Man charged with shooting muzzled, leashed dog at park

BREMERTON, Wash. (AP) - Prosecutors have charged a man with shooting a muzzled, leashed dog at a Washington park.

The Kitsap Sun reports the suspect, who lives in Port Orchard, was charged Oct. 9 with first-degree animal cruelty. A warrant was issued Oct. 10 for his arrest.

Authorities say police were called Sept. 13 to the South Kitsap Community Park after witnesses reported hearing a gunshot and seeing a dog injured.

The dog’s owner told authorities she had asked the suspect to leash his Chihuahua, which had been antagonizing her dog, described as a pit bull mix.

Following the shooting, a Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office official said the man shot the dog because he felt threatened, but charging documents do not include a complete statement from the man.

The wounded dog, Dottie, survived the gunshot, but had to have a leg amputated.

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Information from: Kitsap Sun, http://www.kitsapsun.com/