The Virginian-Pilot
©
VIRGINIA BEACH
When Rico woke from his nap Sunday evening, he was ready to play. But the two men who had entered GFY Clothing, a screen printing shop on South Birdneck Road, were in no mood for fun.
They spotted Rico, a year-old pit bull, and one of them shot him in the head with a .45-caliber handgun. Despite the injury, Rico attacked, clamping onto one of the men’s arms and buying the shop’s employees enough time to escape.
“I know for a fact he saved our lives,” said Chuck Smellinger, 34, one of the shop’s owners. “It was amazing, because I’ve never seen him act out aggressively.”
The bullet struck above Rico’s left eye and exited through his chest, hitting one of his back legs. Fortunately, it didn’t pierce his skull.
“The vet said, 'You’ve got a super dog,’” said owner Christopher Selby, 31, who adopted Rico a few weeks ago from his previous owner, who couldn’t care for him anymore. Selby was out on a date at the time of the shooting, and Smellinger was dog-sitting at the shop.
Rico was back home by Wednesday and, other than feeling drowsy from his medications, is the happy-go-lucky puppy he was before the shooting, Selby said as the pit bull sat on his lap at GFY Clothing.
“He’s still cool, he still wants to cuddle and play,” Selby said.
It’s unclear whether the canine will regain full vision in his left eye.
For now, the city has agreed to pay for the dog’s medical bills, which totaled more than $900, Selby said. But he’s working to raise money in case he’s asked to repay the costs.
A fundraiser is scheduled for Saturday at Chicho’s Pizza on 29th Street and Pacific Avenue, and a portion of the proceeds will go to pay Rico’s bills. GFY Clothing will sell “I love my pit bull” T-shirts, featuring Rico’s freckled face, for $10.
If the person who shot Rico is caught, officials hope to make him repay his medical bills as part of his sentence, said Animal Control Officer Jane Cason.
Police had not made any arrests Wednesday, a police spokesman said . The two men did not steal anything valuable from the shop, Smellinger said.
Rico’s heroic act speaks well for pit bulls, especially because he didn’t attack first, Smellinger said.
“Anyone who has a pit bull and doesn’t fight it will tell you they’re the smartest, coolest dogs,” Selby said. “It’s 100 percent the image and the owner and the socialization and how they’re raised.”
Rico will make an appearance at Saturday’s fundraiser, sporting a sparkling “bling-bling” collar, Selby said. “He’ll be treated like a hero for the rest of his life.”
Kathy Adams, (757) 222-5155, kathy.adams@pilotonline.com
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rico pitbullshot
Please give update on Rico's condition and the outcome of benefit
Pit Bull Saves Life
I am amazed at the seemingly intelligent people who have posted in re: Victims of Violent Crimes paying for the dog's vet bills without even taking the time to do a little bit of research. This is a FEDERALLY funded program used to compensate people who have been victimized. I would say this owner fits that description. Thank God his Pit was there and allowed him to escape. While it may be true, (though I'd disagree), that a Pit, or a Rott or a Dobi may be more aggresive natured than say a Golden, when raised properly with love, socialization and discipline, they are no more dangerous than a Chihuahua that has not been taught manners. And speaking of "nature"...hmmm...seems to me that humans, (who btw have "reasoning" instincts), should perhaps be hated and banned too as the news has shown over and over in the last few months seemingly normal, friendly, loving family members who one day just came home and shot their wife and kids to death before killing themselves. Now that's a thought...huh?
Pit Bulls/AmStaffs are the best!!!
There is no doubt that one of the best family dogs is a pitbull or Amstaff. There are a ton of reasons. They are wonderful with young kids. Everytime I tell that to someone, they look in absolute amazement. Oh well.
what's up dog?
This a great story. Didn't think I'd ever see a positive PB story here. Someone posted that they are bred to attack. The truth is they usually don't make the best guard dogs, they like people too much. I'm lucky, my pit doesn't appear to be dog aggressive. I don't go out of my way to test this apparent good nature. Why push it? My dog does something for me that I have never heard of until now. I have severe sleep apnea. I'm waiting to get fitted for a CPAP mask. If that dog hears me gasp for breath, he jumps on the bed and licks my face until I wake up and start to breathe properly again. I'd say he's earning his keep around here. I used to be a PB hater until I got one as a puppy one day. My dog and Rico look almost identical from the neck up.
fetch
Sounds a bit far fetched that he attacked after he was shot with a .45 .... more than likely he attacked until he was shot with a .45
Either way, good for him.
Pit bull medical bills
I'm glad Rico is trying to chase away the ugly cloud that hangs over his breed. I do think the City of VB should seek a judgment against the criminal for the costs of the dog's care and tack on a ridiculously high interest rate, on top of whatever punishment he may receive...
Great job Rico!
I hope Rico tore that criminals arm up and let's hope the criminal gets a case of tetanus out of this and has to go get treatment. They should be alerting all of the primary care locations to be on the lookout for this creep whoi is probably going to need some medical assistance.
Great job Rico. Give him some treats for me.
Whiners..
You need to get over yourselves.... I live in VB & I pay taxes & am glad "my" tax dollars are helping a good cause. I am a dog lover, have a huskie currently, just had to put my 170 lb Newfoundland to sleep in June, owned a chow for 13 years. My chow was a "guard dog", thats in their breed. She was very territorial, as a responsible dog owner, I knew that, and watched her and made sure she was not in a situation that would make her feel threatened. My neighbors have a pit bull that is a big baby, she runs all around the yard with their two small children and is very submissive. I have owned dogs all of my life, usually more than one at a time. I believe there are not bad dogs only bad owners....thats not to say there are not dogs that can be agressive, but if you are a good dog owner, you will be responsible in owning those dogs.
Before owning a breed, you need to study the breed, talk to breeders, talk to owners of the breed, read up, do your homework and know what you're getting in to.
Again, I am pleased to see my tax money is going to help someones pet that was injured by theives...... Lets focus on prosecuting them, they were breaking the law & imagine how scared the sta
Amazing Pit Bulls
Pit Bulls are wonderful dogs and this is just another testament to that. Pit Bulls are even war heros. Look it up! By the way, if you were the one shot when someone robbed your store, the city would be paying your bill too and it would be a lot more than $900! Imagine if you were shot in the head by a criminal and lived, but had no health insurance... Would you like the city to eliminate that help it provides to victims of violent crimes?
thank you! thank you! thank you!
I'm so glad for once they put something good in the news about a pitbull! Most of you people that are commenting about pitbulls are a dangerous breed..and blah blah..do you even own pets? ANY dog can attack someone...BUT the media feels the need to focus on one breed! I own a dachshund, english setter, and a pitbull and by far my pitbull is the biggest baby out of ALL three! It all goes back to HOW they were raised..just like people if you weren't raised right more than likely you are not going to act right...and I'm so glad that the puppy did not get hurt any worse or the employees.