Police Briefs: Man Shoots Pit Bull to Save Own Dog

A teary-eyed 34-year-old Hartland Township man told police he shot and killed a wandering pit bull that entered his house after he thought it was trapped inside his garage, according to the Livingston County Sheriff’s Department.

The man, who owns a male pit bull and a male boxer, said he attempted to call county Animal Control after the white-colored male dog barked outside his home and jumped on his back door on Feb. 28. But he said he was unable to reach anyone at the county agency, according to a police report.

He told police he was able to get the dog inside his garage — which is attached to his home in the 3000 block of Bullard Road — so his animals could be let out in the morning to go to the bathroom. But the stray was able to get into his house and attacked his pit bull, according to the report. The man was unable to separate the dogs, but he was able to push the two fighting animals into the garage.

The man told police after seeing the stray dog bite his dog by the neck, he grabbed a .22-rifle, entered the garage and shot the stray dog, the report said. Breaking into tears, he told police he didn't want to do it, but feared his dog would be killed.

Police said Animal Control took the dog’s body, which didn’t have a collar or an identification chip, according to the county agency.

Copper piping stolen from foreclosed home in Tyrone Township

Copper piping valued at more than $3,000 was reported stolen out of a Tyrone Township home, according to the Livingston County Sheriff’s Department.

The theft took place sometime between 2 p.m. Feb. 24 and 10 a.m. Feb. 25, a report said. The home — which is owned by Fannie Mae following a foreclosure — is in the 10000 block of Walnut Shores Drive, the report said.

GPS stolen from unlocked vehicles

GPS devices from vehicles parked in front of two Bergin Road addresses have been reported stolen, according the Livingston County Sheriff Department.

Three vehicle owners — who live in the 9000 block — told police they left their vehicles unlocked and the theft likely occurred between midnight and 2 a.m. on Feb. 22, according to a police report.

The three items were valued at $200 each, the report said.