The Valley Chronicle - Dog chases man; man shoots dogng

Man dispatches neighbor’s dog he claimed threatened him

■ Chronicle News Staff A Hemet man was taken into custody by police Sunday for shooting his neighbor’s dog after the animal allegedly threatened him and his service dog with “aggressive behavior,” according to police. The incident happened shortly after 12:30 p.m., Sunday, April 7, in an apartment complex in the 1000 block of Latham Avenue, between Laursen and Santa Fe streets, according to authorities. The shooter told police he and his service dog were threatened by the pit bull while in a stairwell after the owner of the aggressive animal let the dog run loose in the apartment complex. After he was taken into custody, police confiscated a shotgun and a .38-caliber handgun from the man’s residence. It wasn’t clear which weapon he had used to kill the pit bull. Owners of the pit bull were not pleased, needless to say, and told authorities the dog was a “big teddy bear” that “wouldn’t hurt anyone.” Police say charges will be filed against the man, but didn’t say exactly what those charges will be. Meanwhile, the man was released by police later the same day.