Dogsey

A birthday party for a 5-year-old at a Commerce City home was interrupted this weekend when the family dog jumped a fence and a passer-by fatally shot the dog.

The incident, which "horrified" children as well as adult guests at the party, happened about 5 p.m. Saturday in the 14800 block of East 116th Drive, according to the family whose dog was killed.

"We heard a noise. It sounded like a birthday balloon popping, except much louder," said Emily Martinez, the owner of the dog that was killed.

People inside the home looked out the window and saw a man with a dog on a leash, standing over the downed dog, named Clifford, and pointing a gun at the animal.

"This guy had his gun pointed down at Clifford," Martinez said. "He shot him twice in the neck."

People rushed from the home to help Clifford and confront the armed man. As she bent beside her dog, the man continued to brandish the gun, Martinez said, pointing the weapon at her as well as others, including children.

"I was screaming at him to leave," Martinez said. "He was pointing the gun at people."

Police said the owner of the border collie told them he shot Clifford after he was unable to separate the dogs.

Afterward, neighbors and party guests told the Martinez family the shooter was calling out, "I have a concealed weapon license," as he walked away.

Clifford was a 4-year-old chocolate Labrador/collie mix. He was adopted from a shelter about two years ago and hadn't had any problems or previous incidents, Emily Martinez said.