Chicago Cop Shoots Fellow Officer In Leg While Attempting To Fire On 'Vicious Dog' Charging At Them

A Chicago cop taking aim at a "vicious dog" allegedly charging towards him struck the animal with a bullet — and a fellow officer in the process.

The officers were responding to a burglary in process in the 1200 block of West 72nd Place in the Englewood neighborhood around 9 p.m. when they encountered the dog in the second floor landing of a building police told the Chicago Sun-Times.

The dog charged toward the men, prompting one officer to fire a single shot that struck both the dog and a second officer, according to a police statement. The Tribune reports the wounded officer was hit in the thigh. Police say it was unclear if the bullet struck the dog or the cop first.

The 42-year-old officer was treated and released at an area hospital.

It was unclear what condition the dog was in following the incident or where the owner was at the time of the shooting. Last fall, owners of a miniature bull terrier filed a lawsuit against the city after a CPD officer shot and wounded their dog.

According to the Associated Press, the Independent Police Review Authority is investigating the incident.