SPOKANE — The owners of a dog fatally shot by a Spokane County sheriff’s deputy last summer have filed a complaint against the county for $175,000.
The Spokesman Review reported that Deputy Ryan Smith shot Cash, an 8-year-old pit bull, while returning keys to a Greenacres home.
The complaint claims Smith violated department policies.
Police reports say Smith had gone to the home to return keys left at another home during a welfare check. Smith told investigators he thought Cash was restrained by an invisible fence, but the dog lunged at him.
Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich says Smith was just trying to do his job.
In December, prosecutors decided against filing charges against Smith. But the family’s lawyer says Smith walked past signs warning visitors of dogs on the property and failed to use nonlethal methods to subdue Cash.
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