Bixby family questions the police shooting of their dog

A Bixby family has questions as to why a police officer shot and killed their 6 year-old golden retriever. <br/><br/>John and Cathy Benzinger were not home when the police responded to an alarm at their

Monday, June 7th 2004, 5:42 am

By: News On 6

A Bixby family has questions as to why a police officer shot and killed their 6 year-old golden retriever.

John and Cathy Benzinger were not home when the police responded to an alarm at their house. They say their dog was tethered to the fence in the backyard. They say police told them, the dog approached Officer Cory Forister, barking loudly. They say Forister shot Fluppy three times.

One neighbor confronted the officer after she and her children heard the shots. Molly Hannigan: "I said, 'Did you just shoot their dog?' and he said, 'Yes. I didn't want to get bit."

Dogâ€™s owner, Cathy Benzinger: "He's a big dog, he was 95 pounds but he's a golden retriever. He's not an attack dog."

The family put the dog to sleep because his injuries were too severe.

The News on 6 has made several attempts to contact Officer Forister. The Bixby Police Department's public information officer refused comment. Lieutenant Paul Tryon says he needs to review the case.