Woodward Township promises full report on alleged police dog shooting incident

DUNNSTOWN, PA – A Woodward Township resident came to a township supervisors’ meeting Tuesday night looking for answers as to why her pet dog was shot and killed last Friday night, allegedly by a township police officer.

Jada Harpster and friends provided the supervisors with a photo of her dog Diesel, and they collectively wanted to know what happened last Friday at her residence near Wagner Lane off Coudersport Pike.

She later told therecord-online she had been away and returned to learn her dog had been shot and taken to the Clinton County SPCA. The dog died and Harpster said she found a card in her door from township police officer Greg Drollinger.

Harpster wanted details as to why the shooting, but Township Board Chairman Kyle Coleman said the township could not answer any questions until a full investigation is completed. The supervisors continued to be peppered with questions about the incident but Coleman on ten different occasions said the supervisors cannot at this point answer, noting the issue is a personnel matter.

Coleman did speak to the hiring process for township police and said any hires follow a background check and a recommendation from the township police chief.

The shooting incident occurred last Friday and Coleman said the investigation “just started a couple days ago.” He said a special meeting will be called to release its findings and urged those in attendance to attend. He did not speculate on a timeline.

The meeting was moved from the township meeting room into the adjacent garage. There was a couple dozen people in attendance.

The meeting was orderly, although speakers did not identify themselves as they voiced their concerns as Coleman allowed all those present to be heard.