POLICE have shot and killed a dog while making an arrest in New Addington.
The dog, called Blaze, was shot after officers forced their way into a house in Windham Avenue at around 3pm yesterday (Wednesday).
According to a Met spokesman officers called a dog unit to the scene after the one-year-old French mastiff/pit bull terrier cross became aggressive.
The specialist officers were unable to calm the animal down so armed police were called and the dog was the shot.
Blaze's owner, Shannon-Marie Henery, 17, said the dog was her "world".
"I can't believe the police have shot my puppy," she told the Advertiser.
"The only time he showed aggression was if someone knocks at the door or he hears a loud noise and he barks because he protects his home.
"He was a playful loving puppy. As you can tell from the pictures he was my world.
"I treated him like a baby. Our bond together was mad, it really was."
In a statement released today, police say they had attended the address to arrest a 17-year-old boy wanted in connection with aggravated burglary and robbery offences.
Officers forced entry to the house and the teenager was arrested.
A spokesman added: "A dog was acting aggressively toward officers.
"A specialist police dog unit attended, but were unable to restrain the dog.
"Armed officers were subsequently called and the dog was shot and killed."
The spokesman confirmed that no officers had been injured during the incident.
Shannon-Marie, who is not connected in any way with the criminal investigation, confirmed that Blaze had been shot on New Addington Pathfinders Facebook page earlier today (Thursday).
She wrote: "Just got a phone call. Yes it's true, my puppy did get shot and for no reason.
"He backed away from the police but was still barking at them, as they shot him my cousin saw it all happen. This is wrong, I'm taking things further.
"There was no dead bodies, weapons, drugs, etc in my house.
"If people wanna lie and stir things up then do so but I've been told the truth."
She added: "Hopefully can get his ashes and find out why this was done so he can rest in doggy heaven. There was no need for this."
Blaze was at the address because he had been staying there while Shannon lived at her uncle's house in Caterham.
The 17-year-old arrested during the incident remains in custody at a south London police station.
