Florida man shot, hospitalized after dispute over unleashed dog, police say

County has a law requiring that all dogs be leashed while off the owner’s property

Jack Russell Terrier walking through forest by path (Alexei Maximenko, Getty Images)

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A dispute over an unleashed dog prompted two Florida men to pull out their weapons and exchanged gunfire.

One man ended up hospitalized, and both were arrested on charges of gun possession by a convicted felon.

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Joseph Tyrone Scott, 39, and Dewayne Mavins, 35, were jailed on Wednesday, The Gainesville Sun reported. Mavins was also was charged with aggravated battery.

Alachua Sheriff’s Sgt. Frank Kinsey said the argument began over Mavins walking his large dog while unleashed.

The dog did not approach Scott, nor act aggressively towards him, authorities said, but the county has a law requiring that all dogs be leashed while off the owner’s property.

Both men fired their weapons. Scott was shot in the chest and lower leg and treated for non-life threatening wounds.


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