A case of man's best friend taken right before his eyes
By: Chelsea Rarrick
Updated: September 16, 2011
It has been an ongoing investigation and controversy regarding "Shadow," the German Shepard shot by a retired state trooper.
Since then, Shadow's owner, Bernard Sperfeld was given a new dog to help cope with his loss.
Eyewitness New Reporter, Chelsea Rarrick spoke with both sides in this continuing case and questions still arise about what actually happened.
It's been almost a month and he says he still remembers Shadow's cries after he had been shot by retired state trooper Anthony Randazzo.
Sperfeld says the night before the incident on August 24th, he had an altercation with a woman at the park regarding a mountain bike.
"She yelled at me, finally she said she has connections, she has connections," said Sperfeld.
That next day, Shadow was shot and killed.
"Shadow started running down the hill and I saw a man standing behind the green sign where the woods are, " said Sperfeld
Sperfeld then called for his dog to come back. When Shadow was about 30 feet away, Sperfeld says Anthony Randazzo shot Shadow.
"When the shot went out, Shadow tumbled and then two more shots went out," he said.
Anthony Randazzo's attorney, Les Lewis, says that his reasoning for shooting the dog was out of self defense.
"Mr. Sperfeld admits that his German Shepard was running down the hill at my client. He has a choice to make; either fight the dog hand to hand or pull his gun to defend himself, said Lewis.
Lewis says that it was an instant reaction to a dangerous situation with the dog. He also says that Randazzo cares for animals himself.
Although Randazzo's attorney says the shooting was out of self defense, people who visit the park like Carmelita Balsdon are troubled by the incident.
"It's still a shock. It's a shock to all the people that walk here and people with small children have voiced concern now. Is it safe?" said Balsdon.
Special Prosecutor Christopher Pelli who is a defense attorney has now been appointed to the case.
District Attorney, Scott McNamara has recused himself due to a conflict of interest.
That conflict is when his assistant praised Randazzo from a case regarding his wife five years ago.
Eyewitness news tried to contact Defense Attorney Christopher Pelli, but did not get a response.
New York State Police says the case is still open and under investigation.
