FORT MYERS, Fla-- The "Keep Out" sign in front of a home along Lloyd St. in North Ft. Myers is not only a warning about the pet who lives inside. LCSO deputies said the dog's owner is also a danger. A police report from Thursday shows the homeowner, Ricky Richie, shot a dog in his front yard before threatening the dog's owners.
"Me and my husband were very shocked the police were out in front of our house for probably about an hour before my husband came out to see what was happening," said neighbor Joann Knapp.
Neighbors are left stunned after they describe their neighbor Richie as "the nicest guy you'd ever want to meet."
Richie is behind bars on 2 counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and one count of animal cruelty.
"Yes they party down there and you know they have fun and argue a lot and I know the dogs fight among each other but usually they get the water out and spray them and usually no problem," said Knapp.
Another neighbor who lives right next door said she's devastated by the news, especially since she jokes with Richie about being the dog's grandma.
The LCSO report also shows Richie threatening to shoot the dog's owners who were temporarily staying with Richie for several days leading up to the shooting. Neighbors said they are still in disbelief.
"It's been a really quiet neighborhood, I mean this is a family neighborhood everybody up and down the street here knows each other," said Knapp.
