A Florida family is grieving after losing their home to a fire and their dog after a deputy fired a gunshot on the same evening.
According to WEAR , firefighters stated the family dogs were aggressive. Bodycam captured audio of firefighters making insensitive comments about killing the pet.
Walton County Fire Rescue responded to reports of a house fire in Mossy Head, Florida, on August 15. The home belonged to the Pylant family.
The Walton County Sheriff's Office also responded to the scene to assist. According to reports obtained by WEAR, when Sergeant Kyle Hutto arrived, fire Battalion Chief Mike Griggs "requested the deputy put the dog down."
Following the request, reports say Hutto used his service weapon to fire a shot at the dog, striking and killing it.
Bodycam footage revealed that was not the language used in the request.
Griggs can be heard saying, "Kill that m------------ dog. If you don't shoot him, I'll shoot him."
Following the ringing sound of a gunshot, someone is heard saying, "Aha, you little son of a b----."
The dog that was killed was named Bella. Athena, their other dog, ran away and survived.
A reply stated, "Tell her to go over there and drag that sum----- to the woods."
Shortly after, someone says, "there's another one right there is she wants to shoot it."
Then, "I think I can hit it from here," followed by the sound of laughter.
The two went on to joke about what the homeowner would return home to, according to reports.
"You know what really sucks? This man is gonna f------ come home to see his house burnt down and his f------ dogs are dead, and he's gonna be like g------ sheriff's office," bodycam audio captured.
After more laughter, a deputy says, "he's literally gonna pull up and be like 'My house! My dog!"
WCSO says the shooting falls within their use-of-force standards, but the deputies' conduct was unacceptable.
According to reports, the two have been disciplined but the punishment has not been specified.
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