After a string of controversial dog shootings, St. Pete officers learn new policies, equipment and training.
St. Petersburg, FL -- In September of 2010, a St. Pete police officer gunned down two dogs that were on leashes.
"He puts Quincy down; while Missy's still laying on the ground, he shoots her twice more," said Quincy's owner, Chris Clark, tells 10 News that night.
The incident sparked outrage among dog owners and left the dogs owners' grief-stricken.
"She was a sweet, loving dog--she didn't deserve this," said Missy's owner, Joan Caldwell, at the time.
The officer was cleared in that case, but the shooting did prompt more training for officers on dog behavior.
But St. Pete officers continue to find themselves in situations where they believe pulling the trigger is their best option.
Just last month it was a Boomer, a 12-year-old, arthritic Golden Retriever who escaped from his owners' yard.
Police were called after Boomer bothered a woman walking her dog. When Officer Misty Swanson tried to check Boomer's tags, she says the dog growled and charged, so she shot.
Boomer's owner says that doesn't sound at all like the family pet.
"No, he'd greet you at the door. Our pool man plays with him the lawn people same thing," said Roy Glass.
Boomer's story is booming on Facebook, thousands of people "liking" the page and most disliking police actions.
And that brings us to Wednesday and Police Chief Chuck Harmon.
"I know when this happened there was going to be an outcry about it," Harmon said of the Boomer shooting.
While Harmon says a shooting board found officer Swanson justified in firing her weapon, he was still bothered by Boomer and now 100 officers will be equipped with a catch pole and more training.
The pole is about 3 feet long and has a lasso on one end. Animal Control officers use the device to safely control dogs and Harmon hopes this new tool will help keep guns holstered.
"This was someone's family pet," Harmon said of Boomer. "And at the end of the day, if we had the right equipment the dog didn't need to die."
Glass says although he doesn't agree that Boomer's shooting was justified, he's encouraged that some action is being taken.