ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - The Cobb County Sheriff's Office says it has opened an internal investigation after a deputy allegedly shot a dog while serving an arrest warrant in Powder Springs.

Body camera video shows the deputy walking up to a home with a warrant in hand when a dog runs out of a carport.

The dog runs toward the deputy and is barking. The deputy fires one shot, killing the dog.

Cobb County Sheriff's Office Assistant Chief Gina Hawkins says the agency is evaluating all the facts surrounding the incident.

 There's a lot of elements they (deputies) have to prepare for to be safe. And they have a limited amount of time in order to make a quick decision,  Hawkins said.  Whether it be a person threat, an animal threat, they're only limited to that time before imminent danger or their life is at stake. In this situation, it occurred in less than three seconds. 

The nonprofit Healing 4 Heroes, which connects veterans and first responders with service dogs, identified the slain dog as Fifi and said she was a service animal trained to assist her owner, Calvin Willis.

Service Dog Fifi (Healing 4 Heroes)

The Cobb County Sheriff's Office confirmed Willis was not the person it was looking for and is not facing any charges.

The sheriff's office says it is still looking for the person named in the arrest warrant. It would not name the suspect or what the suspect is accused of because it is an active investigation.

 We totally understand the loss of a pet and especially the loss of Mr. Willis' service dog. Our heart goes out and our thoughts go out to that situation and like I said before, we wish it wouldn't have happened,  Hawkins said.

The deputy involved remains working for the Cobb County Sheriff's Office while it investigates the use of force.

 After we evaluate all the facts of the investigation then we make a decision whether or not they followed policy,  Hawkins said.

Healing 4 Heroes says it is raising money to help Willis get another service animal following the incident. If you would like to donate, click here.

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