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Trenton police officer shoots dog, and himself

Trenton Police Officer Shoots Dog, and Himself
TRENTON NJ - A police officer suffered a gunshot wound from his own firearm Thursday when he shot a dog that was attacking him and the bullet went through the animal's jaw and into the officer's leg. Officer Gilberto Velez was not seriously injured and the dog survived a bullet wound to the jaw.

Velez and his partner, William Salhanick responded to a domestic violence incident. Ann G. Walker-Johnson, 46, told the officers she had a dispute with her boyfriend, who had left the scene. Walker-Johnson told the officers she had her boyfriend's personal information at her residence and told the officers to meet her at there. When Velez and Salhanick got out of their police car and walked toward the house, they heard female voices yelling, "No! Come back!"

The officers heard a dog barking and growling and spotted a large pit bull coming from an alley. The dog went right for the officers, they yelled for the dog to stop and for Walker-Johnson to call her dog back. The dog charged Velez and was nearly on top of the officer when Velez drew his gun and shot once. The injured dog ran back to the house.

Velez was treated and released at the hospital. An animal control officer took the dog to an animal hospital. The incident will be investigated to see whether any animal violations should be filed against the dog's owner.