An upstate New York community is up in arms after a trooper shot and killed a dog.

New York State Police responded to a report of a dangerous dog at a home in Plattsburgh.  Neighbors said the dog was aggressive and barking persistently for hours and an owner couldn't be found.

"The dog was exhibiting signs of aggression and was deemed a risk to public safety," said State Police who called t dog warden and SPCA. However, neither resource was available.

A trooper shot and killed the dog "after spending over two hours trying to locate an owner for the dog and trying to contact local dog control authorities."

Public Information Officer Jennifer Fleishman tells My NBC 5 "because the trooper and homeowner could not get near the dog, the trooper had no choice but to shoot it."

Neighbors disagree. "The dog had a broken leash attached to him so he obviously got loose," Katie Serdula writes in a post onFacebook that has gone viral. "He was nice to my neighbor (female) but was not as friendly to men. But he showed no signs of wanting to attack so there was no reason for this."

"I wish people would recognize that we tried to avoid a serious, potentially fatal situation," Fleishman said. "The dog was exhibiting signs of aggression and was deemed a risk to public safety."

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