NJ family angry at cops for shooting dog after owner reportedly ordered it to attack

The family of a West Paterson man arrested after he allegedly ordered his dog to kill the police officers who pulled him over in Ridgewood is upset at the officers for shooting the dog.

The pit bull survived but needed surgery to remove six bullets, the family said.

Ridgewood police said they stopped Wilfredo Paduani, 38, on Monday out of concern for a possible medical issue because he was driving at 5 mph on Lincoln Avenue.

Paduani became "combative" according to police and repeatedly told his dog to kill the officers. When the dog jumped out the open window at them, the officers said they were forced to "neutralize" the dog, but did not specify how in their statement. The officers took the dog to Oradell Animal Hospital for treatment.

A GoFundMe page set up by the family said the pit bull was "brutally" shot six times and needs extensive surgery to remove bullets from its trachea, a leg and back. The dog also has a collapsed lung according to the page.

"Pit bull or not, no dog needs to be shot" six times in order to be restrained, Christian Paduani wrote on the GoFundMe page, which does not address the police's accusations.

As of Tuesday morning, the page had collected $90 from four people.

Ridgewood police officials could not be reached for comment Tuesday. Paduani also could not be reached for comment.

Paduani was charged with aggravated assault, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, resisting arrest, obstruction of justice, terroristic threats, possession of a controlled dangerous substance and being under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance in addition to various motor vehicle summons. He is being held at the Bergen County Jail on $50,000 bail.