Friends and neighbors in a mid-Michigan community are rallying behind owners of a golden retriever that was fatally shot by a police officer.

The Morning Sun of Mount Pleasant reports supporters gathered Tuesday at the home where the dog named Scout lived in St. Louis, about 50 miles north of Lansing.

Mike Goetzinger says the officer had "no reason" to kill the dog owned by his brother Brian Goetzinger and his family. They're planning a protest and vigil Wednesday.

MLive.com reports the officer fired seven shots Saturday after the dog ran in front of his cruiser and tried to bite him. In a police report, the officer wrote that the dog was "showing its teeth and growling."

The dog was shot at least twice and died at a veterinarian's office.