Trish Lint, a traveling nurse, was en route from Sacramento to Elko on Sunday, March 17, with her two dogs when they signaled the need for a restroom break. She had heard that Rancho San Rafael Park in Reno boasted a welcoming dog park featuring a spacious field, which seemed like the perfect spot for a pit stop.
“I chose a less crowded area for my dogs, as Rottweilers often face unjust stereotypes,” she explained. Reeva, her 5-year-old service dog trained to alert her to low blood sugar levels, had recently injured her foot. Consequently, Lint opted to keep both dogs on gentle leader leashes, which encircle the snout, despite being in an area where leashes were not mandatory.
An incident unfolded when a white Shih Tzu named Cooper darted under Reeva, barking incessantly, as reported by a witness to the authorities. Reeva responded by picking up Cooper in her mouth. Moments after the dogs interacted, according to Lint, Cooper’s owner discharged his Glock pistol at Reeva, hitting her at least four times.
“He threatened to shoot if I didn’t separate the dogs, and before I could fully react, he had fired five shots,” Lint recounted. Law enforcement found four bullet casings at the scene, with witness reports estimating between three to five shots were fired.
A witness attempted to intervene, trying to unlock Reeva’s jaw. “The small dog’s owner issued a warning, threatening to shoot if we didn’t get the dogs apart. He then stood, drew his weapon, and fired several rounds, dangerously close to where Trish and I were standing,” the witness detailed in a statement to the authorities.
James Carr, the owner of Cooper, expressed his understanding of the public’s distress. “I’m a dog lover myself, which is why I own dogs,” he stated. Following the incident, the 7-year-old Shih Tzu required stitches for a neck wound, was placed on antibiotics, and treated for an eye injury with ointment. Despite the ordeal, Cooper has begun to eat again, showing signs of recovery, Carr noted, adding that he’s eager to share his perspective when appropriate.
He also contested the portrayal of the incident as a dogfight. “It wasn’t a fight. Everything was calm until suddenly, my dog was seized by the neck,” Carr explained.
The aftermath of the shooting saw a witness attempt to stem Reeva’s bleeding, as detailed in a report by Washoe County Regional Animal Services, obtained by the Reno Gazette Journal. “A witness rushed to apply pressure to the wounds,” the report noted. However, realizing Reeva had passed, efforts shifted to detaining Carr at the scene, who then used pepper spray to fend off an individual trying to prevent his departure.
Lint expressed her frustration and grief over the handling of the situation. “There were so many other ways to handle the situation. Shooting Reeva was unnecessary and senseless. She took her last breaths in my lap, without showing any aggression,” she lamented.
Kelley Bollen, a certified animal behavior consultant, advises against taking dogs to dog parks, labeling them as potential hotspots for negative encounters. “They exacerbate bullying behavior in dominant dogs, increase fear in timid dogs, and aggressive dogs simply shouldn’t be there. Many dog owners lack the skills to interpret dog body language accurately,” she explained.
Despite the tragic outcome, no charges have been filed in connection with Reeva’s shooting. The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with Animal Control, concluded no criminal activity had occurred, citing county ordinances that allow for firearm discharge in defense of life or property.
A photo in the Animal Services report shows a bite mark on Carr’s hand, classified as a level 3 bite on the Dunbar Bite Scale, indicating minor skin tearing without significant tissue damage. This detail may have influenced the decision not to charge Carr.
Lint, mourning the loss of Reeva, expressed gratitude towards those who offered help during the incident. “I just want them to know how much I appreciate their efforts,” she said, struggling with the loss of a dog that had been born in her lap. “Roxy, Reeva’s mother and a PTSD service dog, tried to comfort her as she passed. It’s heartbreaking,” Lint shared, finding solace in the peaceful manner of Reeva’s passing.