Pit Bull Helps Police Catch Wanted Man

[Patti]

Pit Bull Helps Police Catch Wanted Man - Oklahoma City News Story - KOCO Oklahoma City

NORMAN, Okla. -- The owner of a pit bull said she hopes her dog's help in chasing down a man accused in an armed robbery and carjacking can help improve the public perception of the breed.

Lily, a 2-year-old pit bull, sprung into action when the man tried to hide in Kierston Willoby's home last week.

"He saw the garage light on and he immediately dove to hide underneath the garage, but surprise! A 100-pound pit bull was in there," Willoby said.

Willoby said she was home at the time and heard Lily barking hysterically.

"She never barks that loudly," she said. "She was barking like she was going to attack someone. She's never that way. She's usually very quiet."

Willoby said Lily wouldn't stop barking and suddenly ran out of the garage.

"I saw her running out my driveway," she said. "I immediately took off out the front door, and she's following a man, running after a man, about a foot away from his leg and running him down."

Police were also chasing that man and said Lily helped lead them right to him. Police identified him as Andre Williams and said he was still in the Cleveland County Jail on Friday.

"I was ecstatic," Willoby said. "Since I've had Lily, I've been active in letting people know that pit bulls aren't bad. It's how they are raised. If you nurture them, they can be OK."

She said that Lily was come a long way because she was once used as a bait dog in a pit bull fighting operation.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[lacrosse50]

I've got a pit bull-mix, and I've handled some pit's over the years. It's nice to see that not all media outlets assume they are blood thirsty killers. Just as it tends to be with humans and other animals, it's all in how they are raised and socialized.

There's an interesting thought: Aside from the true wacko's, did hardened criminals not get enough cuddling as children? Maybe to few play dates with other kids?

Of course we don't hesitate to put down a dangerous dog. But we prefer to let our criminals incubate for a while, and then let them out again...

[boricua]

Good dog!!

[PNUT]

YAY Lily !!

I'm glad that she was rescued from her bait dog life. Poor thing. One of my friends just rescued a bait dog , she's as sweet as pie.Great dog.


lacrosse50
"Of course we don't hesitate to put down a dangerous dog. But we prefer to let our criminals incubate for a while, and then let them out again... "

Good point. The current system is definitely broken,

[Katana]

Good girl! Doggy want a milkbone? Or a bad guy's femur?

When I was a little boy, my older brother had a pitbull, and it was the absolute sweetest dog ever, loved to play with the other kids in the neighborhood, would almost never even bark at anyone (unless he was in the house), and just generally was one of the best dogs I've ever been around.

It really is nurture, and not nature, with these dogs.

[packinnova]

YAY for Lilly...the Irony of this story(for me anyway)... My pit is named Lilly, and she was a rescued bait dog too. Yet amazingly, it seems her whole purpose in life is to beg for belly rubs and protect the family. Imagine that.

Glad we got some good press for a change.

[United93]

Nice!

[DrLewall]

We have a Pitt now and he is our first. One of the best dogs we've had so far. Very friendly, loveable, playfull etc. He does alert us to strangers and once we confront the strangers and he see's that they are okay, he would probably go home with them for the effection. He is GREAT! Good story and Good Dog!

[retsupt99]

I'm not a fan of Pit bulls, but in this case I'll have to make an exception...

[pops004]

+1 for Lily...btw my pit Tank says HI Lily

[Bunny]

GOOD DOG! I love those Pits! :)

[megatron]

if gun is not handy.. make sure you have a pitbull
i'm not crazy about them