Ongoing Dispute Over Dog Ends in Neighbor Brandishing Gun

An ongoing dispute between neighbors over a dog led to one neighbor brandishing a gun. The incident happened Thursday, April 11 in the 9900 block of Lark Ave. in Lemay. 

The man, who owns a Pit Bull, told police his neighbor pointed a silver revolver at his dog, said Off. Dan Schroeder, of the St. Louis County Police Department's South County Precinct. The neighbor said the dog was trying to jump the fence into his yard.

The man with the weapon, who had a valid gun permit, has young children and several dogs, Schroeder said. He told police the dog is vicious and often gets loose. 

However, two witnesses at the scene offered a different account of the incident, Schroeder said. They said the man with the gun was antagonizing the dog. The witnesses told police they heard the man say, "I wish it would bite me so I could shoot it."

The witnesses also said the man did not point the gun at the dog, Schroeder said. They explained that he held the gun by his side.

Schroeder said the peace disturbance case has been turned over to the St. Louis Prosecuting Attorney's Office.