A shocking video shows an officer shooting and killing a suspect's dog during an arrest in the US state of Detroit.
An investigation is now underway after a police officer fired shots at the culprit's canine, sparking massive outrage on social media.
The incident comes after police responded to a call of a burglary on the 8500 block along Pierson Street in Detroit's west side on Tuesday evening.
Police tried to apprehend the suspect and had a warrant for his arrest.
The clip, taken by a witness, shows the culprit walking away with his dog on a leash as officers deployed Tasers at him twice.
The man then releases his dog, who proceeds to bark at the officers and inches closer.
One of the officers then pulled out his gun, firing multiple shots at the canine.
The dog then frantically runs across the road writhing in pain before collapsing on a patch of grass, flinching in its final moments before succumbing to his injuries.
Cmdr. Arnold Williams said: "The officers, when they got on scene, they informed him that he was going to be placed in custody for his two felony warrants.
"He proceeded to walk away from officers. The officers did attempt to deploy Tasers twice and it appears one may have taken effect."
He added: "From the officer's body-worn camera it shows the dog barking at the officer, presenting aggressively, coming towards the officer and the officer firing shots at the dog as it's coming towards him."
Cmdr Williams said shooting the dog was the last resort, as officers pleaded the man to secure the animal.
He said: "They're literally asking him to tie the dog to trees, to put the dog - I think the term they used was off - put the dog off.
"The officers did not want to do anything with the dog.
"They did not want to harm that dog, but it was not until the dog presented aggressively that they had to take action."
Social media users lashed out at the officer's actions, with many insisting the police handled the situation wrongly.
One user said on Instagram : "They definitely could’ve just tased or pepper strayed the dog and it would’ve kept the dog away.
"The dog parked came forward a little bit then stopped and barked and that’s when they shot it when the dogs stopped they wrong for that..."
Another wrote: "They did not have to do that to that dog that dog was doing what it was supposed to be doing protecting his owner."
One added: "The dog ran away after hearing the first missed shot.... these cops should be charged with animal cruelty."
Some users lashed out at the man's behaviour, saying he should not have resisted arrest to avoid the situation from occurring.
One wrote: "I love dogs but that’s the owners fault. How f***ing dare he put that dog in harms way like that cause he wants to be stubborn ? People are sick."
Another said: "This one was the owners fault."
The man was arrested shortly after and taken into police custody for two felony warrants, aggravated assault and domestic violence.
One nearby witness, Richard Ravens, told Fox news: "That could ricochet off the ground and hit a kid.
"There are so many kids around here. That's what I was worried about, the kids."
Detroit police continue to investigate the incident.
