The Washoe County Sheriff's Office gave the following statement regarding the incident:
"The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office responded to Rancho San Rafael Park Sunday on reports of a firearm discharge. Upon arrival on scene, deputies discovered that a large Rottweiler bit a small dog on the back of the neck and began thrashing the small dog. The owner of the small dog attempted to break the dogs up by hand and was bit on the arm by the Rottweiler, at which point the small dog owner discharged his weapon.
In cooperation with Animal Control, the Sheriff’s Office took an incident report and determined no crime had occurred.
While County Code (95.280) does prohibit the discharge of any weapon in a County park, there is an exception (50.092) to any person lawfully discharging a firearm in the protection of life or property."
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ORIGINAL ARTICLE:
A dog has died following an incident that ended in a shooting at Rancho San Rafael Park Sunday afternoon.
It happened around 1 p.m.
A Rottweiler and a Shih tzu got in a fight inside the off-leash dog park at Rancho San Rafael Park, according to a spokesperson with Washoe County Regional Animal Services.
The Rottweiler was leashed and the Shih tzu was off leash.
The owner of the Shih tzu tried to break up the fight and got bit by the Rottweiler. The owner of the Shih tzu then pulled out a Glock 26 and shot the Rottweiler four times.
The Rottweiler died at the scene.
The Shih tzu was injured but is still alive and appears to be stable as of Monday.
The Washoe County Sheriff's Office and the Reno Police Department responded to the incident, along with three Animal Control Officers.
No criminal charges have been filed against either party.
Washoe County Regional Animal Services wants to remind owners that dogs should be socialized and under the owner's control at all times, whether they are on or off leash.
Owners can also utilize tools for breaking up a fight such as an air horn or whistle, or a walking stick that can be used to physically separate dogs. Tools such as pepper spray or an umbrella that pops open can also startle a dog enough to break up a fight.
