BUTLER, Pa. (KDKA) — A Butler Township couple says a man pulled a gun on them for verbally comforting his dog, which had been left alone inside a car.

Township police told KDKA-TV they are in the early stages of an investigation into what happened. 

“I really thought I was gonna lose my life, and he was gonna shoot me,” said J.R Hunt. “He pointed it right at my face. I’m still shaking when I think about it. Anytime I see a vehicle that looks like his, I start shaking.”

Hunt and his wife were at the GetGo store near the Route 8 and Route 422 interchange when they saw the dog alone inside a car on the warm Friday. The man said there was only a small opening in the window and the dog was visibly panting.

They began verbally comforting the dog while they waited for the owner to come out, Hunt said. When he did, he began screaming at Hunt’s wife, asking if they were doing something with his dog.

Hunt’s wife explained she was talking to the dog because it was hot outside. She and Hunt got back in their car and told the man that if he did not give the dog water, the dog could die. 

“And that’s when he started screaming obscenities, ‘I was only in there for five minutes, why are you talking to my dog, you’re doing stuff to my dog.’ And this and that. And we were saying, we are just trying to make sure the dog is all right.”

Hunt said the dog’s owner had to have been in the store for at least 10 or 15 minutes. 

The dog’s owner told Hunt and his wife to get out of their car. Hunt showed the man his leg. He walks with a cane. 

“I said I’m handicapped, I’m not getting out of the vehicle. Then he went to come to the window as we were leaving and he had something to his side, and I didn’t know if it was a gun or a taser. And then he pointed it at me,” Hunt said.

That was the moment Hunt and his wife drove off. Hunt described what he saw as a pistol.

“I want that person to go to jail, and know they did something wrong, to not only me, but that poor puppy,” Hunt said. 

He says if they could take over caring for what he described as a beagle mix, he would. They already have 2 dogs.

The next time he sees a dog in a hot car, he says he’ll leave it to police to help the pup. 

“It’s just so hard to even process why someone could be that cruel to someone who was just saying you need to get your dog some water,” Hunt said.

PITTSBURGH — Just when the Brandon Aiyuk sweepstakes feel over, the Pittsburgh Steelers are dragged back in. The contract talks between the San Francisco 49ers and Aiyuk still haven’t bore fruit, despite repeated efforts. As it stands, he hasn’t signed an extension, and speculation surrounding his future continues.

It doesn’t help that there is some calculated negotiating through the media taking place. Aiyuk has been vocal on social media about the situation and his frustration. He’s also frequently seen with Washington Commanders’ rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, fueling the rumors that the Commanders are the frontrunner to land him.

But the gasoline poured into the fire is the media’s indulgence. The buzz and speculation is rampant online and on television. The latest came from former Steelers’ safety and NFL analyst Ryan Clark. On his podcast, The Pivot, Clark welcomed Aiyuk to discuss the situation.

On the show, Clark was pointed with his questions. He asked Aiyuk what uniform he envisioned himself in, and Aiyuk was equally pointed in return.

“Probably a Niners uniform, if not a Niners uniform probably a Washington Commanders uniform. If not a Washington Commanders uniform, probably Steelers uniform,” he said.

Clark told Aiyuk that he believed the Steelers were the best fit for him and his career ambitions. It almost came across as a recruiting pitch for the Black and Gold.

“And so, whether it’s in San Francisco, Washington, Pittsburgh, whatever team you play for, you’ve succeeded at every level, even with odds stacked against you,” Clark said. “So for us, we’re rooting for you. I wanna see you do well. Pittsburgh would be the best place for you to thrive.”

The writing is on the wall for the Steelers, but they are not giving up yet. In all likelihood, Aiyuk will remain with the 49ers. The main sticking point remains the yearly salary and whether the 49ers will give him $30 million or more. Until then, the Steelers remain in pursuit of Aiyuk and upgrading their wide receiver room.

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