Colorado Pit Bull's Horse Play Leads To Murder In Weld County

Update:
A 16-year-old boy was arrested Thursday in connection to the double shooting in Weld County. He is being held for attempted first degree murder.

The Denver Post reports that Weld County Sheriffs deputies are still looking for a second suspect in the case, Jose Rodriquez, 51.

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A Weld County man was shot dead Wednesday night, and his wife injured, after an argument over his pit bull's behavior.

Weld County Undersheriff Margie Martinez told the Greeley Tribune that the argument began over one of the victims' dogs, a pit bull, chasing and harassing the suspects' horses.

Hugo Botello-Gonzalez, 43, was killed in front of his home on Weld County Road 18 between county roads 39 and 41, according to Martinez. Botello-Gonzalez's wife, whose name was not released, was taken by ambulance to North Colorado Medical Center in Greeley after being shot. Her condition was not available late Wednesday.

Originally, five male suspects and one female suspect were believed to be inside a residence about 40 yards from the crime scene late Wednesday night, where SWAT teams were called to attempt to apprehend the suspects, Martinez said.

Thursday morning however, no one was in the house and four people are being considered as witnesses, and two suspects have been identified.

They remain at large, but arrest warrants were being prepared for them Thursday morning.

Sheriffs seized the pit bull as a dangerous dog and holding it at the Weld Humane Society.

The Denver Post reported that the dispute began Sunday when the pit bull started harassing and chasing chickens and cattle in rural Weld County.

After the incident on Sunday, tension had been simmering and it resulted in the shootings at about 9:30 p.m. [Wednesday] night.

Comments

[cedy]

I think the breed specific laws are ok, we must look at the bigger picture, we certainly don't allow people to keep lions in their backyards. The reasons are obvious, sure there are lions that are tame i.e. old circus animals, but it is in their nature to be violent. Same with Pit Bulls, it their nature to be violent.

This story does not really fit that mold though and beggs bigger questions, The man that shot the others, was obviously fed up with the actions of the dog, by shooting the owners he acted in an almost reverse vicarious way. Acting through the gun the same way the dog owners were allowing the dog to chase the horses.

One would almost expect the man to shoot the dog, but you cannot argue with a dog. It took the human arguement for the shooting to take place, nothing really to do with the dog. It could have been another reason just as easily.

The question is, since people don't always agree, should guns be allowed? A perfectly sane man doesn't always stay that way.

[Oortcloud]

It is not in any domesticated dog's "nature" to be violent with respect to their breed. Do some research. The American Staffordshire Terrier, aka pit bull, is a pure breed dog as recognized by the AKC and shown in conformation, obedience, rally, agility and other classes. Today many mixed breed dogs are referred to, generally, as Pit Bulls, incorrectly. Many dogs, throughout history have been used as fighting dogs; Akita's, Rotties....many more. Most insurers in CO will not insure your home if you own an Akita, Rottie, Bull Mastiff, Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Cane Corso or Tosa. If purchased as a pure breed dog from a reputable breeder of AKC lines, "pit bulls" as well as the other breeds I've mentioned, are as kind as any other dog. It is the breeders mixing dogs with agressive tendencies to similar bitches of various breeds who are making "dangerous dogs"....and irresponsible owners of ANY DOG who are truly dangerous. It's not the BREED it's the BREEDING and the ownership.

[Slackjaw1]

Violent may not be applicable in this instance. Having owned a Pit Bull Terrier in the past and seeing the damage that this breed is capable of, I would have to say that Pits are dangerous around other animals. Dogs especially can be territorial and with that violence can and does sometimes occur no matter the breed. But when you add the destructive power behind a Pit Bull or Staffordshire Terrier or any other name they may be going under, you are looking at a very dangerous animal. I have seen first hand the destruction that a seemingly passive non aggressive Pit Bull can do, and it was not pretty. You have to realize that this breed no matter what name they are being called were originally bred to bring down Bulls and they could accomplish this because of their ability to lock their jaws on the throats of the Bulls. Now imagine that happening to a horse or any other animal who does not have the strength of a Bull. More importantly imagine a child or even an adult being attacked by the same. Not a good outcome! All animals are unpredictable, why take the chance. The dogs should have been shot not the owners.

[mjeffn]

To bad Breed Specific Legislation is misstargeted at the dog rather than nutkase whackjobs with guns.

[Jerry Pecks]

I agree completely. I hope these murdering morons rot in there.