Posted on 03/09/2015 7:15:43 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
Charges were filed against a man accused of fatally shooting a dog at a Bay Area dog park Monday.
Joseph Potts, 26, has been charged with one count of cruelty to a non-livestock animal. Potts is not in custody at this time.
"We were pretty excited to hear that news, that was obviously the outcome we were looking for," said Randall Livingston, the owner of the fatally wounded Staffordshire bull terrier named Diesel.
Deputies with the Harris County Sheriff's Office responded to a shooting on Jan. 25 after officials said Potts shot and killed a dog he said threatened the safety of him, his wife and his two dogs.
But witnesses told investigators a different story, that the dogs were playing together when Potts kicked Diesel and then shot him three times -- once in his leg and twice in his back.
"Animal abuse is a serious offense that will not be tolerated,” said Harris County District Attorney Devon Anderson in a press release. “We take all allegations of cruelty to animals very seriously and pursue charges whenever appropriate."
Livingston told KPRC 2 he hopes Potts learns the consequences of his actions.
"Hopefully he would have some form of better judgment or just stay the hell out of the dog park," Livingston said.
Potts could face two to 10 years in prison if convicted.
Lets hope they take his badge.
Badge?
He needs an ex-post facto appointment as a law enforcement officer...
Idiot !
.
“Lets hope they take his badge.”
Drunk Freeping?”
Sounds like this guy deserves some prison therapy.
He shot a pit bull? I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.
“fatally wounded Staffordshire bull terrier named Diesel.”
“... he said threatened the safety of him, his wife and his two dogs.”
“But witnesses told investigators a different story, that the dogs were playing together when Potts kicked Diesel and then shot him three times — once in his leg and twice in his back.”
Yup. Sorry, but I’d give benefit of doubt. Well, perhaps there will be a trial. But PBT, family, dog park (foolish idea), family dogs - I have my doubts.
Witnesses are often mistaken. Especially in dog circles. “Playing” and perhaps started to turn ugly in a second. Kicked because he instantly saw the danger. Shot because the kick wasn’t good enough.
Of course, he could be charged with reckless endangerment - sounds like he might’ve shot too hastily. But I don’t know the full facts.
Dogs play, dogs can fight with other dogs and half our population is full of AH’s, idiots, the stupid, irresponsible and mentally unstable individuals. Just like their leaders and like the guy who shot this dog, based on witness statements.
I would not recommend anyone going to these dog parks where these people are. You’re just asking for issues.
My 'dar may need a tune up, but I wasn't impressed with the 'witness' on the video.
“I would not recommend anyone going to these dog parks where these people are. You’re just asking for issues.”
Absolutely agree on this one. I used to go to the Irvine (CA) Bark Park but too many a-holes there.
Why not, the witness stated the shooters dog nor the shooter were endangered...
Note what the story neglects to report is was there a single dog bit on the shooters dog or the shooter?
??
Yup....I have no doubt.
Asp baton and bear spray. Everybody goes home. What a dumbass.
I avoid dog parks like the plague.
There aren’t bad dogs, just bad owners.
I’ve come too close, too many times, to going off on another ‘guardian’. I just don’t go to them anymore.
Smart move.
Well I don’t know how often you go to a dog park I go to one with my dog several times a week and I have seen more fights started by small dogs and “safe” breeds than I have ever seen trouble involving any pit, and there are usually four to eight in the park at any given time. But then there are those who just hate the breed and will accept any foul thing done to one as just.
Smaller dogs do not have the intelligence of say a German Shepherd. They’ll run right up to a larger dog yapping etc.
Then throw into the mix all the people mentioned in #11 and ya get chaos generated by an ocean of stupidity.
If ya go to dog parks, it’s only a matter of time until you have an issue.
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