DENVER, -- A month after the city of Denver settled a lawsuit over a dog shot by a Denver police officer in 2007, police are considering bringing Animal Control officials in to train new recruits non-lethal techniques for handling dogs.

An officer opened fire on Scott Schuett’s 11-year-old German shepherd mix three years ago while responding to a noise complaint.

“The door opened up and they shot my dog in the head,” said Schuett. “He shot to kill.”

According to the Animal Law Center, which represented Schuett, the officer claimed that the dog charged and that he felt threatened.

Jake lived, though the bullet that went into his head is still lodged in his shoulder.

“It’s pretty amazing that he survived,” said Schuett.

As part of a $3,000 settlement that the city agreed to, Animal Law Center attorney Jay Swearingen said lawyers have met with DPD to discuss how to train officers to confront dogs in non-deadly ways.

“Police officers traditionally do not have any training dealing with pet animals,” said Swearingen. “There is a tendency to shoot first and ask questions later, and to shoot the dog as a first resort, rather than as a last resort.”

Denver police spokesman Sonny Jackson said officers are exposed to some limited training in dog handling techniques, by viewing a video on the subject. The video, which had been removed from circulation, will be put back in so all officers can view it. Jackson said there are also other options on the table.

“There is some discussion as far as academy classes to do some training with the Animal Control folks who deal with dogs every day, who are very well-trained in that area,” said Jackson, who emphasized that the department is under no obligation to make any changes to its dog handling techniques.

Schuett said he is just glad Jake, now 14 years old, may make a difference for other animals.

“Hopefully that training comes into play so they can cope with it a little better so it doesn’t happen again,” he said.