Yeah, I'm bad wrote on Jul 31, 2007 4:43 AM:We had a similar situation in my neighborhood years ago. I would have preferred to read that the creature that suffered had been the irresponsible dog owner. I hope that someone will propose a set of regulations for the ownership of potentially dangerous breeds. The humans bear the responsibility. Our menacing local pitbull had the run of a neglected avocado grove in suburban Escondido. It roamed free for at least a year and kept us all on alert. She raised a litter of pups and drank out of the sprinklers. Although she scared me to death with her agression I would carefully set out food for her. The situation was settled when the grove was developed. It turned out that we were all feeding her and once animal control decided to get involved and had her under control, she was a very sweet dog; she gently took a biscuit out of my hand. Moral of story: let the guilty parties suffer the consequences.

DogOwner wrote on Jul 31, 2007 6:02 AM:It is too bad that a few dog owners cause such big problems. However I think someone needs some re-training on the range before shooting again. 15 shots??

Wait a Minute wrote on Jul 31, 2007 6:40 AM:In Kalifonia (sic) isn't there a law against tying up a dog for more than a few hours. And the representative from animal control is telling the owner that the dog should be tied up? Don't get me wrong, owner's need to be responsible for their dog(s), and I think folks need to understand what is required for obedience training for powerful breeds. It seems to me that the regulations are getting insane. You can't legislate against stupidity.

Marie wrote on Jul 31, 2007 6:58 AM:I believe you should be able to protect yourself, but why isn't this person being questioned for firing 15 rounds? It says that the first 1-2 rounds didn't hit the dog. And that he went after the dog after finally hitting it on the 2nd or 3rd round... to "finish it off". So why did he have to fire his gun 12-13 more times?! You're telling me this person is such a bad shot he couldn't put the dog out of its misery until he'd riddled it with 12-13 more bullet holes? Or was he simply firing left and right and missing the dog completely?

Steve wrote on Jul 31, 2007 7:38 AM:... People should have to put up a $1000 bond to own a dog. If they can prove they are responsible then perhaps the can get the bond money returned.

Gee Whiz wrote on Jul 31, 2007 7:57 AM:15 rounds? Look, this is a sad story--to be sure. The dog's owners are clearly irresponsible. The breed, at BEST, is unpredictable, due to all of the poor breeding standards of people breeding them for certain nose colors and eyes, without regard to temperment, etc. But, there is some humor here. 15 rounds? Now, 15 rounds fired in our neighborhoods would be different. Kids play on our streets and front yards, but this retired officer was in the country where it is more open, so he could, obvioulsy, fire at will. I am a retired Marine and competetive shooter. We would often have various law enforecment agangies at the ranges at Camp Pendleton. The 15 round officer could have made the All-Star team for some of the groups we saw come through there. Anyway, dog problem solved.

Appalled wrote on Jul 31, 2007 7:58 AM:Why, why, why? Why did it take 3 shots? I would have done it in one and saved the cost of the other rounds. So where is PETA now? Are they protesting in front of the Sheriff's office?

Concerned-1 wrote on Jul 31, 2007 8:18 AM:There are no bad dogs, just bad dog owners.

Tom wrote on Jul 31, 2007 9:07 AM:I am glad that someone took action and also I am so sick and tired of reading about wild pit bulls in fact a search of the Californian can bring up several stories. So what can be done about this? Its simple if a persons animal acts up charge the owner with the same crime. I my self am a mountain bike rider and have come across bob cats and mountain lions and rattle snakes etc. The worst though are domestic vicious dogs that I am lucky enough to be in physical shape to flee; however the question remains what would happen if a mother and child where walking down the street?

Debbie wrote on Jul 31, 2007 9:49 AM:Yes, there is a law you can't tie a pet up for more than 2 hrs. People need to educate themselves before becoming an owner of a pit. It's a big responsibility. A pit is a family and loving dog that at 8 months becomes dog agressive. They DONT become human agressive unless they are in the wrong hands of a owner. If not socialized with humans and are just in a yard they will be an agressive dog. I love pits and when it comes to them attacking a human than they need to be put to sleep. Like I said they will attack other dogs at maturity thats territorial issues and it's the owner's responsibility to control them.

Murrieta Resident wrote on Jul 31, 2007 10:24 AM:This could have been any breed of dog. When dogs run in packs they often become agressive. I have seen golden retievers and labs become very agressive when running with a pack. This is the owners problem. The dogs should have been secured on their property, in the house or a kennel (not tied up) All dog owners should be held responsible for taking care of their pets properly.

American Mike wrote on Jul 31, 2007 12:32 PM:Agressive Pit Bull? 15 rounds? Perhaps the joy of the moment.

Jason wrote on Jul 31, 2007 5:34 PM:Sounds like ol detective here misses unloading his gun.

Ban Pit Bulls wrote on Jul 31, 2007 7:03 PM:They are the worst breed of dogs and should be banned entirely. Aggressive wild animals and most of the owners are ignorant until their children get attacked.

pedestrian wrote on Jul 31, 2007 9:50 PM:When we go for walks I can tell you that we are protected in the same method being that my spouse is a law enforcer and many, many MANY people do not make sure their dogs are leashed or penned up. Does this mean that our kids or we should be afraid? No...but the dog owners must understand their own neglect. And yes there are bad dog breeds. It's just in the anatomy and nature of a pit bull. If they are trained and obedient, super...but if they do react in their natural way, the owner needs to be prepared.

k wrote on Aug 1, 2007 2:03 PM:To "ban pit bulls" I own a pit bull and take offense to your "ignorant" comment. My dog is the sweetest, most passive dog you could ever meet. Never once has she been agressive to anyone or anything. She has been raised with nothing but love. Like every dog should. Like "concerned-1 said "there are no bad dogs just bad dog owners" This could have been any breed of dog. Unfortunatley pit bulls are the only ones that seem to make the news. I've seen chihuahua's who are more aggressive. Your entitled to your opinion but maybe you should know what your talking about before you give it!

family dogs on August 7, 2007 wrote on Aug 7, 2007 9:52 PM:I'm an owner of 2 pit bulls. Unfortuantly I did not secure my fence well enough. My dogs were shot when they got out. It is hard on the family that owns them too. We have 4 kids imagine trying to explain to a 5 & 8 yr. old why their dogs came home bleeding from bullet wounds. If people feel like they have to shoot our dogs to be safe, shoot them dead or let the law handle the situation. I myself love the breed and know that there is a big responsibility in taking care of them. My experience, they are great family dogs.

GIL wrote on Aug 11, 2007 8:04 AM:15 rounds...... What happened to the 10 round California law? I would have shot to, but 3 maybe 4 rounds in the heat of the moment should have done the job. Please let me know where you shoot. I most certainly don't want in the same area as you when your out and about caring a weapon.

RANDY wrote on Aug 11, 2007 9:12 AM:California state law no more then 10 round per magazine, being a retired SAN DIEGO DET. he know the LAW and will git away with brakeing the 10 round law, cops take care of cops

Larsga wrote on Aug 11, 2007 9:47 AM:When I walk here in Semi-Rural Florida, I carry (2) things always: My Stout Walking Stick and my Walther PPK

Terry wrote on Aug 11, 2007 12:35 PM:The detective probably got the 15 round magazines when he retired and bought his duty weapon, they offered me the same deal at retirement. As far as 15 rounds, oh please! Spray and pray to be sure. Lets see....I can dump that Pitbull in 2 rounds....ur on...dump the pit with 2!

Renegade wrote on Aug 12, 2007 12:07 AM:Dogs are nothing but a domesticated wolf. With loveing care and responsable treatment they are less dangerous than humans who are the only animal that kills itself for sport. In this case the dog got what it deserved, but 15 shots is a bit much.

Dan wrote on Aug 14, 2007 11:43 AM:Anybody that thinks they can shoot and stop a charging pit bull with one or two rounds has never fired under severe stress. I've known life-long hunters who took ten rounds to kill a rabid animal with a hand gun. It's not like shooting paper targets at the range.

Stephanie wrote on Nov 12, 2007 12:06 PM:Im sorry but that one shot would have done it. The owners should of been contacted after the dog was shot only once. he didn't have to keep shooting the dog.

Val wrote on Nov 15, 2007 9:42 AM:I love PBs, I have two, but the first time either one of mine show unprovoked aggression at any human being they get to meet their maker. This family should not have owned a PB, they should not be left to run and they should be trained to the teeth. Every PB should be trained to see EVERY human being as someone higher in the pack. Every PB should come from people passive reliable parents....every PB owner should understand the incredible responsibility they have to their environment. Period. This dog needed to be PTS, the owner is totally at fault for the dogs behavior and in the terrible manner it had to die.

michelle wrote on Dec 31, 2007 1:42 PM:I have a pitbull mix and he is a great dog he doesn't bit and he plays with my kids he is part of my family and I won't give him up we all love him so much he plays outside with are other dog and he doesn't attack her they play good together at night he sleeps in my bedroom and my husband takes him for a walk and he is strong when people come near him he wags his tail and he wants to be petted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!