A staffy accompanying an alleged car thief was shot and killed by police after attacking two smaller dogs during an arrest.
Police were called to Trigg Beach, in Perth‘s north-west, shortly before 7pm on Tuesday and found a grey Toyota RAV4 believed to have been stolen earlier in the day.
According to police, officers attempted to speak with the 39-year-old driver of the car but she fled down a beach track.
An American Staffordshire Terrier accompanying the woman became aggressive towards the officers, forcing the officers to use capsicum spray.
The woman was arrested on the beach and taken back to the car park.
Police shot and killed a staffy after it attacked two smaller dogs during an arrest at a beach north-west of Perth
‘At this time, the dog approached and attacked two small dogs who were walking nearby in the company of a member of the community,’ police said.
‘An officer then fatally shot the larger dog to prevent further injury to those present.’
One of the smaller dogs, which were both dachshunds, suffered serious injuries and was taken to a nearby vets for emergency medical treatment.
Police are investigating the circumstances around the incident.
The woman, from from East Perth, was charged with stealing a motor vehicle, having no authority to drive and breaching bail conditions.
She is due to appear in Perth Magistrates Court on Wednesday.