Lethal force” is not a phrase typically associated with the death of a family pet, but unfortunately, the majority of shootings in most U.S. police departments involve animals ”“ and usually dogs, according to the Associated Press.

In 2011, a study was conducted by a University of Illinois center and some nonprofits, including the National Canine Research Council, as well as The U.S. Department of Justice. The study found a majority of police shootings involved animals, but it’s unknown how many dogs are shot nationwide every year.

Free, educational videos were one of the results, and the films aim to educate law enforcement about how to detect the warning signs of an aggressive dog and how to avoid using lethal force, the AP reporter.

While there are certainly times when a dog may have to be killed, oftentimes ”“ just as with people with whom police have to deal ”“ there are ways to avoid using deadly force.

One of those ways is to determine whether a dog is agitated.

In the videos, dog behaviorist and trainer Brian Kilcommons, of Southbury, Conn., teaches officers to survey canine body language, and says not to approach a fearful dog that’s low to the ground with its tail tucked and ears flat to its head. He also says to watch for warning signs such as lunging, growling and exposed teeth, according to the AP.

Officers can avoid using guns by putting an object like a trash can between them and a dog, carrying food that can be thrown as a distraction, blaring an air horn or using pepper spray, he said. Officers “can’t change their behavior unless they have the tools and understand what to do with them,” said Kilcommons, who has trained 40,000 dogs and written nine books, according to the AP report.

These videos can also be helpful to the public.

In Maine ”“ as well as every other state ”“ people have shot dogs that they deemed a threat, before calling police or trying to alert an owner.

Just last year in Waterboro, two dogs were shot and one of them killed.

In March 2013, a woman shot and killed her neighbor’s 4-year-old bull mastiff in her yard. She told police the dog was acting aggressively toward her, and that she has encountered it in the past also. On the day of the incident, the woman said she saw the dog running without a leash in her backyard, so she went back inside her house, loaded a rifle and then went back outside and shot the dog in the back. She said she shot the animal a second time, seeing that it was still alive, and the dog died.

Then in July of 2013, a man shot his neighbor’s Rottweiler in the leg, and although the animal was not fatally wounded, it shows what a knee-jerk reaction can do.

The Rottweiler had to undergo surgery, racking up veterinarian’s bills to the tune of about $3,000, according to the family, and they said they had never received any complaints about the dog before.

As in the earlier case, the neighbor told police that the dog was being aggressive.

It’s unfortunate that has been the reaction, because it’s unnecessary and causes devastation to the pet’s owner.

Pets are often part of the family ”“ and in the absence of a child, a dog can take that place in their owner’s heart.

An animal should only be shot as a last resort ”“ when it cannot be stopped during a physical attack on a person ”“ and we hope the videos as well as increased awareness will help police and the public learn how to better deal with dogs.

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Today’s editorial was written by City Editor Robyn Burnham Rousseau on behalf of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski by calling 282-1535, ext. 322, or via email at kristenm@journaltribune.com.