HARTFORD, Conn. -- Police shot a man's dog in front of his daughter on Wednesday night.

Channel 3 Eyewitness News reporter Jamie Roth reported Hartford police officers shot a St. Bernard by the front door of Glen Harris' home. Harris also owns another St. Bernard.

Police identified the officer who shot the dog as Officer John O'Hare, who is a member of the Northeast Conditions Unit, a specialized unit that investigates quality of life issues and addresses drugs and guns.

Harris claimed it all began when officers unexpectedly showed up in the yard. He said his large dog may have been excitable and may have been protecting the 12-year-old in his care, but he was an important part of the family and the neighborhood.

"They didn't knock. They ignored the sign, the dog sees or hears (and) protects my daughter, so he ran toward him -- not growling, not foaming at the mouth, not anything," Harris said.

Police told Eyewitness News the officers were investigating a complaint about guns when the dog charged them. Two officers said they ran to the street and that the dog lunged at the second officers, who fired three shots.

Harris said his daughter saw the whole thing.

"While she's running toward the dog, they kill him. She's yelling, 'Why'd you shoot him? I was going to get him. Why'd you shoot him?'" Harris said.

Police continue to investigate the incident. The police report in the incident does not list any guns found at the Harris home and no one was arrested.

"When we moved here, there was a problem with kids smoking and drinking, and because of the size of the dogs, there's no crime here now," Harris said.

Anytime an officer discharges their weapon, department policy mandates an automatic investigation take place.

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