PALM BAY, Fla.,None — A Palm Bay police officer is on administrative leave after he shot at a dog, and the bullet hit and injured a man.
The officer and a Department of Children and Families worker were checking on Charles Huggett's 3-year-old grandson when a pit bull in the house charged Tuesday night.
The officer shot the dog in the paw, and bullet fragments struck Huggett in the arm.
The officer used his weapon in self-defense of himself and the DCF worker, said Capt. Steve Shytle, of the Palm Bay Police Department.
Huggett and an unidentified woman were arrested after he returned from getting treatment at the hospital.
Officers haven't said why the pair was taken into custody. But, Huggett told WFTV the dog never charged.
"I just think it was going to just jump up on him, it's a very playful dog," he said.
Huggett said he's upset the officer opened fire, because he knows him personally.
"Mad, very mad you know?" he told WFTV.
Huggett's grandson was inside the house at the time of the shooting, but wasnt hurt, officials said.
The pit bull, named Jewels, is now in the custody of animal control.
Jewels' owner, Mike Olds, told WFTV the dog isnt vicious.
Its a very beautiful dog. Nice, very tame, take him for a walk all the time. Take him to the park, said Olds.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating. The officer who was involved with the shooting has been placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure.
WFTV
