Philadelphia

Philadelphia Sheriff's Deputy Kills Homeless Man's Dog in Center City, Investigators Say

A homeless man sobbed over the body of his beloved dog in Center City after a Philadelphia sheriff’s deputy killed it Monday morning, according to investigators.

The incident unfolded as a pair of deputies attempted to break up a confrontation between two men who were spotted arguing near 15th and Arch streets, Luz Cardenas, a sheriff’s office spokeswoman, said.

The dog was tethered to the dog owner's backpack. When the owner released the backpack, the dog lunged at the sheriff's deputy, Cardenas said.

The deputy shot the dog, Philadelphia police said. The incident is still under investigation.

The dog’s owner was distraught as police roped off the scene.

“I’m with her 24-7,” he said. “We do everything together. She eats first … and then, if I can, I eat.”

He went on to tell NBC10 that his dog was his only friend.

The sheriff’s deputy who killed the dog is on desk duty while the incident is investigated, Cardenas said. 

CORRECTION: This story has been updated to clarify how the sheriff's department says the incident unfolded.

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