By Marc Martinez, FOX 10 News
PHOENIX (KSAZ) -
It's been a week since Winter
the dog was shot by a Phoenix Police officer. That officer said he felt threatened
when the dog charged him.
An online petition to have the
officer who shot Winter suspended has grossed more than 4,300 from all over the
world.
"We really just want to
see him just acknowledge that shooting
Winter wasn't an appropriate response and maybe be better trained on when is
the appropriate time to fire your weapon," said Effie Craven.
Craven started the online
petition. She lives on the property where Winter was shot.
An officer responding to a
possible stolen car call went to open the gate to talk to Winter's owners who
live in a guest house, in the backyard. That's when the officer says Winter
came out of the yard and began biting him.
He fired three shots to protect
himself.
Craven says she feels the
officer overreacted in the situation.
The Phoenix Police Department
says after an investigation the officer will not face any disciplinary action,
since no policies were violated.
The Department issued a
statement explaining their decision:
"The public is always very
passionate about how animals are treated, and the Phoenix Police Department
understands this emotion. Unfortunately very few people have the facts about
what occurred that night."
As for Winter, she suffered two
gunshot wounds but is on the road to recovery.
"I think she's gonna heal
up just fine, she's out being a dog," said Craven
