Adan
Salazar
A
California sheriff’s deputy is feeling the sting of humiliation after he
attempted to shoot a fenced-in dog, but failed, succeeding only in shooting
himself.
The
deputy, who works with the Riverside County Court Services Division, was
reportedly serving an eviction notice at a Riverside home on Wednesday at
around 2p.m. when a “large dog” approached him.
Police
say the pit bull, who can be seen in footage shot by Los Angeles NBC affiliate
KNBC being playful and friendly with several children, attacked the officer,
forcing him to draw his weapon.
“A
large pit bull breed dog attacked the deputy,” an investigator told KNBC. “In
defense of himself, he fired one round at the dog and inadvertently struck
himself in the leg.”
The
dog’s owner, Jorge Rodriguez, says his dog never attacked.
“The
officer got scared and unfortunately pulled his gun and he shot himself,”
Rodriguez says. “He was in pain, man, I feel sorry for the officer.”
The
officer sustained non-life threatening injuries and is being treated at the
Riverside Community hospital.
Reports
say the Department of Animal Services won’t take action against the dog as she
was legally within a fenced enclosure. No word on whether the officer will be
investigated for mishandling his firearm.