Investigator shoots attacking Rottweiler

Tribune Staff Report

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By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Sep 4, 2008 at 10:13 PM EST

Story Updated: Sep 4, 2008 at 10:15 PM EST

ELKHART — A prosecutor’s office investigator reportedly shot a Rottweiler Thursday while attempting to serve an arrest warrant.

About 9:30 a.m., Al Kemper, an investigator assigned to the Child Support Division of the Elkhart County Prosecutor’s Office, was attempting to arrest 37-year-old Dennis Gills at a home on Coolidge Avenue, just south of the city of Elkhart, when Gills fled, according to a news release.

As Kemper pursued Gills on foot, a Rottweiler ran out of the home and chased Kemper, at which time Kemper drew his gun and shot the dog to avoid being attacked, the news release stated.

The dog was taken by the Elkhart County Humane Society shelter.

Gills — a black male, 5 feet 9 inches tall and 145 pounds with black hair and brown eyes — is wanted on four separate non-support warrants totaling $95,073.47.

Anyone with information as to Gills’ whereabouts is asked to call the prosecutor’s office at 574-296-1888.

Tuesday, Sep 9 at 7:26 AM bee wrote ...

geeze cornfusion you sure know how to get a good rise out of people.keep up the good work.youre comments are awesome.

Sunday, Sep 7 at 1:26 PM Anonymous wrote ...

I get sick and tired of people putting down pet Siberian Tigers. They are big babies. It's your fault of you make a sudden move when you shouldn't. Learn how to behave around pet Siberian Tigers! I'm evar so tough.

Saturday, Sep 6 at 2:56 PM justanobserver wrote ...

What is heck is wrong with a system that ALLOWS a man to get that far behind in child support?????

Saturday, Sep 6 at 8:56 AM a Mentone reader wrote ...

I get sick and tired of people putting down pitbulls. I have two pitbulls and they are big babies. It is all in the way they are raised. My dogs were not raised to be mean dogs. They are very lovable dogs, so quit putting down that breed of dog. There are pit bulls who are very vicious only because that was the way people raised them to be. so lay off the pits man, it makes me mad!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Saturday, Sep 6 at 8:55 AM LJ wrote ...

You idiots that think all Rotts and pits are bad. They are made bad by stupid humans. That dog was doing what he was supposed to do protect!Poor dog did not get to pick a more responsible owner!

Saturday, Sep 6 at 7:42 AM Karma wrote ...

Sounds like this winner is proof of the need for mandatory sterilization. Maybe we could let the dog loose on him to take care of making sure the procreational parts are severed. No more babies that the loser can't take care of AND payback for putting the dog in a position to get shot. Works for me!

Saturday, Sep 6 at 5:52 AM Read before commenting wrote ...

This is to all those out there that ASSUME stuff...READ the article before you comment and show your ignorance. Not one place in the article does it say the dog was killed. I'd have shot the guy running away too. He musta been some charmer...probably all the kids have different Mom's too. It is sad what this society has come to. IF they catch him and I'm sure they will, it's just a matter of time, they need to "NEUTER" him so he can't produce more offspring for taxpayers to take care of!

Saturday, Sep 6 at 5:37 AM Elkhart wrote ...

Sounds like deadbeat babydaddy was too busy training his dog to attack instead of working to support his kids. Too bad for the dog because he didnt know any better. On the other hand, Im impressed with Elkharts aggressive actions towards deadbeats. St Jo County pros. office should take notes.

Saturday, Sep 6 at 1:38 AM David wrote ...

GOOD!! ROTTS are dangerous animals, if one ever runs after me, i'mma shoot him too!!!

Friday, Sep 5 at 11:17 PM MM wrote ...

95k? how many babies mammas does this brotha have? the dog was doing it's job and so was al.

Friday, Sep 5 at 8:52 PM commonsense wrote ...

luvmyrotts get real please. The reason it would not have made the news if it was a Beagle, is because a Beagle is not capable of tearing a mans arm off. Listen, all you people who constantly try to defend the rotts and pits need to acknowledge one thing. The statistics do not lie. Labs, Beagles and Brittanys are not out there killing people. Bottom line. I am so sick of the propoganda that pit owners put out there. Just do a google search for fatal dog attacks. 92% are either pits or rots.

Friday, Sep 5 at 7:28 PM shoppy wrote ...

Cornfusion is either a family member or a idiot who has never been the victom of crime Im sorry the officer didnt get the perp too

Friday, Sep 5 at 4:36 PM ?? wrote ...

if david snyder lived in elkhart and they went to arrest him for child support and dorthy ran out could they shot her .oh wait david snyder can get away with not paying his support so the media has more news on him that we dont want to hear about.i would have shot the dog also if i were this guy good job

Friday, Sep 5 at 4:19 PM Anonymous wrote ...

The outrage should be focused on Gills, he is the one that killed the dog. Releases it on the Officer so he can get away. As with the rest of his worthless life just thinking of himself. All his property should be siezed and sold. I also question mothers of #6-7-8-9 ect. Wasn't there already a pattern here. Sounds like a real prize.

Friday, Sep 5 at 2:30 PM Life at risk wrote ...

This investigaters life was at risk. To hell with the dog and to hell with Gills.

Friday, Sep 5 at 12:19 PM Linda wrote ...

If a dog gets aggressive and is trying to attack then I think shooting to kill is fine! A human life is far more valuable to this society than that of a vicious dog. Period! Also, the guy sounds like a real loser. Lazy, no job, doesn't pay support. Cut his personal toy off and ship him off to Iraq until all of his back support is paid. If it takes 10 or 15 years, oh well...........

Friday, Sep 5 at 11:39 AM Cornfusion wrote ...

Yes Dan at 6:19 AM, it is indeed 'C-O-R-Nfusion'. Now that I've checked my spelling, go check your shorts.

Friday, Sep 5 at 11:36 AM An avid reader wrote ...

I had to look for it but after reading so many comments about 'CORNfusions' contribution ILMAO! In my opinion the writer was being sarcastic and just trying to beat all the dog defenders to the punch. I also sense a hint of sympathy for the K-9. I think Mr. Cornfusion's observations and input might be a tad above the intelligence level of many people who visit this site. Go back and read the one about people scrapping for metals to cash in on. He wrote a brilliant comment on that, hilarious too!

Friday, Sep 5 at 11:32 AM riiiight... wrote ...

shoot to disable the dog? Yeah, he's running, it's running: then it should have been sooo easy for him to shoot the dog in a specific location that would not kill it, but disable it. And "cornfusion": why aren't you posting when a civilian (often an ex-con) shoots and kills a civilian (often another ex-con, but sometimes an innocent child)? Seems you only have issues when an officer has to shoot, (chase) but never when it's something else. Any response, or do you just post and ignore?

Friday, Sep 5 at 11:24 AM yours truly wrote ...

jsut wanted to put it out there that this guys has ten kids and doesnt even have a job. He is also my cousins father. He'll get got.

Friday, Sep 5 at 11:23 AM niles wrote ...

Luvmyrotts, Just think, a rott is charging at you, growling and teeth glaring. In a split second you choose to defend yourself and draw your weapon and shoot. Can you tell me where to shoot to just "disable" the dog. The officer was lucky just to hit the dog. Also, the artile does not indicate that the dog was killed, only that it was taken to the Elkhart County Humane Society shelter.

Friday, Sep 5 at 11:21 AM Allen T. wrote ...

This are crazy dogs be very careful with them The can chew yu in a minute all your bones will be broken. They will not let go of his mouth. If you see some dogs like this report them to police They are relly dangerous. Keep them in leash.

Friday, Sep 5 at 11:00 AM goshen wrote ...

Thank you "Animal Lover" - finally someone with some sense. I too like animals, but no animal is worth more than a human life! The officer did what had to be done. Sorry for the dog.

Friday, Sep 5 at 9:59 AM Animal Lover wrote ...

I love animals and would never want to harm one if I could avoid it. This scum who ran let me dog loose. The dog was doing what is natural to protect its property and so was the investigator. The dog paid the price due to the ignorance of the owner and coward who fled. I'm glad the officer is fine.

Friday, Sep 5 at 9:15 AM Elkhart wrote ...

Luvmyrotts, I completely agree with you. Many dog breeds can be made vicious, with the wrong owner training them. I get sick and tired of all the know-it-alls posting their breed prejudiced "knowledge". Most likely, the prejudiced remarks come from people who have never had a dog of the breed being discussed, or had any experience with them either.

Friday, Sep 5 at 8:50 AM Luvmyrotts wrote ...

I don't usually comment on articles but feel I have to on this one. Don't condemn the the dog for his owner being a deadbeat. It was just doing what comes naturally, protecting his owner. Unfortunately the dog doesn't know whether it's a police officer or someone just wanting to do harm. I would have thought that maybe the officer could have shot just to disable the dog. Would this story have made the news if it was a lab or beagle? Rotts have a bad rep that is not deserved.

Friday, Sep 5 at 7:57 AM Also a dogowner wrote ...

Dogs to protect the good guys YES, but to protect the BAD DEADBEAT guys come on wake up people.... Dogowner, I bet when you want the PD for you, you want them NOW or wonder why the're not there right now??@@ The cop should take care of saftey issues first like he did. Dogowner maybe you don't know what it looks like when a big dog gets a hold of you.....

Friday, Sep 5 at 7:56 AM LOSER wrote ...

I happen to know the person who fled. He is a loser. He has like 8 or 9 kids and don't take of any of them. I hope they catch him and lock him up yet again.

Friday, Sep 5 at 7:39 AM DD wrote ...

What happened to common sense. A large dog like this can KILL YOU and you can't out run them. If it attacks you have the right to defend yourself.

Friday, Sep 5 at 6:53 AM DOGOWNER wrote ...

the criminal is scum of society dont get me wrong. But a grown man, a cop with a gun should have enough courage and composer to hold his ground agaainst a dog. come on cop grow some.

Friday, Sep 5 at 6:40 AM Give ME a BREAK!! wrote ...

I'm sorry confusion, but what needs to stop are these deadbeat lowlife scumbags who don't take care of their MULTIPLE children and who break the law over & over! These officers risk their lives every day to keep those of us who actually do what we are supposed to do safe while we are the ones paying for these deadbeats. I say do whatever they need to do to bring these delinquents to justice!

Friday, Sep 5 at 6:37 AM Whatever wrote ...

Lets just take a guess here the guy owed how much money on back child suppport? Why did he run? Do I stand and let a dog lock those powerful jaws on me? How can a man that owes that much n back support even have a dog like that? What about the kids that he probably isn't even taking care of? Yes lets hear his side of the story by all means!! And do they sell stupidity in a jar, if so go out and get yourself lots cornfusion!!!!!!!

Friday, Sep 5 at 6:18 AM Dog Owner wrote ...

Why kill a dog for doing what he's supposed to do...protect his home. What if someone was being chased by a cop and knew they were innocent so they shot the cop to avoid attack...I bet that wouldn't roll too good with the PD! Think before you shoot!!

Friday, Sep 5 at 6:11 AM Disgusted! wrote ...

Confusion, thats ridiculous! The officer has every right to protect himself. He did the right thing and hopefully the dog is dead, its obviously a threat to society. If dead beat dads would take responsibility for their actions this stuff would'nt go on. I'm sick of people sticking up for the scum in the world!

Friday, Sep 5 at 5:54 AM Elkhart wrote ...

I have an idea, why don't you go out and do their job!

Friday, Sep 5 at 5:34 AM To Confusion wrote ...

You need to get a clue. Let me help clear your "confusion." This guy was lucky the investigator didn't shoot him too. Nearly $100,000 behind in child support...maybe he has a life insurance policy his neglected children could have collected had he also been shot like his viscious dog. I, like many, respect and support the actions of the authorities. People are fed up (with all lawbreakers) and want this type of behavior stopped. I support prison or bullets for people with no respect for the law.

Friday, Sep 5 at 5:28 AM Joyce wrote ...

Yes, the officer shot at a attacking dog. Someone must have let the dog out knowing he would chase after the officer. Is that pre med to murder or great bodily harm? What would have done with a angry dog after you? What no mention of the $95,000.00 the man owes his children? W You gave no comment about the man owing over $95,000.00 in child support!!!

Friday, Sep 5 at 5:19 AM Dan wrote ...

Then tell those idiots who like running from the law to stop breaking the law. Also, if your going to run from the police then by all means the police need to do whatever they can to stop this punk. Or maybe you cornfusion (check your spelling) can go out there and tell these punks to stop breaking the law. Send a dog after anyone and I'd bet they would shoot it as well.

Friday, Sep 5 at 4:45 AM Laura wrote ...

Confused..did you miss that the officer was trying to serve a warrent? Did you see $95,000.00 in unpaid child support? Why is it that the otherside isn't around? Did you miss the line that said the guy ran? He obviously isn't much of a man, cuz he didn't take care of his responsiblities. You seem to be on the "runners" side. If he hadn't ran, the dog wouldn't have chased the cop = no dead dog. Did the dog have shots? He probably took better care of the dog than he did of his kids.

Friday, Sep 5 at 4:38 AM Common Sense wrote ...

Yea Confusion, let the dog attack the officer so can get hurt. Champion! Next time someone points a gun at an officer he should just move out of the way huh. Geeze! WAKE UP!

Friday, Sep 5 at 4:21 AM Tired of the crybabies wrote ...

Once again it comes down to stupidity. An arrest warrant was being served, the man fled, a breed of dog noted for its visiousness and someone protecting not only himself but possibly anyone this dog may attack. Sometimes I don't think they discharge their guns enough or accurately enough. These getting shot at are in criminal acts that does or could endanger the public. They are not the victims.

Friday, Sep 5 at 1:45 AM Debbie wrote ...

With him oweing that much on child support,I doubt you are gonna hear his side. i bet he is still running. gosh thats a lot of money to owe for child support.$95,073.47 wow thats like winning the lottery if it goes for the child.Is that with interest or with out? well the officer had to shoot or be ripped apart by a dog chasing him. glad no child was around.I would think the tax payers already paid the mom for him. does that mean if he pays we get some of our money back? JOKING

Thursday, Sep 4 at 11:33 PM jimmi wrote ...

cornfusion is correct

Thursday, Sep 4 at 10:36 PM Cornfusion wrote ...

Once again it comes down to the "officers" side of the story and the "other side of the story" is not around to give their version. I think we should declare a moratorium on gunfire until we can find out why all this lead is flying around. If we don't get it under control librarians will start taking aim at those who talk above a whisper in the reading rooms. Crossing guards will take pot shots at people that do not return their kindly wave in the morning. It's out of control and it has to stop!

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