Carteret County dog ​​shooting suspect speaks out and shares his point of view

CAPE CARTERET, N.C. (WITN) – An East man is facing animal cruelty and firearms charges after a dog was shot in a community.

Just before a dog limped away after being shot, Gheroghe Cormos said he acted in self-defense after a golden retriever showed aggression toward him and his daughter as they waited for the bus.

“I was afraid for my life and my daughter’s life,” Cormos said.

Cormos says he had to act quickly at the time. “I put my six-year-old behind me to protect her. I had enough to scream “back, back” twice. It became charged and I had to make a choice: either my daughter’s life or what happened.”

Cormos decided to shoot the golden retriever named Ellie. The Cormos family said they have contacted Cape Carteret law enforcement but have not received a response from them.

In a statement to WITN, Police Chief Brian Silva said Ellie did not appear aggressive in any way and the evidence does not support the claim that firing a firearm near homes and children waiting to be picked up by the school bus is justified . However, Cormos says his daughter is the only one picked up by the bus in the morning.

“If you look at the way the police report, it seems like they have solved the case of the evil individual,” Cormos said.

Although this incident has taken an emotional toll on Cormos and his family, he is willing to move for the sake of his loved ones.

“I just want to ask my community to give us a chance and she is innocent until proven guilty,” Cormos said.

According to police, Cormos is charged with animal cruelty, discharging a firearm in urban areas and acting armed to terrorize people. Cape Carteret Police say the investigation is ongoing.

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