Dog hit by Newark police vehicle heads to Florida for evaluation

Newark, Del. (WTXF) - One of the dogs hit by a police vehicle earlier this month in Newark, Delaware, will be heading to an animal behavior center in Florida for evaluation with the goal of eventually returning to the Brandywine Valley SPCA to find a forever home.

READ MORE: Newark police intentionally hit two 'aggressive' dogs with vehicles, fatally shoot one

The incident on May 11 was caught on camera by bystander and animal advocate Leigh Spencer. The video showed the two loose dogs wandering around with several officers standing nearby. A few hours later, Newark police officers ran the Shepherd mix and the Pit Bull mix down with their police cruisers. One of the dogs was injured, but escaped. The other hobbled away, but was later shot to death by police.

According to the Brandywine Valley SPCA, the dog that survived, Atari, is being held for a precautionary 10-day quarantine. The SPCA says their behavior team will then evaluate her and transfer her to the Dogs Playing for Life (DPFL) National Canine Center in North Central Florida, which is run by nationally renowned trainer Aimee Sadler. Following the center's assessment and any associated behavior modification treatments, Atari, will return to the Brandywine Valley SPCA with a goal to place her with an appropriately matched forever family.

"Our role is to give Atari every chance for a positive outcome while considering public safety," said Adam Lamb, BVSPCA Chief Executive Officer. "Placing her with Aimee Sadler's team at DPFL ensures Atari has access to all possible resources to help her be a successful adoption candidate."

The video of the incident showed the two loose dogs wandering around with several officers standing nearby. A few hours later, Newark police officers ran the Shepherd mix and the Pit Bull mix down with their police cruisers. One of the dogs was injured, but escaped. The other hobbled away, but was later shot to death by police.

Spencer said people who stopped to help the animals were in tears when the police hit the dogs with their cars.

To see the police run them over with one of their vehicles, I don't know how else to explain it. It's traumatizing," said Spencer.

Newark police declined to speak on camera, but said the animals were aggressive, growling, baring their teeth and charging at the police. Officers from the state Office of Animal Welfare were on scene as well.

In total, at least 15 members of law enforcement spent an hour and a half chasing the dogs around the intersection of Ogletown and Marrows Road with catchpoles and dog treats before resorting to lethal force.

Police said they became concerned the animals would attack passersby and decided to run the dogs over because the animals were moving fast and could not be safely shot.

Lee's friend Ashton works for the SPCA. She was off duty, but happened upon the scene. Both women dispute the police account.

"His tail was wagging. He was drooling a little bit. Really nothing aggressive at all," said Ashton Cleveland.

"They didn't look aggressive. They looked terrified. I've seen terrified dogs before. I know what that looks like," Spencer said.

Leigh and Ashton said they understand the officers had a difficult duty, but are calling for the department to undergo new training.

"It's gruesome. I don't think it was necessary. But, obviously, I respect the police force. I respect them wanting to keep the public safe. But, I just think it shouldn't have come to that point at all," Spencer explained.

The Brandywine Valley SPCA plans to purchase an unused animal shelter in Georgetown at auction on June 9 to create a Rescue & Rehab Center so they can provide additional services for the region's most vulnerable dogs and cats, such as cruelty survivors, disaster victims, newborns and infants, animals at risk in other shelters, and those requiring time and training to increase their adoptability. To support their efforts to secure that center, please click here.