Woman says Aurora officer shot her dog during traffic stop

AURORA, Ohio - A Northeast Ohio woman says her dog was killed by a police officer during a traffic stop.

Thomi West, 53, said she was pulled over on July 5 by Aurora police officer Chris Ryder. She said he followed her into her driveway. West had her dog, an Australian Shepard-mix named Pele, in the car.

"I get out of the car, my window is rolled down, Pele jumps out of the car and kind of runs out of the car, I'm thinking maybe to relieve himself," said West.

She said the officer got out of his cruiser and started walking towards them.

"He starts walking over this way towards Pele and then shoots him in the face," said West.

ONN-TV called, stopped by the Aurora Police Department and requested the police report, but never heard back from anyone regarding the incident.

The 6-year-old dog died from the gunshot wound.

The officer told West he pulled her over because someone had reported a car swerving. West has orange colored license plates on her car which means she's had an OVI.

"I have no problem with Officer Ryder pulling me over. He cannot, however, pull me over and then shoot my dog. He cannot," she said.

Thursday, officers cited West for driving left of center and driving under a suspended license something she said didn't know.

"I have to answer these charges and they came a week after the incident," said West.

West has to appear in court in Kent at 8:30 a.m. Monday.