Dogster contributing editor Michael Leaverton writes:
On Sunday January 25th, 2015 at a dog park in the Houston area, a man shot a Staffordshire Bull Terrier three times at close range. The dog's right paw was shattered by a bullet; two others went into his back, with one entering his lung. The dog's name was Diesel.
Diesel's crime? Apparently, the shooter feared for his life and for the life of his dog. However, an eyewitness says the dogs were playing, yapping with each other -- "tussling," as a reporter from Click 2 Houston puts it.
The witness describes how the man suddenly pulled out a gun and opened fire in the dog park.
"Pow. The dog cries, he moves closer," the witness said. "Pow, pow, two more bullets go into that dog. That dog is bleeding from the mouth."
"I don't know how I'm going to sleep tonight," he said. "I'm going to hear the sound of those bullets. All of that blood gushing out of that poor little animal."
Diesel was taken to VCA Animal Emergency Hospital, and later that night his owners decided to put him to sleep due to the severity of his injures. The shooter was questioned by police and released. The witness described how the man showed no signs of grief over what he had done. Quite the contrary.
"He doesn't have any remorse," the witness said. "He's angry. All of that aggression. We're all telling him, 'I hope you go to jail.'"
Police were called and the man was placed in handcuffs, but he was later released as Harris County District Attorney's office declined to prosecute, according to Click 2 Houston,
The witness and others at the dog park are shocked the man resorted to violence, as the dogs were reportedly not fighting at the time.
"He had no right to pull that gun. His animal was not in danger; he was not in danger," he said. "I don't understand how they are not pressing charges. I witnessed everything. No one was in danger."
"I just can't believe somebody would do that when the dog wasn't even being aggressive," witness Melanie Merritt told KHOU. "He should be charged."
"It makes me feel a little scared and worried," witness Kaitlyn Kirby told ABC 13. "My dogs aren't aggressive at all, but it makes me think you don't need to bring a gun to the dog park. C'mon now."
United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson,
Please prosecute to the fullest extent of the law, the man who shot Diesel at the dog park. Everyone has a right to feel safe from gun wielding individuals. In the US our pets are like family. No one should fear for their dog’s life when enjoying a day in fresh air at the dog park.
It is crucial this individual, who has other offenses associated with the killing of an innocent dog, be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
