A Taree family says a minor was ‘bashed’ and their dog shot after Police entered their home to arrest a 14-year old for breaching bail.
His 36-year old aunty was also arrested for allegedly assaulting an officer using a metal curtain rod.
One family member, who witnessed the incident, said she was ‘disgusted’ by the Police’s use of force.
The 16-year old witness said she felt her own life was in danger when their dog was shot.
“They shot him in the head and my head was right next to his,” she told NITV News.
“I felt the pressure of the bullet go into him and go past me and it could have easily gotten me,” she said.
Videos of the incident shared on Facebook were widely shared, with some saying it was evidence of 'police brutality.'
Police arrived at the home in the New South Wales mid north coast last night and began searching for the 14-year old.
The family witness said authorities used physical force to apprehend the boy after finding him in the backyard. They then took him to the front of the house.
“They had their hands around his throat, put him against the wall and put him on the ground,” the 16-year old said.
“He was scared [and] didn’t want to get locked up.”
She said family members were told to go inside the house by Police when they started to complain about the treatment the boy was receiving.
“We wouldn’t go back inside, they pulled pepper spray and sprayed me and my mum,” she said.
Police said pepper spray was used during the incident but did not specify against whom and why the spray was deployed.
Police say they were responding to the 36-year old woman, who allegedly assaulted an officer.
A recount of the incident was posted on Facebook. Source: Facebook
“As police were arresting a 14-year-old boy, a 36-year-old woman allegedly assaulted a male senior constable with a metal curtain rod,” Police Media said.
But the woman’s 16-year old daughter said her mother didn’t intend to assault the officer.
“He reacted and hit her in the face and kneed her,” she said.
“My mum got arrested, her nose was broken and my cousin is still in court.”
Police said the 36-year-old woman was charged with assaulting police and resisting arrest.
She was granted conditional bail.
The dog survived being shot and was taken to the vet. Source: Family
Dog shot, taken to vet
The dog was shot after biting a Police officer leaving him with a puncture wound on his leg.
“After an unsuccessful attempt to physically remove the dog, it was shot by another senior constable,” Police said.
The 16-year old family witness said the dog was acting to protect her mother.
“My dog, he protects my mum,” she said.
“[The dog] grabbed his leg and started pulling him back.”
The 16-year old’s sister, who was not at the scene, was on the phone with the family during the incident.
She said she heard the gun shot.
“I hesitated and didn’t know what to do, I thought my mum or my cousin or my sister had got shot,” she told NITV News.
The dog was taken to a nearby vet by police and received treatment.
NITV News asked police if the use of force was appropriate in this circumstance and if the use of the firearm put anyone in danger.
Police said they could not comment because the matter is before the court.
