A naked intruder who was trying to choke a pet Rottweiler was shot by a homeowner in Miami Wednesday morning, police said.
The bizarre incident happened around 5 a.m. in the area of Northwest 2nd Avenue and 56th Street when the occupants of the home were awoken when they heard a commotion and dogs barking.
When the homeowner went to check out the noise, he confronted the suspect, who was completely naked and trying to choke one of the dogs, police said.
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"He comes out and spots a person who is not only fighting with this dog but is naked fighting with this dog," Miami Police spokesman Det. Willie Moreno said.
The homeowner opened fire twice, hitting the suspect in the leg once. The homeowner held the man until the police arrived.
The intruder was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center where his condition was unknown. Police said he tried to bite the homeowners and police and workers at the hospital, and may be under the influence of drugs.
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"For right now it does appear to be a justified shooting," Moreno said. "This individual was acting irrational, fighting with the dog, and not only that, but at the point that the homeowner attempted to get this individual's attention, he immediately jumped onto the owner and started fighting with him."
Police said the suspect, who refused to give his identity, will be charged with burglary of an occupied dwelling with assault, animal cruelty, resisting arrest with violence and lewd and lascivious behavior.
Anyone who recognizes him is asked to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.
