West Covina, California

From the San Gabriel Valley Tribune of April 28, 2007

Man fires at 3 dogs mauling cat

A man opened fire on a group of dogs as they mauled his cat Friday, officials said.

The incident occurred about 8:50 p.m. in the 1500 block of Elgenia Avenue, said West Covina police Lt. Dan Brooks.

The cat's owner observed a pit bull, a German shepherd, and a mixed-breed dog attacking his pet cat and grabbed a handgun to defend it, said Brooks.

The man went outside to aid his pet and the dogs charged at him, prompting him to fire a single shot, Brooks said.

The bullet struck the ground and the dogs ran away unharmed to a nearby house, which turned out to be the home of the dogs' owner, said Brooks.

The cat was killed in the attack, Brooks .

Brooks said the man will face no charges, as he did nothing wrong and was only acting to defend himself and his property, officials said.

The owner of the three dogs was cited for leash law violations by animal control officials, added Brooks.