Services (PDS) were carrying out a training session in the area of 49 Avenue and 44 Street, according to a news release issued by Mounties late Thursday afternoon.

In the release, a follow up to Wednesday’s statement, police said two “aggressive unleashed” dogs – not one as previously stated – “had an interaction” with the handler and his dog, named Hoss.

“As the interaction progressed, the member discharged his firearm. One of the two unleashed dogs was injured as a result, and was taken to a local veterinary office for treatment,” stated spokesperson Marie York-Condon.

The unnamed officer was injured first, then Hoss sustained injuries, according to police. They were both treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Police have not released details about the state of the unleashed dog shot by the officer Wednesday.

An internal investigation has been launched.

The in-house probe will be conducted by a “commissioned officer (rank of Inspector or higher), who is independent of the involved incident,” stated York-Condon.

Police say the ongoing investigation limits the release of certain information – Thursday’s statement was meant to add “context to the incident.”

According to Yellowknife RCMP, police dog training sessions “may include urban areas, such as back alleys.”