From another source: “Deputies met with the owner Michael Bustamante, 28, who confirmed he let “Astro” a 2½ year old 65-pound boxer...”
It was the 65 pound dog he shot ONCE with a .22. Do you seriously believe he shot at running 65 pound dog and killed it with a single shot with a .22?
Shooting at a large animal coming right at you when it is very close is not that hard. Very often these dog attacks consist of a lot of lunging and snapping in and out. It seems likely that the dog was close and moving at him, momentarily stopped at the end of a lunge, or starting to move back, but still very close.
If that the were the case, pointing and shooting at the very close and threatening dog would not be that hard.
In addition, if he had missed, the story would probably not have made the news.
Uh, yes, I do, especially since it was charging or running directly at him, running toward the bullet so to speak and was only a foot or so away at the time of firing.
You are making assumptions about his level of gun competence with no facts. Also, successfully shooting an attacker is not evidence of intent.
Sure, why not? As always, shot placement matters more than caliber.
But, let's not forget that the dogs' owners admitted he frequently turned his dogs out, unleashed and unsupervised. That's just asking for someone to shoot your dog(s).