It was an outcome nobody wanted at the Auckland Airport on Friday morning.
New Zealand Police had to shoot and kill an aviation security (AVSEC) dog after it got loose for more than three hours.
Unfortunately an Aviation Security dog was shot this morn @AKL_Airport staff had tried for 3 hours to catch it our thoughts are with handler
— Auckland Airport (@AKL_Airport) March 16, 2017
The dog, named Grizz, was first reported loose at 4 a.m. local time and police arrived at the airport to try and help reel him in.
However, after three hours police were directed to shoot the dog amid safety concerns.
“Police can confirm that Auckland Airport staff directed police to shoot the AVSEC dog which was loose at the airport this morning,” said a written statement from the New Zealand Police. “Our thoughts are with the AVSEC dog handler involved.”
The airport first tweeted about delays around 6 a.m., simply citing a dog on the airfield.
An hour later they updated the situation saying the dog was caught, before tweeting again shortly after to announce that the dog had been shot.
Police confirmed the news shortly after.
Shooting of dog at Auckland Airport - Attribute to Inspector Tracy Phillips, Counties Manukau District: Police ... https://t.co/eXV7ky1ul1
— New Zealand Police (@nzpolice) March 16, 2017
“This is not an outcome which anyone wanted and police were only asked to be involved as a last resort.”
Many are weighing in online, proposing alternative solutions like a tranquilizer gun or continuing to delay flights until Grizz could be attained.
Do you think they could have handled the situation differently or was their hand forced? Let us know in the comments below.
@workmanalice Tough call, if it got on a strip and distracted a pilot coming into land or take off there could be a major accident @jmodoh
— Peter OatawayⓂ️ (@PetefromHayNSW) March 16, 2017
