Dash-Cam Video of Pit Bull Attack and Shooting

    Lubbock police release the dash-cam video of a police officer shooting a pit bull after he says the dog attacked him.  The dog's owner is now facing aggravated assault charges for accusations he ordered his dog to attack and now, he's sharing his side of the story.   Both the dog and officer in this incident are doing just fine now, but the dog's owner, Jimmy Cruz, is facing felony charges.  We now have a first hand account of what happened out on the scene around 1:00 Sunday morning and we speak with Cruz about what he's calling a big misunderstanding.

On the dash-cam video police say you can hear Cruz say "Sic 'em Wass (the dog), Sic 'em, girl."  Followed by some barking and the officer saying "Shots fired.  Shots fired." You then hear Cruz say, "No no don't shoot my dog, don't shoot my dog."  The officer answers "She was attacking me."

         Now, police say this dash cam footage proves Cruz did say "Sic 'em" to his dog, Wassa, but Cruz denies those allegations.  He says he was saying "who's it" to the dog because the officer did not identify himself at the door and Cruz thought the officer was a friend, he was expecting, who would know Wassa was just playing.  Cruz says he never intended for Wassa to hurt anyone and doesn't believe she did, but police say the dog did attack the officer twice before he fired his gun to protect himself.   Cruz says Wassa has been his best friend for 3 years and he's devestated this happened.

"This is like a family member actually getting shot. She's actually a family member.  I just can't believe it happened the way it happened. It should have never happened. It should have been dealt with differently and as far as her attacking she don't even do that she don't even attack," Cruz says.

      Wassa is doing just fine and is expected to make a full recovery.  We're told the officer was not hurt.  As of now neither the police or city have filed a dangerous dog complaint, but Cruz says if they do, he's confident they will determine Wassa is not a threat to anyone.  However, Cruz still faces the aggravated assault charge which is a 2nd degree felony, so we'll keep you updated on what happens with him and Wassa.