John McCauley was arrested on April 12 after shooting and killing a dog that had bitten his son in the face during the child’s birthday party, according to the Buckeye Police Department.
About 7:10 p.m., officers responded to reports from McCauley’s family that his children claimed he had threatened to “kill everyone” while arguing with their mother, following the shooting of the dog at their home.
Police records said the incident started when McCauley’s 2-year-old son was bitten by a friend’s dog when the child attempted to hug the animal, but that the child’s mother cleaned the wound and decided it did not need medical attention.
The shooting was captured on security camera footage released by police, showing what appears to be a bulldog on a leash with its owner. After a brief confrontation, McCauley, holding a handgun, is seen shooting and killing the dog.
He then walks into a backyard, shouting expletives at the dog’s owner and declaring his “dog’s dead.”
The dog’s owner told police it was the “sweetest thing ever” and handed over a spent bullet casing believed to be from McCauley’s gun. After reviewing the video, officers noted the dog did not appear to show any aggression toward McCauley before being shot.
According to the police report, the owner also said McCauley had anger issues and was aggressive toward the dog before the incident. He added that McCauley had previously assaulted his wife and that he had received permission to bring the dog to the party.
Investigating police officers found that despite the child’s injuries addressed without medical attention, McCauley became enraged when the dog’s owner left.
A woman outside a home is seen trying to stop McCauley from shooting the dog and is heard yelling “Johnny don’t!” on the security camera footage. Police reports say the woman is the mother of the child who was bitten, but denied the shooting took place.
During a welfare check at the home, police read McCauley his Miranda rights. He admitted to the shooting and initially agreed to let officers take possession of the firearm used in the incident.
But he later changed his mind, police said, which prompted officers to issue a search warrant.
Officers found the gun and evidence of alcohol consumption likely done before the shooting, police said.
McCauley was charged with firing a gun within city limits, two counts of disorderly conduct, and animal cruelty, according to police records.
Reach reporter Rey Covarrubias Jr. at rcovarrubias@gannett.com. Follow him on X, Threads and Bluesky @ReyCJrAZ.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: What we know about Buckeye dad who police say killed dog that bit son