KEYES – Two men in Keyes were arrested Sept. 23 on suspicion of an illegal marijuana growing operation and their dog was shot after it reportedly attacked a Stanislaus County Sheriff’s canine.

The condition of the dog was not immediately known.

Sheriff’s deputies suspected the residence on Washington Road home was growing marijuana during a traffic stop made nearby at an earlier time. When they attempted to serve a search warrant at 8:45 a.m. Sept. 23 a man inside the house refused to open the door. When deputies entered the home, they were confronted by the man and a large dog which proceeded to lunge at the sheriff’s canine. A deputy then shot the dog.

The home yielded approximately 1,000 marijuana plants, processed marijuana and a loaded shotgun.

Arrested were Everarfo Chavez, 61, of Keyes, on suspicion of marijuana cultivation; and Robert Perez, 48, also of Keyes, on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and resisting an officer.