Kenneth Baker and his family are heartbroken after their neighbor reportedly shot and killed their 2-year-old pit bull, Victor, in their Fort Myers yard, leading to animal cruelty charges against their neighbor's son.
"But dogs are good. If you treat them good, they're pretty good," Baker said, emphasizing the bond he shared with his dogs, whom he considers family.
The incident occurred when Baker's neighbor walked past their house on Bent Creek Loop on Thursday, and Victor began barking.
The neighbor's son, 33-year-old Merci-Dieu Frenot, told police he thought he heard his mother scream, prompting him to grab a gun and enter Baker's yard.
"Then he got his gun and you come running right here and 'you bothered my mama!' Bam bam bam bam bam," Baker said.
Police reported that Frenot fired multiple shots at Victor, who was later found two blocks away near Marsh Avenue and had to be euthanized.
Baker noted that Frenot's mother pleaded with him to stop, saying, "Mother told him, 'don’t you do that. Don't do that.'"
Baker insisted that Victor was not a threat, stating, "Then you can walk up on him and pet him. Yeah. Friend, you could walk in the yard anytime you know."
Frenot's bond was set at $50,000. He posted bond Friday afternoon.
His next court date for arraignment is June 16. Frenot was also ordered to stay away from the location of the offense, surrender all firearms and have no contact with the victims.
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