WADESBORO, N.C. — People in the Wadesboro community are finding ways to honor K-9 Blitz after his death, but there are more calls for transparency into how the dog was shot and killed.
We’ve been reporting on the story since last week, when a Wadesboro Police Department officer shot Blitz while working a traffic stop that turned into an apprehension.
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According to the North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police, there’s no state policy for how agencies should handle a K-9′s death, it’s up to each individual agency to decide.
Toni Rorie helped organize a gathering last weekend in downtown Wadesboro to honor Blitz and try and get answers about what happened to him.
“For me, it was accountability from our town agencies, especially the police department,” Torie told Channel 9′s Gina Esposito.
Channel 9 went to Wadesboro to talk to the police chief last Wednesday, hours after Esposito learned of the incident. The chief said his officers initiated a traffic stop for a driver off of Highway 74, and that led to a chase that ended in Mount Gilead in Montgomery County. That’s where K-9 Blitz was deployed and took down the suspect.
The chief said during the altercation, an officer was hurt and the dog was killed.
The next day, we learned it was a fellow officer who shot and killed Blitz.
The dog’s former owner told Channel 9 that Blitz was a drug and tracking dog and was told by the police department he would not be used in apprehension.
Since then, neighbors are calling for answers.
“No town agency has stepped up to tell anything. In my mind that just provides distrust in the community and that’s exactly what we don’t want,” Rorie said.
Local council members agree and were hoping to get more answers at a meeting Monday night.
“We don’t know who is doing the investigation so there is a big void, a vacuum of information going on, and I hope some of that will be addressed at the town meeting tonight. I encourage people to come out and ask those questions,” said Wadesboro Town Council Member Chipper Long.
Long said he’s been pushing for more information, including the whereabouts of Blitz’s body.
“He needs to be honored and the community deserves to come together and celebrate his legacy,” Long said.
WPD said it’s conducting an internal investigation and couldn’t comment.
The State Bureau of Investigation said it’s not handling the case. Several sources told Channel 9 the district attorney’s office in Montgomery County is involved, but the office wouldn’t provide a comment.
‘Compelled to say something’
During a meeting held by the city council Monday night, Wadesboro Police Chief Jason Eschert said he felt compelled to say something after others voiced their concerns regarding the death of K-9 Blitz.
“I have been heartbroken at the loss of K-9 Blitz. I have been told I wasn’t able to speak, and I have chosen to risk my job and speak,” said Eschert. “I did an investigation into this matter, and yes, I’ve contacted the SBI.”
Eschert also shared that he had contacted the Virginia State Police Department, where Blitz had last served.
“I learned from the Virginia State Police that K-9 Blitz had two handlers. K-9 Blitz, unprovoked, attacked both handlers,” Eschert said.
However, Josh Harrington, who donated the K-9 to the police department, said he had never done anything like that before.
Harrington also said Blitz should never have been sent to chase and apprehend a suspect.
“That dog was to clean up the streets of Wadesboro for narcotics and tracking, not for biting people,” Harrington elaborated.
Harrington then pleaded for justice from the council, stating Blitz was more than just a dog.
“You do not shoot your own dog, under any circumstances. There was neglect in training, ignorance, and downright bad decision-making,” Harrington said. “He was an officer, just like a human. He worked alongside us; he made an impact and a difference in the community that was invaluable to humans. And he needs to be respected as such.”
Before the meeting wrapped, Eschert said more will be coming out about the investigation that he could not discuss during the meeting on Monday.
Harrington, however, is asking for K-9 Blitz’s remains to be turned over so he can be honored and have the funeral he deserves.
He also shared that Blitz will be inducted into the National Memorial in Washington, D.C.
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