DENVER (AP) — Denver police are defending an officer’s decision to deny a bystander’s attempt to help a dog that lay dying on the street after being hit by an SUV.

The dog laid injured on the side of the road for 90 minutes Wednesday before animal control officers responded to the scene. The dog later died.

An online petition demanding an apology from police had nearly 4,500 signatures as of early Saturday.

KMGH-TV  reported that an officer threatened bystander Rose Knapp with arrest if he helped the dog.

Police spokesman Sonny Jackson says the department cares about dogs but the officer’s decision was based on public safety. Concerns included the animal injuring somebody by lashing out or further suffering to the animal from improper handling.