NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Questions and controversy are swirling after a pet canine was killed at a preferred Nashville park this week, with witnesses telling NewsChannel 5 how a canine was shot.
Witnesses mentioned the pleasant canine was with its homeowners at Percy Warner Park on Wednesday morning. It was off the leash and a person who says he “feared for his security” shot the German Shepherd.
“This is a peaceable place. People include their households and dogs to benefit from the magnificence,” mentioned Ariana Kaufman, who walked previous a pair with a German Shepherd.
The canine was not on a leash — in violation of park guidelines — however Kaufman mentioned it was pleasant, with its tail wagging and wandered as much as her and others.
“It seemed like a very candy canine, and I began petting the canine — taking part in with the canine,” mentioned Kaufman.
She moved on when abruptly she heard a commotion.
“I heard a gunshot behind me. I flip round, and a person has a gun out, and the canine is useless. He continues to shoot the canine 5 extra instances.”
At that time, the canine’s homeowners ran up in shock.
“They mentioned: ‘Did you shoot my canine?’ He mentioned, ‘Yes.’ Then they requested: ‘Did you kill my canine?’ and he mentioned, ‘Yes — he bought too shut.'”
Kaufman mentioned the person walked away, and she or he known as 911. Metro police arrived, interviewed him after which let him go together with no fees.
“Just as a result of a canine’s not on a leash doesn’t give somebody a proper to kill a canine,” mentioned NewsChannel 5 authorized analyst Nick Leonardo.
The man did have a handgun carry allow permitting him to carry a gun to the park. He instructed officers he feared for his security from the canine. But to drag a gun and use lethal power in a busy public park?
Leonardo mentioned to do this there have to be an imminent risk of great bodily damage or loss of life.
“It all activates whether or not that was an affordable response to the actions of that canine,” Leonardo mentioned.
Was the taking pictures justified?
“Absolutely not — there isn’t any purpose,” mentioned Kaufman.
But, it did occur and now there’s simply this easy memorial of a card and bandana for a household pet killed in a public park.
“The complete day. I simply sobbed. It’s such a shock.”
Neither the canine’s homeowners or the person who shot the canine could possibly be reached for remark.
Police mentioned the case is just not closed.
The District Attorney might select to prosecute the person for the intentional killing of an animal — a Class E felony.
