Hanson’s case was profiled in The Journal Times in 2014 when SWAT officers shot his dog, Angel, after a long standoff in front of his home on Nov. 1, 2014.
The complaint claimed that the shooting of dogs was excused under the leadership of Howell, who became police chief after Kurt Wahlen retired in 2012.
Howell told The Journal Times that, other than the introduction of civilian animal control officers in 2013, no policies regarding animals or use of force were developed or introduced under his administration.
Hanson and Hernandez are not the first to receive a settlement due to those killings.