FORT MYERS, Fla. (WFLA) — A man is facing charges after police in Fort Myers reported that he shot his neighbor’s 2-year-old pit bull, leading to injuries so severe that the dog had to be put down.
Merci-Dieu Ferd Frenot, 33, was taken into custody and charged with aggravated animal cruelty causing severe pain or death after the incident on May 15, as stated by the Fort Myers Police Department.
NBC affiliate WBBH spoke with the dog’s owner, Kenneth Baker, who insisted that his pet was not a threat.
“Dogs are good. If you treat them good, they’re pretty good,” Baker said, mentioning that his dog, Victor, was friendly and would allow anyone to approach or pet him.
Victor was in the yard when Frenot’s mother walked by Thursday. The dog began barking, and that’s when things went south.
Frenot told police he thought he heard his mother scream, and fearing for her safety, he grabbed a gun and ran into his neighbor’s yard.
“He got his gun, and you come running right here and, ‘You bothered my mama!’ Bam bam bam bam bam,” Baker said, recalling the moment.
Officers said Frenot shot Victor at least four times. They found the injured dog about two blocks away near Marsh Avenue with severe wounds. He was taken to Colonial Veterinary Officer but had to be euthanized.
Frenot’s mother confirmed to police that the dog had not attacked her. Baker remembered hearing her pleading with her son, telling him, “Don’t you do that. Don’t do that.”
Frenot’s bond was set at $50,000, and he posted bond later Friday afternoon. He was also ordered to surrender all firearms and stay away from the victims and their home.
