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Shooting a running dog with a pistol can be difficult for people untrained in shooting small, fast-moving targets, one of New Zealand's top shooters says.
Former Olympic and Commonwealth Games shooting representative Greg Yelavich said police were trained to accurately shoot big targets, but would probably be unpractised at shooting smaller targets like animals.
On Tuesday night, police were called to a Porirua house to attend a domestic incident. A 19-year-old man allegedly pelted them with bottles, logs and a tomahawk, before inciting his partner's rottweiler to attack police.
Police tried to pepper spray, then shoot, the dog. After up to 12 shots, the dog remained unharmed. Police used their own dogs to subdue the man.
"They are trained to be skilful, accurate shots," Mr Yelavich said. "They're training people do all the right things and are well in touch with the needs. I know for a fact they don't shoot a lot of rounds a year, and most of those are at a large target."
Accurate shooting took thousands of rounds and consistent practice.
"The shooters we have in our clubs, and certainly those that represent New Zealand - some of them shoot a thousand rounds a week to be able to hit a 12-inch disc at 15 or 20m."
The 20-year veteran of international competition holds 11 Commonwealth Games medals - more than any other New Zealander. He has shot in two Olympic Games and six Commonwealth Games and has won numerous New Zealand shooting titles.
He had worked with police to develop training programmes and complimented their pistol skills.
"But they are out of their depth shooting at a small, running dog. It's just not a skill they usually require," Mr Yelavich said.
"The most important thing we teach people whenever they pick up a firearm is to watch where the bullets will go when you miss."
No one was hurt by the police volleys, and the officers' superior, Inspector John Spence, was confident the public were never in danger.
Mr Yelavich said the training police received covered most situations officers would face on the street, "otherwise they'd be wearing bullet-proof vests instead of stab-proof ones".
"They've worked out the best way to educate someone who hasn't had a pistol in their hand to deliver a good, solid shot, where they want."
- NZPA
