Deputy shoots, kills neighbor’s dog

A Wise County Sheriff’s Office deputy shot and killed a neighbor’s dog in Alvord Monday, and the incident is under investigation with the department.

The family that owns the dog posted photos and video on social media Monday night showing their dog Tito bleeding from an apparent gunshot wound. After being shot, the dog apparently went back to its house, bleeding profusely.

The dog later died from its injuries.

One video shows the family’s 8-year-old daughter crying while comforting the dying dog.

Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin said the incident is under investigation.

The deputy has told investigators he shot the dog because it was about to kill his cat.

“He said two dogs chased his cat into his yard and he yelled at the dogs,” Akin said. “One of the dogs left but the other one, a pit bull dog, backed his cat into the lawnmower and the dog was about to kill his cat and he shot two rounds, hitting the dog.”

The deputy called the sheriff’s office after the shooting to report it and request a deputy come to the scene. The deputy did not call and get permission prior to shooting the dog, Akin said, as incorrectly stated on social media.

Investigators found two shell casings and the two bullets, and they have spoken to the family that owns the dog.

Akin said the officer is currently off work for the Christmas holidays and not on duty.

“We’re still involved in an administrative investigation,” he said. “We also have body camera footage from deputies at the scene (Monday) night and actually met with the folks who lost the dog, so we’ve got those images and audio files to review. We’re going to do everything we can to make sure this is covered and covered right, and we’ll provide transparency on exactly how the investigation went, and if necessary we’ll take what action is needed.”

Akin said he has seen the posts on social media, but he said those comments are not always rooted in facts.

“We are going to look at the evidence, and we will make a decision based on the evidence,” he said.

That decision could come within the next few days, the sheriff said.