Chihuahua Shot; Neighbor Blamed

The Raleigh News & Observer ^ | 4/12/05 | Sarah Ovaska

[Hatteras]

RALEIGH -- A Cary family is grieving the loss of its Chihuahua, and the next-door neighbor stands accused in the slaying.

On Monday, Cary police arrested Ivo Strahilov Dernev, 35, of 209 Dundalk Way in connection with the shooting death of Charlie, a 4-year-old dog belonging to Shannon Young.

Charlie died Sunday after a pellet from a .177-caliber Crossman Air Rifle blocked a major artery and caused massive internal bleeding, according to Young and Dernev's arrest warrant.

"We've lost a lot," Young said about Charlie's death. "I can't replace him."

[Hatteras]

Some local news of interest for myself as I know the people involved in this incident. I feel bad for the dog but I will tell you from experience that if the lady (and I use that term loosely), Ms. Young, were to tell me the sky was blue, I'd have to go out and check for myself. As for the younger son? Check with the local police, I'm sure his name (and hers for that matter) will pop up a few times on their computer. Of course, none of that justifies shooting the dog but if any feud started, I can tell you with out a doubt, who instigated it.

[Boardwalk]

Some people just don't know when to lay low, shut up, and not make the situation worse. It is unfortunate a dog has to die, but these people need a reality check!

[Hatteras]

"We've lost a lot," Young said about Charlie's death. "I can't replace him."

Put on your best sweet southern debutant accent and flutter your eyebrows when you read this.

Now the truth. She hated that dog mostly because it was a present to the boys from her ex.

[Reactionary]

"Slaying?"

What a bizarre choice of words.

[FreeKeys]

"I'm going to France to hunt poodles!" -- "Twain" in the movie, MURDER BY DEATH.

[FreeKeys]

From the platform of the Reform Silly Party:
 

Domestic Pet Overpopulation & the Hungry
--
Two crises in search of one another. Figure it out. And do send recipes.
 

[Goodgirlinred]

I would call it murder if someone shot my dog Harm. He is a big friendly Malamute/Husky/Lab mix. I love that dog. He is my protector and my buddy and like my baby. If anyone were to harm him, if I had a gun, I would shoot them. And I don't even like guns.

[skinkinthegrass]

From the platform of the Reform Silly Party:

THAT IS A GREAT PARTY PLATFORM. :D

[SALChamps03]

Murder: To kill (another human) unlawfully. Let's not get carried away. Animals are loving companions and special, but they aren't humans.

[Hatteras]

bump...

[MortMan]

I'll bet it was the pit bull next door!

[Hatteras]

Apparently the pit bull was the angel in all of this. They did find a pellet in the chihuahua.

What the reporter missed was the muffled sighs of relief from the rest of the neighbors.

[Goodgirlinred]

Why would it be unlawful to protect my beloved Harm?

[D Edmund Joaquin]

if I had a gun, I would shoot them.

I have been in this situation, and I thank God everyday that I am a Christian. I have to remember that "Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord." You dont want to go to prison

[Goodgirlinred]

No, I don't want to go to prison. I am a Christian, too. I am sitting here, looking at my beloved Harm (Lt. Cmdr. Harmon Rabb) lying peacefully asleep by me. He is a Malamute/Husky/Lab mix. A big, happy dog. However, some think he looks a little like a wolf. He doesn't, really. He is my baby. If anyone were to kill him for no good reason, I would be extremely angry. The only reason Harm would hurt anyone is if they were trying to hurt me. So, if they were trying to hurt me, then, it would be justified to hurt them. Right?

[EdReform]

Perhaps you missed this in the article:

Tension had existed between the neighbors since winter, when Dernev's pit bull attacked Charlie, and Young notified Cary's animal control department, she said.

The dog was in his owner's yard when he shot it. This scum isn't worth half my dog's life. I agree with Goodgirlinred. I'd put this sorry SOB down in a heartbeat if he shot my dog.

[Goodgirlinred]

Well, I guess we'd probably go to jail together. I don't think people should be allowed to murder innocent animals and get away with it. If someone shot my Harm in his own yard for no reason, I would call it murder. They might call me a nut, but I don't care. I love my dog. I live alone with him and my two old cats and my late husband's 16 1/2 year old Shetland sheep dog. Harm is my companion and I love him.

[D Edmund Joaquin]

yes, I believe that you have a right to defend yourself and your dog, especially on your own property. I think most trouble happens when people let their dogs run loose, but I think that is less common now than it used to be. I also think only a lowlife good for nothing would ever harm a woman or her dog.

On the other hand, consider this. Some years ago my elderly mother went out to get her paper, and 2 dogs running loose attacked her, in her own yard. Had I been there....well, as you see, it depends on the situation

[SALChamps03]

Most likely, he didn't intend to kill the dog. He used a pellet rifle. It was a freak death. Maybe the dog kept getting in his yard. So, he should sue him for destruction of private property. It isn't murder. Murder involves people. I'll give you this: The guy who shot the dog is probably a redneck. It's been my experience that the more viscious the dog, the more idiotic the owner.

[blowfish]

I bet it was a feral chihuahua; fair game if it's outside.