INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A homeowner shot and killed his pit bull last week after the canine bit a 15-year-old’s arm and refused to let go, deputies said.
After the shooting, the homeowner and his wife pried the dog’s jaws apart to free the boy’s arm, reports show. The youth was taken to Sebastian River Medical Center for treatment, deputies said.
Indian River County deputies responded to reports of a teenager bit by a pit bull Jan. 3. Deputies went to the hospital emergency room and spoke with the dog’s owner.
The owner, who is the stepfather of the injured boy, told deputies the incident unfolded when his pit bull and another pit bull living in his home began to fight. The residence is located in the 8400 block of 104th Avenue, Vero Beach.
When the teen tried to stop the two dogs, the owner’s pit bull bit the juvenile on his right arm, reports show.
The man said he tried to get the dog off of his stepson by hitting the animal and pouring water down its mouth, none of which worked, officials said. The man then grabbed a gun and shot the pit bull at close range, killing the dog, reports show.
The dog’s grip on the boy’s arm was still strong even after it died, deputies said. The man and his wife then pulled the pit bull’s jaws apart to free the youth.
An animal control worker told deputies the dog has immunization records with Indian River County, reports show. The worker told deputies to inform the man he would be able to bury the dog.
Deputies determined no crime occurred and the parents put the safety of the boy as their main concern.