Omaha, NE- Action 3 News has learned for the first time, the Nebraska Humane Society will provide dog training to Omaha Police.

Officers have never been formally trained on how to deal with dogs. Lt. Darci Tierney says," We've never had it and we feel now is a good opportunity for it and to make sure the officers and the public are safe."  The news of the training comes after fourteen dog shootings by police this year and a federal lawsuit filed on behalf of an Omaha woman.  Police shot and killed her dog during a no-knock search warrant.  Lt. Tierney says,  "We don't want to shoot the family pet."
  

Omaha Police have only been trained to react in dangerous situations. "It is a split second decision and we don't know if the dog is dangerous. They're running at you, barking, we have to stop them before it injures somebody."

One woman welcomes the training saying it's too late for her pooch wounded by police gunfire, but hopefully the training will save other family pets, she says.  The woman, who doesn't want to be identified says, "I kept asking police  'did you shoot my dog, is my dog okay?'"

A pursuit of teen suspects accused of stealing a car went right through the living room in the path of the family pet. An officer shot a 12-year-old German Shepherd mix, named Elssa.

The owner says, "They said she was aggressive. I know it's not true. They freaked out when she got off the couch and went to go hide in her favorite place under my bed."
The woman goes on to say, "I wouldn't want the police officer's job, but they need to learn how to handle the situations better."

Police point out mace doesn't always work on dogs saying mail carriers still get bit by dogs and dogs are too small of a target for tasers. 

Elssa's owner did say the officer apologized to her for shooting her dog.

Reported by Michelle Bandur, michelle@action3news.com