Newcastle Police Chief Responds To Shooting Of Couple's Dogs

News9.com and Jennifer Pierce, News 9

NEWCASTLE, Oklahoma -- Despite the release of a police report, a Newcastle couple says they still have questions about what led up to the deadly shooting of their two dogs.

Bryan and April Stout put their dogs, Snuggles and Jack, with friends while they tried to get back on their feet after the May 24th tornado. According to a police report, the dogs escaped their kennel and ran loose.

Related Story: 6/20/11 Police Report States Newcastle Dogs 'Killed With Shotgun'

Related Story: 6/13/11 Newcastle Couple's Pets Killed After Home Destroyed By Tornado

Newcastle Animal Control Officer Tim Claypool says the dogs charged at him when he approached them. Claypool says the dogs were vicious and a threat to customers at a nearby barber shop and farmer's market.

In the police report, Claypool says after calling a police officer for assistance and attempting to tranquilize the dogs, he had to make a decision in order to protect citizens. Claypool says that's when Newcastle Police Chief Gary Norman gave him authorization to use a police officer's shotgun to shoot the dogs.

"He acted within the scope of his employment as in the realm of his training that he's been given," Chief Norman said.

The report does not say the dogs attacked anyone. Bryan Stout insists his dogs were never violent or vicious.