Family given £180,000 payout after beloved dog shot to death by policeman in legal first
OFFICIALS have agreed to pay more than £180,000 in compensation to a family whose brave dog was killed by a policeman.
Tragic Chloe was shot by policeman Robert Price in 2012
Three-year-old therapy dog Chloe was captured before being tasered and shot five times by officer Robert Price.
The shocking incident took place in November 2012 but Gary Branson, owner of the pitbull mix, has fought tirelessly for justice since.
The settlement – the largest of its kind in American legal history – was filed at a court in Commerce City, Colorado on Friday.
She deserved justice for what happened to her
Branson said tragic Chloe, whose death was caught on camera by a neighbour, "deserved justice".
He added: "She deserved justice for what happened to her.
"This has been a very difficult time for me and am glad that it is now settled."
The settlement was filed at a court in Commerce City, Colorado
Price was charged with aggravated animal cruelty but was acquitted of the crime in October 2013.
He was one of several officers who raced to the scene after receiving a report about a "loose, vicious dog" dog on Nucla Street.
The policeman, who joined the force in June 2006 but had been on paid administrative leave, returned to duty after the verdict.
Lawyer Jennifer Edward hopes the case sets a precedent
Lawyer Jennifer Edward said she hopes the case will be used as a "model" to settle similar lawsuits.
A Commerce City spokeswoman said: "The city's out-of-pocket cost was a $50,000 (£34,850) deductible.
"Our insurance agent covered the rest."