TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Topeka police have confirmed that an officer fatally shot a retired judge’s dog in his backyard while responding to a security alarm that activated at the home.

The police department said Monday that an officer shot the canine twice after it began charging at him in an aggressive manner last month.

The 26-pound, miniature pinscher-boxer mix named Josie belonged to Harriette Macnish and her husband, James Macnish, a retired Shawnee County district judge.

Harriette Macnish says she couldn’t blame Josie if she confronted the officer because the officer was a stranger to her. Macnish said Monday that she has found some consolation in Josie’s death from neighbors and friends, along with two Topeka officers who came by her home to share their condolences.