"That was my baby:" Family distraught after Great Pyrenees, Winter, shot & killed by MPD on 4th of July

MILWAUKEE -- A Milwaukee family left home on Monday night, July 4th, and returned home to a pool of blood and their dog missing. The family learned on Tuesday, July 5th their pet was killed by police.

The Thomas family is distraught. They cannot understand why their Great Pyrenees was killed by a Milwaukee police officer.

They spoke with FOX6 News on Tuesday -- demanding answers, as their dog's body remained at the Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Commission.

Thomas family

The Thomas family is moving from one home to another -- and on Monday night, they decided to take a break and catch a fireworks show. Before they left, they chained up their Great Pyrenees, Winter -- leaving him food and water.

"He was an excellent dog," Jerome Thomas said.

They stayed the night at a family member's home and returned Tuesday morning to a nightmare.

Thomas family

"I was like 'Oh my God. Is that blood?' I'm like Winter? Winter?" Thomas said.

Winter was missing.

The family called MADACC and their nightmare got worse.

"I`m like 'please tell me they didn`t kill my dog,'" Thomas said.

Winter was shot and killed by police.

Winter

In a statement to FOX6 News, a Milwaukee Police Department spokesman said Milwaukee police were called out for a "cruelty to animal" complaint on July 4th around 8:30 p.m. at a home near Lisbon and Burleigh. A caller indicated the owner of a dog had moved out of the home three to four days prior, and left the dog chained up in the backyard. The caller stated the dog appeared to be very dirty and not taken care of.

Officers found the dog in the backyard, and it barked at officers.

The MPD spokesman said the officers retreated, so as to not cause danger to themselves or the dog. The dog was eventually placed in a dog snare, and given food by the officers.

MADACC was contacted and called out to the scene.

MADACC

While waiting for MADACC to respond, the MPD spokesman says the dog became more friendly with the officers and allowed the officers to pet the dog.

The officers then unclipped the chain from the dog and began to walk the dog to their squad while the dog was in the snare.  However, the dog again turned aggressive -- and growled, barked and stood onto its hind legs.

The MPD spokesman said the dog freed itself from the snare and charged the officers.

The dog then bit and scratched one officer.  The other officer discharged their firearm -- killing the dog.

The injured officers was transported to a hospital for treatment of a minor injury.

"That was my baby. That was my baby. They killed my baby," Maqueda Thomas said.

The dog's body was taken to MADACC for testing.

MADACC officials say it's not illegal to keep a dog outside. MADACC's director says it's no surprise the huge dog responded the way he did when officers approached.

"They`re very territorial. Again -- two strangers walking in their yard...would`ve got the dog's hackles up," Karen Sparapani said.

The Thomas family is now mourning a beloved pet -- and wondering whether this could have been prevented.

"Cops, they`re trained for different situations, but they`re not Animal Control," Jerome Thomas said.