ARIZONA -- Michael Elias of Chandler had to make a decision: Watch his 5-pound dog, Cissy, meet her death by shaking, or use lethal force to save her.
In a bizarre twist of a man-shoots-dog story, Elias saved her.
The drama began about 8 a.m. Wednesday when Elias, 57, was walking Cissy on a leash in the neighborhood of North Blackstone Court and West Megan Street, Chandler police said.
Suddenly, a 65-pound American Bulldog attacked Cissy, police said. The big dog, Stella, clamped down on Cissy's neck with her teeth and began to shake the hapless pup, said Chandler Police Sgt. Joe Favazzo.
Elias kicked at the dog to get it to drop his pet, but Stella would not let go, police said.
Elias, who was armed with a .22 handgun, shot Stella's neck once. She dropped Cissy but was bleeding heavily and sank to the middle of the street, police said.
Elias asked witnesses to call 911.
Arriving at the scene Stella was on the ground and Cissy in Elias's arms. One of Stella's owners, Ramon, 33, helped place his dog on blankets and in a police car, Favazzo said.
Both dogs were taken to veterinary clinics, police said. Cissy was treated for bites and released, while as of Thursday afternoon Stella remained under observation in critical condition.
Angela Lyles, 26, told police at the veterinary clinic that she had owned Stella for about five years, since the dog was 11 months old. Lyles said Stella is usually not aggressive.
Elias did not want to pursue a case under the Dog at Large statute but rather felt badly he had to hurt Stella to save Cissy, police said.
He "was obviously distraught over the situation . . . stating it was all an unfortunate circumstance."
(Arizona Central - Nov 3, 2011)