Outraged residents: Deputy shot dog

BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. (WALA) - Residents in a neighborhood near Fairhope said they are outraged after a Baldwin County sheriff’s deputy fatally shot a neighborhood dog numerous times.

It happened in a residential area off County Road 3 while children were out of school for the Veterans Day holiday.

Neighbor Tyler Swafford said he witnessed the last shot fired by the deputy.

“He proceeded to get out of his car and squat down and shoot the dog that was at the corner of the house,” said Swafford. “I've never seen anything like that happen. The dog wasn't being vicious. It was sitting there wagging its tail on the end of the porch.”

Neighbors said the sheriff’s deputy responded after someone complained that the dog had gotten loose.

The deputy allegedly told residents that the pit bull tried to jump into his patrol car and was barking at other residents when he arrived.

Witnesses said the dog was hunted down and shot five times in the process.

They said the deputy delivered the final shot from the street while the injured dog sat on the front porch of its home, at least 15 yards away.

The dog's owner said he has owned the pit bull, named Maddie, for 10 years and has never had a problem. 

Many said the situation could have been handled differently and that the officer acted recklessly.

“You know, I love dogs but this isn't really about the dog,” said neighbor Ryan Holloway. “This is about guns being fired in the neighborhood with my children at home.”

“Anybody could have been in that house,” said Swafford. “You know, they have children - a 2 and a 6-year-old.”

The Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office said it would not comment on the incident until a review is completed.

Meanwhile, the dog’s owner said he believes the dog was shot because of its breed’s reputation.

He buried the dog Monday evening.