NC: Dispute over pets leaves 1 dead, 4 wounded

[seamusTX]

Late Wednesday night, a dog belonging to an unnamed North Carolina man killed a neighbor's cat. The owner of the cat then shot the dog. The owner of the dog shot the neighbor and the neighbor's 8-year-old daughter.

When police arrived, the shooter shot two officers. Police eventually shot him to death.

The wounded are expected to recover.

http://www.news14.com/Default.aspx?ArID=609832" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

- Jim
[Edited to correct headline]

[kalipsocs]

Wow there is nothing good to that story. I love my pets, but what would drive someone to shoot a child over their dog? There has to be more to that story like a long standing feud and by the way it sounds some serious mental issues. Very sad.

[seamusTX]

My guess would be a feud plus mental illness, alcohol, or drugs.

It's clear that the shooter went berserk. He may (in his mind) have felt justified in shooting the neighbor who shot his dog. There was no justification for shooting the kid. Shooting at cops indicates a death wish.

I posted this story because it shows how people can become literally insane over pets.

- Jim

[AFJailor]

That story is nuts.

The depth of some peoples insanity is astounding.

Personally I blame the cat, he started it.

[74novaman]

Some people seriously consider pets as "family members". I don't understand it at all, and I'm a dog person.

But if Uncle Larry starts dragging his butt around on the floor or barking, he's outta the family.

[Oldgringo]

Cats are too cool and independent to start something like this. I wonder if the dog was a Jack Russell?

[seamusTX]

I've seen cats bait dogs, but the cats are usually smart enough to do it from a secure location. Dogs don't climb very well.

One of my friends had an elderly, arthritic cat that was chased down and killed by a dog.

In any case, there is no legal or moral justification for escalating this kind of incident into the injury of a human being.

- Jim

[magicglock]

Remember to spay or nueter your pets! I agree, totally the cat's fault.

[KD5NRH]

I'm still trying to figure this one out. Clearly, the cat owner had a gun of some sort, but didn't attempt to defend himself or his daughter with it?

[Liberty]

I'm still trying to figure this one out. Clearly, the cat owner had a gun of some sort, but didn't attempt to defend himself or his daughter with it?

Might not have seen it coming.

[seamusTX]

There are many possible explanations. The victim (cat owner) may have been shot from behind, or from cover, or from some distance with a rifle. The shooter may have drawn a handgun and shot quickly. The victim may have spent all his ammunition shooting the dog (easy to do with an over-under or side-by-side shotgun).

- Jim

[Oldgringo]

seamus wrote:

...The victim may have spent all his ammunition shooting the dog (easy to do with an over-under or side-by-side shotgun).

...or trying to hit a manic Jack Russell flying all about.

[CDH]

Stories like this are why the oft quoted (see other stories even in this forum like "defending your dog" http://www.texasshooting.com/TexasCHL_F ... 26&t=24908 ) "My pets are part of my family" worry me.

Dogs and cats are pets. Pets are not human. PETA be danged, you can NOT escalate ANY dispute over an animal to the point of injury to a human. I don't care of they are 'part of your family'!

Sorry...sore subject for me.

[Oldgringo]

CDH wrote:

Dogs and cats are pets. Pets are not human. PETA be danged, you can NOT escalate ANY dispute over an animal to the point of injury to a human. I don't care of they are 'part of your family'!

The Jack Russell that I allude to belongs to the above category of owner. Absent the dog, he's really a great guy and a friend. Oh well, we all have warts of some description.

[Hurt]

This is one of my biggest concerns when my wife and I walk our dog. Our dog has been attacked in the past by dogs running unsecured while my wife had him on a leash (in Virginia). So now when we take him for walks I carry a small .22 (it fits very well in the pocket while wearing shorts).

I have had to draw twice due to dogs charging us. I always wait to shoot hoping the dog will stop in time so i don't have to kill it. One of the times the dog stopped and went back to its owner and he asked if I had mace. I told him what I had (I already drew it so no use pretending) and he said if I shot his dog we would have a problem. I ended up calling the police to have it documented. The officer who came out said I showed more restraint than she would have, she said she's been bitten before and would have shot it.

I'm always afraid that if I end up having to shoot a dog its owner will do something similar to what was posted. I am now looking at larger guns knowing the situation could always come up.

Oh and by the way, I’m new here and hello!