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Pasco Deputy Shoots And Kills Dog

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By Carl  Orth | The Suncoast News

Published: December 11, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - Preliminary details from the Sheriff's Office indicates a deputy was justified in shooting and killing a pit bull this morning after the dog attacked and bit the officer.

But the distraught owner of the pet, Robin Lane, disputes the deputy's actions and might consult a lawyer.

Some details remain sketchy as of this afternoon. Kevin Doll, spokesman for the Sheriff's Office, said a full report might be ready by Friday afternoon. The dog was not tied up, Doll said.

Deputy Matthew Kadel was bit on the arm and leg, Doll reports. The deputy was taken to a hospital to get a tetanus shot and antibiotics, Doll added.

The deputy was backing up county code enforcement officials who apparently were checking into some ordinance violation at the home on Adonis Road, Doll said. Doll didn't have details about the violation.
"Preliminary reports indicated the deputy was justified," Doll said Thursday. "If the dog attacks, he has a right to defend himself."

The pet owner challenges the official account, however. She said the dog was kept on a chain in the yard at the home at 8628 Adonis Road, southeast of Ridge and Little roads.

"He's never been aggressive to anyone," Lane said about the dog, Ammo. The 10-year-old animal, who weighed perhaps 60 pounds, was well trained and obeyed commands.

"We didn't raise him to be mean," Lane said about the dog. "My grandchildren play with him. He's never been aggressive to anyone." The dog had never bitten anyone in 10 years, she said.

"It just isn't right they come in my yard and shoot my dog," Lane commented. She wished the deputy would have alerted the family first before coming into the yard. She said she was unaware of a problem until hearing the shot.

Lane claims a bullet casing was found in the yard. She believes it came from the shot fired by the deputy. Authorities don't seem interested in a thorough investigation, Lane thinks.

The family also was upset the dog's body was not released to them for burial. The whereabouts of the remains of the dog aren't known today. The dog will be tested for rabies, Doll said.

"He grew up with the kids," Lane said about Ammo, who they raised since he was a puppy. "I have a 27-year-old son who's crying over this dog."

Carl Orth can be reached at 727-815-1068 or corth@suncoastnews.com.

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