The Brief

• • A pit bull standing in the median of I-275 was rescued on Wednesday morning.
  • A trooper said the dog appeared to be agitated and showed its teeth when he approached it.
  • The trooper enlisted the help of the Tampa Bay Regional Communications Center to contact Hillsborough County Animal Control, which arrived shortly before 8 a.m. and took the dog.

TAMPA, Fla. – A pit bull standing in the median of I-275 was rescued on Wednesday morning.

What we know:

Shortly before 7:10 a.m., a passerby reported seeing a gray pit bull standing in the median of I-275 north of the Bearss Avenue exit.

A trooper with the Florida Highway Patrol got to the scene a few minutes later and saw the unrestrained pit bull walking free.

Courtesy: Florida Highway Patrol

The trooper said the dog appeared to be agitated and showed its teeth when he approached it.

The trooper enlisted the help of the Tampa Bay Regional Communications center to contact Hillsborough County Animal Control, which arrived shortly before 8 a.m. and took the dog.

Courtesy: Florida Highway Patrol

What we don’t know:

It is unclear why the dog was in the median and who owns it.

Hillsborough County man shoots pit bull in retaliation for the dog killing his Pomeranian: HCSO

The Brief

• • Hillsborough County deputies arrested a man they say shot and killed a pit bull that attacked his dog a day earlier.
  • Aaron Allen, 41, admitted to shooting a 4-year-old pit bull in retaliation for attacking and killing his 16-year-old Pomeranian, the day before, according to HCSO. Both dogs died from their injuries.
  • Allen was arrested and charged with aggravated cruelty to animals with a weapon, armed trespassing, discharge of a firearm on residential property, and shooting into a building.

TAMPA, Fla. – Hillsborough County deputies arrested a man they say shot and killed a pit bull that attacked his dog a day earlier.

What we know:

Deputies said they went to the 15300 block of Otto Road for a reported shooting shortly after 8 a.m. on January 7.

When deputies arrived, they said Aaron Allen, 41, admitted to shooting a 4-year-old pit bull in retaliation for attacking and killing his 16-year-old Pomeranian, the day before. Both dogs died due to their injuries.

READ: Driver killed, construction workers injured in crash on Howard Frankland Bridge: FHP

Courtesy: Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office

Allen was arrested and charged with aggravated cruelty to animals with a weapon, armed trespassing, discharge of a firearm on residential property, and shooting into a building.

What they’re saying:

“Acts of violence against animals are unacceptable and will not be tolerated in our community,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “No one has the right to take matters into their own hands in this way, and we will hold those responsible fully accountable.”