MOSES LAKE — The investigation about the use of force used when a Grant County Sheriff’s deputy shot a dog in Neppel Park continues.

On Jan. 24, Deputy Beau Lamens shot a dog three times after it allegedly attacked a sheriff’s office drug dog.

Officials are conducting an investigation to determine if the use of force was appropriate. Deputies from the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office are assisting with investigation, said Grant County Undersheriff John Turley. The outside agency was called in to provide an impartial and non-bias investigation to determine why there are differences in statements collected from witnesses concerning what happened.

He explained witnesses may not feel comfortable being questioned about what they saw if they are questioned by Grant County deputies because the agency is a part of the incident.

During the afternoon of the incident, Maddox the drug dog was brought to the area to try to find drugs in a vehicle on West Broadway Avenue. When the dog was brought outside on a leash, Nick Criscuolo’s dog, Slyder, ran toward Maddox. Slyder was not on a leash.

There are varying reports about how the dogs fought but both sides agree the dogs came into contact.

In an effort to keep Maddox from being injured, Lamens shot and killed Slyder after attempting to separate the dogs.