Bo is home from the animal hospital. For now.

INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) - Bo is home from the animal hospital — for now.

Shayna Queen's pet pit bull was shot in the head around noon Wednesday.

It happened near 71st Street and Keystone Avenue.

A neighbor who heard the incident said it was a single shot from a gun.

Another neighbor, who did not want to appear on camera, said he shot the dog, and did so in self-defense.

It started when that man let this cat into his backyard. At some point, two pit bulls showed up.

He said the dogs scared the cat up a tree. When the man went to check on the cat, he said he was surrounded by the two pit bulls. They were snarling at him, baring their teeth.

He says he felt in fear for his life, so he fired his gun once. Bo was wounded and the other dog ran off.



It’s not the first time that same man has shot a dog running loose on his property along Ruth Drive in Ravenswood. It happened a few months ago. That time the dog died. The man told us he’s been bitten before, his cat was bitten by a stray and two neighbors have been bitten or almost bitten by loose dogs. He’s an animal lover but says dog owners have to be more responsible.



“I feel that it’s a false statement to justify shooting an animal," said Joey Baker, a cousin of Bo’s owner. “Cold chill down my spine on that one. His injuries, he’s got a shot to the eye and it’s not very good. It’s not looking very good.”



Bo has been to the veterinarian, but the family can’t afford the minimum $1,000 fee to begin extensive care. Baker helped set up an online account for donations.



Baker said the description of Bo threatening someone's life doesn’t sound right.