Ludwigshafen police correct statement on dog shooting

Ludwigshafen police have issued corrections to their initial report regarding a dog shot by an officer on a dimly lit parking lot Saturday evening. The original statement asserted that police had apprehended a wanted suspect and shot his "dangerous" dog for approaching officers without a leash. The suspect was reportedly on the run after allegedly threatening a restaurant employee with a firearm.

However, the corrected information reveals the dog shot was a small Chihuahua. Furthermore, the man apprehended with the dog was not the originally sought suspect. The initial police report claimed the man resisted arrest, possibly due to his dog being killed, and that he and two officers sustained minor injuries. No firearm was reportedly found on the man, despite a criminal investigation being initiated for threat with a firearm and resisting arrest.

Two days after the initial release, police issued a correction that altered the description of the event. Police stated they controlled the man "for self-protection reasons under threat of service weapon." It was during this control that the shot was fired, hitting the dog.

The incident has drawn significant criticism on social media, with an online petition calling for a thorough investigation and the temporary suspension of the officer involved. An internal investigation is underway, and the Frankenthal public prosecutor's office will determine further actions. Police indicated that disciplinary measures would be considered if misconduct is found. The suspect who allegedly threatened the restaurant employee is still being sought.