Pit Bull Shot, Killed by Resident Walking His Dog

A Bradenton man shot and killed a pit bull in east Bradenton Sunday, after the dog jumped over a wall and attacked his Jack Russell terrier, named Scooter, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

Richard Davis, 52, has a license to carry a concealed weapon, and it appears the shooting was justified, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Davis was walking Scooter on the east side of 22nd Street East, near his home, at 6:55 p.m. Sunday, when the incident occurred.

He was walking past a home on the 3500 block of 22nd Street East, when the pit bull apparently jumped over its backyard enclosure, according to a written press release. Investigators said a 6-foot "flimsy" wooden fence was connected to a concrete wall that the dog easily scaled.

When the pit bull broke free, it charged and attacked Scooter, Davis told police.

Davis, who was carrying a .38 caliber Ruger in his pocket, shot the pit bull three times, striking it in the neck and shoulder. "At this time the shooting appears to be justified, and no charges were filed," police said. 

In 2011, a similar incident occurred on 16th Street West, when a being walked on a leash. Richard Rucker, the dog owner, had a license to carry a concealed weapon and had his gun with him at the time. He shot the pit bull, which ran off into woods nearby. Deputies were summoned, found the animal and euthanized him.