Residents React to Minooka Dog Shooting Incident

Reaction to a recent dog shooting incident in Minooka was swift on the ChannahonMinookaPatch and ShorewoodILPatch Facebook pages.

Merrill C. Kaval, a 66-year-old retiree, feels he acted in self-defense when he shot a stray English bulldog named Charlie on April 1. He said he used his handgun to shoot the dog after pulling his two Bishon Frises from a fight in his yard.

Kaval is now facing two felony counts and has an April 25 court date. The family that lost its dog—the Fitzgeralds—is heart-broken.

Following is a sampling of what people had to say on Facebook:

Jacki Carugati McHale Shame on him for acting out of anger. 
Sure you're a dog lover, YOUR own dog. To truly be an animal love you'd love all animals. And understand shooting them in the back... cowardly anger. 
My heart goes out to the family for the loss of their family member.

Robin McKean Morris He should have gotten his dogs out of harms way and then called the police, reported the dogs as loose and vicious, and held the owner of the bulldogs responsible for his vet bill. Instead he took matters into his own hands in the most extreme way possible. I think it's a sad situation all around. I have a question though. Does anything happen to a dog that goes into someone else's yard and attacks another animal? what if they kill another dog? Is a ticket or fine to the owner or is the dog taken away and put down??

Jon Baker I read he's a retired cop, and let's be honest, if we all had a dollar for every time a cop or ex-cop overreacted with excessive force, just because they thought they were a big shot, we'd be millionaires. Serious complex issues there.

Eddie Mazzocchi I guess its interesting to see opinions. I just cannot be a judge and jury in the court of public opinion especially without having all the facts especially if I didn't see it with my own eyes. It really is scary. And opinions are usually a lead into the truth being tarnished which leads to lies that divide a community. Very interested to see how it all plays out.

Irene Zuchel this is why. i watch my dogs , even in my fenced in yard. you cant trust anyone.there are a lot of dog haters out there.I love my dogs and do not want anything to happen to them.wish more people felt this way .they should always keep ther dogs on a leash.not letting them roam around the neighborhood.i really hate electric fences they get out .I kow this for I too was bit by a dog.

Stephanie Schuler Obviously way over the line. Judging from the comments by neighbors, this person doesn't seem to be as friendly as he makes himself out to be. While the bulldogs shouldn't have been in his yard, I'll bet the bichons nipped first. Small dogs always seem apprehensive about the bull breeds. I have yet to meet an English bulldog that was aggressive.

Robyn Spizzirri this is heartbreaking  his dogs were inside and safe but he still decided to shoot Charlie? thats not right. I can't imagine how aggressive these dogs could be if the neighbor picked up the other dog, after the shooting and suffered no harm. He should feel horrible, he killed a dog when it wasn't necessary!!