Foley, Ala. – (OBA) – Foley police responded to reports of a disturbance involving dogs and gunfire on the evening of January 14 in the 600 block of West Marigold Avenue. Several calls alerted authorities to the sounds of dogs fighting and gunshots in the area.

When officers arrived, the situation had calmed, but the homeowner did not respond to their presence. The case was handed over to the Investigations Division the next morning. Investigators contacted Thomas K. Hall, 61, at the residence and examined the backyard and the dogs involved. Hall was arrested for an outstanding Failure to Appear warrant and was questioned further about the incident.

Hall explained that an aggressive dog had attacked a timid one, and his attempts to separate them resulted in him being bitten. He retrieved a shotgun and fired into the ground to break up the fight. The attacked dog managed to escape and hid under a shed in the backyard.

Officers inspected the three dogs, finding injuries on two of them, but no evidence of gunshot wounds. The injured animals were taken by the police to a local veterinarian for treatment and a detailed examination.

Hall was charged with Discharging a Firearm in City Limits and two counts of Animal Cruelty for failing to seek medical care for the injured dogs. Authorities are also investigating whether any of the dogs meet the city's definition of "vicious" under local ordinances.