Let’s play a game
This game is called Guess who’s lying. A local police officer shot a woman’s dog (which the press dutifully points out is a pit bull mix). The pit bull mix was shot in the head with a .40 caliber handgun, was treated by a vet, and is still alive [Damn, tough dog or weak ammo – Ed.]. So, on to the game:
Blount County Deputy Lt. Patrick England claims:
England was following up a missing child report Sunday, near the Wallace Harris Avenue residence of Sybil Patty, owner of the dog.
According to a report, by deputy Steve Blankenship, England “approached” the front door of Patty’s residence. When she opened the door the dog ran out and she attempted to grab it. England reported the dog ran at him in an aggressive manner, and that he attempted to shove the dog off of him with his hand, but missed.
England also reported that he began to back out of the yard toward the corner of Wallace Harris Avenue and Bramble wood Drive, and that the dog continued to make “aggressive advances” toward him. When the dog was within a short distance, England reported he drew his weapon and fired one round striking the dog in the “top left of the head.”
Versus what the owner and witnesses say:
Witnesses disputed England’s report.
Patty called the dog back, and Petey turned and began walking toward the house, according to Davidson. The officer followed and the dog turned around and barked, and the officer hit him with a flashlight, said Davidson. Patty thought the dog was hit with a stick.
Witnesses are unsure what the dog was hit with, and there is no mention of the dog being struck in Blankenship’s report.
So, England, genius that he his, follows a dog who was dutifully defending his property but told to retreat by its owner. Then, he hits the dog. Not smart. And:
The dog wasn’t closing in on England, according to Davidson and Johnnie Dover, a Howard Jones Road resident who said she saw the shooting. She said that had England stopped and given Patty a chance, she would have gotten the dog back in the house.
Dover didn’t think England would have shot the dog if he wasn’t a pit bull.
“All because he’s got (pit) bulldog in him,” Dover said. “That’s a bunch of bull — all pit bulls aren’t mean.”
You can call the Blount County Sheriff’s Department at (865) 273-5000. Or you can go here and send them an electronic message.
