CHL-holder shoots dog when attacked in Cleveland-area Metropark

12:10am Monday, January 05, 2009

"What's the need to be packing in a public park? What's the compelling need?"
- Republican Ohio Supreme Court Justice Paul Pfeifer, April 9, 2008

The Cleveland Plain Dealer is reporting that a Metroparks visitor carrying a concealed gun fatally shot a rottweiler that attacked his leashed dog at Tyler Field off Valley Parkway in the Cleveland area.

From the story:

Rangers spokeswoman Dianna Kall said this is what happened about 3:30 p.m. Saturday:

The armed man was walking his Labrador on a leash when the leashed rottweiler broke free from its owner and attacked. The two dog owners tried to separate the dogs. When pulling and kicking failed, the Labrador owner shot the rottweiler dead.

Rangers collected statements from the two men and five witnesses. They said the man with the guy was carrying it legally. Concealed carry is allowed in the Metroparks. Park Prosecutor Joe Feighan will decide whether charges will be filed.

The Labrador is recovering from its injuries.

They tell us there is no reason to need the right to bear arms for self-defense in a park. They tell us we need to keep the guns out of parks in order to protect our children. This time it was a dog. As the following stories prove, next time it might be you, your spouse, or your son or daughter.

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