Lone Star Police Department

Case #2507-00149:  On July 16, 2025 at approximately 4:00PM, a Lone Star Police officer and the Chief of Police responded to a residence on Bowie Street where two children were reportedly scared and screaming in a yard because vicious dogs were trying to attack them.

Upon arrival, the officers spoke with the reporting person who pointed out the house where the dogs reside and another house where the children reside.  

Officers went to the residence to speak to the dog owner.  While the Chief was speaking to a resident (who does not own the dogs), the owner came out of the house.  While the door was open when the owner was coming out to speak to police, two dogs ran out.  The dogs started running towards the officer who was standing at the end of the driveway near the street.  The officer drew her weapon and prepared to defend herself.  The dogs stopped advancing towards the officer and turned towards the Chief due to his closer proximity.  As the dog jumped to attack the Chief, he fired one shot, striking the aggressive dog in the head.  Once the dog was hit, the dog ran away.  The other dog seemed to be just following the aggressive dog, and the other dog was not fired upon.

After a brief, but heated, exchange between the owner and the Chief, the owner was allowed to leave with the dog to get the dog treated at a veterinarian for the gunshot wound.

"I don't want to be out here shooting dogs," said Chief Ernest Hastings.  "I have several animals.  I love animals.  However, I am not out here to get bit by dogs of irresponsible dog owners.  Furthermore, there are kids who play out here, and I'm not going to stand by and do nothing, potentially causing one of these kids to be injured or killed by one of these dogs."

A citation for DOG AT LARGE was issued.