Family dog kills owner in back yard in Broward

[IdahoMom]

Just another case of "not my dog"
How many times do we read about things like this? I think many people who want breeds of that nature get some kind of ego boost about it.

From the Article it is clear she knew the dog was not well tempered and she also wasn't a very responsible pet owner.. (fined for no shots and the dogs being loose)
Terrible that her daughter had to witness this.

There is a pitbull in our neighborhood that runs loose every once in awhile. We (including other neighbors) have called animal control several times. The pitbull still is at the home...I think the owners couldn't give a damn. :slap: It's pretty bad when you have to keep a baseball bat by the front door so you can grab it to defend yourself. I would have no problem pulverizing that dog's skull. It had my daughter backed against my car one day and I sincerely wish I had the bat then. Sorry to the pitbull lovers out there- but the dog, imo, is out looking for trouble and I fully intend to give it to him the next time her comes on my property.

 

[curious1]

There is a pitbull in our neighborhood that runs loose every once in awhile. We (including other neighbors) have called animal control several times. The pitbull still is at the home...I think the owners couldn't give a damn. :slap: It's pretty bad when you have to keep a baseball bat by the front door so you can grab it to defend yourself. I would have no problem pulverizing that dog's skull. It had my daughter backed against my car one day and I sincerely wish I had the bat then. Sorry to the pitbull lovers out there- but the dog, imo, is out looking for trouble and I fully intend to give it to him the next time her comes on my property.

Well when you take that first swing you better hope the dog is not in a position to grab you because once you show any aggression towards that dog all bets are off and I would not place my money on you or anyone else in that situation. I myself am not afraid of Pit Bulls just because they are Pit Bulls, but in a situation where one was showing aggression I would be damn sure I could kill him before I took the first swing.

 

[IdahoMom]

Well when you take that first swing you better hope the dog is not in a position to grab you because once you show any aggression towards that dog all bets are off and I would not place my money on you or anyone else in that situation. I myself am not afraid of Pit Bulls just because they are Pit Bulls, but in a situation where one was showing aggression I would be damn sure I could kill him before I took the first swing.

What else can be done when they approach you? I really don't think I would have the presence of mind to talk nice and get strategic....I am very afraid of dogs and they know it.

 

[curious1]

Do what I did when our neighbors aggressive dog would get out...I would always check my yard before heading out to my car and when I saw him approaching I would run to what ever I was closest to my car, my parents car or back to the house. Then I would call Animal Control. Yeah, it took about a year, but they did finally take the dog away. If I had struck out with something I would have probably ended up dead.

 

[Jeana (DP)]

What else can be done when they approach you? I really don't think I would have the presence of mind to talk nice and get strategic....I am very afraid of dogs and they know it.

I'm no expert, but I don't believe talking nice is the way to avoid being attacked. They have to fear you. You're right though. If they sense fear on your, you're a gonner.

 

[kgeaux]

What else can be done when they approach you? I really don't think I would have the presence of mind to talk nice and get strategic....I am very afraid of dogs and they know it.

No dog should ever be loose, including pits, so I really sympathize with your predicament. I own a pit, though, and I wonder what the pit in your neighborhood was doing when he had your daughter backed against a car? Was he snarling, growling, being aggressive? If he was being aggressive, animal control really needs to pick the dog up, because it's obvious his owners are irresponsible.

IF the pit was not growling, etc. could it have been wanting to make friends? I ask because some people panic at the mere sight of a pit. These dogs don't know their reputation and it can be confusing to them when they are making "lets be friends" moves and people are responding with baseball bats!

There are millions of pits in America and really only a small portion of them are involved in attacks and maulings.......and almost every dog that ends up in that situation has an irresponsible owner who has let the dog loose or left the dog unneutered, left the dog around kids, etc.

 

[curious1]

Thank you kgeauz for being a respoinsible Pit owner. I am sure yours is very happy and wags his wittle nubby tail when you come home.

 

[narlacat]

Am I the only one questioning what they say in the article???

A pit bull is NOT "akin" to a Presa Caniro....not even as in "kinda akin." They aren't the same breed. They aren't even a RELATED breed. This article is obviously trying to raise the ire of its readers by an incorrect association.

A presa canrio is the type of dog the two lawyers in San Fransico owned....the dogs who mauled the neighbor to death.

Not even "kinda" a pit bull....two different animals, two different breeds.

It sounds to me as though this owner was not in charge of her animal. That's what happened, no need to drag the pitty into it.

Looking at the pic that Dark Shadows posted, I'd say it looks very much like a Pit Bull, funny that they are not even related.
They could be twins lol, really, very similiar in looks and dare I say temperament.

 

[cathieq]

No one could love animals anymore than I do - let me state that first. Have I ever been "afraid" of one? No. But then I know how to avoid such situations or prevent them from happening. How's that? Using good old common sense.

1. Any dog, treated harshly or trained to attack, may bite a person.
2. Any dog can be turned into a dangerous dog.
3. The owner most often is responsible for making a dog into something dangerous.
4. [font=Arial,Helvetica]Any individual dog may be a good, loving pet, even though its breed is considered to be potentially dangerous. A responsible owner can win the love and respect of a dog, no matter its breed. [/font]
[font=Arial,Helvetica]5. One cannot look at an individual dog, recognize its breed, and then state whether or not it is going to attack. [/font]

The pit bull's ancestors were bred for use as weapons. They were designed specifically to fight other animals and kill them, for sport. The barrel chest, the thick head, strong jaws, the perseverance, the stamina enable a pit to take down a bull weighing over 1,000 lbs. Compare that to a human weighing a tenth of that.
Yet pit bulls are perhaps the most abused dogs on the planet. They are kept for protection by almost every drug dealer and pimp in every major city. They are used as cheap burglar alarms, wearing heavy logging chains around their necks attached to a stake or rundown doghouse. Bored juveniles use them to chase down, their neighbors' dogs and even children.

That said, would I own a pit or a Presa Canario? Sure, in a heartbeat. Why? I have no close neighbors, no children in the house, spay & neuter all my dogs, and would responsibly crate or kennel the dog when company comes.

I do not believe in breed-specific banning, unless we're talking about the two legged perverts of my own species.

 

[Details]

So, what we have are some dog breeds that are highly dangerous when not taken care of exactly and precisely right. On top of which, they are attractive to a group of owners who don't come close to taking care of them right. Tell me why these should be OK for pets? I can't have a pet tiger, panther, lots of other highly dangerous and difficult to care for properly animals - why these? Sure, a poodle is more likely to bite me, but it won't kill and maul like these weapon dogs will. And it'll back off and let go more easily than these others will. There's just no reason for them to be allowed as pets, when so many other dogs, that aren't nearly as dangerous, are put to sleep.

 

[southcitymom]

No one could love animals anymore than I do - let me state that first. Have I ever been "afraid" of one? No. But then I know how to avoid such situations or prevent them from happening. How's that? Using good old common sense.

1. Any dog, treated harshly or trained to attack, may bite a person.
2. Any dog can be turned into a dangerous dog.
3. The owner most often is responsible for making a dog into something dangerous.
4. [font=Arial,Helvetica]Any individual dog may be a good, loving pet, even though its breed is considered to be potentially dangerous. A responsible owner can win the love and respect of a dog, no matter its breed. [/font]
[font=Arial,Helvetica]5. One cannot look at an individual dog, recognize its breed, and then state whether or not it is going to attack. [/font]

The pit bull's ancestors were bred for use as weapons. They were designed specifically to fight other animals and kill them, for sport. The barrel chest, the thick head, strong jaws, the perseverance, the stamina enable a pit to take down a bull weighing over 1,000 lbs. Compare that to a human weighing a tenth of that.
Yet pit bulls are perhaps the most abused dogs on the planet. They are kept for protection by almost every drug dealer and pimp in every major city. They are used as cheap burglar alarms, wearing heavy logging chains around their necks attached to a stake or rundown doghouse. Bored juveniles use them to chase down, their neighbors' dogs and even children.

That said, would I own a pit or a Presa Canario? Sure, in a heartbeat. Why? I have no close neighbors, no children in the house, spay & neuter all my dogs, and would responsibly crate or kennel the dog when company comes.

I do not believe in breed-specific banning, unless we're talking about the two legged perverts of my own species.

Cathieq,

You are obviously very knowledgeable about dogs. Do you find it odd that this dog killed its owner? Based on what you know about this case, do you have any theories as to what might have gone wrong - or did she just generally not have control of this animal? Thanks for any insight. I just don't ever recall reading about a dog attacking and killing its adult owner.

 

[Jeana (DP)]

Cathieq,

You are obviously very knowledgeable about dogs. Do you find it odd that this dog killed its owner? Based on what you know about this case, do you have any theories as to what might have gone wrong - or did she just generally not have control of this animal? Thanks for any insight. I just don't ever recall reading about a dog attacking and killing its adult owner.

This is just the first page of my Google search "Dog kills owner":

Guard dog kills owner in Coral Springs - Orlando Sentinel : State ...CORAL SPRINGS -- A burly, exotic guard dog, one of several that frightened residents of an upscale neighborhood in recent days, mauled and killed its owner ...
www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/...0,5697126.story?coll=orl-news-headlines-state - 45k - Cached - Similar pages


Family dog mauls, kills ownerPalm Beach Post - The Palm Beach Post newspaper, your top source for Palm Beach County and Treasure Coast news, plus national headlines, breaking news, ...
www.palmbeachpost.com/state/content/state/epaper/2006/08/19/s1a_maul_0819.html - 29k - Aug 21, 2006 - Cached - Similar pages


TheSpec.com | Breaking NewsSunday, August 20, 2006 | Updated at 9:45 AM EDT. Dog kills owner. Canadian Press. A Florida woman is dead after being attacked by her own dog. ...
www.hamiltonspectator.com/breakingnews/breakingnews_6306396.html - 46k - Cached - Similar pages


Guard dog kills ownerA burly, exotic guard dog, one of several that frightened residents of an upscale neighbourhood in recent days, ferociously mauled and killed its owner ...
www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/story.html?id=c9d6f6ce-1868-4ecd-8ac4-2646ebc88465 - 32k - Cached - Similar pages


TorontoSun.com - World - 55-kilo dog kills owner55-kilo dog kills owner ... A woman who was fatally mauled by her dog was trying to bathe it when it ... Next story: Snipers kill 20 Baghdad worshippers ...
torontosun.com/News/World/2006/08/21/1767624-sun.html - Similar pages


CNN.com - Owners: Dog treats killed our pets - Feb 15, 2006At least 13 dogs have died after being fed the top-selling pet treat in the country, owners and veterinarians have told CNN.
www.cnn.com/2006/US/02/14/dangerous.dogtreat/index.html - 43k - Cached - Similar pages


MiamiHerald.com | 08/19/2006 | Dog turns on owner, kills herCORAL SPRINGS. Dog turns on owner, kills her. A Coral Springs woman was mauled to death by her dog Friday when she tried to give it a bath. ...
www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/15310145.htm - 23k - Cached - Similar pages


Wolf dogs killed owner, autopsy determinesWolf dogs killed owner, autopsy determines. Wecht finds that woman was mauled ... Wolf dogs are just like any other breed of dog, said Mr. Davis. ...
www.post-gazette.com/pg/06200/706840-59.stm - 22k - Cached - Similar pages


CANOE -- CNEWS - Canada: Dog kills ownerDog kills owner. Man was playfully poking wife when pet turned on him ... horrified, Monday as the family dog attacked and killed her husband. ...
cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2006/05/30/1606167.html - Similar pages


cbs4.com - Dog Kills Owner In Coral SpringsA woman was attacked and killed by her own dog as she tried to bathe it Friday evening. We've got the latest details on this tragic story.
cbs4.com/topstories/local_story_230161156.html - 24k - Cached - Similar pages

 

[southcitymom]

This is just the first page of my Google search "Dog kills owner":

Guard dog kills owner in Coral Springs - Orlando Sentinel : State ...CORAL SPRINGS -- A burly, exotic guard dog, one of several that frightened residents of an upscale neighborhood in recent days, mauled and killed its owner ...
www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/state/orl-mdog1906aug19,0,5697126.story?coll=orl-news-headlines-state - 45k - Cached - Similar pages


Family dog mauls, kills ownerPalm Beach Post - The Palm Beach Post newspaper, your top source for Palm Beach County and Treasure Coast news, plus national headlines, breaking news, ...
www.palmbeachpost.com/state/content/state/epaper/2006/08/19/s1a_maul_0819.html - 29k - Aug 21, 2006 - Cached - Similar pages


TheSpec.com | Breaking NewsSunday, August 20, 2006 | Updated at 9:45 AM EDT. Dog kills owner. Canadian Press. A Florida woman is dead after being attacked by her own dog. ...
www.hamiltonspectator.com/breakingnews/breakingnews_6306396.html - 46k - Cached - Similar pages


Guard dog kills ownerA burly, exotic guard dog, one of several that frightened residents of an upscale neighbourhood in recent days, ferociously mauled and killed its owner ...
www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/story.html?id=c9d6f6ce-1868-4ecd-8ac4-2646ebc88465 - 32k - Cached - Similar pages


TorontoSun.com - World - 55-kilo dog kills owner55-kilo dog kills owner ... A woman who was fatally mauled by her dog was trying to bathe it when it ... Next story: Snipers kill 20 Baghdad worshippers ...
torontosun.com/News/World/2006/08/21/1767624-sun.html - Similar pages


CNN.com - Owners: Dog treats killed our pets - Feb 15, 2006At least 13 dogs have died after being fed the top-selling pet treat in the country, owners and veterinarians have told CNN.
www.cnn.com/2006/US/02/14/dangerous.dogtreat/index.html - 43k - Cached - Similar pages


MiamiHerald.com | 08/19/2006 | Dog turns on owner, kills herCORAL SPRINGS. Dog turns on owner, kills her. A Coral Springs woman was mauled to death by her dog Friday when she tried to give it a bath. ...
www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/15310145.htm - 23k - Cached - Similar pages


Wolf dogs killed owner, autopsy determinesWolf dogs killed owner, autopsy determines. Wecht finds that woman was mauled ... Wolf dogs are just like any other breed of dog, said Mr. Davis. ...
www.post-gazette.com/pg/06200/706840-59.stm - 22k - Cached - Similar pages


CANOE -- CNEWS - Canada: Dog kills ownerDog kills owner. Man was playfully poking wife when pet turned on him ... horrified, Monday as the family dog attacked and killed her husband. ...
cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2006/05/30/1606167.html - Similar pages


cbs4.com - Dog Kills Owner In Coral SpringsA woman was attacked and killed by her own dog as she tried to bathe it Friday evening. We've got the latest details on this tragic story.
cbs4.com/topstories/local_story_230161156.html - 24k - Cached - Similar pages

I googled it too and it seems very rare. Most links were about the story at hand and then I found two other cases - one where a pack (nine!) of wolf dogs killed their owner and another involving a man and a dog that turned out to be rabid.

 

[curious1]

Yeah, just clicking on the articles they seemed to all be about the same attack on this women with the exception of the ones about the dogs dying from eating Greenies. Might I add, there is a reason they have different size Greenies for different size dogs. Folks read the label and don't give your Bichon a Greenie for a Great Dane.

 

[Jeana (DP)]

The scene of attack is home or a familiar place. The majority of dog attacks (61%) happen at home or in a familiar place.

Dogs bite family and friends. The vast majority of biting dogs (77%) belong to the victim's family or a friend.


http://www.nafacares.org/Dog Stuff/dog_bite_statistics.htm


Statistics seem to show that dogs who bite generally bite their own families. So, it goes without saying that of those dog bites, those who turn out to be fatal, would be dogs that bit someone in their own family.

 

[cathieq]

A good example of a dog biting its owner.
Several years ago I was blessed with the most beautiful German Shepherd on the planet. We bought her strictly because the owner could not sell her for the same price as the other pups - she had a defect: no mask. Add to that her difficult birth (stuck in the birth canal, no pulse) and suspected brain damage - just the thing to tear at my heart. So we bought her. She was the perfect companion - exceptionally intelligent, loyal, easily trained. She was my right arm.

Because of her condition she was bottle-fed, which, in turn, made her very susceptible to fevers. She came down with strep throat, caught from me, I'm sure. So being conscientious owners my husband and I took her to the vet. That this wonderful, sweet, loving dog would do anything unexpected - well, I would have bet my life that she wouldn't.

My first mistake: the baby was sick, had a high fever, and felt like sh-- (you get the picture). She felt like I do sometimes but I can "verbalize" and tell people to leave me alone. Of course, she couldn't do that. I'd been up all night with her and she had let me do anything and everything to her: rectal temp, ice packs, aspirin every few hours, and "bubblegum-flavored" pedialyte because that was all I could find.

The initial vet exam went fine but he needed a temp. He picked up her tail to insert the thermometer--well, that's all she wrote. She went for him. I acted by instinct and threw myself between them. Her eyeteeth, bared and ready to sink in the vet instead met my ear as I was moving. She kept going, my ear with her. I felt nothing as I threw my arms around her chest, forcing her up and back into another room. The whole time my baby was growling and clawing. She was NOT after me! At this point, she was only after what she could reach. She was sick and hurting, and angry.

Now there were 2 options I could take after this happened. (1) Put her down as I was advised. Being a dog "attack" it had to be reported by law. I was never asked why she did what she did - only if she did it. Sweet, loving Bertha now had a record and was classified as vicious and dangerous. (2) The only other option and the one I chose: secure her behind high fencing, do not allow her to run loose or around children, muzzle and leash her when taken off the premises.

My ear was reattached - you'd never know it happened. Could or would Bertha have killed me or anyone else in that room? Probably. She was plenty big enough and mad enough. She didn't only because I interceded and because I had the luck of the draw. But this was a fine example of owner stupidity - my stupidity. It was not the fault of the dog.

There are old wives tales that talk of dogs turning on their owners. It happens quite often really...but to kill its owner, the dog has to biting or ripping in frenzy. Running to escape, fear, submission all serve to further incite the animal. Our first instinct is to pull away, to run, climb. This lady did just that which makes it all the more terrible. There was evidence she had tried to jump up and grab the gutter because it was pulled out of place and stained with blood. Blood was also on the patio doors where she had tried to get inside. She was bent on escape - the dog was bent on his prey. He is bigger and stronger - he wins. He was bred for this. And she knew it.

 

[southcitymom]

A good example of a dog biting its owner.
Several years ago I was blessed with the most beautiful German Shepherd on the planet. We bought her strictly because the owner could not sell her for the same price as the other pups - she had a defect: no mask. Add to that her difficult birth (stuck in the birth canal, no pulse) and suspected brain damage - just the thing to tear at my heart. So we bought her. She was the perfect companion - exceptionally intelligent, loyal, easily trained. She was my right arm.

Because of her condition she was bottle-fed, which, in turn, made her very susceptible to fevers. She came down with strep throat, caught from me, I'm sure. So being conscientious owners my husband and I took her to the vet. That this wonderful, sweet, loving dog would do anything unexpected - well, I would have bet my life that she wouldn't.

My first mistake: the baby was sick, had a high fever, and felt like sh-- (you get the picture). She felt like I do sometimes but I can "verbalize" and tell people to leave me alone. Of course, she couldn't do that. I'd been up all night with her and she had let me do anything and everything to her: rectal temp, ice packs, aspirin every few hours, and "bubblegum-flavored" pedialyte because that was all I could find.

The initial vet exam went fine but he needed a temp. He picked up her tail to insert the thermometer--well, that's all she wrote. She went for him. I acted by instinct and threw myself between them. Her eyeteeth, bared and ready to sink in the vet instead met my ear as I was moving. She kept going, my ear with her. I felt nothing as I threw my arms around her chest, forcing her up and back into another room. The whole time my baby was growling and clawing. She was NOT after me! At this point, she was only after what she could reach. She was sick and hurting, and angry.

Now there were 2 options I could take after this happened. (1) Put her down as I was advised. Being a dog "attack" it had to be reported by law. I was never asked why she did what she did - only if she did it. Sweet, loving Bertha now had a record and was classified as vicious and dangerous. (2) The only other option and the one I chose: secure her behind high fencing, do not allow her to run loose or around children, muzzle and leash her when taken off the premises.

My ear was reattached - you'd never know it happened. Could or would Bertha have killed me or anyone else in that room? Probably. She was plenty big enough and mad enough. She didn't only because I interceded and because I had the luck of the draw. But this was a fine example of owner stupidity - my stupidity. It was not the fault of the dog.

There are old wives tales that talk of dogs turning on their owners. It happens quite often really...but to kill its owner, the dog has to biting or ripping in frenzy. Running to escape, fear, submission all serve to further incite the animal. Our first instinct is to pull away, to run, climb. This lady did just that which makes it all the more terrible. There was evidence she had tried to jump up and grab the gutter because it was pulled out of place and stained with blood. Blood was also on the patio doors where she had tried to get inside. She was bent on escape - the dog was bent on his prey. He is bigger and stronger - he wins. He was bred for this. And she knew it.

Thanks for sharing that story. That must have been super scary.

 

[curious1]

We have to remember that will all their domestication they are wild animals at heart. I loved your story Cathieq. What a great doggie mommy you are. You understand as I do that they cannot communicate the was that we do and some of the things they do may not always please us, but it's the only way the have to communicate or cope. I constantly watch my dog when others are around even though she has never shown any aggression. I make certain she does not seem uncomfortable around people or in different situations. I do realize that even at 42 lbs she is all lean mean muscle and teeth and if she wanted to she could tear me up. But at the same time I know how gentle and loving she his and how she wants nothing more than my attention and affection. People, you can't just get a dog to be getting a dog. You have to be willing to accept ALL of the responsiblity that goes with it. And part of that responsiblity is getting to know your dog and how he/she reacts in different situations and try not to be blindsided by anything. I cannot imagine going through what Cathieq did, but she saw the error in her ways and in the future will know how to handle that situation. The sad thing is if her baby ever nipped at anyone again and broke the skin just barely and it got reported she would probably be taken away and put down never mind if it was a kid that was taunting and teasing the dog and provoking the attack. I read about that happening sometimes and I am like 'put the kid down, not the dog'.

 

[Details]

But this was a fine example of owner stupidity - my stupidity. It was not the fault of the dog.

Ummm - IMHO - not the fault of the dog - sure - she was just nuts, and going for whatever she could. But owner stupidity - no - vets know how to handle animals, know what they'll usually do - and she went beyond that. You're handling her right, but she is a dangerous animal.

 

[Details]

I got some nice scratches down my back from a freaked out cat once - he was sure he was going to die if he let me keep holding him, so he did all he could to escape. The differences are in two places - first, he was trying to run, not trying to attack. Had I let go, he would have been gone (and dead - we were near a busy intersection), and I wouldn't have been hurt. Second, he wasn't strong enough to kill me or too seriously hurt me - even though I was a child (14), and he was a very strong, muscular cat.