A north side man filed a claim against the city, charging that a Milwaukee police officer recklessly killed his dog in May, shooting it nine times even though the animal was chained to a large tree in his backyard.

Jim Harsh said Trudi, a 5-year-old German shepherd, was in his yard in the 5500 block of N. 31st St. at 12:40 p.m. May 21 when the officer shot it. The officer, Aaron M. Malvick , was responding to a burglar alarm at the house next door, according to Harsh's claim.

According to the notice of claim, a precursor to filing suit against the city, Trudi was tied to a tree by a 19-foot stainless steel chain when Malvick, an 11-year veteran, fired at her.

"This whole thing stunk," said Harsh, who also filed a complaint with the city's Fire and Police Commission.

The claim also alleges the Police Department refused to release an incident report about Trudi's shooting for 26 days.

Robert "Woody" Welch, chairman of the Fire and Police Commission, said he could not comment on a pending claim. Police Chief Arthur Jones did not return phone calls Tuesday.

Harsh is seeking $500,000 in compensatory and punitive damages from the city.

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