Authorities investigate after off-duty deputy shoots dogs

DELTONA, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - The State Attorney’s Office is investigating after an off-duty Volusia County sheriff’s deputy shot her neighbor’s two dogs.  The deputy, Donna Bowen, called 911 just after it happened.

“I just had to shoot my neighbor's two dogs,” she told call takers.

The Sheriff's Office says Bowen, a 17-year veteran of the force, shot the dogs when she saw one biting her dog through a chain-link fence between their property.

“The two pit bulls, they had my dog by the face through the fence. I couldn't get them apart,” she told the call taker.

Bowen shot both dogs in the head. One of them, Phoenix, died instantly. The other, named Storm, survived. Her owner, Germain Faivre, has an X-ray showing the bullet still lodged in her head. He said his dogs were provoked.

“They're always being taunted by this dog that's loose in the yard, barking and everything,” he said, adding that his dogs are not aggressive. “The dogs are loving, you guys are gonna see when she comes out. She gets along with every child, every person.” 

The Sheriff's Office said no one is currently facing any charges in this case.