Detroit, MI — A tiny Chihuahua was shot and killed by a man who thought he was under attack from the five-pound dog.
The puppy’s 14-year-old owner had allowed her dog go out unleashed, with disastrous consequences.
According to the teen, who described the incident leading to the death of her beloved pet that occurred on the west side of the city of Detroit , “When he saw my dog running out of the bushes, [he said], ‘I’m going to handle him myself,’ and then I guess my dog had run back up on him again, and he just shot him…
The neighbor, who has a gun permit, told police that he felt threatened by the one-year-old Chihuahua. He reportedly first told the teen to put the dog back in the house. Police do not plan to press charges against the man because “he acted within reason.” Detroit Dog Rescue took the dog away for cremation.
A Detroit Dog Rescue worker who was on the scene had this to say about the shooting of the Chihuahua:
“My sympathy goes out to the young lady losing her dog. It’s a shame, and it shouldn’t have happened, but also, too, this is a harsh reminder of responsibility. If the dog was just simply on a leash to go outside, an owner would have better control, but no matter how this played out, it’s an unfortunate situation, and it really shouldn’t have happened.”
Another Detroit Dog Rescue made these comments about the incident that occurred on Tuesday afternoon:
“Just the nature of the dog… I mean, in most cases, when people think of what would be a vicious dog is not a dog that would be a Chihuahua — in other words, the Taco Bell dog. We just don’t see that as the type of dog that should be definitely shot and killed… This would have never happened if the dog had been properly leashed and under the direct supervision of the owner… In no way should you ever have your dog out and not leashed.”
Do you think that there ever could be a strong justification for gunning down a tiny Chihuahua?
[Generic Chihuahua image credit: Katie Mancine ]