Calgary police shoot ‘pit bull-type dog’ that lunged at officer during drug warrants

Calgary police said they were forced to shoot and kill a “pit bull-type dog” while executing drug warrants at a southwest home, after a public tip led to a three-week investigation into a dial-a-dope operation.

Three men have been charged in connection with the operation, police said Thursday.

“During one of the warrants, in the 2300 block of 19 Street S.W., a pit bull-type dog inside the home lunged and then latched on to the left arm of a tactical team member,” police said in a statement, adding the dog wouldn’t let go of the officer—which police said forced another CPS member to fatally shoot the animal.

“The injured officer was taken to hospital and was treated for a serious bite to his arm. The officer needed upwards of a dozen stitches to close the wound and long-term damage to his arm has not yet been determined.”

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A second, connected drug warrant was also executed Wednesday morning in the 200 block of Coral Springs Circle N.E.

Police said both warrants led to a seizure of 1.8 kilograms of marijuana (estimated $18,000 value), more than $1,000 in cocaine, various amounts of steroids and $14,565 in cash.

The dog was killed at the southwest home, where two Calgary men were arrested.

Ashley Stanway, 25, has been charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking, possession of property obtained by crime, possessing more than one operator’s licence and resisting arrest. David Essiambre, 23, has been charged with possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.

A woman was arrested and two children were seized when the second “high-risk warrant” was executed in the northeast home. Police said they also found several pit bull-type dogs at this residence.

At about 4 p.m. Wednesday, police said the woman had since been released without charge and the children were returned to her custody. A man who wasn’t home at the time of the warrant had since turned himself into police.

Jeffery Randy Yetman, 31, has been charged with possession of cocaine and two counts of possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.