Man Dies Trying to Rescue Dog From Stump Grinder

climbhightree

climbhightree

Branched out member
Location
Lebanon, Pa USA
Found this while searching for stump grinders.



Published Monday, November 13, 2006

Man Dies Trying to Rescue Dog
Robert J. Wagner is killed attempting to save his friend's pet from stump grinder.

By Dana Willhoit
The Ledger


A man who tried to save his friend's dog from being pulled into the blade of a stump grinder was caught in the machine and killed Sunday morning at a hunting camp area east of Lake Wales.

Robert J. Wagner, 25, of Port St. Lucie, was with a friend, John Santilli, at a hunting camp in the River Ranch area and was using a stump grinder to grind down palmetto stumps when the accident happened about 9:40 a.m., Polk County sheriff's spokeswoman Donna Wood said.

Santilli's 6-month-old Weimaraner, Maggie, was tied by a leash to a tree and got too close to the machine. Her leash became entangled, reeling her in, according to Wood.

Wagner tried to free her and was also entangled and was cut by the blade. He died of lacerations and major head and body trauma, Wood said. He died before emergency workers arrived.

The dog also died, Wood said.

Wagner and Santilli, who is also from Port. St. Lucie, had arrived at the hunting camp Saturday morning. The campsite is in woods about 1.7 miles off County Road 630 East. Deputies had to use four-wheel drive vehicles to get to the camp, Wood said.

Polk County Emergency Medical Services and firefighters also were sent to the camp, Wood said.

The Vermeer SC252 stump grinder, according to the Vermeer company's Web site, is a gas-powered model that weighs about

1,000 pounds, is 35 inches wide and has a vertical wheel blade. It can be hauled behind a truck, and is designed to be narrow so that it can maneuver in tight spaces to get to tree stumps.
 
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yep that and stump grinders here, i think lowes does too, im not sure

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Commercial Pressure is causing these accidents.....same as big diam chippers
 
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Careless people cause accidents, not the equipment.

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spot on, tragic as it is, fact is no ammount of training makes up for a lack of common sense
 
Re: Man Dies Trying to Rescue Dog From Stump Grind

Although this is very sad, it kind of goes along with what I mentioned in the aerial rescue question you put forward.

I know its hard, but the mans reaction should have been to leave the dog to it, rather than risk himself aswell.

I'm not sure if I could do that though if my dog went in. Luckily my dog stays well clear of machinery except for the blower, somehow he knows that ok, but chainsaws etc send him running to the safety of the back seat of my car. Its got to the point now that you only need to put a helmet on and he's off.
 
Re: Man Dies Trying to Rescue Dog From Stump Grind

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I'm not sure if I could do that though if my dog went in. Luckily my dog stays well clear of machinery except for the blower, somehow he knows that ok, but chainsaws etc send him running to the safety of the back seat of my car. Its got to the point now that you only need to put a helmet on and he's off.

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Rupe,
Please, don't take this question the wrong way, I'm just concerned. Do you bring your dog to the work sites? That is cool if you do, as long as the dog was secure, and not running around the work zone. I can just see the door open for a potential hazard.

I don't want to get this thread off track.
This is another thread/story you hope you didn't have to read about, very sad.
 
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Rental Unit?!

why is it so easy for untrained peaple to rent these machines?

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I have rented a rental stump grinder and chipper from Nations Rents. They make unexperienced people watch a training video. That's a step toward the right direction.

But, I agree with No_Bivy. It's not the equipment's fault. It is not alive. It cannot function by itself. Think about it.

Why didn't the guy just shut the thing down, let the cutter wheel come to a stop, then assist the dog? Dang! He just reacted.

Another avoidable way to die.
 
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But, I agree with No_Bivy. It's not the equipment's fault. It is not alive. It cannot function by itself. Think about it.


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Ok notahacker, I have thought about and I now realise it was definately commercial pressure which was the cause of this accident and the number of fatalities involving large diameter chippers.

The rental company knows it is idiotic to rent out stumpgrinders to the untrained public, but all they care about is their profit margin ok? capish? Commercial pressure see?

Big Diameter chippers - we dont really need them, they have come into existence because of commercial pressure, our profit margins, "our competitors have big diam chippers so we need to get one as well" ok? comprehend? Commercial pressure yes

And the number of fatalities involving large diam chippers keeps going up and up and up.
 
Re: Man Dies Trying to Rescue Dog From Stump Grind

Huh ? wha? Commercial pressure , killed that man . I've heard it all now. That is one hell of a spin to put on a death . I thought about it too , poor dog had stupid owners.
 
Re: Man Dies Trying to Rescue Dog From Stump Grind

If you owned a stumpgrinder would you lend it to a friend?

just give him 5 minutes worth of training?

If the answer is yes then you are irresponsible, like everyone else who rents out stumpgrinders to the public.
 
Re: Man Dies Trying to Rescue Dog From Stump Grind

if he has common sense yes I would. Running a stump grinder isnt that much different then using a lawn mower. Keep all hands and feet etc away from the moving parts. Idiots all the time get hurt by mowers for sticking their hand under the deck. Respect the machine and have common sense.

as far as big dia chippers. I see it as a health saver to me and my empolyees. The more it can chip the less wood we need to load. If you dont mind loading wood then there is no commerical pressure to get one...u can haul it away. Oh and no using a mini skid etc. it may tip over, run over your foot etc.
 
Re: Man Dies Trying to Rescue Dog From Stump Grind

If you owned a 6 month old puppy , would you let in the area where you are grinding a stump ? If the answer is yes than you shouldn't own a puppy . You don't know if that man had training or not , and some things like "staying away from moving machine parts" can't be taught, you can try , but some people just don't get it.. I'm sure stupidity just caught up to the guy trying to save the dog that was placed in harms way . What are you gonna do , haul a stump grinder up to your hunting cabin , or rent one down the road ? A man is dead and he is a victim of , What was that ... Commercial pressure? poor dog , didn't have a chance with those commercial pressurized idiots .
 
Re: Man Dies Trying to Rescue Dog From Stump Grind

Rupe,
Please, don't take this question the wrong way, I'm just concerned. Do you bring your dog to the work sites?

Yes I bring him to every site with me. He show's up in many pics that I've posted on here.

When he was a pup i was extra strict with him and made sure he was shut in the truck during work time and only allowed out during breaks.

He learned very quickly, he's a collie, so quite clever. Now he is 9 years old and doesn't need to be told much anymore. Like I said earlier if you put a helmet on he knows the break is over and its back to work. He goes and gets in the car himself (if I've left the door open). He only gets out again when called even though he knows when we've stopped work and does whine to be let out but wouldn't dare jump out of the car without my permission.

Stump grinding, theres no way I'd have a dog on site, leashed or not, I'm just lucky with mine that he'd rather be in the car anyway.
 
Re: Man Dies Trying to Rescue Dog From Stump Grind

Very good, but you never said his name.
beerchug.gif
 
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