Officers shoot attacking dog

A chaotic scene and an attacking Rottweiler led to the shooting death of the dog July 2 on Stock Island.

Detectives and deputies went to a Stock Island residence on 2nd Terrace at 6:15 p.m. to serve an arrest warrant on Catherine Perez. They were backed up by officers from Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

When they arrived, they explained to her what they were there for and she became belligerent and uncooperative, struggling with the officers who were taking her into custody on grand theft charges.

Neighbors and family members began gathering. A large Rottweiler was chained to a picnic table. The owner of the dog, 41 year old Thomas Council, was asked to move the dog to a side yard to get the dog away from the crowd and the officers. Council unchained the dog from the table and took hold of the dog’s collar. According to deputies on the scene, Council took a couple of steps with the dog, then deliberately let go of the dog’s collar, turning it loose. Council later admitted to letting the dog go on purpose. He said he thought he could control the dog and that the dog would listen to him.

The dog began advancing on officers and others gathered at the scene. The dog was described as agitated, with its hackles raised, growling and barking. Individuals in the crowd began to scream and run; Council began running at one of the officers on scene – an Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officer named Jeffrey Muller.

Muller told deputies that Council charged at him, hitting him with his fist; Agent Muller then took Council to the ground, in an effort to control the situation. As other officers ran to assist, the dog charged at Muller and Council. Muller was forced to shoot the dog to keep from being attacked. The dog died on the scene.

Perez was taken to jail for the grand theft warrant; Council was also arrested, charged with resisting an officer with violence. Agent Muller was taken to the hospital for treatment after he complained of chest pains and difficulty breathing.