[flower child]

A really sad day in our neighborhood. My neighbors fence was partially taken down by a tree and her dog escaped. This dog ran next door and played ball for about a half an hour with the teenager next door. When the teenager went inside the dog went across the street to another neighbor who was out. He promptly went in the house retrieved a pistol and shot the dog 5 times. This all hapened about 9:15 this morning I promptly received a call from the shooter to tell me to have my neighbor get her dead dog out of their yard. The dog was an older pitbul and he stated he felt threatened. Very sad to have to help one neighbor bury their dog while the other retrieves his hunting orange vest and hat and walks around the neighborhood. We should have been celebrating we were spared the storms wrath.

[mysterymachine]

Wow. That's all I can say.

[CreativeOne]

flower child, on 03 March 2012 - 04:03 PM, said:

A really sad day in our neighborhood. My neighbors fence was partially taken down by a tree and her dog escaped. This dog ran next door and played ball for about a half an hour with the teenager next door. When the teenager went inside the dog went across the street to another neighbor who was out. He promptly went in the house retrieved a pistol and shot the dog 5 times. This all hapened about 9:15 this morning I promptly received a call from the shooter to tell me to have my neighbor get her dead dog out of their yard. The dog was an older pitbul and he stated he felt threatened. Very sad to have to help one neighbor bury their dog while the other retrieves his hunting orange vest and hat and walks around the neighborhood. We should have been celebrating we were spared the storms wrath.

oh my ....

[CRAZMOM95]

flower child, on 03 March 2012 - 04:03 PM, said:

A really sad day in our neighborhood. My neighbors fence was partially taken down by a tree and her dog escaped. This dog ran next door and played ball for about a half an hour with the teenager next door. When the teenager went inside the dog went across the street to another neighbor who was out. He promptly went in the house retrieved a pistol and shot the dog 5 times. This all hapened about 9:15 this morning I promptly received a call from the shooter to tell me to have my neighbor get her dead dog out of their yard. The dog was an older pitbul and he stated he felt threatened. Very sad to have to help one neighbor bury their dog while the other retrieves his hunting orange vest and hat and walks around the neighborhood. We should have been celebrating we were spared the storms wrath.

I will admit, I am afraid of pitbulls. But I must ask, how big was the "gun" the pitbull had?? UMMM and if he went inside, he was no longer under any immediate threat. Of course this is obvious however, and he should have called animal control before acting. Yes there are leash laws but there was a storm as you said. Dont know the other circumstances, guess the neighbor has been waiting for this chance.

[PUBBY]

I would think that an arrest and case could be made for discharging a firearm in a subdivision. If the guy can convince a judge he was justified due to the danger posed by the dog, then he will get off. It would be a misdemeanor and the shooter would have the option of an attorney (he could appear on his own behalf or even get some help from the NRA if they wanted to provide him counsel.)

I think this ought to be reviewed by a judge even if the the penalty is a small fine and I'd like to see the marshals or SO give a judge the opportunity to do that review.

pubby

[babyblues]

PUBBY, on 03 March 2012 - 05:24 PM, said:

I would think that an arrest and case could be made for discharging a firearm in a subdivision. If the guy can convince a judge he was justified due to the danger posed by the dog, then he will get off. It would be a misdemeanor and the shooter would have the option of an attorney (he could appear on his own behalf or even get some help from the NRA if they wanted to provide him counsel.)

I think this ought to be reviewed by a judge even if the the penalty is a small fine and I'd like to see the marshals or SO give a judge the opportunity to do that review.

pubby

I agree Pubby. I hope that they will at least call and report it to the SO and see if their is anything they can do.

[flower child]

The police were called they sent 2 cars and said because iof the breed and they could have had fear it was justifiable. 6 shots were fired in the direction of the street, the dog was in their front yard running away. 5 hit the dog the first 3 were gut shots the second 2 were to the back of the head when the dog went down. The shooters kids played with this dog yesterday. All of the kids in this neighborhood go from yard to yard. The shooters wife said they called animal control when they didn't come right away her husband shot the dog. Had they called me I would gladly have retrieved her, they only called after the fact to get her body out of the yard. My kids were in more danger from someone discharging a firearm in the yard then from that dog. She was a giant lap baby.

[Shananigans]

I'll bet we're missing some history.

[flower child]

None that I know of. Those 2 neighbors have always gotten along, all of the kids have gotten along.

[deewee]

That just makes me sick. Why didn't the neighbor go to the dog's owner, after he shot him, and tell them to come get the dog instead of going thru you? Instead the coward put you in the middle. Lack balls much?

And I agree with the person who asked what size gun the pit had. The very second he stepped thru the door of his own house he was safe. Why didn't he call you, or the dog owner, then, to come get the dog while it was still alive?

[flower child]

I am still wondering that. I could not believe they would call me after the fact. It just blows my mind. We have been friendly with both families involved and have babysat both families kids in the past. I am still in complete shock

[ButterflyLion]

flower child, on 03 March 2012 - 04:03 PM, said:

A really sad day in our neighborhood. My neighbors fence was partially taken down by a tree and her dog escaped. This dog ran next door and played ball for about a half an hour with the teenager next door. When the teenager went inside the dog went across the street to another neighbor who was out. He promptly went in the house retrieved a pistol and shot the dog 5 times. This all hapened about 9:15 this morning I promptly received a call from the shooter to tell me to have my neighbor get her dead dog out of their yard. The dog was an older pitbul and he stated he felt threatened. Very sad to have to help one neighbor bury their dog while the other retrieves his hunting orange vest and hat and walks around the neighborhood. We should have been celebrating we were spared the storms wrath.

So sad.

[Magic Mommy]

I have an older pitt like this, docile and sweet. He's at my feet right now and when I get off the computer, he'll be in my lap because no one told him he's supposed to be a vicious animal and not a fur baby.
I am so sorry for your neighbor's loss...and yours, obviously you loved this dog too.

[mojo413]

Shananigans, on 03 March 2012 - 05:47 PM, said:

I'll bet we're missing some history.

I've got to agree. Or something out of the ordinary happened. Either the dog turned viscous, or the neighbor flipped out over something unrelated at the same time the dog showed up, or some combination of both.

Sorry the family pet is gone, I'm guessing there will be stress in the neighborhood for a long time.

[mom of senior 2010]

I really think there is some history missing from this story.

[dana]

deewee, on 03 March 2012 - 06:20 PM, said:

That just makes me sick. Why didn't the neighbor go to the dog's owner, after he shot him, and tell them to come get the dog instead of going thru you? Instead the coward put you in the middle. Lack balls much?

And I agree with the person who asked what size gun the pit had. The very second he stepped thru the door of his own house he was safe. Why didn't he call you, or the dog owner, then, to come get the dog while it was still alive?

My biggest thing, besides the senseless killing of an animal is, why didn't the ball less wonder tell the pet owner himself? What a real coward!

[flower child]

Like I said I don't know of a history with these 2. I was just at the house that did the shooting yesterday admiring their new puppies. If there was bad blood I am sure they would have said something. No one knows what goes on behind closed doors but as of Friday evening all the kids were playing together and everything was fine.

[fishnthec]

Instead of going into the house to retrieve his gun why didn't he just go into the house and call the owner or the op? I really hate that it seems because the dog is a pitbull there is nothing that can be done.

[satellite]

I bet he felt powerful and mighty afterwards...nothing like execution style to really put some pep in your step.

I really think folks who shoot otherwise innocent animals are sick. I bet he will be popular with neighbors this year. The bastard should have done you all a favor and inflicted the same on himself.

[rockysmom]

I hate this happened but again, if I had a Pitt, you better believe I would not let my dog roam. Ever. Until owers realize that while they may have a loving dog, other people have their own ideas about this breed. Keep your dogs up! It is YOUR responsibility to keep your family pet safe.

You choose the breed now you deal with the responsibility that comes along with it.

I do hate this happened and I hate that a family lost their pet.

[SPORTS SOURCE]

This breaks my heart!!! POOR BABY! I am not a fan of the breed but I also understand their temperment depends on how they are raised/trained. Being a neighbor I am sure this man has watched the dog interact over time with the owners and as you described even with a child (or sometimes children) in the neighborhood.

I hope this will be taken an additional step as Pubby has suggested. What happens when the 14 yr old bully of the neighborhood comes into his yard and smarts off? He could feel threatened and respond the same way.

I just cannot understand HOW anyone could cold-heartedly kill an animal.

rockysmom, on 03 March 2012 - 09:19 PM, said:

I hate this happened but again, if I had a Pitt, you better believe I would not let my dog roam. Ever. Until owers realize that while they may have a loving dog, other people have their own ideas about this breed. Keep your dogs up! It is YOUR responsibility to keep your family pet safe.

You choose the breed now you deal with the responsibility that comes along with it.

I do hate this happened and I hate that a family lost their pet.

I agree 110%. However from what is described the family didn't act irresponsibility and just let their pet out to roam. The dog was out as a result to damage to the fence in last nights storms. It could be they were unaware of the damage???

[rockysmom]

SPORTS SOURCE, on 03 March 2012 - 09:30 PM, said:

This breaks my heart!!! POOR BABY! I am not a fan of the breed but I also understand their temperment depends on how they are raised/trained. Being a neighbor I am sure this man has watched the dog interact over time with the owners and as you described even with a child (or sometimes children) in the neighborhood.

I hope this will be taken an additional step as Pubby has suggested. What happens when the 14 yr old bully of the neighborhood comes into his yard and smarts off? He could feel threatened and respond the same way.

I just cannot understand HOW anyone could cold-heartedly kill an animal.


I agree 110%. However from what is described the family didn't act irresponsibility and just let their pet out to roam. The dog was out as a result to damage to the fence in last nights storms. It could be they were unaware of the damage???

I get that too but again, due to public opinion it is like having a loaded gun. If something happens it's on you. No excuses. It comes along with having that breed. It may not be right but it is the way it is.

I have a German Shepherd, I know people don't just run up to this breed with their arms open. Even though we have plenty of room out here, I keep my dog on a pretty tight leash. I understood when I got the dog that that was part of having one.

Sad story and it makes me mad.....at a couple of different parties.

[ButterflyLion]

flower child, on 03 March 2012 - 08:40 PM, said:

I was just at the house that did the shooting yesterday admiring their new puppies.

So the man that shot the Pit Bull has puppies? Where were the puppies when this happened?

[flower child]

The puppies are very little I think only about 6 weeks old they keep them in the house. When I was out with the kids yesterday they brought them out for me to see, very cute little things.

[DallasRED]

rockysmom, on 03 March 2012 - 09:19 PM, said:

I hate this happened but again, if I had a Pitt, you better believe I would not let my dog roam. Ever. Until owers realize that while they may have a loving dog, other people have their own ideas about this breed. Keep your dogs up! It is YOUR responsibility to keep your family pet safe.

You choose the breed now you deal with the responsibility that comes along with it.

I do hate this happened and I hate that a family lost their pet.

So sad..That is why I picked a breed that no one is scared of...Who can be scared of a loving little BICHON? I do hope the owners press charges on the person who killed their dog. I really do think that PIT BULLS get a bad rap, they are loving dogs unless they are taught to be mean IMO. At least he was an older dog and not a puppy, doesn't stop the pain, but I hope it lessens it some for the owner.

[Jane Doe]

I don't know about you all, but I know what kind of dogs my neighbors have. If this guy seriously thought a random pit pull was up to no good, maybe....just maybe....I might get it. It seems like everyone knows whose dog this was. That's what bothers me the most. A simple phone call to neighbors or the owner would have solved the problem. I love our neighborhood. We call each other frequently about concerns.

[CrabbyDaddy]

Shananigans, on 03 March 2012 - 05:47 PM, said:

I'll bet we're missing some history.

Yes....what they are not telling you is that the pitbull owner drives a blue Jeep.

[Happy Wife And Mom]

rockysmom, on 03 March 2012 - 09:42 PM, said:

I get that too but again, due to public opinion it is like having a loaded gun.

Which obviously the neighbor had. Sounds like dude has mental problems to shoot that many times in a freaking subdivision. I hope they closely look at him and whether or not he should even own a firearm

[momof 3]

flower child, on 03 March 2012 - 05:45 PM, said:

The police were called they sent 2 cars and said because iof the breed and they could have had fear it was justifiable. 6 shots were fired in the direction of the street, the dog was in their front yard running away. 5 hit the dog the first 3 were gut shots the second 2 were to the back of the head when the dog went down. The shooters kids played with this dog yesterday. All of the kids in this neighborhood go from yard to yard. The shooters wife said they called animal control when they didn't come right away her husband shot the dog. Had they called me I would gladly have retrieved her, they only called after the fact to get her body out of the yard. My kids were in more danger from someone discharging a firearm in the yard then from that dog. She was a giant lap baby.

Where did the 6th shot go? What a stupid fool to discharge a firearm in a neighborhood, at a dog that was running away. If the coward had been so afraid, he should have stayed in the house when he went in to get the gun. What an irresponsible idiot. If the dog had been attacking someone, fine, shoot it. But to just off and start shooting, WOW!

[PcsCharli]

So sad! So many people have a bad impression of pitbills in general, but really know nothing about them, except what they read about a few in the news. The fact is that the cute little Cocker Spaniel has a history of bitting more than the pitbull-of coarse the outcome of those bites is less severe. (but not to the kids who've gotten bitten!)

My heart goes out to the family who lost their "baby", and that is what it was to them. Seems a neighbor could be more compassionate and senseable about how he handled the situation. If there wasn't "bad blood" before, there sure is now.

[flower child]

Everyone in our neighborhood has dogs, we are a very small subdivision. Everyones kids go from yard to yard. It is sad for the kids (both families kids) none of the kids would go near the yard where the dog was shot and unfortunately their children played alone yesterday while their buddies continued to play together. Even after sleep I do not understand while they called me after the fact. Unfortunately right now our neighborhood is very raw and the shooters house has become an island. The police looked briefly for the last shot but it was not found. The one thing I would like to say is the Animal Control Officer was extremely compassionate and kind with my neighbor who lost her dog but their was nothing she could do. Hopefully a new day will help heal things in our subdivision.

[workingforaliving]

I'd shoot a pit in my yard, but would probably pet a poodle. I've seen first hand the damage a pit can do.

[HiPlainsDrifter]

So he didn't feel safe facing the dog in his yard, so he went INSIDE his house BEHIND CLOSED DOORS to retrieve his gun. Then went back out to shoot the dog because he didn't feel safe? Good to know there's a neighbor running out the door firing shots. Everybody is fine with it because it's a pit. If one of the rounds that missed had gone into a house and killed a child, what would people say? There are reasons that you shouldn't fire a weapon in certain areas unless trained and necessary. I'm a firm supporter of gun ownership, but just like cars, some people just aren't responsible enough.

[Happy Wife And Mom]

HiPlainsDrifter, on 04 March 2012 - 11:52 AM, said:

some people just aren't responsible enough.

Abso-freaking-lutely

[mojo413]

DC...RED, on 04 March 2012 - 09:26 AM, said:

I do hope the owners press charges on the person who killed their dog.

Personally I do not think they will ever find a jury where 12 people will vote to access damages against a homeowner who shot a pit bull on his own property. Even with this one dog being so loving the dog owners will have a hard time convincing 12 people that the officers who responded were wrong in not charging the home owner.

I am not saying the home owner was right, I am saying I feel the dog owner would have an up hill battle proving they were wronged.

[fishnthec]

It is sad that there is so much prejudice toward the pit breed. Of course they can be aggressive, any dog can. Chihuahuas are notorious for biting but no one is out shooting those little yappy things. Each generation there is a different breed that gets attention for being aggressive. In the 70's it was the German Shepherd, the 80's was the doberman, the 90's was the Rottie and now the pits. I think it is should be illegal for ANY person to go into their house, get a gun and shoot an animal just for being in their yard. Once the person is in the house they should consider themselves safe.

[Shananigans]

fishnthec, on 04 March 2012 - 01:21 PM, said:

It is sad that there is so much prejudice toward the pit breed. Of course they can be aggressive, any dog can. Chihuahuas are notorious for biting but no one is out shooting those little yappy things. Each generation there is a different breed that gets attention for being aggressive. In the 70's it was the German Shepherd, the 80's was the doberman, the 90's was the Rottie and now the pits. I think it is should be illegal for ANY person to go into their house, get a gun and shoot an animal just for being in their yard. Once the person is in the house they should consider themselves safe.

that's because you can pick up a chihuahua by the scrap of the neck and fling it across the yard.

[CrabbyDaddy]

Shananigans, on 04 March 2012 - 01:23 PM, said:

that's because you can pick up a chihuahua by the scrap of the neck and fling it across the yard.

And they are so small and fast you end up using the whole clip.

[Shananigans]

CrabbyDaddy, on 04 March 2012 - 01:27 PM, said:

And they are so small and fast you end up using the whole clip.

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!

[momof 3]

workingforaliving, on 04 March 2012 - 11:40 AM, said:

I'd shoot a pit in my yard, but would probably pet a poodle. I've seen first hand the damage a pit can do.

If a pit came into your yard, you'd go get a gun and shoot it just because it was a pit? It's not bothering or threatening anybody and you'd shoot it? HHHMMMMM.