Motion sensor triggered, garage broken into

[tricolordad]

Last night, after a particularly long day, I was doing dishes. It was about 9:30pm and out of the corner of my eye, i noticed the motion activated lights INSIDE my garage turn on and heard a loud smash. I quickly dried my hands and headed for the door, clipping my rig to my belt and slipping on my boots. As i leave the house via the dining room door (old school house, even have a coat room with another exit) i hear what sounds like somebody running. Theres broken glass and a hammer and crowbar lying in the grass. I unsnapped my pistol and headed to the car and got the garage door remote and waited for it to open and watched both doors; as it opens i see the garage is empty and proceeded to walk between the house and garage, turning the flood light to shine directly towards the sounds of running feet. Only problem with this is that we have much tree cover and the garage and house are aligned prefectly so once you reach the corners, you cant see to the left or right. Its coffin black, even with a full moon. I stopped a few feet short nearest the house wall and as i pulled out my flashlight i sensed movement coming directly at my head. Instinctively i guess, i sidestepped turned and drove my left elbow into the soft area of the intruders neck while drawing and heard a low anguished howl. It was my black lab puppy, Ninja. Apparently he rolled and twisted his chain while playing with his squeaky pig and snapped it and broke into the garage, which already had a partially broken in door due to the neighbors in search of mischief. Poor dog. He is now tied up with a 30 foot cable and an extra ground stake in a makeshift 3-point leash and has a few new toys as of 8am today. He still winces when i pet him but he looks as lively and carefree as usual so I guess we both learned a lesson.

Nevertheless, i learned a lesson i forgot. A flashlight does no good in your pocket.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[GoBigOrange]

I would say the lesson is: don't go outside to play detective. Call the cops and cover the door. You could have easily been ambushed when you went out there. Just my opinion.

Now, I say that sitting on the comfort of my couch so I may have very well done the same thing as you. Even though you went outside you handled it very well and it sounds like you were prepared.

[ccw9mm]

Moral of the story: Beware of playing Ninja at midnight.

I hope the little guy's less skittish (of your petting/handling) over the next few days. He's a lab, so I'm sure he'll be fine.

[tacman605]

Glad it worked out. Absolutely correct about the light.

[troutkiller]

Aw, poor Ninja. Were you thinking of him when you were checking out the garage? Maybe it's me, but I'd be wondering why my dog wasn't barking, and where is he? A dog in the backyard (and the house) is an extension of the eyes and the ears.

[tricolordad]

Aw, poor Ninja. Were you thinking of him when you were checking out the garage? Maybe it's me, but I'd be wondering why my dog wasn't barking, and where is he? A dog in the backyard (and the house) is an extension of the eyes and the ears.

He still hasnt become completely territorial. He barks every now and then and attacked a Punk with a screwdriver when we returned home once ...i assumed he was still chained up in the backyard. When hes in his doghouse, he couldnt care less whats going down lol

[oneshot]

Was he (the pup) the one "playing with the crowbar and hammer?
I have had labs and dogs for 25 years and they have not used these for toys.
The hammer I could understand, if it had a wooden handle, and he was using it for a teething toy, but still.

Glad your both ok, but maybe he ran the real culprits off and you ambushed your pooch by mistake.

[ppkheat]

Hammer and crowbar in the grass?

[SmokinFool]

Glad to hear everything turned out alright.

[ScottM]

Good thing you didn't shoot the dog with your P22.

[Rockymonster]

Hammer and crowbar in the grass?

Yes...explain that please.....

[Spidey2011]

Hammer and crowbar in the grass?

I'm guessing that was the "neighbors in search of mischief" part. Might want to clarify that, tricolordad. Broken into or not?