Tunneling Intruder No Match For Homeowner And His Dog

Tampa Tribune ^ | July 9, 2008 | By VALERIE KALFRIN

[I still care]

TAMPA - TAMPA - Robert Cash Jr. said he felt like somebody was targeting his Palma Ceia home.

About two weeks ago, he found a claw hammer covered with a rag in a backyard flower bed. Last week, he saw the gate to his wooden privacy fence in the 4100 block of West San Luis Street had been opened. He secured it with a new lock.

"It was obvious something was about to happen," recalled Cash, 40. "You don't know what to think."

About 2:50 a.m. Saturday, everything gelled. Tampa police said Cash surprised a man who had tunneled under a neighbor's fence carrying a blowtorch and shimmied onto Cash's property.

Cash said he greeted the intruder with a .357 Magnum after being awakened by the family dog, a 4-year-old male Chihuahua named Odie.

"You just don't take chances," Cash said. "This guy was hell-bent on breaking into my house."

Cash's wife called 911 while Cash kept the man at bay. Cash said he fired once at the man after he did not obey Cash's commands to stay still; the bullet went into the fence.

[I still care]

I love living in a Castle law state. Whenever I hear about people being victimized by home invasions and such in places like Chicago and England, I have to shake my head.

[Dominnae]

Score one for the good guys.

[Ronin]

Can’t understand why he needed a dog AND a gun... that viscious savage canine warrior should have been able to cause the burglar to melt with fear.

*ducks under desk*

[Dominnae]

LOL

The gun was just for backup, dontcha know?

[LukeL]

Next time he should have this guy dig his tunnels

[CurlyDave]

"He said, 'Oh, I'm just trying to cut through,'" Cash said. "I fired a little to the left of him."

A big mistake IMHO.

This guy will be out of jail soon, and possibly bent on revenge.

Always aim for the center of mass.

[Enchante]

Yes, Chihuahuas are very fierce:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2042780/posts?page=1

[rawhide]

One of my favorite shows of all times. Life was so simple back then.

[singfreedom]

I have 3 little Yorkies, the largest is an 8 pounder, the smallest a 4 pounder. I have every confidence that if someone broke into our house, the little guys would, if hubby or I didn't shoot the bum first, chew both legs off at the ankle!

They may not be a great physical deterrant, but they do make LOTS of noise.

[ME-262]

Was he really digging a tunnel, or his own grave?

[Dominnae]

I've had big dogs and little dogs over the years. Some of the big dogs might have stood watch for a burglar and even held the door for them :)

My small dogs have always been fiercely protective of both our home and their "people".

I will say, my last dog, a three legged Chesapeake Bay/Lab mix, by the name of Sambuca - (The kids called her "Tripod", I called her "Easel") was a good "watch dog".

She had a bark that could have been from the very pits of hell. Rattled the windows. Made my hair tickle on the back of my neck. Started as a low rumble and BAM!

She was a GOOD DOG.

[singfreedom]

She’s a beauty, too. Smart and good looking, an unbeatable combination!

[ovrtaxt]

A chichuahua and a .357? Not bad, but I’ll take my American Bulldog and shottie anyday. woof!

[R. Scott]

The Chihuahua is a demon dog from hell. Every one I’ve met thought they were 200 pounds of pure mean.

[chopperman]

Cash should be arrested for poor marksmanship.

[crghill]

He is in need of instruction and serious range time!

[sig226]

This is just Bizarre. What was this dirtbag thinking? “I’m going to tunnel under a fence and cut my way into a residence with a blowtorch . . .”

This for a tv, a computer, and a sack of tchotzkes that might go for a hundred bucks at a pawn shop after he gives his name, address, and photo id to the pawn broker. It’s not exactly news that you can use deadly force on the thief in this situation. The burglar should be committed. Something has come unhooked up there.

[L98Fiero]

Hey, getting a job is so much trouble. ;)

[Lamchops]

Nice story.

Just ‘a little to the left’ of having a happy ending.

[CDHart]

And a beautiful one, too.

Carolyn