Dog shot dead, man arrested in C-Falls

A vicious dog in Columbia Falls was shot and killed Friday after reports it attacked another dog and lunged at an officer, even after a stun gun was used.

The dog’s owner, Nicklos Nish, 31, of Columbia Falls, was subdued by a stun gun during the incident after allegedly attempting to flee from police.

Nish was booked into the Flathead County Detention Center on five misdemeanor charges, including resisting arrest, obstructing a peace officer, criminal trespass to property, owning a vicious dog and having the dog at large.

Columbia Falls Police Chief Clint Peters describes the incident as an “unfortunate situation,” and one that could have been avoided had the dog’s owner cooperated.

“We take it very seriously taking a life — animal or otherwise,” Peters said.

Columbia Falls police officers responded at 5 p.m. Friday to a report of a pit bull that had attacked another dog near the Montana Veteran’s Home in an area frequently used for dog recreation.

When officers arrived on scene, the dog’s owner allegedly refused to comply with police commands.

Nish allegedly had his unleashed dog in his arms when officers asked him to place the dog in the back of the patrol car to be contained.

“He immediately became verbally abusive,” Peters said.

According to police reports, Nish attempted to flee the scene while running with the dog. Officers reportedly used a Taser to subdue Nish, and his dog reportedly became aggressive at both Nish and the officers.

Police were able to incapacitate the dog for a short time with a stun gun, Peters said. Normally, a dog would back off after this, he said, but when the electric shock wore off the dog reportedly continued being aggressive. The dog lunged at an officer who used his firearm to kill the dog.

Had Nish complied with officers and placed the dog in the patrol car, officers would have followed protocol to make sure the dog’s shots were up to date, Peters explained. A plan would have been put in place to make sure the dog didn’t become aggressive again, the police chief added.

“It could have gone very simply,” Peters said.

Reporter Breeana Laughlin can be reached at 758-4441 or blaughlin@dailyinterlake.com.