Pictured is a newer photo of TigerT, who was four years old and was fatally wounded by multiple gunshots rendered by an Owego Police officer on July 31 between the area of Main Street and Spencer Avenue in Owego, N.Y. (Facebook Photo)
The gentleman closest to the scene on Friday, in which a loose dog belonging to Alfred Thornton, 48, of Owego, N.Y. became aggressive, and was then fatally wounded by officers on the scene, has been located and spoken out, thus far, to WBNG News (http://www.wbng.com/news/local/Dog-bite-victim-says-cop-was-justified-in-shooting-dog-320514232.html).
The Owego Pennysaver has also reached out and plans to gain an account from this witness as well, Steve Jackson.
Jackson stated he is currently receiving rabies injections, and will let us know more information in the coming days. Jackson is being inoculated as a precaution, as he is unsure what set TigerT off and, as a dog lover, is saddened that things turned out the way they did; especially for Alfred Thornton’s son, who, in all reports thus far, was trying to catch the dog and take it home.
This has been a developing story that began on Friday, and although this writer was out of town Friday through Monday, I posted information from witnesses, the dog owner, etc., as it arrived, to include the release received from the Owego Police Department later that day.
There were still many unanswered questions (as stated in each story) as the search for the truth of what happened continued to unfold.
This tragic event, for all, initiated online conversations surrounding dog ownership, handling of animals, the breed of the animal, danger to area residents, etc.
We have now reached out to Steve Jackson who was walking his own dogs and attempted to assist on Friday, unsuccessfully, and was then subjected to a dog, TigerT, that was out of control. Jackson witnessed the entire situation as it unfolded.
In order to deliver the news and answer the dozens of questions that were arriving throughout the evening on Friday, I chose to develop the story as it unfolded, and was met with great criticism from several individuals, as I worked tirelessly while on vacation to discover the truth.
At one point, I even offered individuals who were criticizing the information an opportunity to send news tips, sources, and onsite accounts that could lead to the truth. None of the individuals rendering this criticism came forward with information that would lead me closer to the actual events that occurred on Friday.
It now appears that the one question that remains unanswered, is, “What made a family dog lose control in such a fashion?”
In the meantime,the dog’s owner, Alfred Thornton, has established a Facebook Page entitled, “Justice For Tiger T” to raise support and awareness. This group currently has 1,266 members. Alfred Thornton also made a plea, during an interview with WBNG, for the shooting officer’s resignation.
We hope to have more answers before our print edition on Sunday.
