Toledo police shoot dog in yard during search

Rachel Schnabel holds a photograph of Rooroo, the 12 year-old Pitbull owned by her boyfriend. Rooroo was shot and killed by police in the process of executing a search warrant.

Police shot a dog Tuesday in North Toledo while executing a search warrant with the SWAT team.

Gregory Schrecongost, 26, of 1868 Chase St. was arrested on three drug-related charges after police searched his home.

People at the scene said officers shot Schrecongost’s 12-year-old male “pit bull” that had been inside the fenced yard when police arrived.

Police allegedly shot the dog — which onlookers said was not lunging, growling, or barking — from the sidewalk in front of the house before entering the gate.

Police officials could not be reached for comment later Tuesday, but department policy states, “Officers may use a firearm to destroy a dangerous animal that poses an immediate threat to the officer or others.”

The dog did not die on the scene, but people there said it was shot twice with a shotgun and suffered significant jaw and shoulder injuries. The dog was taken to a veterinary hospital to be euthanized and was then buried in the yard with neighbors’ help.

Contact Alexandra Mester: amester@theblade.com, 419-724-6066, or on Twitter @AlexMesterBlade.