Dog owner speaks out after Ocala, FL police kill 3 pit bulls - January 29, 2025 - "The dogs had escaped the backyard which is lined with an electric fence."
OCALA, Fla. (WCJB) - A man in Marion County is heartbroken since three of his pit bull dogs were shot and killed by Ocala police.
Bryan Strawn says he named his one-year-old dogs Runner, Blue, and Chewer. They were killed by officers January 29.
Officers responded to a complaint about aggressive dogs along Southeast 42nd Road. While waiting for animal control to arrive, police say the dogs ran towards them, prompting them to shoot.
The dogs had escaped the backyard, which is lined with an electric fence.
“I looked out my window and I said where’s the boys? They weren’t in the yard, we yelled for them and then we heard gunshots,” said Strawn. “I’m like that better not be my dogs, better not be my dogs and we ran outside and that was the first thing I asked, was that dogs? He said yes.”
Strawn firmly believes his pit bulls would never hurt anyone and were killed because of the breed.
“They were the most loving dogs you’d ever seen,” he said. “I have multiple character witnesses, I have people who have never been in my house before and come over one time and walk in my backyard, dogs don’t even growl at them.”
TV20 was with Strawn when he received the incident report from OPD. The report says officers fired 31 rounds at the dogs.
Two dogs fell over, but one was wounded and ran away. Then, an officer followed and killed it.
OPD declined TV20′s request for an interview as they continue their internal review. The officers involved have been reassigned to administrative duties.
Strawn says his family wants justice for their dogs and have contacted an attorney.