A Durham County sheriff's deputy pepper sprayed and shot a dog to death Friday when it bit him as he was investigating a burglary.

Deputy R. Kelley was investigating a break-in at 4006 Kerley Road, near the Durham-Orange County line, during which someone had used a rock, brick and tool to break through windowpanes on the side of French door in the garage which leads to the house.

The intruders went down a hallway into the master bedroom where drawers were opened, and items were stolen from drawers along with two jewelry boxes.

According to an email on the Arrowhead neighborhood listserv, Kelley was the first to respond to the scene. He was concerned that another break-in could have happened next door at 4012 Kerley Road, because he had seen the resident's garage door open.

The deputy told the homeowner's daughter that three dogs at 4012 Kerley Road were circling him and one had bitten him, and showed her the heel of his leather shoe. He said that he pepper sprayed and then fatally shot the dog, a Jack Russell terrier.

Maj. Paul Martin, who oversees the Durham County Sheriff's Office Investigations Division, said the deputy "employed the use of force continuum which ultimately led to the discharge of his weapon" and the death of the dog.

Martin said the sheriff's Professional Standards Division is investigating the incident in accordance with office policy.

This was the second burglary in the Durham County area of this neighborhood since Dec. 1, he said.