After social media outcry, a German shepherd ‘tased’ by Utah police is safe from euthanasia — for now

An outside agency will determine the fate of Champ the dog, who was “tased” by officers trying to investigate a reported domestic violence situation earlier this month and later slated for euthanasia.

The German shepherd was initially set to be euthanized Friday, The Spectrum reported, causing an outpouring of social media criticism. By Friday morning, the city manager had requested an independent party examine the dog.

St. George police encountered the German shepherd May 3, after a woman called 911 during an argument with a man at a home near 2130 West and 1190 North.

Body camera footage posted to the department’s Facebook page shows the dog barking through a glass storm door as the man and woman appear to struggle inside. As the woman exits the home, the dog runs out and lunges at an officer.

The officer tells the man to bring his dog inside multiple times before another police vehicle pulls up near the house. When that officer arrives, the dog chases him, barking and trying to bite.

“Get the dog in the house before he gets shot,” an officer tells the man, according to the video. The woman can be heard yelling, “Don’t hurt the dog,” and soon — after another bout of barking and chasing — an officer shocks Champ with a stun gun.

The dog whines and whimpers for a few moments before running away.

“You’re lucky your dog didn’t get killed,” an officer says to the man. “We gave you plenty of opportunities to get your dog in there.”

Animal Control reported to the home and took Champ into custody. St. George city officials later determined the dog was “vicious” and must be euthanized, sparking an outcry on social media.

City officials then requested a third-party animal behavioral expert assess the dog and determine whether it should be euthanized.

“The City of St. George takes these incidents very seriously and will continue to do everything possible to ensure the safety of the public, our police officers and the lives of animals involved,” the police department said in a Facebook post.

The man with whom officers spoke at the home was arrested that evening and later charged in Utah’s 5th District Court with multiple misdemeanors, including assault on a police officer, trespassing and assault, in addition to an attacking dog infraction.