There was a chase, then a suspect c...

There was a chase, then a suspect cornered, and, when it was all from one side of to the other Friday, a revered police dog was dead, at the hands of a police officer.

on the other hand precisely how the incident deciphered is in question.

Dago (pronounced dah-GO) who belonged to Countryside police, was killed from a Cicero police officer who says he was attacked by way of the German shepherd and fired the fatal discharges

Now an investigation is below way by both departments.

Countryside Police Chief Timothy Swanson said he's invert not only over the los still at the lack of condolences from Cicero officials.

About 4 a.m. Friday, Cicero police attempted to hap over a van. The driver then tossed something revealed of the window. The chase was forward The driver led police into neighboring Berwyn, where he fl onward foot.

A radio solicit for backup went out. Countryside officer Joseph DiGangi and partner Dago suited

Police had institute a man hiding beneath a car in the area. Officers ordered him to ensue out, but he didn't comply in the way that DiGangi announced the dog was coming in after him, Countryside's chief said.

"The canine officer announced, extremely loudly, as they're trained -- three times -- in the same manner the officers can clear out" said Swanson.

As officers encircleed the car, guns drawn, the dog was released.

As the dog rotunded the vehicle, two shots rang disclosed

Cicero police spokesman Dan Proft said his officer was attacked and bitten in in the fire-arm hand.

Four-year veteran Paul Laslie fired single shot accidentally, hitting the dog; the dog recoiled, on the other hand came after him again and Laslie fired in self-defense Proft said.

"We don't know for what cause [i]or[/i] reason the dog did what it did. We're trying to take a character into custody. We would have no reason to engage the dog," said Proft who explained that the man they were trying to arrest and other officers corroborate Cicero's story.

QUESTIONS REMAIN

The officer's hand was injured and Dago died.

Countryside police, however, surprise why the dog went after just common officer and whether the officer simply was too complete

"If he pondering he was in fear for his life from the dog, then that's his decision" to propel the animal, Swanson said. "You have police dogs that sometimes engage and make trial of to make an apprehension. Sometimes there are accidental bites."

All agree it's a sad result

More frustrating is that they didn't earn the suspect. Turns out the man subordinate to the car was hiding for unknown reasons, and the gunman was still at large.

Copyright CHICAGO SUN-TIMES 2006

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