Apparently, Frank Daignault and his wife were walking in a park when some dogs got a little too close for comfort.... For those that don't know "Frank", he is an author who has published several books on Striper fishing, mostly for the shorebound angler. He can be a crusty fellow pretty :p but his wife is a sweetheart...



Man shoots pet collie

UXBRIDGE, Mass., August 29 --

News Channel 10 A Millville man shot a dog, which he says charged at him while he was out walking at the West Hill Dam Park in Uxbridge.

The 45-pound collie mix named "Coco" was last reported to be in critical condition at a local animal hospital.

Frank Daignault said he was walking with his wife when Coco and a larger dog came charging toward them, barking and growling. Daignault said he pulled out his gun because he and his wife were afraid they were being attacked by the dogs. Coco's owner, David Mitchell, says the dogs were just playing and there was no reason for the shooting.

Daignault is a retired schoolteacher who says he is licensed to carry a handgun. He says he's sorry about what happened, but feels Mitchell is to blame for not having the dogs on leashes.

The guy is a moron. He should never be allowed to carry or own a gun again.

Gee, I had heard that on the news yesterday, but didn't hear the name.

THat collie shoulda done like Lynard Skynard and asked - "Gimme three steps, Mister!" :D :D :D

I think the whole thing was set up by the Eastern Mass conspiracy of which the collie was a card carrying member! :eek:

Just my opinion.:rolleyes:

it was posted on SOL also.

the Herald had it here

www2.bostonherald.com/news/local_regional/dog08302001.htm


Do you think it will make it to SS boards as well?

all I can say is YIKES!

I think the whole thing was set up by the Eastern Mass conspiracy of which the collie was a card carrying member! hehehehe

From the Herald: www2.bostonherald.com/news/local_regional/dog08302001.htm


Thursday, August 30, 2001

UXBRIDGE - When a Millville woman panicked as an unleashed 10-year-old border collie mixed-breed greeted her at the West Hill Dam, her husband drew a .38-caliber handgun and shot the dog in the mouth, police said yesterday.

``I thought it was a starter pistol. I couldn't believe it happened so, incredulously, I asked the guy several times, `Did you shoot my dog?' '' said Dave Mitchell, 46, who held a recovering but shivering Coco by the leash at the Uxbridge Animal Hospital yesterday. ``He's just a tired old mutt, a scaredy cat, who would never attack anyone. He's lucky to be alive.''

Francis Daignault, 63, will be summonsed today to the U.S. Federal Court in Worcester on charges of carrying a firearm on federal property, an offense punishable by a fine of $50 to $500, and up to six months in jail, according to the park manager, Dave Hebert. Mitchell, of Mendon, will be fined $25 for walking an unleashed dog.

``If he didn't have a gun, this wouldn't have happened and if the dog was leashed, this wouldn't have happened,'' said Uxbridge police Sgt. Scott Freitas. ``The major issue is that we don't want people walking around the park with a firearm.''

The shooting happened about 5 p.m. Tuesday just after Coco and a friend's dog emerged from a swim and, unleashed, trotted toward Daignault and his wife, Joyce, as the couple walked the trail.

``The dogs got 20 feet from them and the woman started screaming,'' Mitchell said. ``Her husband kicked Coco, and Coco went up on his hind legs. The guy pulled out a gun and shot him right in the mouth.''

Daignault, who didn't return calls from the Herald, reportedly has said several of his children have been bitten by unleashed dogs, and that he would do the same thing again.

``They ran at us headlong for about 50 yards. We were being attacked by the two animals,'' Daignault told the MetroWest Daily News.

Hebert and Freitas said Daignault likely would not face charges of shooting an animal.

``His argument is going to be self-defense,'' Freitas said.

Coco underwent surgery for wounds resulting from the bullet entering his mouth and exiting his neck and is scheduled to be released today.

``He's the best friend I've got,'' said Mitchell. ``Coco is as important to me as a person. Thank God he's alive.''

new book, twenty years of gun fighting,dogs

If you weren't there, you shouldn't judge!

The "Border Collie" weighed 45 pounds.
It couldn't be shot in the mouth unless the mouth was open.
Joyce screamed.
Frank TRIED to kick the dog away, it wouldn't leave.
He protected his wife. Exemplary.
For all of you who think his action was inappropriate ...
What if it was YOUR wife? What would YOU do?
(Sounds like YOUR wife would have gotten bit!)

In THIS country, we have something called "presumption of innocence".
That means a man is innocent until PROVEN guilty.
How DARE you judge the man without hearing from him?
That's anti-American if you ask me!

Flounder :mad:

Franky Franky Franky... What is with this guy? Maybe next time he'll keep the gun away and just insult the dog's mother. :D

Was the collie over 40 lbs? Does that count as a 40lber? :confused:

Oh yeah, one more thing. About a year ago or so, I was on my way down to Caldors. If you don't have them up there, Caldor is a department store that had a fishing section. They recently went out of business. Anyways, they had brand name stuff so it was cool to go down there and grab a lure or so.

Anyways, I was walking down the back roads and I passed two pitbulls rooting through the owner's trash. No problems. I went down to the store, made my purchases, and started on the uphill trip back. My head passed the top of the hill where it levels out and I see the two pits running down at me. I have been confronted by humans but I have never been so scared. You can reason with humans, but with dogs, well they are on instinct. These dogs were smart. One kept a look out for cars while the other one was snapping and snarling.

I immediately assumed a submissive position. I dropped my shoulders down, lowered my height and got my hands into a defensive position. I prepared for the worse. The only weapon I had was my keys. I put my finger through my carabiner and wrapped my keys up into my hand. I was ready to protect myself if necessary.

I was in the middle of an intersection backing down from the dogs. They had me pinned against a station wagon when a guy came out of a nearby house and started yelling at the dogs and they backed down.

Frank definitely has my sympathy. If I was in the position I was in and I had a gun, I would have popped one in both of them. I'm an animal lover so I'd TRY to make it non fatal but still. It's scary as heck being confronted by an animal. Dog's teeth are made for tearing. They have those instincts to know how to kill prey. He must have been scared.

Flounder tells it like it is!!!

Flounder - couple things for starters.

He NEVER should have been carrying a weapon on Federal Property - licensed to carry or not. Besides, what possible need does he have to carry a weapon around in public? He's a retired school teacher for pete's sake. Did he pass out too much detention to his students for pornographic engravements on hope chests in woodshop?

How DARE you judge the man without hearing from him?

Well, it doesn't sound like he's talking as of yet. And besides, he prejudges about everything and everyone as far as I've seen. And there are more than a few people that have already made up their minds about Frank LONG before this happened. Personally, I think his wife is very nice lady (Frank, OTH, is not, IMO, that nice of a guy, but we're not old pals or anything) and a shame that this happened.

Now while I think the dog should have been leashed (should have prevented the entire fracass) is shooting the dog the right answer? The mouth being open doesn't make much difference as I don't think I've seen many dogs run with their mouth closed.

Not being in his shoes, I can't say what I would have done but I certainly wouldn't have shot the dog as I don't pack a pea shooter on liesurely neighborhood strolls... Does that make me less of a husband in my ability to protect my wife while we stroll through the Roger Williams Zoo?

A little more info: http://www.townonline.com/24224571.htm

The dogs mouth was open and that justifies discharging a firearm??? Find me a dog that doesn't stand there panting with its mouth open. They don't sweat so that's how they disippate heat. They pant with their mouths open.

The report says that the bullet went in the dogs mouth and out its neck. Where did it go then. Suppose it then hit a stone and then someones child. How would you feel about that Flounder? Just luck it didn't end up in some other person in the park or on a nearby street or even bounce back and hit him or his wife.

No I'm not a bleeding heart liberal , I'm a gun owner. Firing a gun is serious business. Far more serious than MAYBE getting bit by a dog.

I repeat , the guys a moron and should never be allowed to own or carry a gun again.

if he truly thought the dog was gonna attack then i say shoot'em...i'm a dog lover and a gun owner, too...

what's he doin carrying a weapon?? just exercising his 2nd ammendment rights...

what's he doing with in on fed property?? don't know...i didn't know that you couldn't carry on fed property, maybe he didn't either...

what kinda guy is he??? don't know, never met him, but i think that the story would be easier to take if the dog had been a pitbull and not a collie...

I think you are right about pitbull -v- collie...

John,

It's Mike from Quincy. I had some trouble using my original username with this new board (really nice bye the way). So I made a new username. If my other one is out there please delete it. Sorry in advance for being a pain.

Besides, what possible need does he have to carry a weapon around in public? He's a retired school teacher for pete's sake. Did he pass out too much detention to his students for pornographic engravements on hope chests in woodshop?

What is it about Frank that draws so much mixed reaction? Some love him and some hate him (but they don't say why).

Anyway, all you have to do is read some of the reactions on all of the Striper boards today to understand why he would want to carry a gun. Some folks can't wait to see him at his next show to give him a piece of their mind (or worse). Strangely, it really seems like the dog shooting has nothing to do with this sentiment. What am I missing here?

Mike

I have nothing against shooting the dog. If he truly felt like his life was in danger, that's one thing. Carrying his weapon in a no weapon zone is stupid though. If he felt SO unsafe at the park, maybe he and his wife should walk somewhere else where they can carry a firearm or walk there without it. This is a blatant disregard for the law and his permit should be pulled. I don't support gun control as long as people use them in a responsible manner.

I've never really cared for Frank. I had no dislike for him until he made one comment which we don't need to go into. As I said in a post a long time ago, it's not so much Frank that bothers me, it's the chronies that hang out in his forum. They ask some questions that even I could answer. This isn't his fault but he doesn't discourage it. Frankly, I think he enjoys that attention. Whatever, it's his life.

I've said it before and I'll say it again......Frank is the Howard Stern of striper fishing. People either love him or hate him, but either way they sure like to talk about him. I really find it crazy.

1) He writes some fairly interesting books for people new to the sport. Twenty Years on the Cape is a good look at how striper fishing worked in the old days. These aren't the best books ever, nor is he the best striper fisherman ever, but it's my bet he was pretty good in his day if half what he says in his books is true.

2) I've never met him other than sitting in on one of his free "seminars" at a fishing show a couple winters ago. (Now that was pretty much a waste of time......"fish estuaries" was the message as if people hadn't figured that one out yet.) But, I'm guessing he's a prick because lots of people really do dislike him. He also has a tendency to ramble on without making a point on the SS board.

3) My first thought upon reading this thread was that collies aren't all that threatening, but then I remembered a fairly mean one attacking me several times on my paper route when I was a kid. It was not a pleasant experience, so I'll cut him some slack on that angle.

4) There is no excuse to shoot a 45 pound collie in that situation. I was 12 years old on my paper route and was able to fight off a larger collie, so my guess is that Frank could have done the same.

I just read on another site that Frank is not speaking on the subject on account of his council's advice.

If you love him or hate him, I think it would be in our best interest to let this thread die giving his circumstances. I mean, he can't respond to defend himself without possibly changing the outcome of his case.

Blitz - nice caption!!!

Mike - Blitzseeker pretty much said it all. Personally, the only thing he's done to irk me in the past is that he goes off half cocked at times and torpedoes people unjustly. Also tells them they're full of it when that is just not always the case. Me, I enjoyed some of his writing and he does paint a wonderfull picture that puts you in the right place back then. And yes, I've learned from reading his books.

As far as shooting the dog, it's very unfortunate but I can't think that was the ONLY option but maybe I'm wrong. As Flounder so elequently put it ;) , I wasn't there. But was it still necessary to shoot the dog (and is that particular .38 a little wimpy) - dunno about that...

Patrick (I can't believe I might be thinking this) - you may have actually said something remotely intelligent this time...

Summary......

Fishermen are worked up, Pro and anti gunners are most likely worked up and I am sure all the animal rights people are worked up.......I could express my opinion (as could all of us) and recieve a lot of critisism on our viewpoints, Paatrick said end it......and I say Amen to that!!!


Yes Patrick......quite mature of you......congradulations!!!!

As you know from the past , I don't like being hard on people. I've gotten past the shooting a pet horror and maybe I'm wrong and being too hard on Frank. I see my mother here at 70+ and then consider the fact that Frank is 64 or so and maybe , at that age ,you can't move around good and defend himself and his wife any other way. I don't like the whole story and I'm not at all informed enough to form a valid opinion about what was right or wrong. I know I'm against discharging the firearm if it was not justified. Its way more dangerous than most realize. I don't know if it was justified or not. Unless you were there , you really can't know. So I'm sorry I called him a moron and I'm sorry I escalated the thing with Ed. As someone said right off the bat , innocent until proven guilty.

I for one think that if you are liscenced you should be able to protect yourself. No matter were you are, criminals don't care if you are in a city, state or federal park. Remember the guy , a year or two back, was bludgeoned to death while fishing at Buckmasters pond. He was in his 60's or 70's. He was also a friend of Rick Pizzi, the brother of Bob Pizzi of MSBA. It doesn't matter if you were a priest, school teacher, nun, doctor, nurse, lawyer, mom, or father we can all be victims at any time. I am an NRA and Mass state police certified handgun instructor, and I have a concealed permit in Mass. I carry sometimes and most of the time I don't. My wife was anti gun when I met her. We went to six flags last year. The motel she made reservations in was shady. We did'nt know this until we got there and checked in. When we were confronted in a hallway by a man who had a huge black eye and was all strung out, my wife said " Honey I hope you brought your gun with you" She was scared, and I would be lying to you if I said that I was'nt. Needless to say we checked right out and went to a best western. Things can happen in an instant, and you only have fractions of a second to make a descision and act. I would not judge Frank by any account for what he did. Especially when you read about it in a newspaper. If he and his wife felt threatened, only they would know this, then he had every right to protect himself and his wife. Remember he only has a fraction of a second to make a descision and act. If the gun was his only means then he did the right thing. Anyway stories like this will get heated and cause animosity between people on this board. We all have our own opinions. Maybe we should let this one go John, before the hatchets start flying.

Sorry Folks but I have no sympathy for the dog or the dog owner.
I have friend whose daughter, at 6 years old, was attacked by a dog who was "very friendly and would never hurt anyone", ripping her face open. Well the little girl spent a week in the hospital, suffered through several surgeries and is permanently scarred. The owner of this dog actually fought the court order to have the dog destroyed. Why would anyone place a dog over a human is beyond me and how could you look at your dog knowing what it did, I would have destroyed it myself. Of course the problem in the Franky D case isn't with the dog it is with the DOG OWNER, the dog should have been on a leash period.

Why is it that dog owners think all other people should be as trusting of their dog as they are? Ever have a dog run, at full speed, up to you while the owner says "don't be afraid he won't bite". Now if you had been previously bitten how would you have reacted? Well folks, sorry to say, but some people aren't comfortable with dogs, aren't trusting of dogs and may just plain hate dogs I can understand how someone may react in such an extreme manner. If I have dog coming at me, my wife or kids please load the gun and I'll be happy to pull the trigger.

Not withstanding Franky D is a moron just the same.

OK - locking up this thread. I will unlock it if the man, the myth, & the legend himself (No - not you Patrick) chooses to answer (which sounds like that's against his legal counsel)... Besides, Franky don't come by here....