[mahnotinknee]

New here but looking to maybe get some suggestions on what kind of dog could have done this...if a dog at all?

Pics are hard to tell how bad it actually is...

Something came onto my parents carport last night and destroyed the front of my moms Mustang. The black pieces everywhere are the remains of her chin spoiler. We are assuming that a cat ran and got under the hood and the animal was ripping the car apart to get to it. Something to have a jaw strong enough to puncture the metal and rip the bumper apart from the metal rivets...I have no idea. When my parents told me on the phone I thought bear but after seeing it I would have to assume it was some pissed off/vicious dog. The sheriff was there when I pulled up and he thinks it was a pit pull only on the assumption that it had to have been a smaller dog with strong jaws. A larger dog would have got on the hood I assume.

After it hit the Mustang it went after our Jeep. My mom drove the Jeep to work so I couldn't get pics of it. Crazy?

 

[mahnotinknee]

 

[mahnotinknee]

 

[Britt Caleb & Enzo]

As a Mustang owner myself, that pretty much made me cringe... ouch!

A few years back we had a dog (we assume) go after a cat in our carport... we found the cat dead and the dog had climbed on top of the car and ripped holes in the convertible top and well as some deep scratches in the paint, but NOTHING like you posted. Ouch! I have no idea what could have done that... but I hope you can get the car fixed!

 

[Keechak]

just a question. Whats a carport? is it like a garage?

 

[Britt Caleb & Enzo]

A carport is like a garage... here's a picture of the basic design.

The one we have has enclosed sides and an enclosed back and sits on a concrete foundation.

 

[Keechak]

oh wow lol very compleate reply. yes I've seen thoughs before I just didn't know they had a name other than "cover" lol

 

[tw1n]

Well it's obviously a pit bull... and the proper way to title a dog attack thread is "pit bull mauls mustang"


lol.

My guess would be that some of the scratches were from the cat fighting off/running away from wutever was attacking it. And depending on where you live it might not be a dog at all. Are you in a state with a high bear population?

 

[Keechak]

If that was a bear, there would be more damage than that. Bears can rip doors off of cars, just go to Youtube and see.

 

[mahnotinknee]

It is a carport that is actually part of the house. Covered walkway, shingles, attic, etc.

I live in Pensacola, FL (Panhandle) We have bears in the outlying areas but never around my parents. And yes I agree there would have been more damage.

**UPDATE**
Just got off the phone with my dad. Animal control had stopped by and said it was not a dog. Florida Wildlife Commission stopped by and said it was a dog. They actually gathered DNA from the blood on the headlight and they found hair on the tire. The neighbor has a Boxer so they went next door for questions, etc. They examined the dog for cuts, bleeding etc. and it was fine. The owner did notify them they have had problems with the dogs across the street.

Currently animal control is across the street with their investigation...I will try and keep you updated.

 

[mahnotinknee]

i think we need to know where you live, many different animals could have done that...and the area where you live might provide some kind of answers.

Pensacola, Florida (Panhandle)

 

[mahnotinknee]

Animal Control thinks it was a dog.
Florida Wildlife Commission thinks it is a large cat.

Hair samples did not match dog across the street either.

 

[FourIsCompany]

This is just so interesting in a freaky way. I'm terribly curious what they find out. I would assume a cat got under the hood and another animal attacked, but I'm really curious about the findings.

I don't suppose there's any hair or blood under the hood to indicate what kind of animal was inside?

 

[mahnotinknee]

I don't suppose there's any hair or blood under the hood to indicate what kind of animal was inside?

There was blood on the headlight and hair on one of the tires. Florida Wildlife took samples for DNA to find out what it is...soon hopefully.

Also set up traps. They assured my dad whatever it was will be back.

 

[animalcraker]

It looks similar to the damage that my old Sheltie and Terrier mix did to thier first dog door. At the time we kept them pened in the garage during the night and we instaled a dog door so they could easily be let in and out. They weren't too thriled about not getting to go in and out as they pleased so they chewed a hole through the wall. We ended up going thru a weeks worth of trial and error, failing miserably, untill we gave up and kept them crated inside. They went thru various wire mesh, thick plastic, and various thicknesses of metal.

On another note if the plastic lip on the bumpers wasn't conditioned then they become dry and brittle very quicly. From the pictures it doesn't look like it ever was, though few very people ever notice it's there in the first place. In that condition it would be quite easy for most dogs to chew and snap off some peices.

Whatever kind of animal it was they must have been hunrgy enough to eat a horse

 

[mahnotinknee]

I know a dog can chew plastic but to puncture metal fenders?

 

[tw1n]

I'm also from FL, east coast, and I know that west coast every once and awhile gets a stray black bear wandering into neighborhoods and stuff. But that usually makes the news, and a 500+ pound bear is usually kinda noticable walking around a neighborhood.

Could be a bobcat?

 

[mahnotinknee]

I'm also from FL, east coast, and I know that west coast every once and awhile gets a stray black bear wandering into neighborhoods and stuff. But that usually makes the news, and a 500+ pound bear is usually kinda noticable walking around a neighborhood.

Could be a bobcat?

After a lot of reading I am thinking it may be a cat. Bear would have more damage and there is damage under the car too.

 

[ladyshadowhollyjc]

Pensacola, Florida (Panhandle)

I'm gunna guess... not a bear.

 

[cshellenberger]

Have you had any reports of Puma in the area? I don't think a Bobcat could have done that kind of damage, their mouths are too small.