Dog mistaken for a coyote accidentally euthanized by animal control officer in Fairfield

A Fairfield family is demanding answers Friday after they say their dog was euthanized by animal control officers who thought it was coyote.

News 12 Staff

Nov 14, 2020, 3:00 PM

Updated 1,431 days ago

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A Fairfield family is demanding answers Friday after they say their dog was euthanized by animal control officers who thought it was coyote.
Fairfield police say they received a call Wednesday night about a possible coyote in distress on Lawrence Road. Animal control officers believed it was a coyote and called state resources on how to proceed.
Police say they were told there was no rehabilitation place equipped for the coyote, so an animal control officer humanely euthanized it.
The dog's owner started posting pictures of the 13-year-old Shiba Inu on social media Wednesday, saying the dog was missing. When the owner went to animal control Thursday it was determined it was her dog that was euthanized and not a coyote.
Fairfield resident Jack Powers says, "It makes me question their expertise for sure, I don't understand it."
Questions were raised on social media about the case, including comments from the owner that the dog was microchipped.
Police say they are reviewing their procedures to see if that should have been checked for and should be checked for in the future.
"We met with the family and the family is upset," says Lt. Antonio Granata. "We are upset by this and we want this investigation to move forward with full transparency."
An animal control officer is on administrative leave while the police department investigates.