www.northernstar.info/articles/?id=36403

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DeKALB | A state tactical response team lent its services to DeKalb authorities Tuesday.

A six-hour stand off in the 1100 block of State Street ended without major incidence Tuesday evening. A DeKalb man distraught over the possible euthanization of his ill dog apparently led to the incident that forced several east side residents out of their homes for the afternoon and early evening when a heavy police presence arrived. Police could not disclose specifics regarding how the situation escalated.

"We were obviously concerned about those in the area, so we took necessary precautions to ensure their safety," said DeKalb Police Chief Bill Feithen.

Several neighbors said the man had been pacing up and down his patio swearing at police officers.

"At this point, there won't be charges placed," Feithen said. "We were able to walk the gentleman out of the house."

Upon being removed from the house, the man was transported to Kishwaukee Community Hospital.

Many DeKalb city officials and multiple departments were present at the scene. Huddled with Feithen and several members of DeKalb city and county police were City Manager Mark Biernacki, Fire Chief Lanny Russell, a state tactical response team with negotiators and several Illinois State Police officers.

At 7:45 p.m., police had a veterinarian treating the small dog they had transported from Aurora. They prepared to grant his only request and bring the animal to the man.

At 7:49 p.m., an armored police vehicle approached the green house slowly as men poured out in all directions to subdue the individual.

Clayton Joyal, who lives just south of the scene, witnessed the takedown of the man on his gravel driveway as he walked out.

"There had to be 11 of them," Joyal said. "It looked like a football field, except there was no equipment."

Joyal said there were three different rifles removed from the home.

"The whole thing was sort of unreal," Joyal said. "This type of thing doesn't happen on this side of town."

The large police response baffled the group of onlooking neighbors.

"Definitely way, way too much," Joyal said. "This could have been handled differently."

Many neighbors said their only interaction with the man who had recently moved in was watching him play outside with his beloved dog.

Per arrangements made by DeKalb police, accommodations have been made for the dog's care.

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My sister was in town this weekend and she told me of this story that her newspaper group had to do. She said that the dog itself had a court order to die and the man wouldn't do it so then she said the entire 6 block radius was evacuated and put onto lockdown, with confused people forced out of their homes. Her coworkers really weren't supposed to be that close, and she said the cameraman had to sneak through bushes in order to be close enough to get that picture in the link above. She said they got to interview a policeman there (which I believe he got in trouble for later). As for the man the neighbors said he was kind, always said hi, and was frequently seen outside playing with the dog he loved. Any thoughts?