A 38-year-old Crystal City man shot his dog Monday night (March 13) after the dog reportedly killed his cat.
Crystal City Police were called to the 100 block of Glennon Heights at 9:27 p.m. after receiving a call about shots fired.
When officers arrived, they found the man with his hands up. He told officers the dog had attacked and killed the cat, then he put the dog on a lead and it attacked him, so he shot it with a 9 mm handgun.
Crystal City Police Capt. Mike Pruneau said there were inconsistencies in the man’s story. The mid-sized, mixed-breed dog was shot at least three times and was still alive, but was not on a lead. One of the officers euthanized it.
Officers reported hearing approximately six rounds discharged as they were looking for the source of the shots.
Pruneau said the man was arrested on suspicion of discharging a firearm in the city, a misdemeanor, and also animal abuse, which can be a misdemeanor or a felony if the accused is a repeat offender. He said the report will be forwarded to the prosecuting attorney to consider charges.
The man was released pending application for warrants. His firearm was seized.