SARASOTA, Fla. –
An attempt to apprehend an aggressive dog that reportedly bit a neighbor took a chaotic turn on Tuesday in Sarasota’s Newtown area. Police fired at another dog after it exhibited aggressive behavior, fortunately resulting in no injury.
What they’re saying:
“My cousin called police and said he had been bitten,” said Vickie Dunbar.
Dunbar was prepared to cooperate with animal control off North Links Avenue in Sarasota. However, upon opening the door for the officers, her friend’s dog jumped out of the car.
An officer from the Sarasota Police Department reported that the friend’s pit bull approached fiercely. “He tried to go forward, and as he went forward, the officer started shooting,” Dunbar recounted.
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The gunfire ceased moments later.
“I started to feel the burn, and I thought, ‘Oh man.’ Initially, I believed I might have been scratched by one of the dogs during the chaos,” shared Shauna Duvall, Dunbar’s friend.
Duvall noticed her shirt had been grazed by the gunfire, and she also sustained an arm injury.
“To fire any weapon at close range and miss your intended target is unacceptable,” Duvall stated.
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An ambulance arrived to evaluate Duvall, but she declined immediate hospitalization until she confirmed her dog was safe.
“What if someone had been injured more severely than I was?” she questioned.
Big picture view:
In relation to Dunbar’s dog, the Sarasota police took it for quarantine following the reported bite incident involving her cousin. Both dogs were removed from the property, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is presently investigating the shooting.
The other side:
The Sarasota County Clerk of Court has documented various past citations issued to Dunbar regarding her pets. These include previous dog attacks, loose dog violations, and issues related to improper tethering.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered by FOX 13’s Kimberly Kuizon.
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Key Information
- Incident occurred in Sarasota’s Newtown area.
- A police officer fired shots during an attempt to apprehend an aggressive dog.
- No injuries were reported to the targeted dog, but a bystander sustained injuries from the gunfire.
- The incident is under investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
- Dunbar has a history of citations related to her pets, including a previous dog attack.
Article original publish date: 2025-05-20 07:00:00
Article source: www.fox13news.com
Read the full story at the original source: www.fox13news.com
