Authorities reported that they responded to an incident on Monday involving a plastic toy gun employed as a makeshift weapon in an alleged attack after a Florida dog owner used it against a man whose canine was bitten by his dog.
Near 8 p.m. on March 12 31-year-old Thomas Phillips from Gainesville was strolling with his unleashed dog in an area of the Lake Crossing Apartments complex designated as a dog run. 33-year-old Matthew Hester was out for a walk with his dog in the same area, but his dog was contained on a leash.
Phillips’ unrestrained pet allegedly ran from his side advancing on Hester’s dog, biting and attacking him. When Hester reportedly attempted to break up the dogs his pup found a way to wriggle free from the collar and leash it was wearing. He then began using the apparatus as a belt to swing at the attacking dog.