MARYLAND -- Prosecutors will not pursue charges against an off-duty Maryland Transportation Authority Police officer who shot and killed a pit bull in Pasadena last weekend, a spokeswoman with the county State's Attorney's Office said Friday.
Police said that James Knipple, a 21-year MdTA police veteran, shot the pit bull with his department issued weapon after it attacked him shortly before 11 a.m. last Sunday.
State's Attorney's Office spokeswoman Kristin Fleckenstein said the case was reviewed by the office's specialist in animal abuse and cruelty cases, who determined that charges would not be appropriate.
Police said the dog appeared aggressive and was growling at neighborhood residents after escaping from a residence on Vera Lane. A neighborhood resident had asked for Knipple's help in retrieving the dog.
Police said the dog attacked Knipple as he was attempting to guide it back to its home.
Three previous complaints had been made to county Animal Control about the dog since 2009. In January 2009, Animal Control officers issued a citation against the dog for running at large, police said.
(CapitalGazette.com - October 13, 2012)
