Man shoots, kills dog during attack

APPLETON — A man legally fired his gun during a dog-on-dog attack shortly before 7 p.m. Sunday, killing a Pit bull, according to the Appleton Police Department.

Capt. Todd Freeman said the incident occurred in the 1100 block of North Leminwah Street. He said the incident started when two Pit bulls from neighboring homes began to fight.

Freeman said the dogs began to attack one another after escaping under a fence. The owner of one of the dogs tried to restrain his dog and pull it free, but the woman's dog grabbed the man's arm and began to attack him.

A neighborhood resident and concealed carry permit holder heard cries for help and approached the owners. He offered to help, and both owners agreed.

The resident fired two warning shots into the ground, but the woman's dog continued to attack. The woman who owned the attacking dog then gave permission for the resident to shoot her dog because he was attacking her neighbor. The dog, which had a hold of the man when it was shot, died.

Freeman said the department is continuing to investigate the incident, but he said the owner likely acted within his legal rights.

"We're confident it was consistent with the law and not illegal, and the man acted decisively to end what was a very dangerous situation for everybody present and for the animal that survived."

Ethan Safran: 920-993-1000, ext. 426, or esafran@gannett.com; on Twitter @EthanSafran