Pit bull reportedly took fatal shot to neck area.

The apartment house on Sheridan Avenue in Rochester where a dog was allegedly shot for biting a 4-year-old. (Lebanon Voice photo)

ROCHESTER - The pit bull allegedly shot to death by its owner after it bit a 4-year-old boy was killed with a single shot to the neck area by a 30-30 rifle, according to Rochester Police.

Lee Thurston, 33, of 11 Sheridan Ave, Apt. B., was arrested on Monday and charged with felony reckless conduct, felony cruelty to animals and unauthorized use of a firearm, a violation, after he is alleged to have killed the dog at the family's residence.

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 and received a puncture wound on the top of his head from being bitten by the dog.

Rochester Police Capt. Gary Boudreau said police characterized the wound as a "puncture wound" after talking to EMTs who evaluated the victim. The boy was treated at the scene but not taken to the hospital.

Lee Thurston

Police say afterward the dog was placed in its kennel inside the apartment where Thurston fatally shot the dog with the rifle.

On Wednesday no one answered the door at the apartment upon a reporter's knocking, but the bark of what sounded like a large dog could be heard inside.

Two young men smoking cigarettes on a nearby stoop said they had heard nothing about the incident and never heard a gunshot on Monday night.

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