Formal charges are still pending against the owner of the Staffordshire bull terrier shot by Wayne Police two weeks ago after it bit a local woman.

The Wayne Police Department received a call of two dogs running at large in the 700 block of Pearl Street on April 2 at 6:50 p.m. A second call was received shortly after, noting that one of the dogs bit a female who was reported walking in the area.

Wayne resident Laura Burtwistle was on her way home when she saw a cop car at the house of somebody she knew. The residents were her fiancé’s brother and his friend/roommate, who just moved to Wayne from Washington state at the end of March. There was a police car parked behind the house and the back door was open.

“I turned to head home to talk with my fiancé to see what was going on and running south on Pearl Street I saw one of their dogs. No more than two a big red spot on its side,” Burtwistle said. “I didn’t hear the gun shot but knew the dog was shot by one of the officers in front of me.”

According to a press release from the police department, two officers responded to the area and located one of the dogs—the dog responsible for the bite. The officers attempted to capture it, but the dog became aggressive. The dog went at one of the officers and was tased, but that only stopped it for a few seconds.

A third officer arrived to assist and attempted to capture the dog. Attempts failed and the dog continued to be aggressive. The officer made attempts to draw the dog’s attention and the dog came at him, forcing him back inside his cruiser. As the dog attempted to get at the officer again, the officer shot the dog.

“Sergeant Jason Sears was the officer that was most helpful in telling me the situation and what had transpired before the dog was shot,” Burtwistle said.

According to Burtwistle, the dog that was killed was a Staffordshire bull terrier named Chase. The Wayne Municipal Code states that any pit bull terrier, which shall be defined as any American Pit bull Terrier or Staffordshire Bull Terrier or American Staffordshire Terrier breed of dog, or any mixed breed of dog which contains an element of its breeding, are not allowed in Wayne City Limits.

“Chase was a very friendly dog that never showed aggression toward people when I was around them, so it was surprising to hear he bit someone,” Burtwistle which would explain why he became so hostile.”

The owner of the dog, LaMonika Whiddon, had rescued Chase from an abusive home but had no proof of prior vaccinations.

“The Wayne Veterinary Clinic was contacted and steps were taken to send the dog’s body to Kansas State University for rabies testing,” Police Chief Marlen Chinn said. “Due to the severity of the bite the victim was taken by private vehicle to Providence Medical Center for treatment. She is currently undergoing precautionary treatment for rabies until test results are returned.”

Formal charges against Whiddon, are being reviewed by the Wayne County Attorney’s Office.

“He was my baby boy—like my child, if I had one. How could this happen?” Whiddon asked.