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http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4431884.html

Lawman shoots his own foot trying to fight off pit bull attack


By LINDSAY WISE
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle


A deputy constable shot himself in the foot Thursday morning while trying to fend off a pit bull attack, authorities said.

Deputy C. Menefield was in the process of evicting a tenant from a residence in the 13900 block of Wrigley when the man opened the door and allegedly ordered a dog inside the home to attack, said DeAnn Collins, a Precinct 7 spokeswoman.

She said the pit bull lunged at Menefield's leg. As the deputy tried to kick the dog away, he fired his gun, shooting himself in the left foot, Collins said. The dog ran back inside at the sound of the shot and was later taken to the city pound.

Menefield, a five-year veteran, was transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital. He was released in good condition and was recovering Thursday night at home, Collins said.

The dog's owner, 41-year-old Alan Trevino, was charged with making a terroristic threat, a Class B misdemeanor, she said. Collins said Trevino had been notified of the eviction date.

The deputy had arrived with a locksmith and a moving company.

Trevino, who has a "very lengthy criminal history," was inside, refusing to leave when he allegedly ordered his dog to attack, Collins said.

Somehow, this just isn't surprising. I've got a friend working at Pct. 7 and have heard many stories of inept gun handling by his co-workers. I understand he was a bit excited and all, but come on...A pitbull is a MUCH larger target than your own foot!

G.C.Montgomery wrote:A pitbull is a MUCH larger target than your own foot!

True, but if you shoot the Pit Bull you don't get a week off of work.

I am no LEO by any means but when I saw the news on this poor chap all I could think is if that dog is so close you have to shoot straight down hit the sucker in the head with the gun.

As the deputy tried to kick the dog away, he fired his gun, shooting himself in the left foot,

Kick OR shoot. Not kick And shoot.

I've a gut feeling he didn't hit the range too often. I'm glad it sounds like he will be ok.

Dan

I'm sorry, but pitbulls in Harris County are, more often than not, raised as fighting or attack dogs. I don't believe most of the folks who own them really care about the animal beyond it being a status symbol. For those that don't know, the pitbull is the official dog of "the ghetto."

You will never see a Jack Russell Terrier in Sunny Side, South Park, or 3rd Ward unless it's in the mouth of a hungry Rottweiler or Pitbull. This officer patrols these areas and should have known the dog wasn't running over for a treat. With that in mind, he should have hosed the dog the minute he saw the dog approaching rather than waiting until the dog was chewing on his foot.

Perhaps the cop was already close to the door when the owner let the dog loose? Maybe he didn't have enough time to react. Who knows what happened.

Speaking of pitbulls. I just had 5 thug/thug wannabes walk down the middle of my street each with a pitbill on a leash.

Boma wrote:
Speaking of pitbulls. I just had 5 thug/thug wannabes walk down the middle of my street each with a pitbill on a leash.

Acting in a manner calculated to cause alarm, eh? How about getting the cops and their gang unit involved in this one, hopefully before some child is frightened by the animals and runs away, triggering an attack response that even the thuglets may not have anticipated.

agreed sir.
PM me w/ what part of town you live in.
Been wondering how the BGs were spreading out there. Keep moving West & South.

I agree G.C.

A friend of mine had a similar thing happen to him & his dad. The tennants were evicted from the house. He & his dad knocked, then opened the door and asked if anyone was home. Two pit bulls charged them as they were entering the house. They turned and ran to gain distance as they split up, dad shot 1 in the top of the head with his .32 while trying to run away. The other dog that was chasing my buddy, ran off after dog # 1 was down. Then the tennants come out complaining about their dog being killed! The policeman came, wrote everyone a ticket in the house and gave them 2 hrs. to leave with their stuff.