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Man kills 2 roaming pit bulls in Magna

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Kary | 3:44 a.m. Jan. 2, 2009
Good for him. They should find out who owned those dogs and fine them heavily. There is no reason for a person to own dogs like that.
Mark | 4:08 a.m. Jan. 2, 2009
What about maybe going in your house and calling animal control??
Lundy Wren | 4:13 a.m. Jan. 2, 2009
Finally someone doesn't get into trouble for doing the right thing.
Comments continue below
nnieboy48 | 5:39 a.m. Jan. 2, 2009
He does NOT need a cwp to own the gun, only to carry it concealed. what he did was carry the gun in his car uncovered and not hidden. On the seat in open view is not concealed.
Anonymous | 5:45 a.m. Jan. 2, 2009
If the owners of these dogs had taken responsibility in raising them correctly. These dogs would not have needed to be killed! Don't ban the animal for the stupidity of human that was supposed to take care of them!!!
donnieboy48 | 6:09 a.m. Jan. 2, 2009
i posted a comment and for some strange reason it was removed???? WHY
Disgusted | 6:25 a.m. Jan. 2, 2009
He should have called the proper authorities instead of killing animals. Pit bulls get a bad reputation and it's shameful that because he felt threatened, that he had to take justice into his own hands. Calling Animal Control or the police would have been the better option. There should be some sort of fine or punishment giving to this man for killing animals.
They dont care. | 7:15 a.m. Jan. 2, 2009
"Mark - What about maybe going in your house and calling animal control??"

Let�s wait for animal control to get there after the people were attacked. By then the dogs would hurt the people and maybe back at the owners place and animal control would do nothing about the dogs. Its happened in my neighborhood a few times. A dog jumped the owners fence attacked a few people including kids and then went back to the owners yard and animal control said they could do nothing.

You or your kids obviously never have been attacked or came close to being attacked by a dog before.
Hey | 7:43 a.m. Jan. 2, 2009
This guy should have called animal control as soon as he saw the dogs in his yard. Getting in his car, driving around looking for the dogs, then taking care of them himself is a little fishy. Sounds like he just wanted to be the hero in this situation. What if this had backfired and a small child had gotten injured?
georgiaonmymind | 7:51 a.m. Jan. 2, 2009
If a dog came at me or my family like that I would shoot them too! I have called animal control and it takes them so long to get here the animal could have killed someone. If people are going to have dogs like that they need to be responsible for them. If they choose to let them roam and attack and be aggressive then they should be shot!
slyykatt | 8:17 a.m. Jan. 2, 2009
appearing aggressive and being agressive are two very different things! I have one dog that thinks everyone should love her and one that is fearful of strangers. the fearful one will run barking at strangers but will not bite. the other one also barks but just wants to greet them. an agressive dog doesnt wait to attack it just runs and attacks. don't assume that they were agressive because of one mans perception and a few peoples paranoia when they see a pitbull.
NOT HAPPY | 8:21 a.m. Jan. 2, 2009
I own 2 pitbulls and its sad and infuriates me that irresponsable owners give these dogs a bad rep.He should have called animal control instead of going to get a gun and hunt these dogs down,so i guess that means next my neighbors husky comes at me in my driveway i can shoot it? OHH NO because its not a pitbull, only pitbulls can be hunted down and shot right!! ONLY IRRESPONEABLE OWNERS LET THEIR DOGS RUN LOOSE AND ITS NOT JUST PITBULL OWNERS!!
AC doesn't care | 8:19 a.m. Jan. 2, 2009
Speaking from a person with firsthand experience, Animal Control doesn't care and won't come out after hours and especially on a holiday unless the dog has bitten someone....
Utah Citizen | 8:35 a.m. Jan. 2, 2009
I would have done the same thing!

Pit bulls should be outlawed in our community!
Tracy | 8:38 a.m. Jan. 2, 2009
I live in magna and if they are the same ones that I had problems with then they needed to be put down because animal control wouldn't do it they just took them home and gave the owner a fine and a week later they were back in my yard again I called and they were returned to the owner and a few days later they were back, again I called and I told the officer if they come aroud again I will take care of them. The owner of the dogs later returned to my home and threatened my wife and dogs that his kids was not goin to get xmas due to the fines and if i kill his dogs he would kill mine. The cops were called and again they did NOTHING. So yes they did need to be put down and charges SHOULD be given to the owners. The case is pending in our case with the owner.
ashame | 8:40 a.m. Jan. 2, 2009
There are no bad dogs only bad owners
la | 8:41 a.m. Jan. 2, 2009
My daughter was strolling with her child and her dog when a pit bull which belonged to a neighbor charged across the street directly at them. She knew immediately that there was no quick shelter and she knew she could not protect all three of them from the charge. Fortunately a car came from seemingly out of nowhere and hit and killed the dog. Was she grateful? You bet she was! but being an animal lover, also saddened that the dog had not been better cared for. The neighbor/dog owner was not cited for allowing the dog off his property. Unfortunately laws are needed to take the place of nonthinking, irresponsible people who put others in danger. Animal Control is ideal but not always practical.
don't ask | 8:46 a.m. Jan. 2, 2009
Rottweilers and Pit Bulls have a bad wrap. If they are trained to be aggressive they will be aggressive. If they aren't trained to be that way, they won't be. I had a Rottweiler and she was fine, she wouldn't hurt anybody unless she felt that me or my family were in danger. She was very friendly and my neighbors all knew it. I have a Pit Bull Boxer mix currently and she is the biggest woos you have ever seen. She runs from everything from noises to people.

Please don't judge animals by the breed. It isn't fair. If you ban certain animals because of their breed, you are miss judging all of them. Take care of the aggressive dogs as you see a real threat. I also have a Min Pin that is meaner that snot. I am afraid of her more than I ever was of any other dog. It is the little dogs that are the mean ones that will chase you and bite you for nothing. Don't descriminate against Rottweilers and Pit Bulls just because of what they are. That is the same as judging people by their race and nobody likes that.

Good | 8:47 a.m. Jan. 2, 2009
dogs should never be placed before human safetey under any circumstances. Some people consider their dogs their kids, and that is wrong. No child should feel that a mean dog is more important than him or her. If a mean dog was threatning my loved ones, I'd shoot them too.
haha | 8:59 a.m. Jan. 2, 2009
You people are all dumb? does everyone take one side? how about this. Take the story how it reads, because this is the article your commenting on. This guy obviously went back out with the intention of putting the dogs down. granted, The dogs shouldnt be let loose and id kill them myself even if they just "appeared aggressive". because why take the chance for a dog (or tow) that wasnt raised right? id rather protect a person from being hurt than wait for half an hour for animal control to show up and smoke cigs outside their van. oh and by the way. its funny how when your reading this you can tell which ones of you are hick utahns and which ones are the good ole mormons. somebody be normal please
Boyd | 9:04 a.m. Jan. 2, 2009
I wonder then ... can I shoot any animal that I deem to be a personal threat? What if my neighbor's cat suddenly decides to start hissing at me? Can I shoot it?

This guy should be charged with killing someone else's pets. He admits to having gone out looking for the owner, finding the two dogs again, and then proceeding to shoot them. On the news last night, they reported that one dog was shot point blank. How did he get so close if these dogs were such a threat?

My friend (who has previously owned a pit bull) and I both agreed that there was something fishy about the story. Was there any history of aggressiveness by these dogs? I mean, aside from "perceived threat" which is about as useless a cop-out as any excuse I've heard.

It sounds like this man went on the hunt for these two dogs with the sole purpose of shooting them.
ron | 9:38 a.m. Jan. 2, 2009
I agree with Boyd. If this guys was a good guy he would have acted differently. He just wanted a reason to shoot his gun and kill something.

If these dogs were a threat then be a man and call animal control while keeping an eye on the dogs. I'm sure he thinks he is a real tough guy shooting a dog point blank.

I also agree the owners of the dogs should be charged with something also. They are bad owners if this happens regularly.
speaking freely | 9:37 a.m. Jan. 2, 2009
I personally do not care whether it is a Pit Bull, Chow, Husky,Black Lab, or Golden Retriever. Pet owners should recognize the fact that their animals need to be properly taken care of.If your dog is out running around, fix the problem. Lock the dog up. Its a plain simple fact. I have seen nice friendly dogs snap and bite people also so ALL dogs need to be contained.
I feel this gentleman was in the right if he truly did feel that the family was threatened by the dogs. And it is evident by the other witnesses that there was a threat. However Animal Control should have been called. If you can remember to grab your pistol, then you can remember your cell phone.
Sounds About Right | 9:44 a.m. Jan. 2, 2009
I believe it says the man went looking for the dogs' owners, not the dogs. I believe this man was justified in protecting himself and his neighbors by "taking care of" the dogs. Even if they are raised correctly and taken care of, they can turn in an instant. My mom was running with our yellow lab and some kids were walking their pit bull on the same street. The pit bull came charging at my mother and attacked my dog, tearing his leg and chest to shreds. The family who owned the pit bull said he had never acted this way before. They were a very nice family and did not raise their dog to be an attacker. The breed is dangerous regardless of how it is raised.
Boyd | 9:48 a.m. Jan. 2, 2009
To ron:

The dogs' owner was charged with four counts (two for each dog). I can't remember the charges. They actually had footage of the guy receiving his dogs' bodies. It was sad.

I don't disagree that people should be able to protect themselves from harm, but this particular incident just sounds suspicious. Although I will admit that I would have a very hard time shooting an animal. I've been confronted by animals which I felt were threatening, but no harm came to me. I guess knowing how to handle myself around unfamiliar dogs definitely helps.
anon. | 9:58 a.m. Jan. 2, 2009
does anyone besides me find it ironic that the cities seem to get so bent out of shape over chickens but things like dogs are a continuous problem.
Try calling animal control - you'll wait hours, and if its a holiday, they'll probably wait until the next day.

The neighbor was completely correct in doing away with the NUISANCE.

BTW: ever wonder how much we pay in taxes to help people take care of their "pets".
Boyd | 10:06 a.m. Jan. 2, 2009
@ Sounds About Right:

Sorry to hear that. I will admit that pit bulls are probably more inclined to violence, as an evolutionary result of their breeding. And because they are stronger creatures than most other dogs, they do have a stigma attached because they can cause more harm from a simple bite than a golden retriever could.

It is a tough one to argue -- many people choose guns to protect their homes, some others use pit bulls. It's a good thing to think about, and brings up a whole new variety of issues.

The owner was charged, but until they prove these dogs were hostile (and not simply a perceived threat), I won't simply give a pass to the man who shot the dogs.
Boyd | 10:08 a.m. Jan. 2, 2009
anon @ 9:58am:

I don't know. How much do I pay in taxes to help take care of your children?
bert71 | 10:10 a.m. Jan. 2, 2009
Yes,i agree the man should possibly be given a citation for discharging a firearm from a public roadway or in city limits. But only if the dog owner is cited for dogs at large.
We must keep our dogs in constant control.... or loose the privelege of having them.
If 1 man had obeyed the rules he'd still have his dogs. If the other man had, well... we will never know what could have actually happened.
Also though... the gun owner really should have called animal control first thing and then followed instinct.
Boyd | 10:37 a.m. Jan. 2, 2009
bert71: I agree, but this story fails to mention that the dogs' owner was cited, two times for each dog. He received four citations overall ... and of course the bodies of his dead dogs.
Interesting | 10:41 a.m. Jan. 2, 2009
I think this comes to a simple fact.....
You either like dogs
or
you don't.

I don't....so its good that he killed the dogs. keep your stupid dogs in your yards or on a leash for crying out loud. Oh and by the way, your neighbors don't think its cute when your dogs bark all the time.
tony | 10:45 a.m. Jan. 2, 2009
When did we get to the point of waiting for Animal Control when the problem calls for an immediate response? The police will be there in minutes when seconds count. The police are doing a great job but it takes time to respond. Kudos to the shooter and even more kudos the the police for seeing the situation for what it was and not prosecuting the shooter. When in immediate danger you can count on only yourself. Would the comments be the same if a little child had been chewed up and then the dogs were shot? GOOD JOB ALL.
Vigilant | 10:52 a.m. Jan. 2, 2009
Endangered humans- 1
Aggressive dogs- 0

Good guys won this one. End of story.

Glad the guy with a legal gun was able to fix this problem BEFORE some kids got scarred for life by a vicious dog attack.
Just curious... | 10:54 a.m. Jan. 2, 2009
I didn't read anywhere in this article that the man went back to his house to get his gun. It said he has a concealed weapons permit, so my guess is it was already in his car. He decided to go looking for the dogs' owners and saw the dogs "threatening" this family...why would you assume the man was on the hunt for the dogs? I agree that this is the worst possible ending as far as the dogs are concerned, but it sure sounds like he was justified in helping protect this family (who backs his story, btw). Ever hear of self defense?
Pitbull hater | 10:57 a.m. Jan. 2, 2009
The only reason people get pitbulls is because they have a rep of being vicious dogs. I think it should be illegal for anyone to have a pitbull...the owners fined heavily and thrown in jail and the dogs put down. I have seen a 4 year old get attacked in person and it was the most heart wrenching thing ever and the owners excuse was that the dog got off and that it never behaved like that before. Dogs are wild and when they get an opportunity the true nature of the beast comes out no matter how loving and kind the owners have been to them. The man acted as any good citizen should act by protecting the family and children before protecting the menacing dogs
Boyd | 11:02 a.m. Jan. 2, 2009
Just curious...:

Because I know people and I know dogs. One of them can be vicious and cruel and violent, and the other drinks water from toilet bowls. I'm sure he did have his gun in his car with him. But that doesn't mean he didn't go out on the hunt for them -- he knew he had his gun in the car already. Maybe he went inside to get his gun and realized it was in his car.

If it was self-defense, fine. But he should still be cited for discharging a weapon in a residential neighborhood. The "family" being threatened was getting into their car. They could have gotten inside the car and locked the doors. Instead, this guy shows up, acts heroic and shoots the two dogs? One point blank to the head?

Something suspicious here, that's for sure.
Just Me | 11:06 a.m. Jan. 2, 2009
Alright, according to the CDC - Pit Pull type dogs are responsible for the most dog attack fatalities in this country over the last 25 years. In some recent years, Rotweillers were the main kill dogs. Still, the overall rating is that the Pit Bull is a breed for which caution should be exercised.

Of course, yes, the owner caused the deaths of his dogs by being a bad dog owner. As an owner of a dog, I care enough about my dogs to keep them safe. If they get out, they might get hit by a car. They might get in a fight with another animal. Ignorance is no excuse for not caring for your pet.

This man who shot the dogs, well, we don't really know if he was a vigilante or a concerned neighbor. Why not assume the better?
Shoot em all | 11:10 a.m. Jan. 2, 2009
Pitbulls need to be extinguished, and anyone who owns one needs a psyhcological examination, because they' are nuts.
David B | 11:09 a.m. Jan. 2, 2009
For you nit wits the man has had firearms training in order to carry.2nd The situation warranted his action.
3rd for you animal lovers that can't tell the difference between a pit bull and a poodle look up their tendencies towards violent behavior. Pits and others like them need to be put down because they are violent!!! Don't get me wrong I love animals but this breed is dangerous and I would have done the same thing!
bert71 | 11:18 a.m. Jan. 2, 2009
I am quite curious how long this gun toting fellow has had a concealed weapons permit?
Also, how long EACH Gentleman has lived in the effected neiborhood?
And how long the other fellow has owned his (no longer threatening) bulldogs?
Just how long has DANGER been "at large"?
Chris | 12:13 p.m. Jan. 2, 2009
I have never understood why people can have Pitbulls in the first place without some type of permit. They should be considered the same as pet tigers or alligators. I'll bet more people are harmed by Pitbulls than either of those. Just because they are a breed of dog, they get a pass. Anyone that gets a Pitbull knows exactly what they're doing. It makes them feel "gangsta". I also have a ccw and would shoot a pitbull in a heart beat if it came near my kids -just like I would shoot a mountain lion. They attack so often that I wouldn't take the chance that it was one of the extremely rare "nice" pitbulls.
Josh | 12:20 p.m. Jan. 2, 2009
Give the man an award, he protected that family. I would have shot the dogs too. The dogs were aggresive, he was justified. The man did the right thing, and its nice to see that he isnt being punished for doing it.
Kids come before dogs | 12:36 p.m. Jan. 2, 2009
It is disgusting what society has allowed animals rights to evolve to. My kids are scared to play in the streets due to the constant roaming of dogs. Dogs can play in my yard, but not my kids. When we called animal control, the police notified the owner who called. Now I have angry neighbors.

The dogs bark all day and night and I still have to pick up the stuff off my lawn. When will people have rights again? Better yet, when will the police stick up for regular people who want to go on a family walk without being threatened by dogs? They finally did this time! What a nice change!

Fines to owners with roaming dogs should be increased to $1,000. That should help owners understand that kids have more rights to play outside than their dog has rights to scare off my kids.
Good Shoot | 12:48 p.m. Jan. 2, 2009
So he shot two aggressive dogs that were running loose and threatening people. So what if he followed them instead of calling animal control?

I wouldn't care too much even if he had deliberately set out to shoot them. Dogs running loose and attacking people shouldn't be given a second chance; a .40 caliber slug to the head is all they deserve.

Two agressive dogs dead, irresponsible owner cited by the cops, shooter walks free. I'm not seeing a problem here. Win-Win-Win.
Rottie lover | 1:45 p.m. Jan. 2, 2009
I think it's funny how people will say "my dogs never acted like "that" before". Weather they did or not - what matters is the way the dog is acting at that moment. Any dog or other animal if given the right circumstances can turn, especially if they are injured. There were ongoing problems w/these two dogs in this story and frankly I would rather hear of this scenario, than hearing two children were attacked, one is dead one is in critical condition/scared for life, because of two dogs on the loose. I wont even go out to walk my two year old and 6 month old because I see loose dogs all the time around my block..dogs with tags. I don't care if they are labs or pits, my mind is full of news stories of helpless kids out at play being attacked by dogs that have gotten loose...dogs that "never acted like that before.."
Owners need to be responisble, otherwise people AND the dogs suffer.
Boyd | 1:47 p.m. Jan. 2, 2009
Boy, you people are something. No wonder President Bush is still popular here. The dogs did not attack -- and until I learn otherwise, it doesn't sound like they have ever attacked anyone. Some felt threatened, more than likely propagated by a media-driven campaign to scare people into fearing pitbulls.

My friend who owned a pitbull wasn't a "gangsta" or "nuts" ... SHE works full-time and had the dog for protection at home. The only incident which occurred with the dog involved a neighborhood child who got pushed down because the dog jumped up on her to lick her face. Aside from that, nothing. Even the supposed postal workers who feared dogs would pet her.

And this is why a family of Muslims is kicked off an airplane and not allowed to reboard. Fear makes fools of irrational people.
RedShirt | 2:04 p.m. Jan. 2, 2009
To "Boyd | 1:47 p.m." when would you get ready to defend yourself and and you family, once the attack has begun, or when you first see an enemy coming?

Would have felt better about the dogs being put down if they had injured somebody or killed someone's pet first?

What would it take for you to see the use of a weapon as a good thing in defense of another person?
doubter | 2:28 p.m. Jan. 2, 2009
perhaps he did call animal control. Have you ever tried to get them "Animal Control" on the phone on a holiday, or a weekend. Don't bother, no one is there. He might have called the police, but when the family was threatened no police were on the scene. This fellow did the right thing and anyone that thinks the dogs were just pets is in denial.
gravedigger | 2:46 p.m. Jan. 2, 2009
Pitbulls were outlawed in my town in the midwest, after breaking out of a fenced in area, neighbors called the police, 10 minutes later the dogs found a six year old boy in his back yard and he was killed. The dogs are breed to kill, it is the genes of the dog. There are too many bad pet owners who always seem to love pitbulls. The dogs are bad news.
Anonymous | 2:59 p.m. Jan. 2, 2009
west jordan told me my wolf hybred had too go but you can have pitbulls in west jordan! hope one day i get too use the M1 on a pit and then its owner!

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