Deputy Shoots, Kills Dog While Investigating Dispute

A Barrow County man's refusal to gain control of his dog led to the dog's shooting death, according to authorities.

A Barrow County Sheriff's deputy was dispatched to a McElhannon Road home after a Bethlehem man advised his roommate had threatened to kill him. The Bethlehem man said he awoke on the morning of Oct. 8 to find several boxes of his belongings stacked outside his bedroom door. His roommate, Michael McClung, 59, reportedly advised that he had packed the Bethlehem man's belongings because he wanted him out of the residence.

"[The Bethlehem man] also said that Mr. McClung stated he was going to kill him if he did not leave the residence," the deputy wrote in the report.

The Bethlehem man said before he could find his phone and exit the home, McClung punched him in the chest and told him again that he would kill him if he did not leave.

At that point, the Bethlehem man said he became afraid and left the residence to call 911. Once outside, he realized he had left his girlfriend in the bedroom. The man went back inside to escort the girlfriend out and said McClung yelled and cursed at them saying they were taking too long to leave his home.

The man's girlfriend corroborated his story and said McClung did not threaten her, only the Bethlehem man.

The deputy asked the Bethlehem man if there were any weapons inside the home that he should be aware of before attempting to interview McClung. The Bethlehem man advised there were several weapons as well as an aggressive pit bull/German Shepherd mix. 

Several deputies approached the front door of the residence and attempted to make contact with McClung. When no one answered, the deputies went to a camper directly behind the residence. One of the deputies knocked on the door and announced his reason for being there.

"As I was standing next to the camper I observed the front door of the camper fly open and a brown dog standing at the threshold of the front door barking aggressively," the deputy wrote. "I ordered Mr. McClung to gain control of his dog but he refused. As the dog started running towards me, I drew my duty weapon and shot/killed the dog."

At that point, McClung reportedly became very upset.

"While focusing on gaining control of the threat, Mr. McClung started running towards me yelling, stating that, 'you killed my [expletive deleted] dog'," the deputy wrote. "Not knowing Mr. McClung’s intentions [another deputy] withdrew his Tazer from its holster and Tazed Mr. McClung."

According to the arrest report, McClung was taken into custody on charges of terroristic threats, simple assault, simple battery and obstruction.

McClung was transported to the Barrow County Detention Center. Animal Control arrived at the scene a short time later to remove the deceased dog.

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