Colorado city pays $300K after officer fatally shoots dog (VIDEO) :: 01/28/2016

Colorado’s Commerce City will cut a check for $262,500 to a man who’s dog was shot and killed by a police officer in November 2012, and the man’s attorney said the case – which garnered the largest payout in history for a suit of its kind – may set the precedence for future cases.

Authorities came in contact with Chloe, the lab-pit bull mix after a call about a dog on the loose. The encounter – and shooting – was captured on video by a 12-year-old boy from across the street. Animal rights activists, as well as prosecutors, say the animal was killed in cold blood, but the defense argued Chloe was highly aggressive and out of control.

Chloe’s owner, Gary Branson, who said he has suffered severe emotional distress since the shooting, sued three of the responding officers after the officers were found not guilty of any wrongdoing by a jury of their peers. His original suit asked for $1 million in damages.

“I can’t replace Chloe,” Branson said, “There are so many dogs being shot needlessly. It needs to come to a stop.”

http://www.guns.com/2016/01/28/co-city-pays-out-nearly-300k-after-officer-fatally-shoots-dog-video/