A Whakatane police officer who shot a dog with an arrow has been charged - after police reversed an earlier decision not to charge him.

Eastern Bay of Plenty Area Commander Inspector Kevin Taylor announced the decision this afternoon.

NZME reports an initial review concluded there was not enough evidence for a criminal prosecution.

However Inspector Taylor says a second legal opinion was sought from Crown Law, and that's led to the officer being charged with reckless ill-treatment of an animal.