TINTON FALLS - A father and daughter allege a Tinton Falls police officer used excessive force when he held them at gunpoint and shot their two German shepherds, killing one outside their Green Grove Road home.

Roberton Fullerton and his daughter Bobbi Rene Fullerton are suing the Borough of Tinton Falls, Police Officer Adrian Reyes, several officers referred to only as "John Does," and Police Chief John Scrivanic in federal court for an amount "yet to be determined."

The Fullertons claim their civil rights were violated.

"They were victims of excessive force. They were held at gunpoint by this officer (Reyes). They were scared out of their minds. The whole thing was very traumatic," the Fullerton's attorney Thomas J. Mallon told the Asbury Park Press.

The law firm Decotiis, Fitzpatrick, Cole and Giblin of Teaneck is representing Tinton Falls, Reyes and Scrivanic in the federal lawsuit. The firm didn't return a phone call from the Press seeking comment.

Scrivanic could not be immediately reached for comment.

According to federal court records, though, the defendants deny all allegations except that Robert Fullerton did comply with an order from Reyes "to get to the ground by getting on his knees."

The incident occurred Oct. 8, 2017. The suit was filed in November the following year.

Police was dispatched to the Fullerton residence following a 911 call reporting that Robert and his daughter Bobbi were arguing. Bobbi Fullerton was a juvenile at the time, Mallon said.

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According to the lawsuit, there was no physical assault, and before any officers arrived, Robert Fullerton received a phone call from "longtime friend," Tinton Falls Police Officer Lt. Kyle Pearson.

According to the lawsuit, Fullerton told Pearson that everything was all right and that he had been arguing with his daughter. Pearson then tried to notify responding officers that "no assault had occurred," at the Fullerton's house.

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Notwithstanding, the police went to Fullerton's home and knocked on the door. Robert Fullerton opened the door and stepped outside. Sadie, one of the plaintiffs' German shepherds, brushed passed Fullerton, walked onto the driveway "and was immediately shot three times," by Reyes, or one of the John Doe officers, the lawsuit said.

Reyes "then ordered Fullerton at gunpoint, with the gun pointed at his face, to get on the ground," according to the lawsuit.

Bobbi Fullerton then followed their other dog Hannah outside, at which time Hannah was shot twice. Bobbi was then ordered at gunpoint to the ground, according to the lawsuit.

Sadie died from the gunshots while Hannah was taken to a veterinary hospital. The Fullertons claim they incurred over $7,000 in veterinary expenses.

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The Fullertons were not charged with any crimes according to Mallon and a Press search of municipal court records. Neither was Reyes nor any Tinton Falls officer.

When Jersey Shore native Dan Radel is not reporting the news, you can find him in a college classroom where is a history professor. Reach him @danielradelapp; 732-643-4072; dradel@gannettnj.com.