A Chilliwack, B.C., family is outraged after police shot and killed their pitbull outside their home on Tuesday.

The Mounties are investigating the incident but said the pitbull had to be killed because it attacked one of their police dogs.

But Brian Hackner, owner of six-year-old Fendi, defended the actions of his pet.

“It was in its own yard and suddenly you had several officers with K-9 units proceeding through my yard unannounced, “ he said. “My dog did what any animal in its position would do when it’s cornered.”

The Mounties said the pitbull crossed into a neighbouring property where a police dog handler and police dog were conducting a training exercise. The pitbull then attacked the police dog, biting its throat, police said.

“As a result of being unable to separate the two dogs and in an effort to get the pitbull to release the police dog, which was suffocating and in danger of losing its life, a member of the Chilliwack RCMP discharged his service pistol hitting and killing the civilian dog,” the RCMP said in a statement.

Police are investigating whether the “use of force was lawful and within RCMP policy.”

The RCMP said the K-9 team was training in the neighbourhood and usually warns those living there to keep pets inside, as they did last month. But officers said the neighbours were not notified this time.

"They could have at least knocked on the door saying 'Hey, we're doing training,' like they did a month ago," said Jennifer Gorcak, Hackner's wife. "Never happened."