Ruby Cadillac, A Murdered Angel

While I certainly feel sympathy for you and your dogs, and I by no means know the whole story, think about what your neighbor may have seen.. two pitbulls (who were probably just excited, especially since they are still puppies) bounding towards him--what could have been simple excitement may have been perceived as aggression--especially from a breed that is often equated with aggressive behavior.

You mention that the one was "shot between the eyes" which by itself leads you to the conclusion that the dog had to be facing the person/going towards the person. Again, by no means do I support your neighbor, but he may not have been trying to be malicious--he may genuinely been afraid. This certainly doesn't help you, and I offer my sincerest condolences, but owners need to keep their dogs on a leash or chain to prevent this. You could have prevented this by not letting them out loose. Keep your other dog chained up... and best wishes for a speedy recovery for your other pooch and for you mentally as well.

I'm confused - does your neighbor walk around PACKING just in case? Why was he carrying a gun a that moment?
I am Canadian and maybe that is confusing me because carrying guns is no casual thing for us, but why was your neighbor walking around with a gun for no reason? Doesn't that mean he's unstable? Is the gun registered? Isn't this a red flag that he might be capable of continuing violence? People who kill animals casually kill people casually next.
You're beautiful, btw.

Your story disgusts me. The idea that someone could shoot two dogs playing in their own yard boggles my mind. And the fact that people could actually try to defend or excuse such actions.. UGH!!
I offer my best wishes to you and yours. I truly hope that "person" gets what karma has coming for them, and that your pain eases quickly.
Truly yours,
Loralei

I posted a link in the guest book for this site
--> www.pitbullforum.com

I really think you should check it out if you havn't already. It's a forum with thousands of responsible Pit Bull owners and lovers. I think you would find alot of support there as well as another opportunity to have your story heard.

I can't believe someone would do that. I'm very sorry for your loss.

In order for people to research precident, and do legal research regarding this case, it would be greatly helpful to know the state and city in which you reside, so that governing law and ordinances might be consulted.

I have searched your site and journal, and found no reference beyond Jackson County, which could be in at least four states that I know of...

Second, I am sorry for your loss. Having been graced by three of these wonderful animals in my life, and having them stripped from me, I understand the sudden emptiness the loss of one brings.

You have stated that the animals were in your yard when they were shot? Is your yard fenced?

One of the previous commentors made a very astute observation, which poses many other questions. Why was your neighbor armed? And does he often discharge a firearm in public? (Typically an offense in an of itself.) Secondly, if he was not armed, did he then, feeling threatened, walk into his house (thereby fleeing imminent threat, if it existed) to retrieve his weapon? And then exit the structure, putting himself back into the alledged danger to fire upon the two animals?

You stated you've had Ruby for a little over a year (13 months) and Corona for even longer? Had the neighbor never seen these two animals before? And why, if they had retreated into their home to retrieve the firearm did they not contact animal control if he felt threatened, or you, before deciding to shoot the two animals?

The fact that Ruby was shot in the head, does indicate the she was looking at the perpetrator when they shot. Which raises the question, that if neighbor did retrieve the weapon first, he might then have had to call to the animal to get it's attention, or at the very least aim, which indicates intent.

There are a number of better ways they could have handled this scenario, shooting at the two animals was not a reasonable first response.

I recommend speaking with an attorney (which you probably already have done), and pursue not only criminal charges, but file a civil suit as well.

Civil court does not require the level of proof that criminal courts require (Preponderance of the evidence, vs. Proof beyond a reasonable doubt).

Your neighbor does not sound mentally stable, given your account of events, and may not be fit to own a firearm.

I certainly wish you the best.

Ok, I just found the information I had sought. For some reason it never occurred to me to look at a heading. Duh. Please disregard, my previous anonymous post, or portions of it regarding location.

Still thinking of your loss, still outraged that it occurred. Still wishing you the best.

Contact the Animal Legal Defense Fund at the following site. They can refer you to animal lawyers in your state or vicinity and those who may represent you at no or a reduced fee. I am a lawyer but not in your state. If you need general advise contact me.

Was he charged? Im so sorry for your loss. Its outragous. Why the hell did he do that? Did he have previous interacting with the puppies? Did somthing happen??? I cant believe that he did that, i could only imagine your pain. </3

We are so sorry to hear of your terrible loss! I work for a Pit Bull Rescue in Virginia and you should visit our Web site and send us a note - we may be able to add a page for your baby and help draw attention to terrible, unlawful action that took your angel. Hope to hear from you soon, and again you and Miss. Ruby are in our thoughts and prayers!

misunderstood.rescuegroups.org

I am so sorry for your loss. I have two Yorkshire terriers and I would lose it if someone hurt them! Our friend had a pitbull and the city had her put down, because she "scared" the neighbor. She was behind a 6 foot high chain length fence and, well, no... she wasn't barking, but she looked so threatening! -_- She was a sweet dog, too, not agressive at all. Its outrageous that people can murder an innocent animal that hasn't done ANYTHING simply because a pitbull on a sitcom bit someone.

I'll also mention that the city had her put down at a time when she had a litter of puppies-- only two survived.

A few houses down from me, there is a family who has a husky breed that plays in the front yard. In the five years that I've lived here, he has never failed to go inside when his people called him or venture onto public property. How can it be a crime when it is your property? Especially with a dog that has no history of aggression. I would also point out that it depends where your dog was murdered... in your yard or in his yard. How can he argue that the dog was "charging" if she was still in her own yard?!

Some people are evil and kill animals because they see them as a waste of space... my best friend's cat died last month when the neighbors poured motor oil into their backyard. Its so sad. I wish you the best of luck pursuing this guy.

I am so mad I can hardly think straight. That anyone would just shoot a helpless animal on its own property puts me into a rage. I am probably not the most helpful person at this point because ALL I can think to do is to offer my serivices to put your neighbor to sleep and when I am calm and the tears leave my eyes I KNOW that is not the right answer. But at this point I hope the guy has a stroke, I hope it doesn't kill him but I hope he is home alone when it happens and hope no one finds him for days. I hope he is completely aware of his prediciment and that there is NOTHING he can do about it. Rest in Peace Ruby Cadillac. You are one of gods watchdogs now. A member of a rare and proud class. The warrior clowns of the dog world. Loyal, Gentle, Loving and Fearless. Our loss is Heavens Gain.

I am so sorry about your Ruby, I sypathise with you, symply because a good friend of mines two pit bulls were just shot. On their own property I might add and by the County Dog Warden. he said that they had attacked a man walking down the the road. In which I don't believe, all that happened was his jeans were ripped. And he was not asked to identify the dogs until after they were shot and killed. I loved these dogs like they were my own. My friend is also in the process of trying to have charges brought up on this man. Good luck in your battle, these dogs are worth it.

I just found your site. It has had me in tears for the last half hour. I'm so sorry for what happened to your baby.

I wish I had thought of doing such a thing when my two babies were murdered, but the odds were heavily against me; they disappeared while I was away, and later I found their bodies in a ditch. They were murdered, tortured, with knives. I didn't know who did it, and since they didn't use a gun there wasn't any real paper trail to use, not like you have to register knives or anything. The police around here wouldn't have done anything even if we had called them, I live in the same county whose animal control shelter officers beat a pit bull to death IN HIS CAGE at their shelter. The autopsy done on the dog discovered severe trauma to the face and genitals. No one was fired from the shelter for it.

I really admire you for having put up such a beautiful memorial site, and for pursuing justice in this matter. I only wish I could have done the same. Bless you and your sweeties.

I just want to say how terribly sorry I feel for you. I know just what you mean when you refer to them as your babies - they are like having children. It touched me how much you care enough to pursue this. Don't give up. The thought that someone could kill a dog like this without being attacked floors me. Again, I am so sorry for your tragic loss. Don't give up -

I am so sorry to hear about your loss! Your story makes me physically ill. I can't believe some asshole would do that! Like some of the above posters, I don't understand why he was walking around with a gun in the first place! He's damn lucky he's not MY neighbor 'cause he'd be getting a taste of his own medicine!

omg i cannot believe this has happend to you i am so sad and i wish i could lend a helping hand. i read about this but didnt know the whole story or know it was someone on LJ,

i am so sorry this has had to happen to you and i will help in any way i can ive posted the pay pal in all of mine and my pitties sites.. hoping for more donations and power. if there is anything we can do please let me know

once again i am so sorry about this.
god bless you for having such a strong heart

Ive come upon your site from a friends journal.
I just cant belive that someone would just shoot a dog right between the eyes.

and no ones done anything about this.
Ive read most of this site..and no where do i see that this man was arrested for the murder of a dog. Is there a reason? I havent read it all..but i hope something is do be done from this murder.

And it WAS murder. No one told him to shoot the dog. I am a dog walker and i was acutly attackd lastnight by a vicious Boxer, whos owner doesnt walk his dog on a leash in a city!. but i didnt SHOOT the dog. by no means would i shoot a dog even if it was attacking me..And your dogs were in YOUR yard.....Unless the body of poor baby ruby was found in this mans Yard he had NO right to shoot your pups! Not by any means in this world.

He deserves to go to JAIL for Murder.

because he is ignorant. and he murderd someone!
That someone Was your child and your baby, Human or not!

I hope some day you get justice for this horrible murder, and you are in my thoughts. Idont know what id do if someone ever killd my baby. I dont know if i could even think of what id do. Or How id handle that.

good luck to you!...And if i had any money to spare in my life..Is donate..but sadly i cant.

RIP Ruby. Maybe all the bones in heaven be as sweet as you must have been
-Alicia Morgan

chicago, IL
Friend of floralfallal21

I am so sorry for your lose!!! I dont know how you didint go over there and physically injure that monster who took your baby away from you....They'd have to put me in jail cuz there is no way in hell that monster would still be walking...I know that violence is not the answer but I beleive in A tooth for a tooth, and the cause creates a reaction...I hope tios monster burns in hell/ what kind of pathetic person carries a gun with him,,this had to be premeditated!!! oH how my heart breaks for your family . WHat a beautful dog she was. The good thing was that she knew was chosen and that she was loved up to the minute that she died!!!!
Best wishes and I hope your state attorneys office charges this bastard to the fullest extend.p

I would take my story tot he all the lcoal new agencies in your county because I firmly beleive that they are the reason why people are so afraid of PITS.. they are responsible for the media frenzy and I am trying to contact local new agencies in my area to run storys on ....finding the soultion through stopping the fear and teaching responsibilties

No question whoīs the beast in this case, is it?
I donīt have a pitt bull but I have an Am staff and I donīt know whatīs the big differens between this two breeds is! The only thing my dog can be guilty of is to love you to death! I found this page via a link on the artsight Devianart. Iīm really really sorry for your loss, I read and cried and now it seems that I just canīt stop. This is a really sad, sad story and the beast is without a doubt your neighbour!!!!Itīs really bad that he didnīt got what he deserved legally, but Iīm very glad to hear that you made him so miserable that he had to sell his house!
from now take care /Malin from sweden

I am so sorry for what has happened to you and your pretty Ruby. It's very unfair that people judge animals simply because certain owners are bad people.

I am honestly sorry for your loss and I hope your neighbor burns in hell for what he has done.

I understand your pain. One of my pet snakes had gotten loose, I was outside watering my yard and he took a shovel and stabbed at something. I immideantly panicked, had my husband run over and sure enough it was my snake.

I truely understand how bad this hurts you and its something that should have never happened to your puppy dog.

Proud owner of two pitties myself.