Gunman threatens veterinary staff in Connecticut

A man walked into a clinic in Dansbury, Conn., on May 31 with a gun and threatened the staff at VCA Northside Animal Clinic to treat his dog, Lt. Thomas Michael of the Danbury Police Department told dvm360.

“He walked into the animal hospital carrying his unconscious dog yelling, ‘I will kill you if my dog is dead,’” Michael says. “He had a 9-mm Ruger. The staff tried to reassure him not to worry and he left the room and someone called 911.”

The dog later died.

Millard Reynolds was charged with three counts of threatening, two counts of reckless endangerment, breach of peace and criminal mischief, Michael says.

None of the staff was injured during the incident. “They stayed calm and cool and talked to him,” Michael says. “What they did was correct.”

When the police arrived, the gun was found in Reynold’s car.

“The staff was just trying to help and treat the pets,” Michael says. “They don’t expect to be threatened. It must have been a scary situation.”

Reynolds is currently out on bond.