[Drizzt]

Man Shoots Attacking Pit Bulls Off Neighbor
Victim: 'I Really Thought That The End Was Here'

LEESBURG, Fla. -- A man in Leesburg who heard screams for help from his neighbor during an attack by two pit bulls grabbed his shotgun and opened fire, possibly saving the man's life, according to a Local 6 News report.

Authorities with the Lake County Sheriff's Office said two pit bulls attacked Joe Pipala, 61, at his home on Maple Street in Leesburg Sunday.

Pipala said he thought he was going to die during the attack.

"I really thought that the end was here," said victim Joe Pipala. "I hit one with a four-by-four and I could have sworn that I knocked a tooth out and it and it didn't even stun it."

Pipala's wife, Susan, tried to distract the dogs as they attacked her husband.

"I started screaming and jumping up and down on the porch," Susan Pipala said.

However, the pit bulls would not stop moving in on Pipala, the report said.

Pipala's neighbor Jeff Lint heard the cries for help and grabbed his gun.

"I heard Joe yelling, 'Jeff help, Jeff, help,'" Lint said. "It was a scream of help. They would not let him alone. They were just all over him. I know Joe and I know that he has a heart condition. As a last resort, I got the 12-gauge shotgun and I come back over."

Lint fired and hit one of the pit bulls.

"It went down and did a 360 three different times and then got up and came after me again," Lint said. "So, I unloaded a second shot into it."

The dog died from the gunshot wounds.

The dead dog's owner was fined $50, the report said. He did not want to talk with Local 6 News about the incident.

"I mean (it's) odd that they got a ticket and nothing else (other than) a fine," Susan Pipala said. "Fifty dollars and bye-bye. No dog taken away. No dog quarantined."

Pipala told Local 6 News that he feels lucky to be alive.

"Now he wants to know from animal services what on earth is it going to take to get this dog off the streets," Local 6 reporter Vanessa Medina said.

The second dog involved in the attack belonged to one of the man's friends and was spotted back on its property later Sunday.

Animal services would not comment on the incident.

http://www.local6.com/news/9525363/detail.html

[trapperjohn]

No, this can't be!! everyone on here knows pitbulls are sweet and lovable and had all their aggression towards people bred out of them generations ago.

oh wait, it must have been a mixed breed, or maybe an abusive owner that turned the lovable pooches into dogs that attacked this man.


moral of the story, regardless of a breeds generl temperment, when you are out in the world you may not get a chance to check a large dogs pedigree or interview its owner about training techniques.

[g56]

The dead dog's owner was fined $50,
If that guy hadn't shot that dog it would probably would have killed that man, and the dog owner only gets fined $50? He came very close to committing manslaughter due to his careless handling of his dogs. :cuss:

[pharmer]

Unless it's a gator, Animal Services isn't interested. Guy had balls using a single shot break action. Dog's owner was a real anal orifice in the TV interview, sounding like he was the victim. I'd have killed both dogs. Sue me Joe

[Limeyfellow]

Its sad when dogs are usually mistreated and not trained to do such things and they have to be put down like that. The owner needs the book thrown at him, not a slap on the wrist $50 fine.

[meef]

"It went down and did a 360 three different times and then got up and came after me again," Lint said.Would've been easier to just say "It did a 1080."

:D

[Flintlock Tom]

Sounds like it's time for a civil lawsuit.

Sue for 10 million and get one million, happens all the time, and for less provocation.

[High Planes Drifter]

Thats a tough little booger to get up and pretty much shake it off after catching a load of shot; I'm assuming it was <25 yards. Wonder what kind of shot Lint used.?

[lionking]

good to hear a story on the press where a firearm was used to a positive effect.Im sure some sort of lawsuit will follow.In certain parts of Florida its mandatory to have insurance to own a pitbull.
Ok,my dad had a pitbull which I took over after he moved away.The dog was cared for well,not mistreated.It was a "loving" dog toward the family,but it was territorial and we did have a couple "incidents" with it.At its older age it did mellow out though.I do believe that pitbulls have a certain "hardwiring" to the aggressive side,some more than others.Though its true that any breed can be potentially dangerous.
Personally I love Dobermans,really miss mine.The only breed Ive ever really been mistrusting of though are Chows.Every Chow Ive ever come across is a one person dog,and not tolerant of other people.

[Haymaker]

In the **** Nazinnystate, there are state & local statutes against keeping 'dangerous' dgs - following a series of (well publicized) dog attacks by Pits, Chows, Rottweilers, Dobies, Wolf hybreds.......... There have been fatalities...:mad: ...adults and kids:cuss: LEO response to dog attacks varies statewide, currently there is a woman in SF being tried for the murder of her 12yr old son - died following an attack by the 2 family 'pets'. Shoot? DARN RIGHT!:mad: = probably the only use of a firearm you could get away with in that blissninnie town:banghead: :cuss:

[Dionysusigma]

Somewhat random question with bearing.

Are Alaskan Huskies considered to be a Wolf Hybrid?

[Jesse H]

Dogs are similar to guns. Unfortunately you've got responsible and you've got irresponsible owners of both.

[Matt G]

Yes, but guns, when left unattended, do not run into the neighbors' yards and attack them.

[torpid]

Yes, but guns, when left unattended, do not run into the neighbors' yards and attack them.

And NDs can go through walls.

(Don't really have a point here, that's just what popped into my head immediately after I read Matt's post and thought "true".)

[BIGDADDYLONGSTROKE]

I used to own a pitbull and she was the best dog I have ever owned my aunt and uncle have her as I had to give her up when I moved and they say the same thing she is the best dog they have ever owned. Im not trying to defend the dogs or owner in question, pittbulls are very dangerouse when not raised well and cared for properly. They very capable of doing mass amounts of damage to almost anything if there mad and get a hold of it. But as with any large breed of dog if you teach it wrong they can hurt someone. Sad to hear I hope the house owner gets well soon, and the dog owner should have been held accountable a little more. As for the dogs once they attack somebody in my beliefe it is time to put them down.

[Silver Bullet]

"I started screaming and jumping up and down on the porch," Susan Pipala said.

However, the pit bulls would not stop moving in on Pipala, the report said.

I'm surprised that didn't work. :rolleyes:

[Jim March]

Huskys aren't wolf hybrids, and they have extremely mellow personalities. Well, sorta hyper and playful but not vicious...very low rate of biting humans as I recall.

Near as anybody can tell, the Huskies weren't bred from Alaskan wolves. The Inuit had some relative of them when they came over from Asia. The Husky looks a bit like the Japanese Akita and there may be some distant relationship although the Akita is a much more foul-tempered breed...moreso than the pit bull by some accounts.

Anyways. Everybody assumes the Huskies were bred out of Alaskan wolves...it just ain't so. Might have been a bit of wolf crossed in once in a while way back but not to excess.

[Imaginos]

I would rather see the punks in my 'hood (the "neighbor" part left years ago) walking around with AKs and leaving live grenades lying on the ground than to let any of them have a dog larger than a chihuahua. They do not demonstrate responsible behavior with their animals.

I have drawn down on three separate dogs while out walking with my kid. I am 100% sure that the only reason that one of us did not become a chew toy was a command voice and the fact that I did not try to run. I have animal control on speed dial in my cell, and the animal shelter is less than 2 miles from my house, yet they can never get anyone out in less than 1 hour.

I have complained until I'm blue in the face. They finally told me to "do what I have to do if I am in fear of being attacked". I don't want to shoot somebody's pet, but its hard to judge the Tuller Drill on a dog.

[sm]

Preface : getting a bit tired of Dogs , LEOs, Zombies, Peanut Butter and other LABELS getting , painted , brushed -new metaphor - "nuked from orbit" everytime .

Review time:

INTENT 101

Lesson 101 dealt with Inanimate Objects.

Guns, knives, matches, baseball bats, tampons , condoms, peanut butter...ain't gonna do a thing all by themselves - these things require someone to do something with them.

It is the Intent of the user of these items - as to how matters play out.

If the Darwin Canidate want to wrap his arm to get a vein , and inject Peanut Butter - it darn sure ain't Skippy - and it ain't Skippy's fault.

Got it?

INTENT 102 . Living Critters

--Dogs, LEOs, Clergy, School Teachers, Doctors, Nurses,

--Blue Haired / No Haired / Gray Haired Geriatric Drivers in Silver colored vehicles that cannot see over steering wheels

--Day care workers,

-- Pet Deer, Pet Snakes, ...

Here we go-

1. You have some that are fine, healthy , great representives of Professions / Species.

Same Folks get bad sick due to Rabies, Reactions to Medicines, Chemotherapy , disease, injuries, ...sleep depravation, trauma, ....

These may very well change personality wise and Go Rodeo on your buttocks and want a very large chunk of it.

36 hour shift with trauma , death, blood and guts and a Surgeon, Scrub Tech, LEO ...might be just a tad short and not be in a mood for games.

Keep poking that snake, dog, pet critter and liable to get nipped, bit and tucked.

Fluffy the yippy furball dog gets bit by a a rabid racoon , and "precious" is liable to pull a "Excorcist" in your front room...

2. You have bad representative of any Profession / Group/ Species

LEOs, Nurses, Docs, Nurses...get addicted to alcohol / drugs , so to support habits they - are bad representatives of Professions.

Maybe their child is Diagnosed with Cancer....
Spouse in a bad car wreck ...even with Insurance bills mounting up...
Victim of Natural Disaster and everthing gone due to fire, flood, tornado...
So they steal and do illegal things to get money.

Maybe the couple has been married 40 years and
a. Spouse dies, say of cancer, or heart attack, whatever. Maybe one is diagnosed and the whole idea of facing that, and losing a spouse , fixed income is tight, insurance...

b. Just drive the gray elderly-mobile into a oncoming car, RR crossing with train a coming...
Normal folks, just, well can't , won't live without the other and "until death do us part" don't mean it can't be at the same time, or shortly thereafter.

Stuff changes people/ critters. Everyone has a price.

Got it?

--

Original Post.

Am I the only one with a Monitor that "read" :

Got a "threat", neighbor came to stop that immediate threat.

Umm okay. What can learn from this post?

1. The perspective of neighbor and why that threat occurred, lack of awareness, any thing the person could have done to avoid being chosen a victim?

Could he have evaded, any tools in the tool box that could be used, any used and didn't work and any backup tools in the tool box?
Wife, anything she shoulda , coulda, done different?

2. The person that did stop the immediate threat. Lessons to be learned - such as Awareness, and training he has?


This was a species of Dog.

-It could have been a stoned out his mind dopehead.
-It could have been a family member - going thru a bad personality change due to medical reactions to chemotherapy, or other 'scripted drugs..
-Fluffy the yippied furball dog - done gone Exorcist due to rabies from being attacked by a racoon.
-Fluffy the yippied furball - got into the Chocolate.

Dogs and chocolate do not mix. It will kill them...however...they go / can go thru a huge personality change and instead of being a well mannered, Pedigreed Springer, Golden Retreiver, Labrador...- turn on you and pull a Exorcist - enough to make Buford the Pit Bull turn tail and run making Fluffy look like a defensive furball...err dog.



Got it?

[Srigs]

They should shoot the owner and the dog!

The guys will have one legal problem on his hands. Sometime there is justice and it only comes due to bankrupting owners like this.:evil:

[torpid]

Dogs and chocolate do not mix. It will kill them...however...they go / can go thru a huge personality change and instead of being a well mannered, Pedigreed Springer, Golden Retreiver, Labrador...- turn on you and pull a Exorcist - enough to make Buford the Pit Bull turn tail and run making Fluffy look like a defensive furball...err dog.

As a responsible chocolate owner, I am getting really sick and tired of these "OH NO! Your chocolate will inevitably turn my beloved pet into a demon possessed hell hound!" posts. Way to stereotype all of us chocolate owners with your chocolate bashing, SM. :mad:





;) ;) ;)

[telomerase]

Everybody assumes the Huskies were bred out of Alaskan wolves...it just ain't so. Might have been a bit of wolf crossed in once in a while way back but not to excess.

I agree that they are not pure NA wolves, and it seems likely that they were originally Asian wolves, like the majority of breeds (German shepherds, etc.) However, the Malamutes that founded the current pedigreed lines are known to have had wolves crossed into them as late as the early 20th century.

(I had a 3/4 wolf/Malamute for 13 years. Best dog ever. But I didn't make him listen to rap music, either...)

[Jesse H]

Yes, but guns, when left unattended, do not run into the neighbors' yards and attack them.


True...that's why I said similar. ;)

It'll be really rare that a properly raised and socialized dog will run amok and attack humans. When my lab/pit got out, she ran to the neighborhood lake and terrorized the ducks.

[TallPine]

"Now he wants to know from animal services what on earth is it going to take to get this dog off the streets," Local 6 reporter Vanessa Medina said.


A couple more shotgun shells ... ? :evil:

[gezzer]

Gee! Gadzukes!!!!! Notice it was pitbulls again and not cocker spainels.:banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

[joab]

oh wait, it must have been a mixed breed, or maybe an abusive owner that turned the lovable pooches into dogs that attacked this man.
Do you have proof to the contrary other than the responsible reporting that we have come to expect from the media.
Are Alaskan Huskies considered to be a Wolf Hybrid?Only when that same media is reporting on one of them biting someone. This will become more evident if Pits are banned.

I find the $50 fine suspect also.
My dog bit a kid that opened the gate to taunt him and my fines were more than $300, plus quarantine and responsible pet owners class, and a propensity notice.
That was for a single puncture "get out of my yard" nip on the butt.
Surprisingly to some here he is a Pit and did not try to eat the kid. simply bit him to get him off the property and came back and sat in the driveway, daring him to come back.

$50 is a "dog at large" fine, the standard fine for "bite to a human" is $257 for the first offense. My neighbor got the same fine because his dog killed a squirrel

[TCB in TN]

strong consistent training. I have owned several large agressive breeds, including pits and the majority are wonderful critters when worked and trained properly. Much like children in that way. The pits I have owned are very intelligent and willfull and need a lot of attention, and just like kids, when they don't get it during their formative period they can certainly become dangerous to the public at large. Also they need to be socialized to both other dogs, and to people outside the immediate family while young or they will become extremely protective/agressive towards outsiders as they mature. Overall I rate pits as about an 8 out of 10 for people who know what they are doing, and probably a 2 or 3 for those who don't.:D

[SSN Vet]

stream of consciousness to a new level.....

either that was increadibly profound and I need to study it for a week,

or you need to check you blood sugar :)

I think you were saying that NO inanimate object has the capacity to display intent and that ALL "critters" do have the capacity to display intent....and that they can act "out of character" when the environment is changed.

once upon-a-time.....I think everyone accepted this as common sence.

I agree 100%

even the New Hampshire state bird...the mosquito...has the capacity to display intent, as it smells out my CO2 and attempts to suck my blood. I know what to do when another critter attempts to spill my blood....

chose an appropriate tool (hands if need be) and SPLAT!!

[Q-Lock]

I wonder who decided these two dogs were in fact APBTs. Perhaps they are right...most likely I'm guessing they are wrong, once again.

I just love how any dog around 50-80lbs with strong jaws and defined muscles is automatically thought to be a "Pit Bull."

I have a 95lb Boxer/Great Dane mix and I've had numberous people ask me if she is a "pit bull"....although she looks nothing like one(if you know your rear end from your elbow with regards to canine breeds).

The owner is at fault here, obviously, and should be dealt with harshly! A well trained dog, no matter the breed, will not just decide to attack someone for no reason at all. It just so happens the APBT has a very strong will/drive and is also very strong physically...which is a bad combination when owned/trained by an absolute moron.

But then again...what medium-large breed dog is not dangerous when improperly trained/treated?

I just wonder what the whole story is here...what exactly happened?

Regards,

[mljdeckard]

I've said for years, the odds are small that I will ever use a gun to defend against a person. But I'd call it better than even money I will have to put down a dog one day. In the nastier parts of my town here, I see a lot of pits under varying degrees of control. Makes me notice my pistol in the holster.

There is a reason some homeowner's insurance carriers will not cover you if you own a Rott, a Dobie, a pit, a Chau, a german sheperd, etc. I have a dear friend who has a pit, and while she loves it, she won't be getting another one. (It did bite me once when I chased and caught it.) They are sweet, friendly, family dogs with locking jaws and a scary strength to weight ratio.

[30Cal]

If your dog is going to tear a kid limb from limb because it's not being choked to unconciousness, or the kid reaches for the food bowl, makes a sudden movement towards the owner, runs away or does any other typical kid behavior, then you're simply not in control of the dog. So what if your dog is well behaved when you've got it's full and undivided attention? How does the story hold up if the dog get's loose for whatever reason (let's say a drunk drives through your fence)? Hungry? Injured? Regardless of the breed/level of training, blah, blah, blah, if the dog is likely to cause life threatening injuries, you should be held liable for damages and neglegence when someone gets hurt.

There are certain kinds of dogs that I just won't give the benefit of the doubt to. When in doubt--shoot.

Ty

[jerkface11]

There are only 2 things you can count on at THR. The first is that cops will not be held responsible for their actions. The second is that dogs won't either.

[joab]

One you forgot jerkface

The media is to be unquestionally believed only if they are bashing LEOs or Pits

[orionengnr]

No, to tell you the truth, I did not get much out of that, except a dismembered rant.

I will read any and all well-reasoned responses.

Best, Rich

[Q-Lock]

"dogs with locking jaws" - mljdeckard

- Just so you know, NO dog has locking jaws. They (APBT) have very strong jaws...but they do NOT have locking jaws, simply no such thing.

[romma]

I've said for years, the odds are small that I will ever use a gun to defend against a person. I used to think so too... You may be surpised that as time goes by, and our relatively peaceful existence get's more challenged, that the odds will actually increase exponentially... JMHO

[freedom and guns]

This is just another reason why I hate dogs. All dogs should either be shot or fixed, no more stinkin' puppies. At least some states have legislation against attack dogs. SM, your rant is justified and appreciated.

[mljdeckard]

Pits don't have a literal cam lock, but yes, they are strong and tough enough to hold their jaw even when they are unconscious, and sometimes after death. I have SEEN a deat pit pulled off another dog, we had to break its jaw to get it off.

[Q-Lock]

mljdeckard, I agree with your last statement and I see what you meant. I've heard the generic "locking jaws" comment on numerous occasions and I see now exactly what you meant by it. My apologies.


"All dogs should either be shot or fixed, no more stinkin' puppies. At least some states have legislation against attack dogs." - freedom and guns

- :mad: I'll attempt to politely disagree with you on that one.

Some legislations' restrictions on dogs are as bad as their restrictions on guns. ANY dog can cause bodily harm to a human being. Any dog over 50-60lbs can knock you on your keister and cause you SERIOUS bodily harm. The whole "attack dog" terminology is biased as well. Damn the Doberman Pinscher (one of many "attack dogs") for being an intelligent and physically powerful breed...it's an attack dog...it's dangerous....my rear end!

There should be restrictions on dog ownership...not specific breeds. Ignorant dog owners are just as dangerous as ignorant gun owners. A properly trained/maintained dog is as harmless to an innocent bystander as a properly maintaned firearm is to a properly trained shooter.

There are things a dog owner must take responsibility for...hopefully this man will be forced to take responsibility for his dogs' actions.


rant off,

[mljdeckard]

My mother-in-law's beagle is 45 lbs, but we don't consider her a threat. When my kids see a basset hound, they point and say, "Sophie!". I have to explain to them, "Sophie isn't a basset hound. She's just so fat she looks like one."

I would love to own an Akita, an Airedale, or a German Shepard one day, but to do so, I don't want to lock it inside OR fence it in, which means I have to live far enough away from civilization, I don't have to worry about him eating the neighbor's chickens.

When I'm done with law school, I'll build my fortress out in the sagebrush, where I can shoot clay birds off my back deck and no one will care. THEN I'll have a large mutt or two.

[lionking]

QUOTE;This is just another reason why I hate dogs. All dogs should either be shot or fixed, no more stinkin' puppies.

OK,guess you don't like dogs,thats ok but its a sad statement though.
Dogs and humans have had a serving relationship for thousands of years to the benefit of both.Dogs haved helped humans in war,security,hunting and just affection.I know my dogs were important members of the family including the pitbull we had.
I generally trust the loyalty from dogs more as opposed to most humans except a couple lifelong friends I have.

[ilbob]

Dogs are interesting creatures, as are the people that own them. I find it ironic that often the owners that have the worst behaved (and most dangerous) dogs often rush to defend whatever breed of dog they happen to have.

The plain fact is that any dog can turn on anyone at any time. Some breeds are more aggressive that way, some are almost never that way unless trained to do so or have been abused, or are just plain scared cause they got out of the yard and are lost.

The dogs that almost never cause a problem are the ones that are well socialized to people and other critters. The ones kept on a chain because they are otherwise "uncontrollable" (or are left to themselves out in the yard 24/7) are especially likely to go nuts. Dog ownership takes time to be with and train both yourself and the dog. Someone unwilling to take that time, has a time bomb on their hands if they get any dog, especially one of the more aggressive ones.

BTW, I have a 14 year old arthritic beagle who got herself a rabbit last summer and a chipmunk this spring in the yard (mostly she is inside though). Not too bad for a dog that can barely claim stairs anymore and I have to pickup to put in the car.

[das028]

"This is just another reason why I hate dogs. All dogs should either be shot or fixed, no more stinkin' puppies"

Now theres a intelligent statement!:mad:

[Q-Lock]

I had to revise my comment towards "freedom and guns" for the sake of being somewhat civil...I'm glad others feel the same way as I do regarding comments as absurd as that.

Well stated ilbob! You put into words what I could not.

Regards,

[Limeyfellow]

My beagle beat up a doberman who went after it. He's helluva tough. Took it to the vet covered in blood and apparently none of it was his.

Airedale terriers are really clever. My sister in law's one is quite famous for taking cushions of the couch, taking the remote control and turning on the tv and laying down. Even my mother in law struggles with that at time, but the dog I don't have to worry about.

[Malone LaVeigh]

when you are out in the world you may not get a chance to check a large dogs pedigree or interview its owner about training techniques

Nor are you likely to have a good neighbor nearby with a shotgun. Good reason to be prepared.

Sounds like it's time for a civil lawsuit.

Sue for 10 million and get one million, happens all the time, and for less provocation.

Immediately, if not sooner, before the irresponsible owner files suit. Stupider things have happened in our legal system.

(Looking for that WC Fields quote about children and dogs...)

[Dr.Rob]

1. Great shot

2. Buy the neighbor a beer, or a shotgun that holds more than 1 shell.

3. all dogs evloved from wolves... ALL of them.

4. sm's post made me laugh.

[JohnBT]

A friend used to breed pit bulls and I've been around a bunch of them. All of them were well behaved except the one his sister had. That one was overly protective and more than a tad squirrelly. You did not want to walk up to her car and reach in to pet the nice doggie or stick your head in to say hi.

My friend's dog loved to bite down on the end of a 4- or 5-foot 2x4 and be 'flown' around and around. She'd hang on until you got dizzy from spinning.

I've often wondered if 8 .45 ACPs would be enough to stop one before it got its jaws on me. They're tough little beggars.

John