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On the attack, pit bull is shot, later killed

By TIMES WIRES
Published January 13, 2007

A Tampa police officer shot a pit bullterrier that charged him after twice biting another man Thursday morning, Hillsborough Animal Services spokeswoman Marti Ryan said. Shortly after 8:30 a.m., the officer responded to a call that the dog had attacked Jeff Cooper, 23, outside his home at 8608 Ruth Place. The officer drove away the dog with four blasts from his fire extinguisher and tended to the victim, then tried to enter his patrol car to approach the animal. But when he opened the car door, the dog charged him. He drew his pistol and fired one shot. The dog, a male named Blue, belonged to Pedro Muniz, 24, of 8606 Ruth Place. Animal Services euthanized Blue outside the house and charged Muniz with having a vicious animal and having a dog at large.

Drowned man was at TGH voluntarily

A man who drowned Thursday after jumping into a channel leading to the Hillsborough Bay near Tampa General Hospital had checked himself into the hospital just an hour before his death, spokeswoman Ellen Fiss said. The man's name has not yet been released. Fiss said the patient was not being held under the Baker Act, meaning that when he checked himself in, he was not deemed a threat to himself.

That greasy face looked familiar

Citrus detectives thought the story sounded familiar. A man robs a Subway restaurant in Pasco County after crawling through a roof vent. The same man tries to rob a Ker's WingHouse by crawling down a grease pipe and then prying open the cash register, but when he can't, he sets off the alarm. Since late November, sheriff's Detective Steve Farkas has been investigating two burglaries at Margueritagrill and one at Yulee's Cafe. In two of the break-ins, the thief crawled through a roof vent. He made off with about $9,000 total. On Tuesday, Farkas questioned Charles Grant III at the Pasco jail. At first reluctant, Grant eventually admitted he had broken into the Citrus restaurants, the detective said.

Man, 62, arrested in child porn case

A 62-year-old man was arrested on capital sexual battery charges Thursday after authorities said they discovered photographs of him having sex with a 5-year-old girl. Kenneth Halscott was arrested by Pinellas Park police in July on various charges related to child pornography. When Florida Department of Law Enforcement agents examined his computer, they came across the still photographs that led to Halscott's arrest. Halscott is being held in the Pinellas County Jail without bond.

Foster parent accused of abuse

A Brooksville foster parent was arrested Friday and charged with sexually abusing four boys under his care. Kejerald C. Jackson, 30, had foster children in his home at 855 East St. He took in only boys between the ages of 12 and 17. Jackson is charged with one count of sexual battery, one count of attempted sexual battery and 11 counts of lewd and lascivious molestation.

[Last modified January 13, 2007, 01:41:40]