Police who gunned down a pet dog after it growled at them in a search have denied brutality to animals.

Officers had been searching a home in Ripon, San Joaquin County, California, USA, on 15th June, for illegal fireworks.

They denied any cruelty after the homeowners took to social media over the shooting.

But police bodycam footage released to be “transparent” instead reveals a heavy-handed operation by armed-to-the-teeth officers.

Officers had already been told there was a puppy and an older dog in the backyard.

But when eight armed and body-armour-wearing cops burst into the garden there was so sign of the pets.

Astonishingly, the police footage shows the officers whistling to draw the dog towards them.

As one yells “Here puppy” another fires three rounds from a less-lethal beanbag gun into the whimpering dog.

Footage shows the dog turning its tail to flee while the officers trap it in an enclosure.

Outside the property, the owner – detained while police search the home – is being reassured that her pets will be completely safe.

One officer even tells her that her dog can be treated by the “vet of her choice” if it has been injured.

California police released the footage of the shooting on 6th July to be “transparent” after officers were accused of using excessive force.

San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement at the time of the shooting: “County residents have expressed concern over a search warrant stemming from an illegal fireworks investigation that was conducted by our deputies in the 1500 block of Atlantic Avenue in Ripon on Wednesday afternoon.

“Statements being made to the media by the family claim excessive and unnecessary force and that there were only legal fireworks in the home that were being used for a community celebration.

“What the media and family aren’t sharing is that the search warrant stemmed from an ongoing investigation of an illegal fireworks operation that was connected to the home.

“Deputies had to take necessary precautions due to knowledge of criminal history and firearms in the home.”

Police added: “Further, to clarify, the deputies were forced to deploy less lethal after their dog tried to attack them.

“Deputies offered to get the dog veterinarian care which the family declined.

“The video and images being circulated also don’t depict the professional interactions deputies had with both the adults and children once they rendered the home safe.”

The police added: “The Sheriff’s Office takes complaints of this nature seriously and conducts thorough reviews to ensure that policies, laws, and procedures were followed.

“This includes reviewing body worn camera footage, which clearly depicts the series of events outlined above.”

Sergeant Izaguirre said: “Illegal fireworks, especially large quantities like with this case, are incredibly dangerous to the residents and community.

“Too many times we have seen people seriously injured or killed, as well as property damaged due to their use.”