Police in Hamden, Conn. say a dog owner shot and killed his own pet out of fear that it would attack children in a park.

In a statement, police said that Walter Haller was walking his pit bull off its leash Sunday when another man entered the park accompanied by a dog on a leash and three children. Authorities said the pit bull attacked the other dog, causing "serious injuries."

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Haller told police that he was worried that his pit bull would attack the children, so he shot the dog with a .22-caliber handgun.

Police said Haller was licensed to carry the weapon.

The incident remains under investigation.