Dallas Homeowner Fatally Shoots Intruder After Parrot 'Hello'

[RadioFreeSeaLab]

http://www.nbc5i.com/news/14348860/detail.html

Homeowner Fatally Shoots Intruder After Parrot 'Hello'

POSTED: 6:22 am CDT October 16, 2007
UPDATED: 7:34 pm CDT October 16, 2007
DALLAS -- Police said a homeowner fatally shot an intruder after his parrot alerted him that someone was on the property.

Video

Police said it happened at a home in the 3600 block of Cortez Drive, north of Bachman Lake, at about 2 a.m. Tuesday.

Dennis Baker, who keeps several pet birds, said his Mexican Red-headed parrot "Salvador" said "hello" when he sees someone.

As a man passed by a window at his home, Salvador began saying "Hello, hello," awaking Baker.

Baker then saw the intruder on a surveillance system and shot him inside the home's detached garage, police said.

The intruder, who was identified as John Woodson, 46, was taken to Parkland Hospital in critical condition. He died a short time later.

People had burglarized the home, which is also used as a locksmith shop, several times in the last month, according to police.

Dallas police said Baker will not face charges because he was defending his property.

A bill passed earlier this year by legislators gives Texans a stronger legal right to defend themselves with deadly force in their homes, vehicles and workplaces.

Lot of bad guys getting taken out in Texas latley.  You'd think they'd get the hint.

[RadioFreeSeaLab]

Another article on the same story.
http://wcbstv.com/topstories/parrot.intruder.burglary.2.375245.html

Homeowner's Parrot Alerts Him To Would-Be Burglar
DALLAS (CBS) ―

A northwest Dallas homeowner shot and killed a would-be burglar and it was all because a  pet bird said "Hello."

Police said the homeowner's bird may have saved the day by greeting the alleged burglar with "Hello" when the man walked into the back of the house in the 3600 block of  Cortez Drive.

The homeowner told police he heard noise in his garage about 1:30 a.m. and checked the home's security cameras.  The homeowner heard the bird's greeting and knew something was wrong, police said.

On the surveillance monitor, the homeowner spotted the intruder and called 9-1-1, police said.

He confronted the intruder and during a scuffle, he shot the would-be burglar.

As of Sept. 1, Texas homeowners have right to protect property even if it requires deadly force. Some people call the measure the "castle doctrine," based on the premise a man's home is his castle and that he should have the right to defend it.

Police said the red-headed Mexican parrot also greeted them when  they entered the house.

"It's unique. I find it interesting," Det. R. L. Ermatinger with the Dallas Police Department said.

According to the law, the building or vehicle must be occupied at the time for the deadly force provision to apply. Also, the person using force cannot provoke the attacker or be involved in criminal activity at the time. So far, the homeowner does not face charges.

The intruder later died at the hospital.

[MechAg94]

He didn't need castle doctrine law to avoid charges from that.  He was covered before especially since the guy was inside at least part of his home.  It is not like he said "surprise!" bang, bang. 
The one article says there was a struggles so saying he was protecting property is not quite right.

[Matthew Carberry]

Somebody deserves a cracker. 

[Antibubba]

This is the actual* audio transcript from the scene:

(door opening)

Parrot: Hello! Hello!

Burgler:  Shhhh!  Keep it down, nice birdy.

P: Hello Hello!

B: You gotta keep it quiet!

P: Pretty bird! Pretty bird!

B: That's it!  You're dead!

P:  Salvador wants a--

*CRACK CRACK CRACK*

B:  Errrrrrrrrrrr.... (gurgling sounds)






*Sorry, no link.

[El Tejon]

Hmmm, a spotter bird?

[Matthew Carberry]

Hmmm, a spotter bird?

Awwwrk...troops in the open, troops in the open, 200 yds.... awwwwrk

[jefnvk]

Heard on Bob and Tom this morning:

'Maybe he should teach the bird to say goodbye, goodbye!'

 

[Perd Hapley]

Hmmm, a spotter bird?

Awwwrk...troops in the open, troops in the open, 200 yds.... awwwwrk

Sweet.   

[Stand_watie]

Heard on Bob and Tom this morning:

'Maybe he should teach the bird to say goodbye, goodbye!'

 

"hasta la vista ... baby" (boom)

[auschip]

"... Hello, Hello.  I don't know what you say goodbye I say hello."