Deputy Shoots and Kills Pit Bull | News

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. -- A St. Johns County Sheriff's deputy shot and killed a pit bull after the dog approached him.

Thursday, according to a sheriff's office report, a man called the sheriff's office claiming a pit bull was on his property. The man said he yelled at the pit bull who "appeared vicious and was extremely aggressive".

Deputy Scott Wright said he arrived at the dog owner's house on Russel Sampson Road in northwest St. Johns County.  He said as he approached the porch he saw a large male pit bull standing on the porch, "barking and growling" at him.   He said the dog ran toward him, so the deputy backed up and pulled his baton.

Wright said he struck the "dog in the head" with the baton, but the dog continued "with its attempts to attack me." So Wright struck the dog again with the baton and it "was not affecting the dog".

Wright said he then drew his service hand gun and shot the dog eight times "as I continued to disengage from him."

The dog died.

According to report, Animal Control said there "had been five separate incidents with the pit bull. Two of the incidents were dog bites where the dog had been quarantined. The dog was not up to date with his shots."