SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - A Clairemont man who shot and killed his neighbor's dog in self-defense said he's now being targeted.
Tedd Reuther claims his son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter were being chased by a neighbor's pit bull last week.
When he went outside to see what was going on, Reuther said the dog was "growling; teeth were out, ears were back, tail was not wagging."
He said the dog launched at him, forcing him to fire his gun.
"It was either that or die," said Reuther.
Police said officers at the scene determined the killing of the dog was done in self-defense. The pit bull's owner, Sherri Adams, was devastated and wished her dog had not been killed.
"[They] could've done 50 things. They could've come out with a broomstick. My dog would've been afraid of the broom," said Adams.
Days later, Reuther said he found a threatening note taped to his son's truck.
"I looked back out and noticed the note waving in the wind a little; it caught my attention," Reuther said.
The note read: "Your [sic] a liar and a murderer. You deserve to be in jail."
"Now they're targeting me for defending myself and my family," said Reuther. "They didn't see any of this. They don't know what's going on. These people don't know me."
Police recommend anyone who is confronted by a vicious dog find a place of safety and call 911.
