MICHIGAN -- A dog is dead after a private citizen shot the dog because it tried to attack him, a local Animal Control official said.
Debbie Oberle, director of Livingston County Animal Control, confirmed last week that the 3-year-old terrier-Rottweiler mix was "acting aggressive" toward the man, who called 911 to report that he had shot the dog on Pathway Drive in Genoa Township.
Additional details about the Wednesday incident were not available.
Oberele said her office has responded to eight complaints in the last two years about the 3-year-old dog running at-large and acting aggressively toward people.
"The dog had a history of issues. The dog had bitten many times," she said.
Oberle said the last complaint was dated Nov. 2. That complaint resulted in misdemeanor charges against the dog's 53-year-old owner, who was fined for having a dog run at large, according to Livingston County District Court records.
Oberle said she will not seek prosecution against the man who shot and killed the dog because state law says if you are threatened by a dog, it is legal to shoot the dog. She did not say whether she would seek charges against the dog's owner for allowing the dog to run at large.
Livingston County Prosecutor William Vailliencourt said it is possible that an animal owner could face charges in a similar situation. However, he could not say whether the Genoa Township woman would face charges without reviewing Animal Control's report on the incident.
(Livingston County Daily Press - Feb. 24, 2013)
