Lubbock Police K-9 Shot and Killed After Escaping and Attacking Two People

The Lubbock Police Department is investigating an incident that took place over the weekend that left two people injured and a Lubbock Police K-9 dead.

According to a statement, a police K-9 escaped from the backyard of its handler on Saturday morning. Just after 8:30 a.m. Lubbock Police were called out to the 5700 block of 108th Street after reports of a dog attack.

Lubbock Citizen Shoots and Kills Police K-9

During the attack, Lubbock Police stated that a citizen "took action to stop the animal". Lubbock Police then clarified that the citizen shot and killed the dog. The dog that attacked two people and was killed was the police K-9 that had escaped.

According to Lubbock Police, two people were taken to University Medical Center. One person had serious injuries, the other had moderate injuries.

Lubbock Police said that soon after the call about the dog attack, an off-duty officer alerted to dispatch to send additional units to help locate his K-9. It was confirmed later that the escaped K-9 was the same dog involved in that attack.

Lubbock K-9 Police Officer on Administrative Leave

In a press release, the Lubbock Police Department said that the K-9's handler has been placed on administrative leave while a full investigation is underway. Lubbock Police stressed that they are taking the matter seriously.

We take this incident seriously and are committed to holding ourselves accountable. Our priority is always the safety of our community, and we are working to understand how this occurred and how to prevent something like it in the future.

This does raise a few questions about the training of the dog. And should possibly trigger an investigation into the K-9 program overall. Shouldn't K-9 police dogs be trained not to escape their back yard? Was the fence not properly maintained? Why did the dog attack? Shouldn't these dogs be trained to only attack on command or when a life is in danger?