If the Police officer had shot non-threatening dogs while not under the impression they were entering a home that just had a B&E then it would be really wrong. Say entering the home based on a noise complaint, shooting a dog that simply barked would be ridiculous. But entering a house that may have a B&E suspect in it, the police have much less of a duty to the dog and each case should be looked at for its individual circumstances. Did the dogs prevent entry? Show signs of aggression? did they prevent the police from fulfilling their duties with their lives as a priority?
I agree, for the most part....
But the cover-up which apparently is/was constructed to make the dog look "vicious" is entirely unacceptable. Maybe they were surprised, maybe there is more to the story as far as where the dog was and whether or not he was charging. But, if half the stuff about the cover up is true, some serious smack-down should occur.