Colorado Family Seeks $250,000 After Officer Kills Dog

The owners of a dog that was shot and killed by a Denver police officer are seeking $250,000 in punitive damages from the city.

A claim filed by Joseph and Katy Drayer alleges Officer Brian Brown fatally shot their 3-year-old yellow Labrador, Rocky, when the dog was running away from him.

A police spokeswoman said after the Sept. 8 incident that Brown shot the dog, which had gotten loose, because it turned on him when he tried to approach it.

But the Drayers’ claim says the animal’s wounds “were later determined to be consistent with the dog having been shot from behind while fleeing from the officer.”

The claim also seeks for the police department to institute a program aimed at training officers on the proper handling of animals.

Also named as a claimant is Joseph Drayer’s mother, Sally Sutherberg.