The dog owners say the actions are uncalled for but South Dakota law says the shootings are justified.
A one-year-old pit bull loves to chase Cory Schulte on his motorcycle, but Friday she is alone after she and three other pit bulls, all owned by roommates, crossed the street into Mitchell Police Officer John Badker's property Thursday.
When the dogs didn't return, Schulte got nervous.
"I asked him if he'd seen my dogs and he said, 'Four of them? Yeah I shot them. One of them is over there laying in the field there.' I went and looked at her and she was shot twice laying there dying," Schulte said.
Schulte's four-year-old pit bull named Mercedes was killed along with Trevor Young's dog Jersey.
"I grabbed her and threw her in the car. I was going to town to take her to the vet and about half way there I saw she also got hit in the gut," Young said.
A third dog was also wounded. The injured dogs were found in and around this cattle pen owned by Badker. He says he heard growing and barking near his four new calves around 4 p.m.
Badker did not want to go on camera but says his calves were pinned by the dogs and he didn't have a choice.
In a statement to KELOLAND News, Badker says "the pit bulls were on my property, ready to attack my calves and I did everything I could to protect them."
The shootings are justified according to Davison County Sheriff David Miles.
"He followed the law. I don't see where, if these dogs were there and they had his (calves) in a corner, I don't see what else he could have maybe done," Miles said.
According to South Dakota law, "It shall be lawful for any person to kill any dog found chasing, worrying, injuring or killing poultry or domestic animals except on the premises of the owners of said dog or dogs."
Schulte is now aware of the law, but says the killing of his best friend leaves him heartbroken.
"To be honest, I just wanted to cry. I loved that dog so much, it was basically my children. I know that isn't a fair statement to say for people with children, but to me, she was that important," Schulte said.
The four calves are being examined for injures. If the pit bulls hurt the livestock, the dog owners could be charged with a class 2 misdemeanor and be held liable for any injuries.
(Keloland - Feb 3, 2012)
