An Ocala man accused of beating his neighbor’s dog on Aug. 5 was shot by the animal’s owner. That man faces three criminal charges, and the shooter might be charged, as well, unless prosecutors determine that this is a stand your ground case .
Ocala Police officers were called to the 1500 block of Northeast Second Avenue in reference to the shooting. Detective Mark Pfeifer interviewed the shooter. The man said he was inside his residence when he saw another man, later identified as Juan Jose Vargas, 28, on his property.
Armed, the shooter went outside to confront Vargas and saw Vargas beating his dog. The armed man, whose name was not released by police, told the detective he fired a shot in the ground, telling Vargas to get off his property.
Vargas jumped the fence. The man said Vargas threatened to kill him and his family. During the argument, the man took pictures of Vargas and told his girlfriend to call 911.
The man said although he was armed, Vargas continued to curse at him and he was fearful. The man said he didn’t know if Vargas had a weapon or was under the influence or drugs or alcohol.