PHOENIX — A Phoenix community is asking police to reopen an investigation involving a man who allegedly shot and killed two dogs in a park.
Phoenix police said officers responded to the shooting at Desert Horizon Park on March 7. The department closed the investigation after finding the man's claims of shooting in self-defense to be valid.
Jenny Caldwell, one of the dog's owners, is asking investigators to take a second look.
“Six times. That’s not self-defense. That’s out to kill. That’s out to make a point," Caldwell said.
Caldwell told 12News she and her boyfriend's dogs, Chip and Theo, were playing fetch while off-leash at the park when they crossed paths with the man.
She said she didn't see any contact between the dogs and the man before the shooting.
“They didn’t even want to stop and play. They wanted to get their ball," Caldwell said. "You know, they were just like, 'Oh, hey.' Saying hi.”
Caldwell said the man pulled out a gun and shot both dogs several times.
"There were six shots and both dogs were down after one," Caldwell said.
Caldwell said Chip was first shot in the elbow and fell to the ground. She said the man then walked over and shot him in the head.
She said Theo was shot several times in the back.
“He was trying to run to me so bad when he got hurt," Caldwell said.
As a vet tech, Caldwell said she knew she only had a few moments left with her dog.
"I couldn’t save him," Caldwell said. “I really was just screaming like, 'I love you so much,' and he was staring at me and at least I was the last thing he looked at.”
A memorial full of tennis balls, dog treats and flowers is now growing at the park where the dogs died.
Dozens of people attended a candlelight vigil on Wednesday, where community members signed a petition asking for police to reopen the case.
Caldwell said she understands having her dog off leash violated Phoenix leash laws, but told 12News that no one should be allowed to use excessive force in a public place.
“I don’t need people to remind me that that’s the law. I know that, but the fact that you can shoot six times in a public park like this. There were children, families, so many other dogs running around," Caldwell said.
Both dogs were five-year-old mixed-breeds.
The investigation is currently closed, but police said anyone with information should contact the Phoenix Police Department.
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