Family indignant that their "repeat offender" pit bull is finally shot and killed by police

GEORGIA -- A Savannah family is demanding answers from police as to why they shot their beloved dog.

Police detail in a report that six rounds were fired at the dog. Officers claim the animal charged at children and officers.

If this 100-pound dog was chasing me, I'd shoot it too.

The pit bull got out of their house Thursday morning on East 71st Street off of DeRenne Avenue.  But police and the family disagree on what happened next. 

The family says Ziggy was a kind soul to kids and small animals.  But police tell a very different story.  They say the 100 pound animal was on a vicious rampage through the neighborhood and officers were forced to shoot and kill him.

"He could have been shot once and he would have stopped if he was doing anything, which I highly doubt," said Tyler Braddy. 

Braddy and his girl friend own Ziggy the pit bull.  They say Ziggy has no history of violence, and can't imagine him ever attacking anyone.  Ziggy got out around 7:00 am Thursday morning while they were away.  They didn't know he was dead until they got home that night.  And they say police won't give them a straight answer as to what happened.

"I've been given many different stories about the times he's been shot and the different places. I don't even know what to think. It's like they're trying to sweep it under the rug with us," Braddy said. 

Savannah Police, however, say Ziggy attacked several people, including two children and two officers.  A little before 7:30 am, one of those officers fired at the dog, striking him twice and killing him. 

We talked to some neighbors, and of the ones we found, none were aware of the shooting, but one said he'd been attacked by Ziggy in the past.  He said the dog was trying to get to him by forcing his way through the backdoor, "violently."

"Honestly, I want to see him justified, if it was wrong doing.  And I want to spread the word that if you have a dog you love and cherish, to be careful with them because (police) are quick to profile a bully breed," Braddy said. 

[Oh yes, it's breed discrimination is what got your dog killed. Maybe if you'd simply kept your dog contained, it wouldn't have attacked the neighbor previously, tried to attack kids on their way to the bus stop and then charged at officers, who are fortunate enough to have firearms.]

Many of the family's answers will be found in the official police report.  A spokesman tells News 3 that will be available Monday.  We're going to follow up and let you know what we learn. 

(WSAV - Nov 4, 2013)