Sheriff’s deputy kills dog in Deer Park

A Spokane County sheriff’s deputy shot and killed a dog that lunged at him while he was handcuffing a man Tuesday night in Deer Park, the Sheriff’s Office reported.

Deputy Jeff Conway approached a car about 11:45 p.m. on A Street, said sheriff’s spokesman Dave Reagan. The car had been driving slowly through Deer Park and the driver appeared to be acting suspiciously, Reagan said. At the time, the driver was stopped and talking to a man who was holding a dog on a leash.

The man with the dog, Randall S. Goodwin, 18, started to walk away even though Conway ordered him to stop, Reagan said.

Conway took Goodwin by the arm and led him to a patrol car, Reagan said. He also requested that Deputy Brian Lawler, who was nearby, come to the scene to assist.

Reagan said that when Goodwin was being led to the car, the leash slipped off the dog, which jumped on the hood of a patrol car and started to growl. Goodwin yelled at the deputies and resisted them as they were attempting to place him in a patrol car, Reagan said. While the two deputies were handcuffing Goodwin, the dog lunged at them and advanced on Lawler, Reagan said. Lawler fired one shot at the dog.

Goodwin was cited for obstructing a public servant and was released at the scene, Reagan said. Deputies placed the dog in a plastic bag and allowed Goodwin to take it with him.

The driver of the car was cited for not having a valid driver’s license and for not having proof of insurance. He was released at the scene.