FLORIDA -- Lauderhill Police say they were forced to shoot and kill a pit bull that attacked another dog Thursday; and the owner of the pit bull wound up getting arrested.
The pit bull’s owner believes the officers were overzealous.
Police officers were in the 5300 block of NW 24 Court to assist U.S. Marshals who were arresting an attempted murder suspect at a nearby apartment.
A police spokesperson said the pit bull, Kimbo, was not on a leash and started mauling another dog. Neighbors tried to pull the dogs apart but were unsuccessful.
“The dog became aggressive and at that time two of our officers starting firing and shot the dog and killed it,” said Captain Constance Stanley.
Stanley said two officers fired at least 5 shots. The shooting is under investigation.
A witness told CBS4 the officers opened fire with several people around the dog, including children.
The dog’s owner, Rony St. Gerard, was at work at the time of the shooting. He returned home and was angry that officers shot his animal.
“They shot him in front of my kids,” St. Gerard told CBS 4′s Carey Codd. “I feel like the police don’t have no respect.”
PIT BULL OWNER IN DENIAL
St. Gerard said Kimbo was a house dog and never acted violently with any of his 6 children, including a newborn. St. Gerard said Kimbo was likely only playing with the other dog.
“They shot my dog,” he said. “They shot my friend. They can’t replace my dog. They can’t bring him back.”
As police officers were wrapping up their investigation, St. Gerard became agitated and started cursing at officers. Neighbors spilled out onto the street and officers began trying to disperse the crowd.
St. Gerard continuing his diatribe against the officers. Eventually, officers led St. Gerard away in handcuffs. He was charged with disorderly conduct.
(CBSLocal - March 10, 3011)
