Watch CBS News

Ft. Lauderdale Man Kills Pit Bull In Self Defense

FORT LAUDERDALE (CBS4) – Trak Red the pit bulldog died on a Fort Lauderdale sidewalk amid a hail of bullets Monday from a man who said he was forced to shoot two dogs after they allegedly attacked him and his dog on their morning walk.

George Oscar Doughty told police he was walking his rottweiler on Pennsylvania Avenue in the Melrose Park neighborhood when another rottweiler and a pit bull charged him. Doughty, who has a concealed weapon permit, pulled his gun and shot both of the dogs.

"He killed my baby," said Joanne Cole one of 'red's owners.
There has been bad blood between the shooter and Cole and her husband Randy Daise.

The pit bull was killed; the rottweiler was taken to an area animal hospital where it was listed as stable.

There was a tense history between Daise and Doughty, who claims that this is not the first time the dogs have attacked him. Doughty claims that a prior attack on his rotty last year sent his dog to the animal hospital for treatment.

"I took him to two vets to get his dog straightened out, paid the bills," Daise said. "He told me he would kill my dog if he ever catch him in the street, and that's what he did."

Fort Lauderdale police spokesman Detective Travis Mandell said Daise did not have the dogs on a leash when it all happened. Daise said he thinks the shooting was intentional.

Daise maintains the dead dog was gentle.

"He was just a puppy and I raised him not to bite because I have grandkids," said Joanne Cole.

Daise said he thinks Doughty came gunning for the dogs.

"He started coming this way with his concealed weapons permit, you understand, so if they came out he was going to kill them" said Daise. "And he did just that."

The other dog, Cleopatra the rotty, may be pregnant. She was rushed to Hollywood Animal Hospital where she is being treated for gunshot wounds to the face, neck and chest.

Dr. Ashley Mustakas, veterinarian, said the news may not be good for Cleopatra or her puppies.

"She does have a chance of hemorrhage, when we find the bullet there may be damage to tissue and bones," the veterinarian said. "If she's pregnant, it makes it more complicated because of blood loss and stress."

Mandell said Doughty has cooperated with investigators and will most likely not be charged.

(©2011 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. )

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.