CORBIN — By Megan Williamson / Staff Writer

The Whitley County Animal Control officer who shot and killed a stray dog in front of a woman that had been caring for the animal will be disciplined, according to Whitley County Judge-Executive Pat White.

White also said the animal had been the subject of numerous complaints until recently.

The shooting happened Wednesday after Whitley Pharmacy employees Alicia Creekmore and Rhonda Rains called Whitley County Animal Control in the hopes the agency would find a home for the stray they called “Bugsy.”

“He was just the cutest thing,” Rains said.

Creekmore, 21, of Williamsburg, said she and many others had befriended Bugsy, who was skittish with her at first, though she was able to later encourage him to eat out of her hands.

The dog had been hanging around many Highland Park area businesses and was like a neighborhood pet to many, Creekmore said.

Creekmore said she contacted Animal Control around lunchtime Wednesday, however, they did not show up until hours later when Rains, 31, of Corbin, contacted them again after 6 p.m.

About 15 minutes later, Whitley County Animal Control Officer Wayne Perkins arrived at the pharmacy to find Bugsy under a dumpster behind the business where he had found shelter from the rain.

Williamsburg Police Officer Jim Poole responded to a call on his cell phone from Whitley County Animal Care Officer Wayne Perkins, asking Poole to assist with the catching of a dog.

Though Williamsburg police are not affiliated with animal control, according to Public Affairs Officer Shawn Jackson, Poole responded merely to help catch the dog.

Another pharmacy employee, Breanna Rhoades, 20, of Williamsburg, met the officers outside the business.

After Poole asked Rhoades if he could help, Rhoades said she asked Poole if Bugsy was going to be shot. Rhoades said Poole wasn’t sure.

Rhoades said she told the officers, “If you’re going to kill him, I’ll take him. I’ll pay the fine, too. Just don’t kill him.”

As she talked to the officers, Rhoades said Perkins shot Bugsy three times with a 20-gauge shotgun. Though the first shot missed the animal, Rhoades said the next two struck and killed Bugsy.

Rhoades said Perkins then picked up the dead dog, loaded Bugsy into his truck and drove away without saying a word to her.

Rains said Perkins later called to apologize. Perkins told her the dog could have caused wrecks and had what appeared to be mange on his belly.

Rains said she called Whitley County Judge Executive Pat White to complain and that White told her the matter was not handled correctly and that Perkins could be written up.

In an e-mail issued Friday, White said, “The animal control officer’s poor judgment is clearly not the protocol of this office. Euthanasia is only to be used as a very last resort. However, there seems to be some areas of confusion. There had been numerous calls about this dog over the course of many weeks.”

White’s statement continues by saying the dog was a Great Pyrenees and weighed between 100 and 150 pounds.

“People were afraid of it and there were complaints that this animal was running in front of traffic and would cause an accident,” White wrote, adding that Kentucky law allows an animal control officer to shoot an animal under certain circumstances.

White concluded by writing, “I think it was poor judgment and this officer will be disciplined, but the action does not appear unlawful.”

Williamsburg Police Chief Wayne Bird said Officer Poole arrived on the scene to assist the Animal Care officer in catching the dog. Poole had no knowledge what was going to happen. Poole told Bird he was about 40 yards away from the dog at the time of the shooting, and the decision was made solely on the Animal Control Officer’s judgment. Bird said Poole has not violated any procedures.

Jackson said, “We cannot speak for any other agency involved but based on Bird’s investigation, Officer Poole did not violate any procedures.”