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To: John Carpenter who wrote (18005)	4/4/1998 10:25:00 AM
From: diana g	Respond to of 95453

<<<Off Topic>>Re: Burglars, Dogs, the Law, etc Hi John, Sorry about your unpleasant experience. I want to say that dogs are great as companions and they can warn you by barking, and their presence will deter some burglars, but it is unrealistic to expect a dog to succeed at defending you/your family against an attacker. Most burglars are non-violent sneaks, but the unfortunate truth is that we must be prepared for the worst. I recommend a 12 gauge shotgun . A pump would be my choice. (Single or double barrel would have less shots before having to reload--you probably don't need many, but better safe than sorry. Semi-auto shotguns are unreliable in my experience.) As to the potential legal problems: Picture yourself on the jury at the trial of a man who killed an intruder in his home. Would you vote to convict? Lawyers and others may tell you about your risk of being prosecuted. This is BS. Shoot 'em dead and tell the story right, and no jury would ever convict. One chance in a thousand they would charge you at all. As a part-time New York City resident I have heard much about burglaries. Here are some ideas that seem to work: First--The usual: Secure your house. Make it unattractive to burglars, etc etc Also, think ahead to the time a burglar might be in your house in your absence. Plan his visit: Go to the local discount store and buy a cheap, gaudy jewelry box and some cheap costume jewelry. Display this prominently on your wife's dressing table. Put the good stuff in a plain container and hide it. Leave a little cash out in the open; $37.78 on top of a chest of drawers, maybe. If you have an old wallet with some expired credit cards, this would be a nice touch. The idea is that once the thief has found something, he is less likely to continue to search if he has no reason to believe you've hidden the money you embezzled from the Girl Scouts in a secret compartment. A burglar most likely wants to get out as soon as he can. He knows most people have some money around the house, some jewelry, TV, portable electronic stuff; That's what he's after. He's not likely to rip the place apart once he's found these things on the off chance you've got a sack of gold coins in an old boot in the laundry room. I've heard quite a few stories of burglars who fixed and ate a meal, etc. In fact, I've heard of break-ins where this occurred and nothing else was taken.This is interesting behavior, but very non-professional, it seems to me.<G> Dogs are great. I love mine. They're a big responsibility, though. I think you should get a dog because you want the dog as a friend and companion, not as a spur of the moment decision because you think the dog might make your house safer. Dogs need companionship. They need to be played with and cared for. They need health care. If it hadn't occurred to you before this to get a dog, are you sure you really want all that's involved in having one? Why not give it a little time to see if it still seems like a good idea when the burglary is not so fresh in your mind? Whatever you decide, Good Luck!! best regards, diana

To: John Carpenter who wrote (18005)	4/4/1998 10:33:00 AM
From: Thean	Respond to of 95453

John and Dog: John, I also want to emphasize the responsibility part of having a dog like Diana. A dog needs healthcare, companionship very much like a baby. We tried once two years ago but I had to return the dog to its previous owner a week later because my wife could not stand the extra clean-up she needs to do around the house. I also find it quite a chore to take the dog out 2-3 times a day for its pees and poos. Think twice before you pull the trigger or make an arrangement to return the dog back to the store or owner in case you find out it won't work for you.

To: John Carpenter who wrote (18005)	4/4/1998 12:07:00 PM
From: marc chatman	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 95453

OT John: On shotguns, dogs and alarms. 1. The likelihood of you ever using a shotgun on a burglar is small, but let's assume you do. Probably a jury would never convict, but take it from a former lawyer (stress former) -- there are no guarantees. 2. If that situation ever arises, you'll be bled dry by lawyers' fees. Even if you win, you lose. And don't forget the civil suit, where the bad guy (or estate) sues for damages. Yes, what a joke that is, but the standard of proof is much lower, and, yes, there would be more legal fees. 3. The best solution is to stop the bad guys outside the house. Alarms or dogs (I have dogs, myself) or both. And, perhaps someone already mentioned this, you should get a decent break on your homeowners insurance if you have an alarm system. Check with your insurance company to determine what type of alarms they favor and how much of a break you can get. Good luck.