Staff Reports
GRAHAM COUNTY – Deputies with the Graham County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a dog shooting on Aug. 2, at approximately 4:25 p.m.
According to a Sheriff’s Office report, a man shot a stray brown shepherd dog, claiming it was aggressive. The incident occurred after the man and his wife arrived home and were confronted by the dog, which was reportedly barking and charging at them, preventing them from exiting their vehicle.
Officers found the deceased dog under a tree about 10 feet from the couple’s residence, with a bullet wound in its chest. Four spent 9mm bullet casings were located near the front steps of the home. The man told officers he fired four shots from his tan Glock 19X pistol, equipped with a red dot sight, because the dog was attacking him. He said the dog had been aggressive in the past and was believed to be a stray. Officers confirmed the firearm was in the man’s bedroom and checked it for wants, finding no issues. The dog had a collar but no tags, and its owner could not be identified.
A witness provided a conflicting account, stating the dog was not aggressive or attacking the man. She claimed the man retrieved his firearm from inside the residence before shooting the dog. The witness suggested the dog might belong to a nearby resident. However, that person denied ownership and reported prior issues with the dog’s aggressive behavior as well. He also noted that his own dog was near the scene but fled in fear when the shots were fired.
Police documented the incident and took no further action. The man who shot the dog said he would bury it. Authorities were unable to confirm the dog’s ownership, and it remains classified as a stray. No violations were cited in connection with the incident.
