Pit Bull Guarding Master’s Van Butts Deputy and Is Shot Twice

Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy Steve Johnson went one on one with Rambo early Thursday and walked away with nary a scratch.

But Rambo, a 50-pound pit bullterrier, was not as lucky.

He was shot twice by the startled deputy, who was investigating a van parked on Gypsum Canyon Road near the Riverside Freeway at about 3:45 a.m. when the dog charged him from the darkness. One bullet grazed Rambo’s hindquarter, the other lodged in his jaw and was removed Thursday at the county Animal Shelter in Orange.

Sedated and bandaged, Rambo was reportedly resting quietly in cage No. 90 Thursday night, his condition listed as “guarded.’

Johnson was on routine patrol, driving east on Santa Ana Canyon Road, when he spotted the van as he approached Gypsum Canyon Road, Sheriff’s Lt. Richard Olson said.

“It is a relatively remote area,” Olson said, “where we have had some trouble in the past, so he decided to take a look. . . . He never saw that dog coming.”

Rambo, who had been under the van, lunged at Johnson, butting the deputy in the midsection and knocking him back a few feet, Olson said.

“He tried to take a bite but fortunately missed,” the lieutenant added.

When the snarling dog prepared to charge a second time, Johnson fired three shots, hitting the dog and awakening his owner, who rushed from the van and controlled the animal.

Rambo was impounded by county animal control officers.

His owner, Larry Stewart, 45, of Lake Elsinore, was cited for a leash-law violation, while another man sleeping in the van, Jeffery Ahren, 21, also of Lake Elsinore, was arrested on a $5,000 outstanding traffic warrant, Olson said.

Stewart told deputies that he leaves Rambo, a year-old male, outside the van for protection.

Animal control officer Kevin Whelan said Thursday night that the Sheriff’s Department is requesting that Rambo remain in custody as evidence should assault charges be filed against the dog’s owner.

Because Stewart lives in Riverside County, Whelan said that it would be up to officials there to decide whether Rambo is vicious and should be destroyed.

Rambo’s recovery, however, is not certain because of the seriousness of the facial wound, Whelan said, adding:

“The next 48 hours are the key for the dog.”

It may take Johnson that long to get over the attack. While the deputy escaped serious injury, Olson said that Johnson was bruised a bit.

“He’s awful lucky,” Olson said, “if all he suffered was a few frayed nerves.”