(Michigan City, IN) - Police say no evidence has been found of a dog being mistreated by a Michigan City animal control officer.

 

That’s according to Michigan City Police Chief Steve Forker, who said the decision was based on video footage of the incident and other information such as a history of the animal attacking other dogs.

 

He said the matter was under review before social media posts alleging mistreatment of the dog by the officer began surfacing.

 

“While short video clips can generate concern, they do not always capture the full context of an incident and may not reflect the totality of the circumstances surrounding an officer’s actions,” he said.

 

Forker said the dog has documented “high-energy and aggressive behavior” that once resulted in a prior use of force report after pepper spray was needed to stop the dog from fighting with another animal.

 

In general, he said animal control officers are committed to treating every animal with care and professionalism but handling unpredictable and aggressive animals often requires officers to make real- time decisions that balance the welfare of the animal with the safety of everyone involved.

 

“We appreciate the community’s interest in the welfare of animals and remain committed to transparency, accountability and the human treatment of every animal entrusted to our care,” he said.