Tethered Dog Killed By Spartanburg Deputy

Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright is defending the deputy who shot and killed a tethered dog earlier this week, WSPA reports. 

At 11:30 a.m. Monday, Sgt. Eric Boutin approached the porch area of Richard Woodruff's home on Quartermaster Road in Spartanburg. When Woodruff's dog, a Shepherd mix, allegedly tried to bite the deputy, Boutin shot and killed it. 

But Woodruff says the deputy, who was in plain clothes, ignored a sign that clearly said "beware of dog," and fired at the animal while it was tethered to the porch. 

"I ran outside and I see this guy (who he later learned was a Spartanburg County deputy in plain clothes) standing over my dog holding a gun," said Woodruff. "I said, 'Why did you shoot my dog?' And his response to me was, 'Sir, she tried to bite me.' I said, 'She tried to bite you? She can't go any further to get you!"

Wright said Boutin had no choice but to shoot the dog because there was still enough length in the dog's chain to reach the officer. Woodruff said he plans to take legal action in the matter. 

What do you think? Was the deputy wrong, or just protecting himself? Let us know in the comments section.