Pit Bulls Shot and Killed While Attacking Horses in Collier County

FLORIDA -- An off-duty sheriff's office employee shot and killed three pit bulls as they were attacking his neighbor's horses in Collier County, authorities said.

The incident happened early Wednesday morning on 22nd Avenue Northeast in the Golden Gate district, the Collier County Sheriff's Office said.

Stephan Leoni, a civilian member of the sheriff's office, woke up to hear his neighbor's horses screaming in distress so he armed himself and ran to the home.

When he arrived, Leoni, 25, saw three pit bulls had breached the fence and were mauling two horses.

Leoni shot the three dogs, killing them

The horses sustained significant injuries and are being treated, the sheriff's office said.

Authorities are trying to determine who owns the dogs.

(NBC 6 South Florida - Jan 17, 2014)