Man Shoots Neighbor's 'Menacing' Pit Bull In Macomb County
RICHMOND TWP. (WWJ) - Police have launched an investigation after a homeowner shot his neighbor's pit bull in northern Macomb County.
The incident happened around 1:20 p.m. Thursday in the 31000 block of Weber Road, in rural Richmond Township.
According to the Macomb County Sheriff's Office, the homeowner called 911 and requested assistance, saying he was being "menaced" by a neighbor's pit bull.
The man told dispatchers that he was at the foot of his driveway retrieving his mail and trash can when his neighbor's dog charged at him. Due a previous history with this particular dog, the man had a handgun in his possession.
The dog apparently charged at the man and each time he tried to retreat, it would lunge at him. The man told police he fired three "warning shots" into the air to try to scare the animal off and when that didn't work, he fired a single shot striking the dog on its left side.
The animal then ran to its home, located directly across the street. The dog's owner was home at the time, and she immediately brought the dog to a local veterinarian for treatment. The dog's current condition is unknown.
Police said the handgun, a Smith & Wesson.38 caliber revolver, was properly registered to the man and returned to him after the incident was investigated.
The case was turned over to Macomb County Animal Control for a follow-up investigation.