COLUMBUS, Ohio – A 4-year-old girl who was shot in the leg by an Ohio policeman firing at a dog is recovering after surgery as her family questions how the officer responded.
Columbus police say Ava Ellis was hit accidentally June 19 when an officer fired at a charging dog at a home in suburban Whitehall. Police say another relative had flagged down the officer for help after Ava's mother cut herself on glass.
Ava's parents and their attorney dispute the police account and say the officer acted recklessly with children nearby. They say the roughly 40-pound dog was retreating inside from a porch when the officer fired. They also allege the officer drove away without offering help.
A police spokeswoman says the officer remained at the scene and called for help.
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