**Updated 11:45 a.m.
Racine police say the man who shot a dog Friday was justified in his actions. That dog died Saturday.
According to a police report, a man was in his yard with is dog on a leash at a home in the 2800 block of Arlington around 5:30 p.m. Friday when when a pit bull ran across the street and attacked his dog. The man kicked the pit bull until it let go, but it charged again so the man shot the pit bull.
“Whenever there is a weapon discharged – whether it’s from an officer’s gun or a citizen’s – we closely scrutinize the situation,” Racine police Lt. David Wohlgemuth said. “In this case, it does appear the man was justified, but the investigation is ongoing so a final determination hasn’t been made.”
The man does have a permit for his gun and also is a CCW permit holder, Wohlgemuth added.
Nicole Soto posted Friday on a gofundme page that her dog, Reyna, was playing with a dog walking by her home Friday when the dog’s owner shot Reyna. The gofundme page was set up to raise money for Reyna’s veterinary bills.
“Reyna did jump over the fence but played with the other dog, the other dog was bigger and also played back,” Soto wrote on the gofundme page. “The owner of the other dog says that Reyna was trying to attack his dog, even though there are no injuries to his dog.”
Despite being rushed to WVRC Emergency Veterinary Hospital, Reyna died from her injuries. Soto posted Saturday morning that the $180 raised from members of the community would go toward the costs associated with trying to save her dog’s life.
“May God bless you all for your generosity. The money raised will go towards her emergency vet bill,” she posted.
The man who shot Reyna is not expected to face charges in the shooting. Wisconsin state statute 174.01 allows for the defense of an owner’s domesticated animals.
“Further review will take place for this incident; however, initial examination of the facts indicate that the person who stopped the attack of the pit bull acted within the provisions of the law,” Wohlgemuth wrote in an email.
Whether or not the man’s dog was injured during the incident is unknown.