Danville, VA - The director of Danville's Humane Society says she had a past experience with the miniature dachshund that became the center of huge controversy. You'll remember, an officer shot and killed the dog last week, saying it attacked him. Now, Paulette Dean says "Killer" attacked her, too.

This shooting has really struck a nerve. The department's been getting serious threats from all over the country. Police and the humane society want everyone to "cool down."

At the Harper home, condolences are rolling in from around the world, supporters outraged by Killer's death. Across town, it's the same story, with a much different message.

"A lot of horrible things are being said," Paulette Dean with the Danville Humane Society said.  We're told threatening messages are floating all over the web, letters pouring in to these offices, from irate dog lovers.

Chief Philip Broadfoot, with the Danville Police (web) Department, said, "It is clear I greatly misjudged what the public's reaction would be to Officer McLean's fear of rabies."

It's a fear Paulette Dean with the Humane Society can relate to. She stopped by Killer's neighborhood several years ago.

"The dashund kept trying to jump up, lunging, and trying to bite my leg. There was no doubt it my mind that I would have been bitten if the dog had been able to reach me," Dean said.

She still believes the shooting wasn't necessary, but wants the threats to stop. "I ask now for cooler heads to prevail," Dean said.

Chief Broadfoot isn't budging in his support for the officer, but says he's sorry. "It's upsetting. It's upsetting to me. It's upsetting to this police department and it's upsetting to the community," Broadfoot said.

Killers owners don't recall Dean's experience, aren't happy with the police department's response, but say serious threats don't help.

"It shouldn't be, per se, another life taken. What I’m saying is. He made a bad choice. in a 2 second decision, he made a bad choice, and for his Chief to uphold his choice, his bad choice, is just that the community and everyone is just irate over it," Angela Harper said.

Chief Broadfoot says the department will now offer rabies vaccines to all officers. And the humane society will provide animal response training with the department.

Click here to see full statements from Chief Broadfoot and Paulette Dean.

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