Killing of dog during robbery in South Bend hits a nerve

SOUTH BEND -- The recent slaying of an Old English sheepdog in west South Bend has set off an outpouring of sympathy for the three-legged dog and the family he left behind.

Dozens have written letters to the dog's owner, Dan Warner, offering prayers and condolences. Some have even offered him their own puppies.

The cards line Warner's living room mantel.

Last week, two residents created reward funds for information leading to an arrest in the case.

Combined, the funds have collected more than $1,000.Linus even has his own Facebook page.

The sympathy of strangers has been overwhelming, Warner said.

"I think the community has rallied behind the heinousness of these crimes, and it has been fantastic," said Sandra Holderman, Warner's ex-wife who also cared for Linus.

Linus was fatally shot by robbers Nov. 9 on Bonds Avenue. Warner found Linus dead in the kitchen when he returned from work. Linus had recently lost a front leg while fighting bone cancer.

http://www.southbendtribune.com/article/20091119/News01/911190308/1011/News

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two robberies I've experienced: the cat wisely dived under the bed and the thugs didn't go after her.

Stuff can be replaced. My furry best friend can't.

Kicked in his throat, probably to stop the barking. Dog had a tough recovery, but did OK, even in his older age. Emotionally, he never got over it. We could NEVER leave him alone, even for a quick trip to the corner for milk, after that trauma.

Yeah, the stuff was no big deal. That someone came into our home and nearly killed the dog.... I would have damaged their throats if I knew who did the break in. (with apologies to cali and her vigilante thread)

Glad to see this man's community offering emotional support. A pet is a member of the family. The lose is probably just as painful for most. It is heartening to see that so many others understand that truth.

and chased the little bastards. Someone saw me chasing them and got a description and number of their car.

Nothing from the cops, of course. They said they were completely overwhelmed.

glad they were just little bastards.

I have a MUCH bigger dog now. He sounds like the pack leader for the Hounds of Hell when a stranger comes near. And the current cat is a force to be reckoned with. The Sheriff picked her up (against all advice) and she took her pound of flesh, along with some blood, for his transgression. As he struggled to get free of her formidable arsenal of sharps, he laughed that he couldn't even shoot her as she had both his hands.

The 90 Pound Hound would make short work of anyone coming in if he thought me or the cat were in danger.

Had I caught one, I'd have sat on him, screamed "911!" at the top of my lungs, and done my level best to start dismantling him.

As it was, my chasing them got other people involved and gave the cops the best lead they've had.

you had their license plate and the police refused to go after them?? that is unconscionable.

and the license plate is likely a skip, one they lifted from someone else.

However, I did find a car fitting that description abandoned, partially stripped, and covered with spray paint grafitti, so it seems I cost them the nuisance of getting a new ride.

Told the robbers find houses w/o dogs. I have 2 pound pups, a lab/pit bull mix (age 9) and a border collie mix (age 6). I would be devastated if anything happened like this.

Five of them split up and going to about every third or fourth house, with varying reasons for knocking on doors if someone was home and answered it. Very small town. That they didn't figure we would all compare notes on their visits was pretty amusing. But, only people without dogs got the door knock.

One old lady advised them to 'get the hell out before somebody shoots you!'

Yeah, casing for sure. Lots of dogs here, which is good as there is not adequate law enforcement personnel, which had been widely written about in the newspaper of the nearest city. We figured some petty criminals thought this place would be easy pickins. Fools, everybody (and their dog) are armed to the teeth.

"I'm lookin' for the man who shot my paw."

I don't think robbers would go anywhere my house - I have a pack of dogs who do not like strangers on their property - and I'd like to see them try to take out 5 at once - I feel so bad for this man and his dog.

on that person, there would definitely be some hell to pay.

i feel that way about all my companion animals that i've ever had, even the birds.