EXCLUSIVE: Person describes body camera showing moments Wadesboro PD K9 was shot

WADESBORO, NC – A person who says they have seen police body cam video of the night a Wadesboro Police K9 was shot and killed is speaking out. The person speaking out talked with the dog’s former owner, Josh Harrington. Harrington provided WCCB with a recording of their phone call.

Wadesboro Police used K9 Blitz in a suspect chase on April 2nd that started in Anson County and ended in Montgomery County. The dog was shot and killed on the scene by police.

Harrington shared a recording of a conversation between himself and a person who claims they have seen the body camera video. The person says, “They’re trying to get the suspect off the ground and in the ambulance and all that. And then you hear [the handler] scream in pain and tell them to shoot the dog.” They continue, “He (Blitz) doesn’t lunge at anybody. He doesn’t. He walks towards them and I think that’s probably when the two shots, the two initial shots, were fired. Then you hear nothing for a long time, and then you hear the mag dumped.”

Harrington donated Blitz to Wadesboro Police Chief Jason Eschert in January. Harrington says Chief Eschert agreed the K9 would only be used to sniff out drugs, not bite work.

WCCB received a statement from the public relations coordinator for the Virginia State Police that says, “K9 Blitz was part of a recent patrol K9 school with Virginia State Police, trained in tracking, apprehension, and building searches. He was removed from the program last fall because of unwarranted aggression issues and was adopted by a new owner with some experience handling those concerns.”

At a heated town hall Monday night, Chief Eschert says he learned about Blitz’ history after the dog died. “K9 Blitz, unprovoked, attacked both handlers. K9 Blitz, also unprovoked, attacked the trainer, but the trainer was able to fend it off. K9 Blitz, unprovoked, attacked a kennel attendant and caused some serious injuries,” Chief Eschert said.

Harrington says the Wadesboro Police department failed to use Blitz properly and without proper training. He wants an independent investigation. “63 days after they received the dog, they were doing apprehension with the dog. That’s very unusual. Extremely too soon,” Harrington said.

Blitz was part of the Wadesboro Police Department in Anson County, but since the dog was shot in Montgomery County, the district attorney there would have to request SBI assistance for an independent investigation. Harrington has requested Blitz’s remains, but so far, the chief has so far declined that request. He has not answered WCCB’s inquiry as to the current location of the K9’s remains.