Helena Prasad, a reporter with the Daily News, said the boy is “fortunate” he was in the company of a “very brave and loyal dog,” and would not have been in such danger if he had not been there with a stranger.

But police said the dog had been in the home on and off for a decade and was likely taken from the family.

No other people were injured.

“What this was about was two people who were having some sort of argument over the puppy,” said San Diego Police Lieutenant Dave Wahl. “The dog was not threatened by the suspect.”

An investigator with the San Diego County Animal Care Services was seen entering the home and examining the dog at the scene. The owner of the dog was seen fleeing the scene.

Wahl said the dog had been with the family for about 10 weeks.

Wahl said police officers could not release any other details because they were still investigating the investigation into the shooting.

The incident is under investigation by the sheriff’s homicide division.

Contact the writer: [email protected] or on Twitter: @joe_cheng

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