Former Bartholomew County Sheriff and Columbus City Councilman Kenny Whipker shot and killed a large dog that attacked his beagle while on a walk in downtown Columbus yesterday.

Lt. Matt Harris, spokesman with the city police, says that the former sheriff was walking his dog near 9th Street and Lafayette Avenue at about 2 p.m. yesterday afternoon, when a German Shepherd mix bolted out of a nearby front door and attacked Whipker’s dog. The former sheriff fired once, killing the attacking dog.

Harris said police were called on a report of shots fired and the incident is still under investigation. Under city code, a person has not committed a crime if they use a firearm in self defense, Harris says.