SPARTA, Mo. (AP) – A southwest Missouri police chief has resigned after killing a caged pit bull so he could respond to a car crash.

Sparta Mayor Mike Younker says Police Chief Andrew Spencer submitted his resignation. The Springfield News-Leader that Spencer was placed on administrative leave in late November.

A police report says a resident told Spencer earlier this month that the dog was roaming the streets, and he feared the animal would hurt children. Pit bulls are prohibited in Sparta.

The report says Spencer caught the dog, but was unable to find a shelter that would take the animal. While attempting to find a veterinarian to euthanize the dog, Spencer was dispatched to a rollover crash. The report says Spencer responded after killing the dog at the department’s shooting range.