(Maricopa, AZ) MPD Press Release — On August 6, 2012 at approximately 7:00 pm, officers responded to the 45000 block of W. Tulip after receiving information on Rock Kelley Ingram who had several felony arrest warrants. Ingram was also involved in an earlier domestic violence incident and had run from officers as they arrived on scene.
Once the officers arrived on scene at the Tulip address the subject was observed inside the residence. As the officers attempted to apprehend Ingram, a pit-bull dog ran from the backyard, and attacked our K9 handler and police K9.
In an attempt to save the police K9 from certain life threatening harm as the pit-bull had latched onto his throat area, one of our officers discharged his service weapon twice at the pit-bull. The shots that were fired missed the pit-bull and struck the ground, however they caused it to release from the police K9.
The pit-bull was contained and Rock Kelley Ingram was arrested and booked in the Pinal County Adult facility where he is awaiting extradition to Wisconsin. The pit-bull was turned over to Animal Control for testing for any K9 diseases.
There were no injuries to civilians in the area or damage to property. Also the police K9 and handler were not injured and no other officers sustained injuries during this incident.
An administrative investigation into the officer’s discharging of a weapon is being conducted by Maricopa Police Department with the assistance of the Gila River Police Department and is still on going at this time.
A pitbull latches to anothers throat, and no damage? hmmmmm
A terrible waste of good ammunition.
The fact that it was a pit (if it was indeed a pit, since they get blamed for everything) has no bearing at all. The dog did what all dog owners hope and that was to try and protect it’s home and people. The dog didn’t know it was a cop, and that “his” person was bad.
1. both shots missed the dog – that officer needs to be hitting the range.
2. correct Donna. Pits (if it was a Pit) actually are statistically lower for attacks than other breeds – most of them smaller.