A Tampa man is facing multiple felony charges after authorities say he shot and killed a dog he blamed for the death of his own pet.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded to a shooting call around 8:09 a.m. on Jan. 7 in the 15300 block of Otto Road. When they arrived, 41-year-old Aaron Allen allegedly admitted to shooting a 4-year-old pit bull.
According to investigators, Allen told deputies the shooting was retaliation for an incident the day before, when he claimed the pit bull attacked his 16-year-old Pomeranian. Both dogs later died from their injuries.
Sheriff Chad Chronister condemned the act, stressing that individuals cannot take the law into their own hands.
“Acts of violence against animals are unacceptable and will not be tolerated in our community,” Chronister said. “No one has the right to take matters into their own hands in this way.”
Allen was arrested and charged with aggravated cruelty to animals with a weapon, armed trespassing, discharging a firearm on residential property, and shooting into a building. The investigation remains ongoing, according to the sheriff’s office.