Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Man Shoots Dog to Protect Daughter
wctv.tv ^ | 10 March, 2009 | NA

Posted on 03/17/2009 6:14:34 AM PDT by marktwain

Kenneth Hale Jr. says his neighbor's Bull Mastiff ventured into his yard several times.

Last week, Hale's three year old daughter was playing in the yard and the dog charged toward her, so he got his gun and shot the dog.

Kenneth Hale says "I feel bad about it I didn't want to shoot the dog, I really didn't and I was hoping he would keep him over there, it was a beautiful dog, it's a bull Mastiff and that dog stands every bit of four feet tall on his back".

Thomas County investigators say Hale contacted them on more than one occasion about the dog.

The owner of the dog could not be reached for comment and authorities would not release his name.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; US: Florida
KEYWORDS: banglist; defense; dog; rifle
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 141-152 next last
To: freekitty

If people want to keep their dogs safe,
they should keep them on their own property.


41 posted on 03/17/2009 6:48:18 AM PDT by VoyagerXII
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 34 | View Replies]

To: VoyagerXII

I understand that; but we only have this man’s word that the dog was loose on it’s own. This whole thing smells. If this father was so concerned about his 3 year old daughter and he knew about this dog; why did he leave his daughter like bait unprotected in the backyard? I say he was going to kill that dog and that was his goal.


42 posted on 03/17/2009 6:52:04 AM PDT by freekitty (Give me back my conservative vote.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]

To: freekitty

but he didn’t leave his daughter unprotected in his (and her) backyard. She was protected, hence the shooting.


43 posted on 03/17/2009 6:57:56 AM PDT by DeLaine
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]

To: autumnraine

It’s good that your child is aware of proper gun handling at that age.


44 posted on 03/17/2009 7:03:18 AM PDT by stuartcr (If the end doesn't justify the means...why have different means?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]

To: freekitty

yeah, you’re right...got a big dog next door, so lock up the kid and never let her outside to play...i was in my garage last summer, and heard a growling behind me. when i turned around, the neighbors damn black lab was crouched down in my garage growling at me... i grabbed the shovel next to me and went after it( this is not the first time this damn dog came after me ) i told my neighbors about it ( they let the dog run loose, and jump the fence into my yard ) and stated if it does that to me again i will bash it’s brains out...they said they were going to have it put to sleep, as it had become “ out of control “ a year later they still have the dog, and it still runs free....


45 posted on 03/17/2009 7:03:24 AM PDT by joe fonebone (When you ask God for help, sometimes he sends the Marines.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]

To: stuartcr

Oh yeah, from like 2, they go outside and see what a gun can do to a tree or plank. The noise scares them more than anything, but they also see what it can do.


46 posted on 03/17/2009 7:11:18 AM PDT by autumnraine (Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose- Kris Kristoferrson VIVA LA REVOLUTION!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 44 | View Replies]

To: numberonepal

Wow. I’m looking at the kennel club data, it says a male bull mastiff is around 25-27” at the withers. This guy’s shooting at one that’s estimated 48” at the back, and you live by one, a female mastiff, that’s more than 36” at the back.
Must be something in the water!
I want what they’re drinking. I’m only 5’1”.


47 posted on 03/17/2009 7:12:18 AM PDT by 668 - Neighbor of the Beast (American Revolution II -- overdue.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 40 | View Replies]

To: freekitty
In my experience dog owners either get a pass or very lenient punishment for being irresponsible.At least until their dog mauls someone.I own a large breed dog that looks rather scary.If it got onto someone Else's property and was shot I would blame myself. Owning a dog requires personal responsibility. Something that seems to be in short supply...
48 posted on 03/17/2009 7:16:34 AM PDT by VoyagerXII
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]

I blame the owner—for even HAVING such a dog in a residential area. An animal of that size is a threat, even if owned by the most responsible of people. Why have such an animal?
49 posted on 03/17/2009 7:17:42 AM PDT by Godwin1 (Godwin)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 47 | View Replies]

To: marktwain
pics are helpful...


50 posted on 03/17/2009 7:23:33 AM PDT by WVKayaker (Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear - not absence of fear. -Mark Twain)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: WVKayaker

I smell a set up too and I have absolutely no problem with that. If the dog had been in his yard several times before then essentially the neighbor is infringing upon the man’s right to use his property in a free manner. He sure as hell can’t allow his daughter to play in his own back yard. That is just plain ridiculous. In my opinion, the neighbor who lost the dog got exactly what he deserved.


51 posted on 03/17/2009 7:31:44 AM PDT by PAR
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 50 | View Replies]

To: Hacklehead
This guy has some explaining to do. Just because a dog wanders onto your property and is capable of killing your kid is no reason to shoot it.

LOL! I like your style.

52 posted on 03/17/2009 7:32:47 AM PDT by Balding_Eagle (If Liberals would pay their taxes, there would be no deficit..)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]

To: Jaidyn
"If he was that afraid of it, he would have put up a fence, or, in the least, called animal control prior to this incident, if it even was an incident, prior to the shooting.

Thomas County investigators say Hale contacted them on more than one occasion about the dog. I would think it would be incumbent on the dog owner to fence or leash his dog.

53 posted on 03/17/2009 7:34:09 AM PDT by BipolarBob (When do we call Obama "Dear Leader" and learn the new salute?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: Godwin1

“for even HAVING such a dog in a residential area”

There is nothing wrong with having a dog like this in a residential area as long as it stays in it own FENCED yard.
I have been to many dog shows over the years and have never found Mastiffs to be an aggressive breed in general.
They tend to be gentle giants. However, there are exceptions in every breed. It is the owners fault for not keeping it on their own property.
FYI, the breed with the most bite occurances are Labrador Retrievers. They are also the most popular breed in the country.


54 posted on 03/17/2009 7:36:22 AM PDT by woodbutcher1963
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 49 | View Replies]

To: marktwain

A lot of comments about what actually happened, what was on the shooter’s mind, etc. In some ways this is akin to arguing over how many angels fit on the head of a pin. In this case, given the caliber of reporting today, I would say the article is so poorly written one can’t make any determination other than a dog was shot.


55 posted on 03/17/2009 7:37:02 AM PDT by Oatka ("A society of sheep must in time beget a government of wolves." –Bertrand de Jouvenel)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: VoyagerXII

You are not understanding what I am saying. This dog was shot on purpose. There doesn’t seem to be any history of the dog being agressive.

Also, I am all for responsible ownership; but I am not for murdering someone’s dog because I want too.


56 posted on 03/17/2009 7:44:09 AM PDT by freekitty (Give me back my conservative vote.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 48 | View Replies]

To: 668 - Neighbor of the Beast

Maybe it’s a mastiff, not a bullmastiff. There’s a considerable size difference.


57 posted on 03/17/2009 7:54:49 AM PDT by LongElegantLegs (Embrace what is wrong.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 47 | View Replies]

To: marktwain
A big Bull Mastiff'

I think this is a real picture and not a Photo Shop version.

One probably needs a back hoe to clean up this guy's "leavings".

58 posted on 03/17/2009 7:58:54 AM PDT by jws3sticks (Hillary can take a very long walk on a very short pier, anytime, and the sooner the better!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: freekitty

I do understand, if the dog was not on this man’s
property he would have no right/opportunity to shoot it.

I agree he had planned to shot this dog.Probably after many
encounters with a uncooperative owner.

If the shot took place somewhere else, the shooter should
be prosecuted...


59 posted on 03/17/2009 7:59:49 AM PDT by VoyagerXII
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 56 | View Replies]

To: joe fonebone

I had a neighbor that told me,”a dog should never be tied up”. His roamed all over the neighborhood. He loved to poop in my yard every day. This is what I did. I made friends with the dog by giving him tidbits. With time,he got friendly enough for me to tie a rope around his neck with the other end to my car bumper, I then called the dog catchers and had him hauled off. The owner had to go pay($) to get him back. I told the guy I would do it again if I had to. Guess what? He kept him in his large backyard and built gates on the side of his house to contain the dog. End of story. Don’t fight with thoes kind of ‘dog lovers’. Get friendly with the dogs and let the law take care of the rest. That’s why we pay taxes.


60 posted on 03/17/2009 8:03:56 AM PDT by shiva
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 45 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 141-152 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson