Family Dog Shot, Killed By Police Officer In North Jersey: Mayor

VERNON, NJ — A family dog was shot and killed in Vernon over the weekend, Vernon Mayor Harry J. Shortway said.

The dog was killed Saturday night in the Scenic Lakes section of town, Shortway said. No additional information will be released by town officials pending the investigation, Shortway said.

"The death of a pet is always sad no matter what the circumstances and our thoughts and prayers for comfort are with all parties involved," the mayor wrote.

The dog, a Labrador retriever named Hiro, slipped out of his home without owner Jenn Hearon even noticing, she told News 12 NJ. She said she found Hiro laying in the middle of the street, covered in a blanket, after he was shot dead.

Police said they were called to the neighborhood when a resident reported a growling dog in the road. The caller reportedly acknowledged that the dog was a neighborhood pet.

"While [Ptl. Emanuel Rivera] was on the roadway the dog ran onto the roadway and began to charge towards Ptl. Rivera. Ptl. Rivera then began to give the dog commands to stop, while Ptl. Rivera was retreating back to his patrol vehicle," police siad in a statement. "The dog continued to aggressively charge at Ptl. Rivera approaching in close proximity to the retreating officer. Ptl. Rivera at this point drew and discharged his firearm at the animal, resulting in the dog’s death."

Hearon denied the officer's claims that Hiro was foaming at the mouth and lunging, saying that Hiro was simply barking.

Buddha Dog Rescue and Recovery, a professional dog tracking group, was called to Hiro by someone who thought Hiro was a missing dog. shared on their Facebook page. The group was on their way to attempt to capture the dog when they saw "police flying by me."

"I went right over and spoke with the police who claims the dog charged the cop and the cop was 'scared s---less and dog was foaming at the mouth, he was trying to offer him water,' they shot him in the street in front of his house!!!" the rescuer wrote. "The guy who called me said that’s a lie he was not foaming at the mouth he watched him for over 10 mins and the dog was fine."

A neighbor who witnessed the shooting told News 12 that the dog was right in front of her driveway when the shooting happened.

More information will be released when the investigation is complete, Shortway said.