Volunteers describe frightening sports festival day when police shot dead dog that attacked students

LATHROP, Missouri – Police had to shoot a dog outside an elementary school in Missouri on Thursday after the dog attacked two students.

The front area of ​​Lathrop Elementary School was filled with fourth and fifth graders participating in sports festival activities with water balloons.

There have been reports of aggressive dogs in the south part of Lathrop. Police said they tried unsuccessfully to capture them with sticks and pepper spray before two dogs wandered onto the lawn in front of the school.

“I heard the dogs behind me and the dog was growling and biting and nibbling,” said Harlie Ivy, a parent and volunteer at the sports festival.

One of the dogs bit two students. Ivy and others tried to take the students away when police were called.

“I was very scared, but I just had to put that aside to be there for the kids and make sure they were safe and in a good place,” Ivy said.

“The police were in a situation where they had to do something to protect the students,” said Superintendent Dr. Adam Willard.

When a possible Labrador-Collie mix approached one of the officers “aggressively,” according to police, the other officer shot the dog. Suddenly, the students’ fears turned to sadness.

“I saw my brother’s best friend’s little sister running around the gym crying,” said student volunteer Riley Dodd.

For most students who had never seen the dogs, sports day took place indoors and in fenced areas. For those who had seen the dogs and had difficulty dealing with what they saw, additional counselors were brought in.

“I’m sure there is some trauma associated with this and parents will have to have conversations tonight about how they feel, what they think, what they experienced and what it has done to them,” Willard said.

Willard has checked with his own daughter, who also attends the school, and encourages parents to contact the school district with their concerns as they head into the last half of school on Friday. Additional counselors are available at the school if needed.

“As a father, I know how they all feel right now and I feel the same way,” he said.

The students with bite wounds were treated and were not seriously injured. Police said the dog that was killed will be taken to a veterinarian for examination.