LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Lincoln police say the officer who fatally shot a dog charging at him earlier this year didn’t violate the department’s rules.

Lincoln Police Chief Jim Peschong said an internal investigation determined that Officer Jason Papke didn’t use excessive force in the March 21 incident.

Papke was looking for a teen involved in a disturbance when he encountered the 9-year-old pit bull named Opie. The dog was on a leash, but Peschong says the officer couldn’t see the leash in the dark when the dog charged.

Peschong says Papke had not had department training on handling aggressive dogs because he was hired after the most recent session.

Two Lincoln police officers have shot and killed dogs this year.