$333,000 award to family whose dog was killed by Chicago police

A federal jury has awarded $333,000 to a family whose dog was killed by Chicago police during a drug raid.

The lawsuit claimed brothers Thomas and Darrell Russell were at home in February 2009 when officers announced they had a warrant to search a two-flat building.

Thomas Russell opened the door to find officers with guns drawn. According to the lawsuit, when Russell's Labrador approached the officers with his tail wagging, Officer Richard Antonsen shot the dog.

Although arrested for obstructing police, Thomas Russell was later found not guilty. Although drugs were found in the building's other unit, none were found in the Russell apartment.

Chicago law department spokeswoman Jennifer Hoyle tells the Chicago Tribune (http://trib.in/prsrC9 ) that the city is disappointed by the jury's action and is reviewing options.