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Putnam Lake Dog Killed By Sheriff’s Deputy
Putnam County Sheriff Smith reports that a Deputy Sheriff answering a call at a Putnam Lake residence on Thursday afternoon, April 25th, shot and killed a dog that the deputy believed was about to attack him.
According to the Sheriff’s Department, at about 5:10 pm on April 25th, the Department received a telephone call from Ms. Tina Pugliese, of Putnam Lake requesting to speak with a deputy sheriff at her home regarding a complaint of annoying telephone calls. Deputy Sheriff Michael J. Szabo was dispatched to respond.
The Deputy reported that as he approached the front door of the house he saw a dog running toward him, barking and showing its teeth. Ms. Pugliese came out of the house and, according to a statement she gave authorities, saw her pet dog "Lady" go around a bush barking at the deputy. Deputy Szabo stated that he called to Ms. Pugliese telling her to control the dog, but Ms. Pugliese said that she did not hear the deputy.
Deputy Szabo said that he tried to step back toward his patrol car to get away from the dog, but that the dog ran at him, still barking and showing its teeth. According to the deputy, he believed that the dog was about to bite him and, fearing for his safety, he drew his service pistol and shot the dog once. The dog stopped and fell, wounded.
Deputy Szabo radioed for a supervisor to assist him and Sergeant Anthony N. DiBernardino and Investigator John D. Rees went to the house. The investigator interviewed Ms. Pugliese while the sergeant transported the dog to the Carmel Animal Hospital, where it died.
Sheriff Smith described the incident as very unfortunate. "The Sheriff’s Department strives to serve and protect our citizens, and we also have a compelling interest in protecting the lives and safety of our own deputies and corrections officers who work under very difficult circumstances," the Sheriff said. "The deputy in this case was forced to make a split-second judgment when faced with what he believed was a dangerous dog and an imminent threat to his own safety," he said. The Sheriff also expressed his sympathy for the owners of the dog.
The Sheriff stated that, based upon a preliminary investigation, it appears that the deputy was legally justified in his actions. A full investigation of the matter is continuing, which the Sheriff noted is standard procedure in these kinds of cases.
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