Dog shot dead and man injured in incident after Garda's gun is discharged

 A dog was shot dead by a Garda in an incident in which a man suffered a gunshot wound to the leg when a bullet from the officer’s gun ricocheted.

The incident happened at a property in Edgeworthstown, Co Longford at around 6pm yesterday evening where Gardai visited as part of an investigation, Independent.ie reports.

Sources told independent.ie that the officer felt “compelled” to shoot the “aggressive” Alsatian dog because he feared that it was about to attack him.

The young man in his 20s suffered minor injuries to his leg.

He is being treated for his non life threatening injuries in hospital.

Both gardaí and the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission are investigating the incident.

Gardai say they attended an incident as part of an ongoing investigation.

A Garda spokesman said:  "As part of an on-going investigation by Gardai from Longford, they attended at an incident in Granard.

"During the course of this incident an official Garda firearm was discharged.

"As this incident has been referred to the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission, An Garda Siochana are not in a position to comment further."