A Texas man has been charged with animal cruelty after he shot dead a bull terrier at a Houston-area dog park because he thought the animal was acting in a threatening manner . The Harris County Sheriff 's Office said in a statement that 26-year-old Joseph Potts is facing a count of felony animal cruelty with a deadly weapon in connection to the January 25 shooting at Bay Area Dog Park in Houston . If convicted , Potts could face 2-10 years in prison . Following his arrest Monday , the 26-year-old suspect was released after posting $ 5,000 bond . Scroll down for video . Justice for Diesel : Joseph Potts is facing a count of felony animal cruelty with a deadly weapon for shooting dead Randall Livingston 's 2-year-old dog , Diesel ( pictured ) Tragic : Sheriff 's deputies say Potts , 26 , was at Bay Area Dog Park in Houston in January when one of his dogs had an interaction with Diesel , which ended with the 26-year-old man shooting the animal three times . Authorities said Potts , himself a dog owner , gunned down a 2-year-old black-and-white Staffordshire bull terrier named Diesel in front of his owner ’ s horrified mother . Potts , who is a concealed handgun license holder , told deputies the dog was aggressive toward him , his wife and their two pets . But witnesses told police that Diesel was playing with other dogs in the park when Potts came up to the bull terrier , kicked him and then shot him three times - once in his leg and twice in his back . Randall Livingston , Diesel ’ s owner , told Click2Houston he was excited when the sheriff 's department reached a decision this week to charge Potts with a crime in connection to his pet 's killing . 'That was obviously the outcome we were looking for , ' he said , adding that he hopes Potts learns to 'stay the hell out of the dog park . ' Livingston previously said that on January 25 , his mother took his beloved pet to the Bay Area Dog Park to play with other animals . Four-legged 'threat ' : Potts , who is a concealed handgun license holder , told deputies Diesel ( pictured ) was aggressive toward him , his wife and their two pets . Cruel : Witnesses said Potts kicked Diesel to get him away from his own dog , and then pulled a Glock and fired on the pooch , striking him in the leg and back . But what started out as a fun Sunday morning outdoors ended in a tragedy when Diesel had an 'interaction ' with one of the other pups running around the park . According to witnesses , the other dog 's owner , Joseph Potts , gave Diesel a kick , pulled out his Glock 9-mm and shot the 2-year-old animal three times . Diesel was rushed to VCA Animals Hospital , where he later died from his injuries . According to a sheriff ’ s report cited by Houston Press , Potts told a deputy that he shot Diesel because he approached one of his dogs 'and began to get aggressive . ' After failing to kick Diesel away from his pet , Potts stated that he 'began to fear for the safety of his dogs , his wife and himself . ' The 26-year-old pet owner was quoted as saying that he was sorry for what happened , and that ‘ he did not want to harm the dog but felt like he had no choice. ’ 'Innocent ' : Randall Livingston insisted that from the time he adopted Diesel when he was just six weeks old , the pup had never exhibited any signs of aggression . But according to an eyewitness , it appeared that Potts was taking his time and carefully aiming the gun at Diesel . Randall Livingston insisted that from the time he adopted Diesel when he was just six weeks old , the pup had never exhibited any signs of aggression . Following Diesel 's killing , supporters of Randall Livingston launched a Facebook page , which has drawn nearly 9,340 'likes ' so far . A month after Diesel 's death , members of the 'Support for Diesel ' community came together at Bay Area Dog Park for a ‘ Peaceful Walk ’ honoring the 2-year-old pooch .
Joseph Potts , this week , charged with felony animal cruelty with deadly weapon for shooting dead Randall Livingston 's 2-year-old dog , Diesel . Potts , who is a concealed handgun license holder , told deputies Diesel was aggressive toward him , his wife and their two pets .