Officer shoots charging pitbull during search of alleged drug house

Two men are facing charges in circuit court and a dog was put down after being shot in the face during the search of an alleged drug house in the 10700 block of West Keefe Avenue on Thursday morning.

According to Wauwatosa police reports:

The Wauwatosa Police Department's Special Response Team, made up of more than a dozen officers, executed a search warrant at 5:11 a.m. July 19. A woman with three dogs at her feet answered the door.

One of the dogs, a pitbull, was barking and growling. It charged at an officer, which caused him to fear for his safety and shoot the dog when it got within four feet of him. The dog yelped and ran to a bedroom, where it stayed until a representative from the Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission arrived.

The dog had a significant gunshot wound to the head and face, said David Flagler, executive director of MADACC, in an interview.

"The owner immediately surrendered the dog," he said. "The injuries were so tremendous that we immediately euthanized it."

Also according to the reports:

The woman said she was aware of drug use in the house but that she tried to get her three sons and their friend who lived with her to stop such activities. She denied any knowledge of drug sales, instead insisting that her sons likely give marijuana to their friends. She did say she found it strange that son Zarkis Jordan had no job but had spending money.

Jordan, 25, was charged Friday with one misdemeanor count of marijuana possession. The search allegedly turned up 14.26 grams of the drug in his bedroom, as well as a scale with marijuana residue, a loaded .40-caliber handgun and a box of ammunition.

His 35-year-old brother, Bonke Clayton, was charged with a felony count of marijuana possession, second or subsequent offense. Drug paraphernalia consistent with packaging and dealing drugs allegedly were found in his bedroom as well as 0.72 grams of pot. He has a record of seven convictions for marijuana possession and had just been released from jail.

A 25-year-old man, whom the woman identified as her unofficial adopted son, was arrested for marijuana possession after 16.75 grams of pot were found in his room. Additionally, a 25-year-old man, who is a friend of the sons, was arrested for drug paraphernalia possession. They were both released with municipal court dates pending. Absent charges from the district attorney's office, they are not being named.