Authorities shoot, kill three dogs in two incidents

Rocky Mount Telegram ^ | April 11, 2006 | J. Eric Eckard

[Wristpin]

Tuesday, April 11, 2006

Law enforcement officers shot and killed three pit bulls in two separate incidents this weekend in the Twin Counties.

On Sunday, an Edgecombe County deputy wounded himself while trying to stop a charging dog on Whitaker Road near Rocky Mount, authorities said.

Deputy Elwood Whitaker was treated for a minor bullet wound to the leg Sunday night at Nash General Hospital, authorities said.

"We've had numerous calls about the dog," said Capt. Delano Smith. "One woman gets in her car and drives to her mailbox because she's scared of the dog."

Cujo, a 3-year-old pit bull, was shot and killed by other deputies about two hours after Whitaker was attacked, Smith said. The dog was found in a field approximately two houses down from his owner.

Vanessa Pittman, the dog's owner, said she's upset that Cujo was killed.

"Animal control (officers) told me that they told deputies to wait on them so they could catch him, but they didn't," she said. "They chased him down and killed him."

Sheriff James Knight said the dog was chasing people Sunday night around the neighborhood, and he tried to attack a deputy.

"The dog had been under a quarantine before, and there was a confinement order on him," the sheriff said.

[Wristpin]

"CUJO's" owner is a little upset at law enforcement for pumping the lead into her dog.

[jazusamo]

Too bad she wasn't upset because a cell door closed behind her.

[sarasmom]

In the real world, "CUJO's owner" should fear the justifiable wrath of her neighbors.

I love big dogs.
I have owned big dogs.
As a former owner of a "big dog", I accepted all the responsibilities of owning such an animal as a "pet".
My dog was my beloved pet, my companion, my protection, and my responsibility.
My dog would bite if left uncontrolled, and would kill, absent my strict supervision.
If my dog had bit or killed anyone,it would have been my responsibility.

[PeteB570]

I notice in the rest of the story that the dog has run through the neighborhood before. The neighbors claim they were chased. The owner said the dog just walked into their yards.

Sorry, I side with the neighbors and police on this one.