A Merritt Island family is looking for answers Monday after they say a Brevard County Sheriff\u2019s deputy shot and killed their family dog.<\/p>\n
The sheriff\u2019s office says they responded to the neighborhood after someone called 911 reporting a toddler was left unattended and wandering around near the street, but the family says the mother was in the car port and knew where the 2-year-old was the entire time.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is no reason why he should\u2019ve done that. What he should\u2019ve done is talk to the person in the car port that was 15 feet away. It was totally uncalled for,\u201d said neighbor Josh Petelle.<\/p>\n
According to the sheriff\u2019s office, the dog was acting aggressive when the deputy approached the young boy, but family members say Brownie, a 5-year-old female pit bull, has always been protective of all 5 kids, especially the youngest, who witnesses say was just feet from where the deputy fired his shots.<\/p>\n
When the deputy arrived, witnesses said the deputy walked up to the home with his gun drawn and fired two shots at Brownie, feet from where they 2-year-old boy was sitting in his stroller.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe dog\u2019s first thought is hey you\u2019re walking up to me with a gun and the dog growls. The dog didn\u2019t lunge at him, the dog didn\u2019t do anything. The dog just growled and then he put two bullets in him,\u201d said family member Robert Gringas.<\/p>\n
The family says they\u2019re relieved the toddler wasn\u2019t injured, but are left wondering why the deputy felt he needed to pull the trigger, killing their family pet.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s very sad because we had her for so long,\u201d said 12-year-old Jordan.<\/p>\n
The 2-year-old was not injured and the family says they will be filing a complaint with the sheriff\u2019s office.<\/p>\n
The deputy finished his shift and won\u2019t be put on administrative leave, according to BCSO.<\/p>\n