Crime & Safety

Police: Pitbull Killed During Arrest of Mattituck Gunman

Southold Town Police shoot a pitbull after attack on K-9 dog.

The following information was supplied by the Southold Town Police Departments. A criminal charge is only an accusation and does not indicate guilt.

Brian Rive, 38, of Mattituck, was charged with first-degree reckless endangerment, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, second-degree menacing and second-degree aggravated harassment on Oct. 28 at 3:35 p.m., after police responded to a report of a man shooting a gun at two people during a dispute at a location on Route 25 in Mattituck, police said.

Upon arrival, police located Rive, who was identified as the person with a handgun. Southold Police K-9 unit assisted with a search of the area and located a 9mm handgun. During the investigation, one of Rive's pitbull dogs charged the police K-9 dog and started viciously fighting it. Southold police were unable to separate the dogs and were forced to shoot the pitbull, killing it.

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Rive was arrested and held for arraignment. A search warrant was obtained for Rive's residence, and upon searching the dwelling, police found evidence of gun ownership and illegal drugs, police said.

Hudson the K-9 dog is in good condition as of Monday, according to police.

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