POLICE SHOOTING MORE DOGS USED BY DRUG DEALERS.

Byline: Deborah Sullivan Staff Writer

The number of dogs shot by police officers has been increasing annually, reflecting growing use of canine guards by gang members and drug dealers, the Los Angeles Police Department reported Monday.

While there were 17 shootings of dogs in 1995, that number rose to 43 by 1998. So far this year, officers have shot 25 dogs - a rate slightly higher than that in the same period of 1998, LAPD Detective Steve Lindner said.

Police said many of the shootings occur in the course of narcotics investigations.

``Some people have dogs there because they're dealing dope,'' said LAPD Cmdr. Dan Koenig, ``and they raise them to be very aggressive.''

Breeds known for ferocity and favored by gangs are most likely to get shot by officers, he said - with pit bulls in first place and Rottweilers next.

``A lot of these dogs are status symbols with gang members,'' Lindner said.

The third largest category is mixed breeds, and other dogs shot include Dobermans, shar-peis, bull mastiffs, German shepherds and pointers.

The findings were reported Monday to the City Council's Public Safety Committee, whose members had wondered whether the shootings might be linked to roving packs of stray dogs, including pit bulls, that have mauled residents in recent months, Koenig said.

But a review of LAPD records showed that most of the shootings occurred on private property where the dog belonged. Often the animal attacked while police pursued a suspect.

``A lot of our (dog) shootings occur on property where officers have to conclude or follow up an investigation, and they're doing what they have to do,'' Lindner said.

Ironically, police said, they once had to rescue a gang suspect from Rottweilers that attacked him as he sprinted through a back yard trying to escape them. A dog was shot in the March incident in the Northeast San Fernando Valley area patrolled by the LAPD's Foothill Division.

Police said they try to minimize injury to dogs by using alternatives to gunfire, including fire extinguishers, spray repellent or bright lights to stun or distract them.

Dan Knapp, general manager of the Department of Animal Services, said the department would work with police officers on dealing with animals and averting dog attacks.