Posted on 07/30/2013 1:47:20 PM PDT by Arthurio
BAY ST. LOUIS, MS (WLOX) -
A Bay St. Louis pet owner believes a neighbor shot her dog out of irrational fear, simply because it's a Pit Bull. But the neighbor told police the animal charged him, and he feared for his family's safety.
Four-year-old Matty is the Pit Bull that was shot. She's recovering at home right now. Matty's owner, Yolanda Christophe, said the trouble started after she got home from work Saturday evening.
"Usually, I let the dogs off the leash to go use the bathroom as soon as I get home," Christophe recalled. "Maybe five minutes after I let them off the leash, I heard five shots. I knew something was wrong. I started walking toward the street. I walked toward the street, and Matty was coming around the corner. When she came around the corner, she had blood."
Ronnie Vanny Junior declined an on-camera interview, but told investigators he shot the pit bull after the dog charged him.
"Per his statements and witnesses statements, the dog came up to his driveway where his wife and kids were out playing. To him, the dog appeared menacing," said Bay St. Louis Police Chief Mike DeNardo.
Police said Vanny told them he got his wife and children in the house, then grabbed his gun and began running the dog off. When he got the dog to the end of his road, the animal turned and charged him, and that's when he opened fire.
"If it was a Collie, a German Shepard, or any other dog, it would have never got shot," Christophe said. "I really feel like that. I feel like she was targeted because she was a Pit Bull."
Christophe believes recent cases involving Pit Bull attacks in Hancock County has her neighbor and others on edge. She said her Pit Bull is not violent toward people.
"I really believe that it might have something to do with everything that's been going on, but it's all about how you raise your dog. It's all about who you have around your dog. My kids been around this dog ever since she was born."
Her neighbor said the Pit Bull constantly breaks free from her leash, and he's called police and animal control numerous times over the past year.
"If the police had been called out here on numerous occasions, why wasn't my dog taken, if it was so vicious?" Christophe countered. "That's what they're saying. They've called animal control, they've called the police. I've never been aware of this. Except when I came home and the police were here, they said the dog was not on a leash. Never said she was terrorizing anybody, hurting anybody, trying to bite anybody."
Police say it's a matter that will likely be settled in court.
"We will issue a citation summons to both of them to appear in court and let the judge hear both sides," said Chief DeNardo.
Christophe said her neighbor should have been arrested for discharging a firearm within the city limits. But Chief DeNardo said the exception to that rule is when you're protecting your property, family, or defending yourself.
If Obama had a dog...
Was the dog carrying Skittles and iced tea?
“Her neighbor said the Pit Bull constantly breaks free from her leash, and he’s called police and animal control numerous times over the past year.”
That’s key. If you can’t keep your pet under control, someone else will.
:: Usually, I ^^let the dogs off the leash^^ to go use the bathroom as soon as I get home ::
I think I might see your problem here...
I also notice in the story she let it off the leash to go do it’s business and it was out of site of her.
Her bad.
Dogial profiling is against the law.
BAD dog owner.
My neighbors so called nice pit bull bit my foot and cornered me as I was walking in my front yard. I was frozen there wiyh the dog growling, barking and clearly angry with me. Fortunately a neighbor came btpy and got the owner to call the dog off me. I am now firmly anti pit bull
I have two Great Pyrennes. Even though I live rurally they arre RARELY ever off their leashes and only one of them because I can trust her. If they are not in the house they are in their 45x50’ paddock. Period. Do not pass go, do not collect $200.
I have to pity on these people at all.
Then the owner was an idiot. She lets them loose "to use the bathroom", and they're not even in sight? I gather this must be some sort of rural neighborhood and not the standard subdivision. In the subdivision where I live, the owner would be subject to a fine of up to $2,000 for having the dog off a leash (an ordinance that came into effect because of several pit-bull attacks).
No the dog was shot because its owner was irresponsible! Again a dog suffers because of a human that should not own animals. What responsible owner just let’s their dog loose to do its wherever? ALL dogs should be leashed when outside their house or fenced yard, unless at a designated dog park. The only one in the wrong here is the dogs owner, and her dogs should be taken away.
The new crime of “profiling” again.....
Pitbulls on my property would get shot too.
Profiling?
My personal favorite statement by the irresponsible owner:
“That’s what they’re saying. They’ve called animal control, they’ve called the police. I’ve never been aware of this. Except when I came home and the police were here”
I’ve got a fenced half acre for my Jack Russells to roam in. They’re free to run all day while I’m here until I close the doggie door at night.
I think they’re the world’s happiest dogs.
Me thinks this broad knows someone who is connected.
Isn’t that profiling?
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