Titusville Police: Officer Shoots ‘Aggressive’ Loose Dog, Owner Comes Forward

By  //  March 26, 2016

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A Titusville Police Officer was flagged down in the 1400 block of S. Park Avenue at around 6:40 p.m. by a resident that indicated a pit bull had been running loose for most of the day and was being aggressive towards people, according to Amy Matthews in a release by the Titusville Police Department. (TPD Image)

BREVARD COUNTY • TITUSVILLE, FLORIDA – A Titusville Police Officer was flagged down in the 1400 block of S. Park Avenue at around 6:40 p.m. by a resident that indicated a pit bull had been running loose for most of the day and was being aggressive towards people, according to Amy Matthews in a release by the Titusville Police Department.

According to police, one citizen had to use a stick to keep the dog from attacking.

The complainant directed the officer’s attention to a house he thought the dog belonged to and the front door to the residence was open without any lights on in the house.

The officer approached the residence from an angle and as he was around 20 yards offset from the front door the brown pit bull dog exited the house and charged the officer, according to Matthews.

“The officer began retreating backwards about 10 yards before the dog had caught up to him and the officer fired three shots at the dog,” said Matthews.

The dog retreated into the house as the officer called out to any occupants in the house, to no avail.

Officers then entered the residence to make sure there was no one in need of help inside and to check on the dog.

The dog was discovered in a bedroom and secured there for animal control.

Brevard County Animal Control responded and removed the dog whom needed medical treatment.

Prior to the animal control officer departing the scene a male, Raul Javier Garcia arrived at the residence and claimed ownership of the dog.

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According to Matthews, Garcia became uncooperative with law enforcement when he learned the dog had been shot and demanded his dog be returned to him.

The dog was turned over to his care for treatment.

The pit bull’s injuries appeared to be to its ear, side and rear leg.

Animal Control will investigate further into whether or not the pit-bull has a county tag and rabies vaccination.

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ABOVE MAP: A Titusville Police Officer was flagged down in the 1400 block of S. Park Avenue at around 6:40 p.m. by a resident that indicated a pit bull had been running loose for most of the day and was being aggressive towards people, according to Amy Matthews in a release by the Titusville Police Department.