Cow doesn't die easily after attack injuries

By Times Staff Writer
Published December 18, 2007

BROOKSVILLE

Authorities are investigating an animal attack that severely injured a 30-year-old cow grazing in a pasture in eastern Hernando County.

The cow's owner found a long, deep gash in the hindquarter of a cow Saturday morning.

To put the cow out of its misery, the owner shot it six times in the head with a .22-caliber pistol, sheriff's reports said. But it didn't die.

The owner asked Deputy Stephen Dillon to assist, and after getting approval from Sgt. David Lee, the deputy shot the cow twice in the forehead with his Glock 22. It continued to breathe, though, so the deputy shot it twice more in the temple area of the head.

After 10 bullets to the head, the cow still didn't die. It finally succumbed when the deputy shot it in the neck. Investigators believe a pack of dogs attacked the cow.

Gun club competitor shoots self by accident

A 38-year-old man participating in a shooting competition at the Phoenix Gun Club on Mondon Hill Road accidentally shot himself in the leg Saturday afternoon.

Felix Chan suffered a gunshot wound to his right thigh as he withdrew a .45-caliber semiautomatic handgun from a hip holster, a sheriff's report said. The bullet went through his leg and exited just above his right knee.

Chan was taken by helicopter to St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa as a precautionary measure, but his injury was not life-threatening, reports said.

His friend, Dennis Ramos, 38, told authorities they were engaged in a competition.

[Last modified December 17, 2007, 20:19:08]