The North Carolina family were having dinner when they heard a gunshot and rushed out to find a cop had shot the family dog - a Husky pup called Maxi - in the head

A Raleigh family lost its pet this Christmas after their dog was shot and killed by a police officer. It happened Tuesday in the 3900 block of Alder Grove Lane in southeast Raleigh.

A police officer, responding to a report of a stolen vehicle, fatally shot a charging dog. Raleigh police said they are working with a family after an officer shot their dog on Christmas Eve. The Negrete family was sitting down to dinner when they heard shots.