Richmond B-&-E forces RCMP to fire gun at dog
By Contributor
Shortly after 8 a.m. on May 29, Richmond RCMP responded to the 9000 block of Walford Street, for a report of a Break and Enter in progress. A local home owner was startled to find an unwanted male in his residence. This suspect fled once discovered.
Police quickly established a containment field and officers scoured the area looking for the suspect. The suspect was described as a south Asian male in his 30s wearing a black jacket and carrying a large black duffle bag. Richmond RCMP officers contacted the BCRCMP Integrated Police Dog Services Unit (IPDS) for their assistance in the search.
At around 9 am, two of our officers were alerted to a large black duffle bag matching the description of that carried by the suspect. It was located in a fenced yard of a residence in the 3000 block of Garden City Rd. The property had a “beware of dog” sign posted and our officers made cautionary noises in an attempt to rouse a dog or dogs before retrieving the evidence. Our officers received no feedback and attempted to retrieve the duffle bag. They were then confronted by two pitbull-like dogs and hastily exited the area, narrowly escaping. In the process, one of the officers discharged his firearm once at the dog that was closing in on him and damaged a fence. Our officers are shaken but uninjured. One dog was transported to local area veterinary hospital for treatment.
An investigation into this incident has been initiated.
“The home owner of the break and enter was extremely scared, but luckily unharmed. We were unable to apprehend the suspect in this case but the Richmond RCMP Property Crime Unit will be investigating it further. We consider the discharge of a firearm, whether intentional or accidental, very serious and it will be fully investigated. This is an unfortunate incident,” says Cpl. Dennis Hwang.
