Pit bull shot by Lee County deputy

FLORIDA -- A simple traffic stop involving a bicycle in Lehigh Acres led to a Lee County deputy firing off a shot to protect one of his own.

It happened near Gilbert Avenue just west of Gunnery Road. 

 

Deputies tell us they attempted to stop a suspect on a bicycle outside of the Dollar General store on Gunnery Road for riding without a light.  That's when the suspect ran away from deputies.

 

A helicopter and K9 unit were called in to help search for the suspect.  While tracking the suspect in a wooded area, a K9 unit was attacked by an unleashed Pit bull.  That's when a deputy in pursuit shot the Pit bull. 

 

We spoke to the Pit bull's owner, Michael Rivera.  Rivers says the entire incident happened on his property -- which he says has an invisible fence system. 

 

The Pit bull is receiving treatment from animal control.  River tells us his dog isn't doing well.  The K9 is expected to be okay. 

 

The suspect is still on the run. No description has been given to us at this time.

 

(ABC7 - Jan 3, 2015)