ANTIOCH — Detectives serving a search warrant at a residence suspected of housing a marijuana grow shot and killed a dog that attacked them, the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office said.

An investigation led sheriff's detectives to a home in the 3100 block of Barmouth Drive on Tuesday afternoon, said sheriff's spokesman Jimmy Lee. They knocked on the door and identified themselves but got no response, so they forced entry.

Once inside, they were confronted by an 80-pound pit bull, and its owner could not control it, Lee said. When the dog lunged at Sgt. Ethan Katz, Katz opened fire, striking the animal four times.

When detectives continued their search of the home, they found an indoor marijuana grow and seized more than 600 plants valued at about $60,000.

Darrell Silva, 32, of Antioch, was arrested on suspicion of cultivation of marijuana, possession of marijuana for sale and unauthorized connection to a power line. He was booked into County Jail in Martinez, where he is being held on $120,000 bail.

Robert Salonga covers public safety. Reach him at 925-943-8013. Follow him at Twitter.com/robertsalonga


Advertisement