Off-duty police officer shoots dead his veteran neighbor's dog 'in self-defense' but is not charged

Benjamin Wilson, 25, shot dog twice in the yard of South Carolina home
Coty Calviera, 27, had adopted Zeus to help him cope with PTSD

PUBLISHED: 17:18 EST, 23 November 2012 | UPDATED: 17:18 EST, 23 November 2012

A military veteran was left devastated after his beloved dog was shot dead by his neighbor.

Benjamin Wilson, a police officer, was returning home with his wife and children on Tuesday afternoon, when he claims his dog and his neighbor's dog were barking at each other.

The off-duty police officer said that Coty Calviera's dog Zeus stood by his car, trapping his family inside at their home in Carolina Forest, South Carolina.

Benjamin Wilson, a police officer, shot dead Zeus, the dog of Iraq war veteran Coty Calviera (pictured) in the yard of his South Carolina home

Nieghbors: Calviera on tour in Iraq and Officer Benjamin Wilson who shot his pet dog on Tuesday night in what he claims was self-defense

Wilson, 25, told police that he managed to escape from the car and get into his home while avoiding the dog.

When he returned with his gun, Zeus had run off and the family were able to go indoors. He then went to bring his own dog inside when Mr Calviera's dog 'returned and was aggressive towards him', according to WMBF.

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Wilson said that he fired a shot into the ground to scare the dog - but when it came at him, he fired three more shots and killed it.

He later said he shot the dog in self-defense and no charges were filed against the police officer of five years.

Slaying: Zeus was shot dead by an off-duty police officer this week in South Carolina

Mr Calviera, who was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress syndrome after he left the Army, was told by another nieighbor that a dog had been shot.

The veteran grabbed his gun for protection and went outside - only to make the horrific discovery that it was his pet dog Zeus.

Mr Calviera, 27, told the TV station that his beloved dog's blood was all over the neighbor's yard from where it had been shot in the chest and back. Along with his family, he buried Zeus a few hours later.

The war veteran had adopted two dogs Zeus and Marly after finishing tour of Iraq because animals are recommended to veterans to help them cope with the PTSD.

Beloved: Mr Calviera, 27, adopted two dogs Zeus and Marly when he finished his military service to help him cope with the symptoms of PTSD

Companion: The Iraq war veteran had to bury Zeus (seen here as a puppy) on Tuesday after the dog was shot by his neighbor

Police officer kills war vet's dog

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I think these trigger-happy cops need to be fired and never allowed near any job that requires interaction with the public.

- Barking Points , Out Where The Buffalo Roam, 24/11/2012 03:21

Click to rate Rating 47

I am a huge dog lover and normally just find no excuse for killing an animal (especially when you can use pepper spray, citronella spray, a stick, etc) and I still don't think this neighbor was warranted. HOWEVER, what the heck was Coty's dog doing loose with no supervision, in an unfenced yard, for an extended period of time? Coty - your duty is to protect your dog from harms' way and that includes making sure he doesn't get into bad situations. This is just a one sided story from the killer but ....justified or not, he knew being a cop that he wouldn't be questioned. Advice - Coty, fence in your yard, supervise your dog and hire a qualifed behaviorist to help train both your dog and yourself.

- Lisa R , buffalo, 24/11/2012 03:15

Click to rate Rating 21

I love animals, especially dogs. But if one is coming at me, I will not hesitate to defend myself.

- Jenna , Wisconsin, United States, 24/11/2012 03:11

Click to rate Rating 8

Somehow, I don't think this is finished!

- Steve , Trowbridge, 24/11/2012 02:57

Click to rate Rating 24

So many poliicemen seem to be killing dogs lately.

- Christine , Cannondale, 24/11/2012 02:26

Click to rate Rating 27

Was neither dog tied up? or on a chain or leash? If he was a neighbor then I wish he would have called Coty to have him get his dog. Maybe he didn't think the dog would attack obviously but 3 shots? Wow. Too sad. I agree with Day Tripper, without knowing exactly how it happened it's too hard to really say anything. I just wish it didn't happen.

- Pak31 , USA, 24/11/2012 01:54

Click to rate Rating 11

Not enough information. Bottom line, the dog should have been in his own yard. Beyond that, do need to know more of story to form an opinion.

- toto , Moorpark, 24/11/2012 01:45

Click to rate Rating 13

That's one trigger-happy cop. Some of them just can't wait until the day they get to shoot someone - or something - and this guy is one of them. Very convenient story that the dog allowed the family to get into the house, but then returned when there were no witnesses. And why not bring your own dog in when the family is coming in if the dog is such a threat? This guy's a Barney Fife - watch out for him...

- Suzanne , Columbus, United States, 24/11/2012 01:43

Click to rate Rating 11

This wouldn't have happened if he would have keep his dog on his own property.

- Happy Camper , West Coast, United States, 24/11/2012 01:38

Click to rate Rating 10

I have shot AT my neighbors dog when he attacked me to scare him/her off. My neightbor has 4 + acres but for some reason thinks the world is his dog's toilet. Why do people think that domesticated animals can be let free to terrorize everyone else?

- Terry T , Anywhere USA, United Kingdom, 24/11/2012 01:13

Click to rate Rating 18

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