Lee deputy shoots dog after getting attacked

FLORIDA -- A Lee County Sheriff's deputy says he was forced to shoot a Pit bull that got loose and attacked him.

Thursday wasn't the first time animal control officer were called to the house in the 4900 block of 24th Street S.W. in Lehigh Acres.  But things got out of hand soon after deputies arrived.

Alexis Esquivel was having a typical day Thursday -- busy picking up her kids from the bus stop on 24th Street S.W. in Lehigh Acres.  That is until she walked by her neighbor's house -- where the family's 50-pound Pit bull had broken free.  

 

  

 

"She was barking and growling, so I went to notify the neighbors," said Esquivel. 

When they weren't home, she called the Lee County Sheriff's Office -- who quickly sent a deputy to check it out.  Things didn't end well. 

"The dog bit him, and he ended up having to shoot her," said neighbor Alexis Esquivel.  "I don't know if she got off the leash or what, but their fence in the back is all torn down." 

The torn down fence isn't the only one failing to keep neighborhood pets at bay.  One man we spoke with, who had family visit from overseas last year, tells us they were attacked by a loose dog.

"They just walk around [and] just liked being in Florida.  But they had a bad experience.  They experiences the dogs loose and attacking them," said neighbor Greg Skiba.

Skiba thinks more needs to be done to remind dog owners that Lee County law requires pets to be on a leash at all times outside.  

"I don't think it's enough.  I think there should be more protection here.  If people get the sense the area is being watched, people would be more protected," said Skiba.

Long-time resident Connie Limon feels the same way. 

"I always worry about it because I like to go for a walk, and I've heard other neighbors had had trouble with dogs.  You know the area, but certain roads you stay away from," said neighbor Connie Limon.

Esquivel says as a dog owner herself, she's sad to hear the Pit bull passed away.  But she knows she has to think about her kids first. 

 

"I have my kids that get off the bus and other kids who play out here in the street.  It's just very worrisome if the dog gets out and bites one of my kids or bites someone else's kid," said Esquivel. 

 

The Lee County Sheriff's Office says the deputy involved did all he could to avoid shooting the dog.  The case remains under investigation.  The deputy in question remains on active duty.     

(NBC2 News - Feb 27, 2015)