Man Killed in Dog Poop Dispute: Cops

Police say a dispute over dog poop led to the death of a man

A neighborly dispute over dog poop turned deadly in the Tacony section of Philadelphia.

It happened just after 4 p.m. Tuesday on the 6500 block of Torresdale Avenue. Tyrirk Harris, 27, is accused of killing his 47-year-old neighbor Franklin Manuel Santana, according to Philadelphia Police.

Cops say Santana walked a couple doors down Torresdale to confront Harris over his dogs.

"A German Shepherd and a Chihuahua -- these dogs were running free," said Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small. "There were dog feces on several of the neighbor's yards. That's what led to this particular confrontation."

Police say Harris then pulled out a 9-mm handgun and shot his neighbor several times, striking Santana in his face and chest.

"He didn't run," said one witness. "He stood there, shocked that he did what he did."

Harris at one time was licensed to carry a gun but had it revoked last month, according to police.

The shooting was apparently the boiling point of an ongoing dispute.

"We believe this is not an isolated incident," said Inspector Small. "There have been arguments over these dogs in the past."

Neighbors say the victim left behind a wife and a 6-week-old daughter.

Tyrirk+Harris+faces+murder+and+firearms+charges+accused+of+shooting+his+neighbor+Franklin+Manuel+Santana+during+a+dispute+in+Tacony+Tuesday.

"It's stupid, it's another senseless death," said Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey.

"It's a shame," said one neighbor. "It's a shame that our world has gotten so bad like this."

"There's no need to die over a dog," said another neighbor. "That's ridiculous."

Harris was charged with murder, gun and related charges early Wednesday.

Contact Us