Rick Perry: Yes, I Really Shot A Coyote

Rick Perry has a message for skeptics: His story of shooting a coyote during a morning jog is no tall tale.

In an interview with Parade Magazine, the presidential contender was asked whether he really killed the animal, as he claimed last year. Governor Perry responded, "Yes, ma'am. One shot right in the shoulder." When asked whether the coyote had died, Perry said, "Yeah, right there." And when further questioned about the implausibility of the incident, Perry said that while some have doubted that a coyote would be so aggressive," "I'll show you coyotes that will come and get in your backyard and eat your little puppy."

Perry's tale dates to April, 2010, when Perry told an AP reporter that he had taken decisive action when a coyote threatened his Labrador retriever during a February run. "Either me or the dog are in imminent danger," Perry said. "I did the appropriate thing and sent it to where coyotes go."

Perry said he used a .380 Ruger pistol with hollow-point bullets. He was carrying the weapon while running "because he is afraid of snakes," according to the AP.

Perry's account immediately piqued media interest, and when the governor was close to joining the presidential race, The New York Times' Gail Collins called him "The Coyote Candidate."

But questions soon emerged about his story. Last month, The Daily Beast's Carol Flake Chapman published a lengthy article questioning many aspects of the narrative, including its legality. She concludes:

Upon a closer look, Perry's description of the coyote incident seems to offer a little wiggle room with regard to “truthiness.” He doesn't actually state flatly that he killed the coyote, nor does he say where the coyote was wounded, an odd omission for a hunting tale, but he does say that it “was not in a lot of pain” and that it “pretty much went down at that particular juncture.” Did it go down or not? He’s also careful to include the detail that “either me or my dog are in imminent danger,” which made it legal for him to shoot an animal in self defense within the city limits. The wording reminds me of the stilted language of police reports I’ve read over the years describing a controversial incident in which questionable force or tactics were used.

 

 

Comments

[barry444]

12:36 PM on 10/26/2011

Why is this story such a big deal? Seriously? Why would someone make up a story like that? It's so pedestrian... why would someone even tell that story as if it's a bragging point? Okay.. you shot a coyote... you want a cookie?

[HisXLNC]

11:09 PM on 10/25/2011

It's a coyote. Much ado about nothing.

[Brett y]

12:49 PM on 10/25/2011

Oh, please, give it a rest. There are so many more important issues with this guy than the questionable shooting of a coyote.

[vidmagic]

12:16 PM on 10/25/2011

It comments like these that make me want to register Republican for 2012. Not that I like the GOP but you progressives are so full of yourselves to the point of being a complete embarrassment. So he shot a coyote...Cheny shot his friend in the back and there was less comment.

[krf1942]

03:14 PM on 10/25/2011

good reason to vote for the tea bags, you fit the profile

[JimInHouston]

04:13 PM on 10/25/2011

I'm sure that vid will find your decency and civility just the ticket for him to change his mind.

[krf1942]

05:56 AM on 10/25/2011

what a man

[uncutroseoftx]

04:16 AM on 10/25/2011

So what,Perry also helps big oil companies,like Gunn Oil of Wichta Fallsof Tx steal oil from a dead man his family . He helped pass 'Rule 37' that say if your can't or won't sigh a oil royality we'll just take it anyway.He’s pulled more backroom deals then obama . Gunn Oil Co. of Wichta Falls,Tx is one company to benefit from Rick Perry’s push of legislation for ‘Rule 37” . This Rule gives Gunn Oil the right to steal oil from under peoples land, without a signed lease and they don’t have to pay one cent to the landowners. Spur Tx “lot 3 block 15” is one place where Gunn Oil has done just that. The kick is this Rule 37 was suppose/said to be for the landowners but is more in favor of the Oil companies. Google search gunnoil/jamesday , nothing but thieves

[tossytosser]

03:51 AM on 10/25/2011

He looks so 'lost' it would almost be a shame if he weren't so dangerous.

[Karen StovallStringer]

10:44 PM on 10/25/2011

Yeah, and that "good hair." (Sigh.) :p

[tossytosser]

03:50 AM on 10/25/2011

densest man ever to run for office

[Karen StovallStringer]

10:45 PM on 10/25/2011

tossytosser, could you define "densest" for me, please?

[tossytosser]

09:48 PM on 10/28/2011

Yes. Sorry for delay. In UK the word 'densest' or 'thickest' or least intelligent.

'He is so dense'. Means not bursting with academic qualifications

[Mychal]

03:44 AM on 10/25/2011

Does that make you a real Man, Ricky?

[Berettasskeeter]

10:46 AM on 10/25/2011

Would he have been more of a "real man" if he had allowed either himself or his dog to be attacked?
Semper fi

[Fred997]

03:41 AM on 10/25/2011

You need to remember that down Texas way no one lets the truth get in the way of a good story.

[princep]

01:37 AM on 10/25/2011

No surprise. If you're from Texas and want to be considered a real man you have to kill defenseless animals. It the manly thing to do. Yee Ha!

[shipfixr]

04:11 AM on 10/25/2011

You quite obviously don't know much about coyotes......they can be pretty vicious, especially if cornered or taken by suprise; they are not protected animals. I personally have shot two right in my back yord (11 acres) here in Florida including one that was leaving my back porch with a kitten in it's mouth (the kitten survived)

[krf1942]

06:01 AM on 10/25/2011

bet you have them mounted on your wall

[Brett y]

12:52 PM on 10/25/2011

My little cat got out a few weeks ago, and a coyote came up from the greenbelt behind my house and snatched her from me before I was able to get her back. I was 15 feet away...

[Lorraine Danese]

01:06 AM on 10/25/2011

Another clown something about perry seems like not the brightest bulb in the bunch ? Maybe it's his speaking not good in my opion really comes across as stupid but as Texas Gov stay where you are at please !!!

[calderasf]

01:03 AM on 10/25/2011

Wow hollow point aren't they called "cop killers"?

[UTARebel]

03:16 AM on 10/25/2011

Nah, they are used for hollow-headed liberals... :)

[Fred997]

03:47 AM on 10/25/2011

Great then we liberals are safe. It is hard to discern the biggest air heads running for GOP president candidate. It was Palin but Perry is right up there with the same "Good ol' boy " lack of mentality. They still believe in the old John Wayne image. Next he will be out on the farm "clearin some bushes" and fixin the fences. I wonder if he reads as well as Bush did. Probably some of those 3rd grade readers. Lots of pictures and all.

[shipfixr]

04:12 AM on 10/25/2011

No....they aren't

[ddeanfountain]

11:41 PM on 10/24/2011

Killed with a single shot to the shoulder? I guess where ever he was jogging the coyotes must attack while walking sideways. Funny, everytime I've seen any animal attack it was running towards you. Never have I seen a sideways attack unless it came from one of the animals standing on the same platform during a Republican presidental debate! Maybe he's just disclosing his campaign strategy!!!

[lulu0510]

12:28 AM on 10/25/2011

Any hunter knows that the most fatal shot is to the heart which in animals is just above the top joint of the foreleg or near the shoulder. Also an animal like a coyote or wolf will circle its stationary prey exposing its side. They usually attack from behind to disable the preys capacity to run. It seems the reporters desire to slime the governor was stronger than her ability to learn real facts. Yellow Journalism again.

[Karen StovallStringer]

11:05 PM on 10/25/2011

We have mountain lions and wolves, too. My 84 year old mother fell while she was walking outside. Broke her shoulder and was in so much pain she couldn't get up. My sister found her about the same time a mountain lion did. :/

[manmi1]

11:02 PM on 10/24/2011

We have an infestation of coyotes in south Florida now. I called animal control and they said they didn't do anything with them because they are making a comeback everywhere and they are generally afraid of people. They've been in my yard, my driveway and up and down the street where I live.

[UTARebel]

03:22 AM on 10/25/2011

Sounds like they aren't afraid of you.
Keep your small animals (cats, dogs, etc.) close to you.
And if you have skunks in the area also, be careful to watch for signs of rabid coyotes or other animals.

The coyotes are not really making a comeback - they are being run out of their habitats because of new development in the nearby area. It happened in my area in Texas.

[Karen StovallStringer]

11:10 PM on 10/25/2011

Not me! I'm not getting close enough to any animal that might have rabies just to see if it has rabies! Just like a dang doctor. Tell 'em where it hurts and they mash on it just to make sure it hurts.