A Kamloops Mountie was forced to shoot a pit bull-Labrador cross dog on Christmas morning as officers were dealing with a distraught woman wielding an axe at a North Shore home.
The shooting occurred just after midnight at a home at 1200 Kimberley Cresc. in North Kamloops.
Sgt. Edward Preto said police were called to the North Shore home in the early-morning hours and, while arresting the 27-year-old woman, came across the dog, which had escaped the grasp of another occupant of the home.
Preto said the dog cornered a Mountie in the hallway of the home and the officer, fearing that he was about to be bitten, shot the dog.
Preto said one round was fired, striking the dog, which was taken to a veterinarian for treatment. The animal is expected to make a full recovery.
The woman was taken into custody without further incident.
The Kamloops RCMP serious-crimes unit is investigating.
There were no other injuries suffered as a result of the dog being shot.
