Man arrested after killing family dog that bit child

Lee Thurston (Rochester Police photo)

ROCHESTER - A Rochester man was arrested Monday after police say he shot and killed the family dog after it had bitten a young boy who lived in the apartment.

Lee Thurston, 33, of 11 Sheridan Ave, Apt. B., was charged with felony reckless conduct, felony cruelty to animals and unauthorized use of a firearm, a violation.

Police say they got the call around 6:20 p.m. and responded to the apartment where, after a brief investigation, they learned a 4-year-old boy had been playing with the dog inside the second floor apartment and received a puncture wound on the top of his head from being bitten by the dog.

Police say afterward the dog was placed in its kennel inside the apartment and Thurston then shot the dog with a high caliber hunting rifle, killing the dog.

Thurston was released on $5,000 PR bail and given a court date of April 20 at the 7th Circuit District Court in Rochester.

Frisbie EMS personnel checked the injured boy, but he was not transported and remained with his family.