Nick Gerver owned a pitbull, Athena, who was shot and killed by a police officer Wednesday night in McCook.

"Pretty much the best dog I've ever seen," Gerver said. "Great with everybody. Yeah, she was protective but that's what dogs are meant to be for."

But, on Wednesday night, the McCook Police Department received a call of a child being attacked by the dog. When officers arrived, they went to the victim's home and according to the police chief the pitbull started attacking the officer.

"The dog approached and was attacking him. He was forced to shoot the dog to defend himself and keep from being injured," Issac Brown, McCook Chief of Police, said.

The police chief said the officer used appropriate force, but the owner of the dog disagrees.

"Convinced so many people that pits aren't mean dogs because she was just that amazing," Gerver said.

The police chief said it's unfortunate when these things happen.

"The solution to dog attacks or dogs having to be euthanized on occasion are is for owners to be responsible and not harbor vicious animals," Brown said.