Nov. 15 (UPI) -- The owner of a dog shot that was shot and killed by Colorado police officers is suing Commerce City and three cops for $1 million in damages.

The officers involved in the shooting of the chocolate lab/pit bull mix, Chloe, were cleared of any wrongdoing in a criminal trial.


The video of Chloe’s killing went viral on the Internet and many people were horrified by what had happened and protested about the excessive use of force. That is just part of the reason that Gary Branson has decided to file the civil case.

Chloe helped Branson recover after undergoing triple bypass surgery in 2008.

"She motivated me," Branson said. "When you have a surgery like that, that's going to bring you down. She was always there to perk me up, whether it was by licking my toes or begging for a bone. She just brightened my day, every day."

Branson cites the severe emotional distress that he has suffered and, although he’s already gotten another dog, he claims his life will never be the same.

“I can’t replace Chloe,” said Branson, “there are so many dogs being shot needlessly it needs to come to a stop.”

This is the video of the incident:

[CBS 4 Denver] [Denver Post]