HEYBURN, Idaho — The officer that shot two dogs running on Interstate 84 on Saturday, May 27, has been placed on administrative leave amid an investigation into the shooting, the Heyburn Police Department announced Thursday. A separate law enforcement agency is investigating the shooting.
A graphic video posted on social media shows one dog collapsing on the road, with another one lying nearby, as the officer stands near the driver's side of his vehicle. In a news release, police said traffic was "completely stopped" around mile marker 212 after officers responded a report of two dogs causing "safety concerns" on I-84.
Heyburn Police said upon arrival around 5:57 p.m. Saturday, officers found the dogs running on the interstate. Police reported officers whistled, called and shouted at the dogs after two people attempted to capture them, but the dogs were "uncooperative."
The dogs were not in range to use a taser, and the officers made the decision to shoot the dogs at 6:03 p.m. Saturday, six minutes after arriving on scene.
The dogs did not have tags. Heyburn Police said the dogs were shot once each and removed from the interstate.
The area of Interstate 84 where Saturday's incident happened has a speed limit of 80 mph. Police said officers were concerned with the "traffic hazard" due to the speed limit and heavy traffic during Memorial Day weekend.
Heyburn Police also referenced the video posted on social media in Saturday's news release. Police said the video was posted by a bystander who stopped on I-84.
In the video, the people inside the vehicle can be heard yelling and cursing at the officers, asking if he just shot the dog as it collapses on the roadway. No other vehicles are seen in the video and officers encourage the vehicle to keep moving.
The investigation is underway to determine "whether there were any violations of law and if there were any violations of the Heyburn Police Department Policy and Procedures." The neighboring agency's investigation will be presented to Heyburn Police Chief Ryan Bertalotto to decide whether further action is necessary.
"Our relationship with our community is our top priority," Heyburn Police said Thursday. "We are committed to resolving this issue quickly and providing the results and conclusions to our community with full transparency."
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