Gun-Carrying Neighbors Save Women From Dog Attack

Posted: 6:24 pm PDT September 11, 2010
Updated: 7:23 pm PDT September 11, 2010

FAIRFIELD, Calif. -- Two women were still recovering Saturday after a vicious dog attack the morning before that didn't end until neighbors shot the dogs.

Witnesses said that at about 6 a.m. Friday, three loose dogs pounced on 52-year-old Janelle Dalson, who was on a jog through her neighborhood. The woman’s screams woke one neighbor, who came outside to find her fending off the three dogs, which collectively weighed nearly 300 pounds.

“Course she was screaming and begging for help. You know, ‘please help me,’” said responding neighbor Gary Paquet, who choked up while describing what he witnessed. “They actually had her body up off the ground, and they were trying to rend her apart.”

Fortunately, Paquet came out of his house armed with his Walther PPK Handgun.

“Lead dog came up, and I shot him in the head. And he just dropped right there,” said Paquet.

But as the other two dogs continued their assault, Paquet's gun jammed. Just then, two other women came running up the street and the two dogs went after them. One of the women was pregnant.

“Those two dogs went right for them, and they took down the pregnant one and started chewing on her,” said Paquet.

Neighbor John Bettencourt also came outside armed with a handgun, and shot the two dogs before they could seriously hurt the pregnant woman.

“In speaking with the officers on the scene, they said that they truly felt that had the neighbors not interfered and come to their aid, that at least the first victim would not have survived,” said Fairfield Police Officer Kathryn Sommerdorf.

On Saturday afternoon, neighbors gave flowers to Paquet and Bettencourt for their actions.

“I was really glad both Gary and John had gun skills. Because if there was a place on this block where this could have happened, these are the two guys who could take care of it,” said Diana Paquet.

The lead dog, a bull mastiff has since been destroyed and the two others - which are pit bull - mastiff mixes - will likely soon follow. Police were investigating the attack Saturday and requested the Solano County district attorney's office file charges against the dog owners for allowing vicious animals to run free.

Dalson remained hospitalized Saturday, reportedly facing some paralysis because of the attack, which could end her career as a dental hygienist.

From: http://www.ktvu.com/news/24973101/detail.html