Police: Surprise man shot dog in defense of his own animal

SURPRISE, Ariz. - An investigation is underway following a confrontation involving two people and their dogs on Thursday night in the 16900 block of West Cottonwood Street.

Police say when officers arrived at the scene, they found 56-year-old Matthew Tardy had shot and killed a dog when it attacked his own dog.
"Reportedly, a 6-year-old boy was walking the other dog, unknown if the dog was leashed, when it attacked Mr. Tardy's dog," stated Sgt. Norm Owens of the Surprise Police Department.

Per the SPD, Tardy told them when he saw the other dog climb on top of his dog, he feared for its life and pulled out a handgun and shot the dog.

"The dog succumbed to his gunshot wound prior to the arrival of the police. The deceased dog was described as a brindle colored pitbull, weighing approximately 55 pounds. Mr. Tardy's dog, which was reportedly on a leash at the time of the incident, was described as a brown and white Akita, weighing approximately 30 pounds," added Owens.

Police say the investigation is ongoing.