Brooklyn Gunman Arrested for Shooting Service Dog During Street Dispute

Adrian Benitez, 29, was arrested Tuesday for a Brooklyn shooting that wounded a service dog named Honey. The Labradoodle survived after a .22 caliber bullet was removed at an animal hospital.

Brooklyn Man Charged After Stray Bullet Wounds Service Labradoodle

Adrian Benitez, 29, was taken into custody around 8:15 a.m. Tuesday in connection with a shooting on a Brooklyn street that left a service dog wounded, NY Post Metro reports.

Benitez faces charges of attempted murder, three counts of assault, criminal possession of a weapon, reckless endangerment, and aggravated cruelty to animals, according to police.

Law enforcement sources said Benitez opened fire on 31st Street near Fifth Avenue, close to Greenwood Cemetery, at approximately 5:45 p.m. on August 19 — during an argument with a man who had been speaking with a woman nearby. The intended target was not struck.

A stray round hit Honey, a 7-year-old Labradoodle serving as a service dog for Teresa Pezzolla, 64, who has Down Syndrome. Honey was transported to a local animal hospital and survived.

"The doctors there were able to pull a .22 caliber right out of the dog," Pezzolla's nephew told The Post. "I'm thankful that the bullet didn't hit my aunt because I think it would have been a lot worse."

Benitez, who has no prior unsealed arrests, was awaiting arraignment Tuesday afternoon.

Source: NY Post Metro