Rottweiler shot by neighbor (OR)

[Baxter's Mom]

Owner Talks About Dog Shot By Neighbor

SCAPPOOSE, Ore. - A Scappoose man is mourning the loss of his four-legged best friend, allegedly shot by his neighbor.

Dozer, a 4-year-old rottweiler, came to DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital Wednesday night after being shot in the chest.

The bullet entered his chest cavity, punctured major vessels, went through his abdomen and came to rest under the skin. Veterinarians say it caused severe internal organ damage. More than a dozen doctors and technicians worked to resuscitate Dozer, but he did not survive.

"He sleeps with me, rides with me wherever I go. He is like a kid. He is my best friend," Don Reed told KOIN News 6.

The neighbor told KOIN that he was returning from this mailbox and had little choice because the dog was coming at him aggressively, growling and showing his teeth.

Dozer was not restrained or fenced at the time.

DoveLewis filed a report with the Scappoose Police Department, and Dozer's owner planned to do the same.

3/22/2007

KOIN News 6 for Local News Weather and Sports, Portland, OR; KOIN.com - Owner Talks About Dog Shot By Neighbor
(pic of rottweiler in link)

Article and link provided by Jodi Preis at Bless the Bullies

[shybird]

While I feel bad for the owners loss, he learned a lesson the hard way. The dog lost it's life because the owner did not have the dog on a leash. The owner failed his dog because he did not follow a simple rule. Confined by fence or on a leash.

[zorro13]

The neighbor told KOIN that he was returning from this mailbox and had little choice because the dog was coming at him aggressively, growling and showing his teeth.******

Wait a minute here. I for one, am a person who will scream the loudest about fencing or leashing/restraining any dog--but this sounds like a bunch of bunk to me. First of all, who in their right mind goes to get their mail ARMED with a gun? Second, if this man got his mail, and Dozer came after him/whatever, did this guy make it back to his house first, and being ticked off, then went and got his gun? The article didn't mention the specifics of this, hopefully there will an update. Anyhow, this guy sounds way too trigger happy to me, and if he made it back to his house, he should've contacted the authorities. I am a gun owner myself, of many guns, but there is no way I am going to go outside and start shooting in public, that is just crazy. The guy, being a neighbor I am sure knows this dog, I am wondering if there are other reports on this dog showing such a problem. This guy filed a police report to cover his you know what. Anyhow, Dozer and his owner learned the hardest lesson of all, a shame.

[fbkeays]

Almost without fail, when Cipher is running towards me, I can see her teeth. It has nothing to do with her mood or intent to do me harm, she just runs with her mouth open and head up. Maybe the guy completely over reacted to a friendly greeting and decided he needed to "keep the neighborhood safe from the vicious rottweiler". Instead of saying hi to the dog and lead him back home.
Unfortunately it is the rare person that can encounter a loose rottweiler and not immediate assume the worst. I do wonder if the dog has a history of running loose or was this a rare event?

[debbiej]

I have watched my dogs get excited by seeing a person out in the road or in the driveway. I was talking to my sister in law just the other day about this. She was telling me about some "accident" where her son's dog got out.

I said "having rottweilers had taught me that there is no room for accidents. If a dog gets hit or picked up as a stray, it is the owners fault. If my dogs got out, I know they would run up to a person to greet them, and I know they would be immediately viewed as a threat." If they are out in the yard they bark (like all the dogs in the neighborhood) at passers by they see, but I go right out and get them, and I always notice the nervous behavior of the person they are barking at. If the person had a dog, there could be real trouble if there were an "accident" and Boris was out of our yard.

the first rottie I loved was my son's dog. He got out of his potty yard early one morning, ran around their rural northern New Mexico neighborhood and someone shot him. It broke their heart, really and truly. but it was their fault. same thing happened 2 yrs later, with another dog. They have moved, have a nice kennel within a nice big fenced yard for their dog, and they still are very careful.

[lovemypuppies]

Since I have had my dogs I have learned to handle the prejudice they suffer from. My proactive solution to the problem is that I introduce myself and my dogs to every single person that I can. If they make the mistake of making eye contact we are talkin'! This gives me the opportunity to educate the people that see my dogs regularly. It is a lot easier to be kind and open with your neighbors than have them warily eye your dogs every time they are nearby. In Cooper's case, he has been fed treats (provided by me) by hundreds of people! When we talk dogs I usually diplomatically let them know that Ali is "shy" but safe. She isn't truly shy but whatever! I also often walk my working neighbors dogs, I cook the rice and chicken when their dogs are ill and I just reach out generously to any neighbor that needs a hand. Why? Because if your neighbors know you and like you they are less likely to hate your dogs! By the way when my dear husband was so ill recently all this generosity (somewhat self- serving as it is ) all came back to me tenfold. My neighbors literally took care of me for weeks. My pals at RDN were touchingly helpful to!

[Sheenagirl]

I am in agreement with zorro13 - who goes to their mailbox with a gun??
And, he has been living next door to this Rottie for four years - he surely must know this dog!! Sounds like a bunch of bunk to me also!!

[BradNMelissaWolfe]

This story really stinks, I don't see the need to go to the mail box with a gun, the dog should have been leashed I agree, but the shooting sounds like a nieghborly grudge to me.

[parajeeper]

I do not believe what I am reading. This thread makes me sick. You people are slamming the weapon owner who legally defended himself and defending the large breed owner who let his dog run loose irresponsibly. UNBELIEVABLE

People complain that the rottweiler is gets a bad wrap in the media and from the public yet y hypocritically pick apart the legal weapon owner defending himself.



I carry my weapon everywhere legally in accordance with state concealed carry laws and I damn sure would shoot a large dog that was coming at me aggressively without question. That means I would have my weapon on me when I check my mail.

I like how everyone jumps to assumptions about the neighbor because he had his firearm on him while getting his mail.


The same assumptions that they themselves are victims of for owning rottweilers ( dangerous dogs, should be banned, why do you own one etc.)


I also make sure that my two rottweilers are under my control at all times.




- Responsible firearm and Rottweiler owner for 17 years

[moz205]

I put the fault at the owner. Whether or not the neighbor "knows" the dog, when a Rottie is running, loose right for you, unless you actually are part of his pack, is a frightening thing. When my guy runs toward the fence at people, neighbors included, they jump or run. He is 10 mo and friendly but most of my neighbors do a second thought on his charging toward them, even though he is behind a fence and friendly as they get. Being a cops daughter, my dad also carried his gun at all times. I don't think it said the guy climbed out of bed in his jammies, got his gun and went for the mail. My dogs are ALWAYS leashed or behind the fence in the yard. You see, I am a responsible owner who would rather be safe than sorry. It's my job as a dog owner to protect my family pet not to mention anyone around him.

[RottieGirl86]

I never leave my dogs unattended or unleashed. We have leash laws here and I don't trust anyone with the safety of my dogs. period. They are with me or in the house.

I'll leave it up to the police to determine if it was a legal shooting. If it's against the law to fire a weapon in the area ( I know it is where I reside), then the guy will have to appear in court and defend it.

[ssutton31864]

I have to agree that something sounds fishy here!! And I agree the dog should not have been allowed to run around unsupervised, such a tragedy with the poor dog being the one that paid the price. While I have nothing against the right to own guns and my husband does have a small collection I just don't understand the need to carry a gun.

[Sour Sugar]

sounds like there is alot that hasnt been told. If the neighbor had a problem with the loose dog, and feared for his life, then why didnt he call the police? also why did he have to go out when he saw the dog? Sounds like the neighbor wanted a chance to shoot his new toy. and what better way than to kill. This is a horrible thing that has happened and very sad too. Not everyone should have a gun, and in the wrong hands just like the fools with rotties it is to dangerous by far. would like to have heard the whole story and then could have based an opinion.