One of the things DRILLED-REPEAT D-R-I-L-L-E-D into my head by the houndsmen I hunt bear with is NEVER shoot unless you are 100% sure the shot will not hit a dog. In the frenzy of a fight I have hesitated, looked beyond the animal and around it and have never come close to hitting one because of that. And it is not easy. When a bear is coming at you or at your feet. literally, it is hard to keep focussed on anything other than the task at hand.

I have been in a fight where dogs were under the bear, but they were visible and the absolute mayhem of the fight precluded a shot due to the fact that other dogs were on top of the bear instantly and the bear then lost its grasp of the dog under it. This was repeated as the bear grabbed and rolled dogs, etc. Absolute madness is the only description of such a fight and it is very hard to describe.

What is described here is very believeable to me. At first, the reading of it made me think just like Brittany that she had shot somebody BEYOND the leopard. Such a thing should never occur of course, but in thick brush such a shot can be imagined, tho not condoned. It would be a negligent act IMO, but one that can be imagined easily.

If what these guys are saying is true, I can see how this happened and frankly, can only describe it as a very unfortunate accident with little negligence on the part of Brittany. A camo'd fellow under a leopard in thick grass shot by a short girl. All those factors combine to make this one just one of those really bizarre situations that might not have been preventable. That's my opinion.

If it was demonstrated that there was no high or thick grass, my opinion might change.

Interesting. I too hope all are well, especially the African fellow.