Officers with the Galesburg Police Department were forced to shoot at a dog while attempting to make an arrest on Friday.
According to a statement from the police department, officers responded to the 500-block of West South Street looking for 26-year-old William Simmons.
While approaching the house on foot, a gray and white pit bull came out of the side yard and ran at officers, who had not yet reached the property.
The statement says officers attempted to back away from the dog but it continued to charge at police. Fearing an attack, officers fired three shots at the dog to stop it. It was apparently struck and ran away and later died.
Officers believe Simmons unleashed the dog on officers in an attempt to flee out the back door and get away.
The statement says Simmons’ path was through the back yards and through a fence. He was located on Bateman Street and arrested.
He is being charged with felony criminal damage, domestic battery, unlawful restraint, and assault. He remains in the Knox County Jail pending a bond hearing.
