Family's pit bull shot, killed after clamping down on teen's arm; parents pried dog's jaws apart to free son

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A family's pit bull was shot and killed by the dog's owner Friday after a deputy said it bit the man's 15-year-old stepson and wouldn't let go.

Jonluke Fell, 26, told a deputy his dog started to fight his other pit bull in his house in the 8400 block of 104th Avenue, according to an Indian River County Sheriff's Office incident report.

Fell's stepson was attempting to break up the dogs when he was bitten in his right arm, according to the report. The dog did not release its grip from the boy.

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Fell hit his dog and poured water in its mouth in an attempt to release his stepson from the dog's jaws, according to the report. The dog did not release the 15-year-old's arm after multiple attempts.

Fell then shot the dog from a close range, according to the report. The dog was killed by the gunshot, but did not release the boy's arm.

Fell and his wife, Adela Rojas, 35, pulled the dog's jaws apart to free the teen's arm, according to the incident report. Once the two were separated, Fell drove the boy to the hospital.

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An Indian River County Sheriff's Office deputy was sent to Sebastian River Medical Center and spoke with Fell, according to the incident report. The deputy contacted the city's animal control and was informed the dog's immunization records were registered in the county.

After an investigation, the responding deputy determined no crime had occurred as the parents' were concerned about their child's safety, according to the incident report.

Max Chesnes is a TCPalm breaking news reporter for Indian River County. You can keep up with Max on Twitter @MaxChesnes and give him a call at 772-978-2224.