Florida man shoots woman’s dog in the eye, man not charged

Christensen has had Lily for 11 years. She gave the dog to her children as a Christmas gift years ago, but this week, she said her family almost lost her.

“I think what’s so disturbing is, in a million years I could never have imagined that happening in our neighborhood. It’s shocking,” Christensen said.

According to a Winter Park police report, her neighbor, George Burdock, 70, shot the dog using a .38 caliber gun loaded with a snake shot.

Christensen said it happened as she was about to go for a walk on Kenwood and Park avenues.

“Lily was at my side. I had the leash in my hand. We’re about to take off for a walk and she saw some dogs apparently,” Christensen said.

Burdock told police he felt Lily was going to attack him and his two dogs.

“I would say she absolutely was not aggressive at all,” Christensen said.

Burdock said he was fearful the dog would hurt him, but wouldn’t comment any further.

Police said they didn’t charge Burdock for shooting the dog because at the time, there was a witness in the neighborhood who said he saw the dog act aggressively.

Lily’s right eye is swollen and an X-ray shows the fragments stuck in her eye.

“I’m sad. I’m still shocked,” Christensen said.

She said Burdock walked away calmly after shooting Lily and never offered to help.

Police said Burdock does not have a criminal history and does have a concealed weapons license.