LOCUST GROVE, Okla. — FOX23 is investigating what is considered legal in Oklahoma when it comes to putting down stray animals.

Two stray dogs were shot by Locust Grove police in August.

Former Locust Grove Police Chief Cullen Bean told FOX23 he resigned when he found out an officer shot two stray dogs, trying to put them down.

“There are some things you can do and can’t do. There is right and wrong,” said Bean.

FOX23 met Lucky, one of the dogs who were shot by Locust Grove police, Wednesday evening. Lucky sustained a gun shot wound to the right side of his head, but he survived his injuries.

Bean alleged to FOX23 that the mayor of Locust Grove, Jason Williams, told police to shoot Lucky and the other dog in the head.

“The mayor tells the officers, ‘hey, load them up,’” Bean explained. “And they take [the dogs] out to the old sewage [plant], and ... [the officer] gets them out and shoots both dogs.”

Williams told FOX23 in a text Wednesday that he did not order that shooting, and that is not town policy.

FOX23 wanted to find out what the town policy actually says.

Locust Grove’s town policy says:

“If an impounded animal cannot be sold the animal shall be destroyed in a humane manner or otherwise disposed of in a legal manner.”

FOX23 took this policy to Jason Smith, an Oklahoma attorney. He said he read the ordinance, and what happened doesn’t align with what it says.

“I would not consider that to be humane,” Smith said.

“Bottom line the way the animals were destroyed that the ordinance even reflect that they must be destroyed in a humane fashion, but it is hard to imagine a bullet in the head especially since one dog survived is a humane fashion,” he continued.

Williams said in a text to FOX23 Thursday, “It is not our policy to actively euthanasia (sic) any animal unless it is aggressively attacking someone or an officer.”

The mayor’s words is one reason why Bean questions why Lucky was shot.

“There was no reason to do it that I can think of,” said Bean. “As police, you are supposed to do right, not wrong. And to me, that was totally wrong.”

Mayes County District Attorney Matt Ballard released a statement on the shootings:

“We are aware of it and received a report and looking at it.”

Ballard also said dogs can be put down humanely. FOX23 asked him if what was done was considered humane.

“That is part of our determination, and we are looking at what happened,” he said.

Williams also said that the officers were warned about their actions.

This is a developing story.

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