LCPD defends shooting dog that rushed officers LAS CRUCES, New Mexico -- The Las Cruces Police Department is defending the shooting of a dog that rushed two of its officers earlier this week, calling it an unfortunate and tragic incident. The officers responded to a welfare check when police said the dog charged at them, leaving them no choice but to fatally shoot it. It happened on at a home on Willow Street just west of Interstate 25 and north of Lohman Avenue around 2 p.m. Monday. According to police, a man made a 911 call requesting a welfare check for a potentially suicidal relative who lived next door.