Man in ski mask pointed gun at woman to steal her French Bulldog — but her quick-thinking ended up saving both their lives

When the masked man aimed his gun and pulled the trigger, the chilling click made her fear for her life.

PUBLISHED 3 HOURS AGO

(L) Man in ski mask holding gun. (R) Cheerful woman carrying a French bulldog in a field. (Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by (L) Paul Bradbury; (R) Westend61)

Connor Biesel from Milwaukee was walking her French Bulldog, Honey, on a Saturday night when a man in a ski mask held her at gunpoint to steal her dog. Despite the scary situation, Connor didn't panic; instead, her quick thinking got her and the dog out of the harrowing ordeal.

A young woman is sitting outdoors with her dog. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by F.J. Jimenez)

The incident that happened near Hilbert and Stewart streets had totally shaken Connor, making her fear she could have lost her pet. "She is my whole world. I could cry just thinking about it," she told WISN 12 News. When the armed robber approached Connor, she immediately knew that he was after her dog, she said. "So I just started saying 'no.' And he told me to give her to him. I just kept saying 'no, no, no' and picked her up," Connor recalled.

Masked suspicious man in black looking strangely. (Representative Image Source: Pexels| Photo by Anna Shvets) — Masked suspicious man in black looking strangely. (Representative Image Source: Pexels | Photo by Anna Shvets)

When the masked man saw the woman pick up her dog, he took out his gun, pointed it at her face, and pulled the trigger. "I heard it click. And at that moment, I was like, 'I'm going to die,'" she said. Luckily, the gun misfired, and Connor survived; however, the armed robber started hitting her in the head with it. Connor kept screaming, and eventually the man ran away.

Later, Connor and Honey ran to a neighbor’s house to hide and wait for the police. The woman escaped the terrifying incident with no serious injuries, but more than anything, she was relieved that Honey was safe. "My mind just keeps thinking about the 'what ifs.' How it could have gone differently, there's so many things he could have done to get her or to kill me, and that's been the hardest part of it all," she added. The Milwaukee Police Department, according to the outlet, was still looking for the armed robber as of the date of publication.

Two multiracial police officers are working outdoors at night. (Representative Image source: Getty Images | Photo by kali9)

In another story of pet stealing, a dog owner grew concerned when a man in her neighborhood repeatedly approached her and her black Poodle, Phoebe, commenting on the dog’s beauty and asking intrusive questions about whether she was “fixed.” Feeling uncomfortable and worried he might attempt to steal her pet, the owner decided on a creative, though reluctantly chosen, solution. She marked Phoebe’s coat with pet-safe dye, coloring her chest and paws in bright, noticeable shades to make her easily recognizable. While she expressed regret over altering Phoebe’s appearance, she saw it as a necessary step to protect her beloved dog.

French bulldog staring intently outside. (Representative Image Source: Pexels| Photo by Corentin Henry) — French bulldog staring intently outside. (Representative Image Source: Pexels | Photo by Corentin Henry)

To further safeguard Phoebe, her other dog, Luna, trained to respond to a “speak command,” accompanies them during walks, acting as a protective distraction if anyone approaches too closely. The owner explained that the dye serves as a clear visual deterrent for potential thieves and makes Phoebe more easily identifiable if anyone tries to take her. Despite the extra work required to apply and maintain the dye, she felt it was worth the peace of mind, prioritizing her dogs’ safety above all else.