A Bergen County animal control officer says that his own dog was unnecessarily shot and killed by a Passaic police officer on orders from a Clifton animal control officer.

John Timmins says that his American bulldog named Wildfire was shot after she got loose from his yard and was fighting with another dog. But Timmins says that Wildfire was lying down in a wooded area by herself when she was killed.

"A simple dog fight shouldn't result in a dog being judged and put down on the spot. I've never heard of that in my life,” Timmins says.

The incident was recorded on the police officer’s body camera. Timmins says that he has seen the video of police Officer Samuel Rivera and Clifton Animal Control Officer Robert Boyle tracking the dog.

The video also has audio and Officer Rivera can be heard saying, “She’s lying down,” when they came across the dog.

Instead of the animal control officer trying leash or lure Wildfire out of the woods, the officer shoots her. He is then heard asking if he should shoot her again, before confirming that the dog was dead.

Timmins says that he was told by Boyle that Wildfire bit six dogs and a person. But he is questioning that account, as no pet owners have ever filed complaints against Wildfire.

Well before the shooting, Boyle is heard advising the officers on scene to use deadly force, something Timmins says is not typically done in the field.

"I've never given a kill order in the 17 years I've worked in this field,” he says.

Boyle is also heard on the video saying that they need to put down Wildfire before she attacks again.

“We have a chance to stop it, we have to stop it. It's like a suspect running with a gun. He shot at people, he wounded them,” Boyle said.

Timmins says that Boyle needs to be out of the field and says that Officer Rivera needs more training.

The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office is investigating the case. Timmins says that he hopes animal cruelty charges are filed.