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INTERVIEW. REPORTER: CLAYTON CRAWFORD SAYS HIS DOG WAS SHOT AND KILLED RIGHT HERE. HE TELLS ME HE IS BIPOLAR AND HAS NO IDEA WHAT HE IS GOING TO DO WITHOUT HIS DOG. >> IT HAS TRAUMATIZED ALL OF US IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE WILL DEAL WITH FOREVER. REPORTER: H SAYS HE LET HIS DOBERMAN OUT TO USE THE BATHROOM LAST THURSDAY NIGHT. THERE IS A SECTION THAT IS NOT FENCED IN AND HE GOT OUT ON THE STREET HE HEARD HIS DOG BARKED AND THEN HE HEARD FOUR GUNSHOTS. >> JUST TO SEE HER BLEED TO DEATH IN FRONT OF ME, TAKING HER LAST BREATH. REPORTER: IT IS NOT CLEAR WHAT EVENTS LED UP TO HIS DOG’S DEATH. HE SAYS HE FORGIVES THE OFFICER BUT QUESTION IF IT WAS NECESSARY TO OPEN FIRE. >> IT HAS BEEN SPASMS OF CRYING. REPORTER: HE KEEPS HER MEMORIES CLOTHES -- CLOSE. >> ALLY CAN SEE IS HER BODY IN A POOL OF BLOOD, LYING THERE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. IT IS HARD TO LOSE IN ANIMAL OR ANYONE IN THIS LIFE, BUT TO LOSE IT IN THIS WAY, BY FIREARM? THE SOUND OF THE GUNSHOTS, IT STILL RINGS IN ME, EVERY DAY. REPORTER: NOPD RELEASED A STATEMENT SAYING, AT NO POINT IN TIME TO THE OFFICER REPORTS INVESTIGATORS THAT HE WAS BITTEN BY THE ANIMAL, NOR WAS THE OFFICER ACTUALLY BITTEN. THE INVESTIGATION TEAM IS INVESTIGATING. OFFICERS NEVER WANT TO RESORT TO USIN FORCE, UNFORTUNATELY BE INVOLVED OFFICER FELT LIKE IT WAS UNAVOIDABLE. THEY EXPRESSED REMORSE OVER

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A New Orleans man said he is heartbroken after a New Orleans Police Department officer shot and killed his service dog. One week ago, Clayton Crawford said his dog, Hilo, was shot and killed on North DuPre and Onzaga Street. Crawford said he is bipolar and doesn't know what he is going to do without Hilo. Crawford said he let his dog, a Doberman, out to use the bathroom last Thursday night in his backyard, which is not fenced in. He said Hilo got out into the street when he heard four shots. Crawford said he found Hilo dead outside on the street. According to Crawford, Hilo is not aggressive and he wants to know if force was necessary, and why the officer did not use a Taser. "It's been just spasms of crying and wailing since it all happened. All I have left of her is her toys and blanket she was laying on and laying with me every night," said Crawford. "I'm still crying over it, seeking her comfort. The trauma is just so big."It is unclear what the events were leading up to the dog's death. NOPD released the following statement regarding the incident: "On January 2, 2020, a shooting involving a NOPD officer occurred near the intersection of North Dupre and Onzaga Street in the First District. "As a result, a dog was killed. "During 'use of force' incidents, the NOPD has protocols in place to relay information regarding these incidents to the public. " Unfortunately, in this case that procedure was not followed and resulted in a premature report to the media that the dog bit the officer."At no time did the officer involved in this incident report to investigators that he was bitten by the animal, nor was the officer actually bitten. "The NOPD’s Public Integrity Bureau Force Investigation Team is currently investigating this incident."Furthermore, officers with the NOPD never want to resort to using force. "Unfortunately, in this instance, the involved officer felt it was unavoidable. "Both, the officer and Deputy Superintendent Arlinda P. Westbrook have been in contact with the dog’s owner to express their remorse for this unfortunate incident. "There are no further details available at this time."According to the NOPD, it has been in contact with Crawford to express their remorse for the unfortunate incident. NOPD declined WDSU's request for an on-camera interview, and could not tell us why this was unavoidable. They said the investigation is ongoing.