Deputies kill pit bull at domestic violence scene

Spokane County sheriff’s deputies shot and killed a pit bull dog early today while responding to a domestic violence call at a home on Silver Lake Road. Tyson J. Schultz, 32, was arrested on charges of domestic violence, making threats to kill, unlawful imprisonment and malicious mischief. The incident began at 2:26 a.m. when the sheriff’s office received a call from Schultz’s wife that her husband was intoxicated and threatening to kill her. The wife and two other adults fled the house, but two girls, ages 2 and 3, remained inside. According to Detective David Thornburg, Schultz called one of the adults and threatened to kill the kids and three pit bulls in the house unless his wife returned. Schultz also made threats to release the dogs on deputies if they entered the house, Thornburg said. Deputies arriving to the call knocked on the doors but were not allowed in. The wife gave them a key so they could enter and get the children. Once inside, one of the dogs attacked the deputies, which stunned the dog with a Taser. When it continued attacking, a deputy shot the dog with a .45-caliber sidearm. The pit bull attacked again and was then shot with a 12-gauge shotgun. The children were found unharmed and sleeping, apparently not disturbed by the gunfire, Thornburg said in a press release.