Police say an Austin officer shot and killed a dog in self defense Friday while trying to help a 3-year-old wandering the streets.

Austin Police Chief Brian Krueger said the officer came upon the toddler at the 400 block of Fourth Avenue Northwest at about 3:50 p.m. The officer tried to help the 3-year-old find her home when the toddler took off running northbound along Third Street Northwest.

As the officer followed the toddler, a Rottweiler allegedly burst from a doorway at a nearby home about 20 feet away. Though the officer tried to retreat, the dog followed after him while barking.

Krueger said the officer was forced to shoot the dog when it came within a foot of police and the 3-year-old. The toddler was never in danger of being shot, according to Krueger.

Police later found the toddler and the dog lived at the same address after speaking with a caregiver at the home. The child’s mother and a police supervisor were called to the scene as well.

Krueger expressed support for the officer and said such incidents were rare. This is about the third time Krueger can remember an officer killing a dog over the past two decades.