Sheriff: Don't stop dog fights with a gun

BUTTE (AP) — Butte-Silver Bow Sheriff John Walsh says Butte residents should find alternatives to firearms when it comes to breaking up dog fights.

Walsh tells the Montana Standard that resorting to firearms could result in additional problems.

Walsh's comments follow a dog fight last week where a man shot and killed a neighbor's pit bull after the pit bull left its yard and attacked the man's dog.

The shooting was determined justifiable and police say the shooting didn't lead to a conflict between the neighbors.

But Walsh says whenever a weapon is brought into a situation it has the potential to escalate. He also says discharging a weapon in a residential area could threaten public safety.