Shot dog had been provoked, say police

SHOOTING: Police shot a dog after it charged at two officers.

A dog has been shot after it tried to attack two police officers who were attempting to enter a house in Featherston.

Police were called to the house in rural Featherston near Boundary Rd about 9pm on Saturday after reports were received of a man threatening people with a knife.

Senior Sergeant Mike Sutton said that as police tried to enter the house they encountered resistance from those inside, who set the dog on two officers.

One officer used pepper spray to try to stop the charging dog, and when that failed, the other officer was forced to shoot it, Mr Sutton said.

"It was very angry and had been wound up by occupants of the address and unfortunately that was the only response left available to us.

"It's really unfortunate that those people chose to use that dog in that way and caused that action to be taken."

It was unknown what breed the dog was, he said.

People who were leaving the house as police arrived seemed fearful and there was a clear need for police to go inside, he said.

People at the address had gathered to commemorate a recent death in the family and alcohol was definitely a factor, Mr Sutton said.

"Things got a little bit out of hand with a couple of them there and it got worse from there."

After the confrontation with the dog, officers called for back-up from Hutt Valley and Wellington police.

"With the help of some of the occupants, we managed to gain control of the situation and thankfully no one was hurt."

Police were at the house until the early hours of the morning dealing with the volatile situation, Mr Sutton said.

One man was initially arrested for obstruction, but was released with a warning.

No arrests had yet been made in relation to the alleged knife threats, Mr Sutton said.