On June 24th, 2018, Wyoming Highway Patrol trooper fatally wounded a dog while arresting an uncooperative subject during a crash investigation

The trooper was sent to a single vehicle crash at milepost 18 on US Highway 20/26 near Casper at 4:52 p.m. When the trooper got to the scene, a passerby said that a woman was standing outside of a separate vehicle on the side of the road waving her arms like she was trying to get someone’s attention. The trooper found her and her Boxer dog near milepost 18.2 on US Highway 20/26.

The trooper identified her as the driver and placed her and the dog in his vehicle to take them back to the original scene to complete the crash investigation. During the investigation, the woman became uncooperative and refused to stay in the patrol car. She ignored the officer’s commands to leave the dog in the back seat of the patrol car and removed it.

The trooper gave her several commands to put the dog back into the patrol car and to place her hands behind her back. She refused. When the trooper attempted to place her under arrest for interference, the woman dropped the leash holding the dog. The dog charged at the trooper in an aggressive manner, lunging, and attempting to bite him multiple times. The trooper then drew his service weapon and placed one round into the dog, killing it.

The woman was then placed into custody and was fighting with officers at the scene. She has been identified as 27-year-old Kemmerer, Wyoming resident Cheryl Abriani. Due to the level of intoxication, Abriani was taken to Wyoming Medical and admitted for treatment. She has been charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol and a controlled substance, which is her third offense, misdemeanor possession of methamphetamine, driving while suspended, failure to maintain a single lane of travel and interference with a peace officer.

Animal control from Natrona County helped troopers at the scene and retrieved the dog.

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