This entry might be better called "Lack of Gun Familiarity Almost Kills Woman". Seems like the gun (which was kept for defense) was either unloaded, or she didn't release the safety. Details here.

by the news articles' description, sounds like the victim's neighbor may have been keeping fighting dogs. that sort of attack, and the described history of aggression, shouldn't be found in a pitbull unless it was trained in. the few animals born with it should have it trained out or be put down long before they gain reputations as aggressive dogs in their neighborhood.

normally when the media describes an aggressive dog as a "pit bull" i don't give it much credence, because any dog that bites a human these days is a "pit bull" on the front pages, but in this case they may just have been.

A gun you don't know how to use, or isn't loaded, is rock to throw at your enemy...and I can't hit the broadside of a barn from inside with a rock!