March 29, 2008

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- A pit bull is in the custody of St. Paul Animal Control Services after police arrested a man that used the dog as a weapon during a robbery.

Police cannot divulge exactly how the incident occurred because the investigation is ongoing. But the unnamed victim was robbed by Bill Gean Garrett, who used his dog, Cane, as a threatening tool.

The incident occurred early Wednesday morning in a Wendy’s parking lot in St. Paul.

Garrett was tracked down soon after. He was taken into police custody and Cane is now in the care of St. Paul Animal Control.

According to St. Paul Police Spokesman Tom Walsh, use of an animal as a weapon is rare.

“That’s pretty frequent that dogs are used to protect territory of turf,” he said. “This is the first time that I can recall a pit bull was used to intimidate somebody to create fear and to cause them to give up their money.”

Authorities could not reveal whether or not Cane actually attacked the victim. They cannot release any photos of the dog, either.

When asked how a dog could be used as a weapon, St. Paul Animal Control Supervisor Bill Stephenson said it’s a grey area.

“If you’re using it as that,” he said. “You know, sick ’em, or (the criminal) ordered the dog to attack or the dog does attack, it could be considered as a weapon.”

But Stephenson had only positive things to say about Cane.

“This one’s nice; it seems to be a very nice, people friendly dog,” said Stephenson. “He will get two or three meals a day and he’ll be under our control for awhile until we get clearance from the police department.

Minnesota law requires a stray dog to be held for no less than five days before it is put down. Stephenson said since Cane is considered evidence in the case, he is exempt from that rule.

However, once the case is closed, he thinks Cane should have an easy time getting adopted.

According to Walsh, Garrett has a long criminal history, but he won't be regaining custody of Cane.

To find out how to adopt Cane, contact the St. Paul Animal Control Services offices at (651) 266-1100.

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Matt Van Hoven, Pet Pulse reporter, and Caroline Lowe of WCCO contributed to this article.