Suspects still on the loose after botched home invasion

A recent home invasion in Phoenix, Arizona, has left some puzzling questions for law enforcement, according to AZ Family.

Police responded to an early morning home invasion and upon arriving at the said location officers saw a vehicle fleeing the area, at which time they proceeded to follow the vehicle and a chase ensued. Once the driver stopped, a gun fight between the officers and the suspects took place, the suspects then tried to flee on foot.

While police went on the chase, backup went into the home of the burglary to find one victim wounded on the floor. He was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

According to the news source, officers were able to capture two suspects, but are not certain they were involved in the home invasion, at this time officials believe at least one or two suspects are still on the loose.

It's crucial to your own personal safety and the safety of your family that you take the necessary precautions to keep your home secure. Keeping pepper spray in an easy-to-get to area may be one way to ward off an assailant who has breached the security in your home. Having a cordless phone near your bed is another smart move, because if you hear an intruder you have easy access to calling for help. If a suspect has a weapon, always give them what they want, as your possessions aren't worth your life.

Woman fights back during a recent attack

A Kamloop, British Columbia, woman was the victim of an attack while walking home during the early morning hours, according to BC Local News.

According to officials, the 19-year-old victim had been walking down a main street between 2:30 and 3:00 a.m. when she was approached from behind by two men. She said one man punched her in the face while the other tried to remover her pants.

The victim told police she was then able to punch the assailant trying to take down her pants in the face, he retaliated by then punching her in the face.

During the attack a vehicle drove by, which the victim believes caused the assailants to flee the scene. According to the news source, the victim said she was stunned by the incident and proceed to walk home with a black eye and bruised fist.

She reported that she never heard the men coming because she had been listening to music on her headphones.

Using earphones or a cell phone while walking alone can make you an easy target because you're less aware of your surroundings. For your own personal safety, you should avoid distractions while walking alone at all times. Purchasing pepper spray to keep in your purse or on your body may further protect you should an attack occur.

Couple suffers attack from rabid fox

A couple from Gibsonton, Florida, had a scary run in with a rabid fox recently, according to FOX 13 Tampa Bay.

The news source said the elderly couple was driving down U.S. Highway 49 in Florida when their car suddenly stopped, forcing them to pull over.

While stopped, the wife got out of the car and started to scream. Her husband came around the other side of the vehicle to see a fox dangling from his wife's arm.

"He was trying to get a piece of that arm," the victim's husband told the news station. "He was shaking, kicking and raising all kinds of Cain trying to get a piece of that arm."

He was finally able to throw the fox off his wife, but the animal stayed and began biting him on the leg. The two victims were taken to the hospital where they received rabies shots, the female victim needed stitches on her arm and thumb.

According to the Hernando County Health Department there is a rabies endemic in the area and they urged residents to vaccinate their pets against the disease and to take caution when walking as an attack could happen at any time. Purchasing pepper spray or animal repellent may be a good option if you tend to walk your pet as an animal with rabies could be anywhere and will strike without warning.

Man attacked while vacationing in Myrtle Beach

A 23-year-old tourist was recently beaten up and robbed while walking in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, according to The Sun News.

The victim called police at 3:00 a.m. after he was jumped by four men he had reportedly struck up a conversation with. He told police he had been walking when he asked a group of men about local bars in the area. During this time the men started punching and kicking him and proceeded to steal his wallet from his back pocket.

According to the police report, the victim's shirt and hat were ripped off him during the attack, both items were recovered in the area where the victim said the event had happened.

Police further learned that the thieves had used two of the victim's credit cards at a nearby Wal-Mart where they spent approximately $300, an investigation is underway.

If you're traveling to an unfamiliar destination, you should never talk to strangers, especially if you're walking alone as you may make yourself an easier target by proving you don't know the area. Carrying pepper spray with you may be another way to stay safe while traveling as the mechanism will work to blind your attacker, giving you adequate time to get away.

Group of teens attack an openly gay man

A recent crime in Springfield, Massachusetts left one man severely injured, according to CNN Boston.

Police say that a group of nine teens ranging from 12 to 19 came up to the victim - a 30-year-old openly gay man at approximately 3:00 a.m. and started harassing him. Officers say the victim was knocked to the ground, punched in the face and kicked in the head and the abdomen.

Reports further stated that during the incident female bystanders were encouraging the men to beat the victim up as they yelled crude remarks about his sexual orientation.

The suspects fled after the assault, and the victim was transported to a nearby hospital where he was treated for head trauma and released.

The victim's MP3 player was stolen during the fight and was later recovered from one of the suspects.

Those involved are being charged with a hate crime and possibly assault and robbery.

Walking alone at night should be avoided at all times regardless of age or gender. If you need to walk by yourself frequently, consider purchasing pepper spray as a way to maintain your personal safety should a problem arise. Staying in tune with your surroundings is another key element to safety, if you are distracted by a phone or listening to music, you may make yourself an easy target for an attack.

Dog attack leaves one injured

One Seattle woman and her dog were serverly attacked after a run in with a pit bull, according to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

The victim said she had been walking her dachshund when a pit bull charged at them and started attacking the small dog. The victim told the news source she wasn't going to let go of her pet.

During the incident the dog pulled them to the ground and held on biting her and her animal for some time.

Help came in the form to two men who had heard the scuffle, they approached with a stick as a way to break-up the attack. According to the news source, the victim received multiple bruises and puncture wounds to her face and limbs, her dog got an injury on his nose.

Police say a woman stepped forward claiming the dog as her own. She told officers the dog had been a rescue from the pound and had trouble in the past with other dogs but claims the animal had never bitten any people.

Whenever you're out walking your pet, know that you could come in contact with an unruly animal. Staying alert and even purchasing pepper spray to take with you may be a way to avoid such situations from occurring.

One dies after failed home invasion

A recent home invasion in Enfield, North Carolina, ended with one youth dead, two suspects in custody and one possible assailant still on the run, according to The Daily Herald.

A man who had been housesitting for a friend had been asleep on the couch when he heard a noise from outside and looked through the peephole. According to police, four intruders then kicked the door in and the victim was pinned underneath it.

During the initial scuffle, the victim reached over and grabbed a gun out of the suspect's hand. He then stood up and started shooting the firearm. He struck one and the juvenile suspect died instantly.

The other three involved fled the scene. Police say two of the three remaining individuals have turned themselves into authorities, while one remains on the run.

When involved in a home invasion, your personal safety is instantly at risk. In this case, the victim was able to gain access to a firearm to protect himself, yet purchasing pepper spray may prove to be just as beneficial. The device will be able to stun intruders, yet won't cause any life-threatening injuries.