Constable accused of shooting family’s dog that got loose

From the moment they brought him home, the Campbell’s felt like they hit the jackpot with their 2-year old Rottweiler-Boxer mix, named Buster.

“We call him Mr. Wiggles because whenever he meets somebody, his tail shakes so much his body wiggles because he’s so happy to see you,” Gregory Campbell said.

Buster’s life hangs in the balance as of Friday. He was shot Thursday night by a neighbor, an off-duty Precinct 3 deputy constable who claimed the dog was being aggressive and tried to attack him while he was out walking his dog. Buster had somehow escaped from the family’s fenced-in backyard.

“I was inside; I don’t know exactly what I was doing, and I heard a gunshot and I immediately heard a yelp,” Campbell said.

Campbell went outside to investigate and says his heart sank when he saw Buster limping in the street. According to the police report, the deputy told investigators he believed the dog was going to bite him, so he drew his weapon and yelled at the dog before shooting him in the shoulder. Campbell is now questioning the deputy’s story.

“I heard the gunshot,” he said. “I heard the yelp. I never heard anyone yelling, any barking or growling, any kind of commotion prior to that,” Campbell said.

Campbell says the bullet barely missed Buster’s heart before exiting his right side. A veterinarian is now watching fluid build up in that area. All the Campbells can do now is hope and pray he recovers.

The Harris County Precinct 3 Constables office says it’s launching an internal affairs investigation into the incident involving Deputy Constable Timothy Edmonds. Campbell has been issued a citation for Buster getting loose.