Marauding pit bulls attack six - 10 year old boy, Critical

[Casshew]

By posting pictures, you are doing exactly what the media does: evoking a rection based not on logic and facts, but emotions from individual incidents.

You are way more emotional on this topic than I am.

Your statistics are skewed, you are only seeing what you want to see to champion your cause.

There is no place in society IMO for an animal that regularily kills children, adults, pets & the ones that are not killed need multiple surgeries and months, perhaps years to recover for their ordeal.

I don't understand the mentality of those who want to fight to keep this vicious animal in our communities.

 

[Amraann]

Obviously this topic is a hotly debated one and not the first time we have discussed it here at WS.

I would ask that you all refrain from personal attacks.

 

[Casshew]

Another recent story - this pitbull/mix was proported to have killed over 200 cats (with other dogs already caught) in 10 months - can you imagine??

Killer dog's reign of terror ended

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, MS Sans Serif]A dog that killed more than 200 of the King Country town's cats over 10 months was yesterday shot dead by animal control officer Rod McLeod. [/font] [font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, MS Sans Serif]Mr McLeod shot the dog with a .22 rifle about 2pm, he said. [/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, MS Sans Serif]"He was asleep in the sun and he didn't wake up," he said. [/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, MS Sans Serif]The dog, described as mainly pitbull with a bit of staffordshire bull terrier, was in the area he had predicted it was living. [/font]


[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, MS Sans Serif]The pure white dog, which was "very muscley" and in good condition, seemed to have no fixed living place and moved around a bit. [/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, MS Sans Serif]He was probably about two or 2½ years old. [/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, MS Sans Serif]"He'd probably been one of those fighting dogs and I think he was probably fed cats to get him going. When he got loose he just thought that was a bit of fun." [/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, MS Sans Serif]What the dog lived on remained a mystery. [/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, MS Sans Serif]He did not eat the cats and he never touched rubbish bags. [/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, MS Sans Serif]"It just makes you wonder," Mr McLeod said. [/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, MS Sans Serif] Te Kuiti resident Gay Glasgow, who lost her beloved pedigree Persian cat Manchew to a dog attack in March, was among those delighted Mr McLeod had finally succeeded in killing the beast dubbed "the ghost dog". [/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, MS Sans Serif] "Where I found him (her cat) there were two other cats within a foot," Mrs Glasgow said. [/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, MS Sans Serif] "I don't know whose cats they were but they were in the same place – just dead."
[/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, MS Sans Serif]http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3465036a11,00.html
[/font]

 

[golfmom]

Yes, they definately would. However, only pits will go after a target to the death (of the pit) if necessary. They don't back down no matter what. No other breed does this, which is why the pit is so popular for that purpose.

The other thing that disturbs me about this breed is how unpredictable they are. Even those raised in loving homes just snap and turn vicious.

 

[golfmom]

Ya'll can debate until the cows come home, but I firmly believe that there are some breeds that are as safe to have as a loaded gun is around children.

I've always been a dog lover. I used to believe that it was the owner, not the dog -- not anymore, these dogs are just too dangerous and unpredictible.

 

[Casshew]

I've always been a dog lover. I used to believe that it was the owner, not the dog -- not anymore, these dogs are just too dangerous and unpredictible.

It's true. The only way diehard Pitbull fans will be convinced is when their beloved pet turns on them or kills someone who was in the wrong place at the wrong time and then it is too late.

 

[curlytone]

The following orginizations are against breed specific legislation:

Humane Society of the United States:
http://www.hsus.org/pets/issues_affecting_our_pets/dangerous_dogs.html

American Kennel Club:
http://www.akc.org/canine_legislation/position_statements.cfm#dangerousdog

American Veterinary Medical Association:
http://www.avma.org/onlnews/javma/nov00/s111500c.asp

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/duip/biteprevention.htm

Here is an article from Michigan State University - Detroit College of Law that looks at both sides of the issue:
http://www.animallaw.info/articles/aruslweiss2001.htm

If you don't want to believe me, fine. If you want to attack me, fine. If you want to refuse to explain why my points are invalid (with anything other than individual or groups of stories), fine. PLEASE explain why the above sources are wrong; "because CNN said so" doesn't count.

 

[sandraladeda]

I believe there would be far more pit bull attacks if it were not for the fact that so many people fear the breed, and go out of their way to avoid them. If I see a pit bull, I gather my kids and/or dog, we turn and move in the opposite direction. My kids know what a pit bull looks like, and know to avoid them. If one moved into my neighborhood, we would avoid that home like the plague, and would be very vigilant in case that dog ever roamed free.

I get sick of hearing the cliche about "blaming the owner, not the breed". The reality is that there are people who are not completely responsible dog owners, no matter what the breed. However, irresponsible pit bull ownership is more likely to result in tragedy than irresponsible golden retriever ownership. I have a golden, and occasionally, he manages to escape from our yard. My greatest worry in this case is that he might get picked up by bylaw enforcement or get hit by a car. The last thing I worry about is him attacking or harming a person or another dog.

I just don't see what good qualities there are in a pit bull that make it worth the worry, or that cannot be found in another, safer breed.

IMHO

 

[curlytone]

...If I see a pit bull, I gather my kids and/or dog, we turn and move in the opposite direction. My kids know what a pit bull looks like, and know to avoid them. If one moved into my neighborhood, we would avoid that home like the plague, and would be very vigilant in case that dog ever roamed free.

I hope that you are teaching them to avoid all large dogs, not just pit bulls, that they don't know. 85.3% of the dog realated deaths every year are the result of breeds other than pit bulls. It would also be wise to teach them how to properly interact with any dog. More tips for safety:
http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/dog_care/stay_dog_bite_free/avoiding_dog_bites.html

 

[Boatswain'sMate]

I hope that you are teaching them to avoid all large dogs, not just pit bulls, that they don't know. 85.3% of the dog realated deaths every year are the result of breeds other than pit bulls. It would also be wise to teach them how to properly interact with any dog. More tips for safety:
http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/dog_care/stay_dog_bite_free/avoiding_dog_bites.html

curlytone, good job of hanging in there. I'd join you, but I've been there before and found that people will not be convinced by statistics and facts. Believe me, it's thousands and thousands of times more likely that they will be killed or injured by their neighbor than by his pit bull. It's just too emotional and scary, and there is so much misinformation out there, especially with the media calling every short-haired dog a pit bull.

Anyway, what's the point? As long as my sweet, sweet, docile, people-loving Vito can't read, people bashing pit bulls won't hurt his feelings.
And that's all I care about.

**All dogs should be confined or under their owner's control at all times.**

**I'm a veteran of a Golden Retriever bite. Control your animals!**

 

[Txmom]

Last year we had an incident with the 2 pit bulls that lived behind our house, we live out in the country. The vet told me that at about 2 years of age their personality and aggressiveness would come out. He also said that since the dogs had come onto our property and attacked our dog, but they didnt kill her, they would be back to finish the job. He told me that they only thing that I could do was to have a gun ready and kill the pits first and ask questions later.

 

[SadieMae]

Nope. Wrangler is right. A well-bred Pitbull is one of the most docile (to humans anyway), playful, loyal dogs a person could own. They are very active and requite LOTS of exercise and playtime and even climb trees.

I had a wonderful pitbull who died of a heart attack a few months ago. My brother used to be a breeder and still owns his stud and one of his daughters. My children have done to them what children always do (pull ears, jump on them...) and they take it like it's a big game.

It is true that unscrupulous breeders inbreed and the results can be disastrous. It gives the whole breed a bad name. But if you are lucky enough to know one that is well bred, then you know that most pitbulls are just happy-go-lucky little clowns. (Just keep them away from other animals! They DO NOT have to be trained or given weird things to make them want to fight other dogs. They were bred like that and it's hundreds of years of instinct that make them do it).

I totally agree with the breeding issue giving the dogs a bad name and have posted that on another thread about pit bulls. Many pit bulls in the news for attacks are most like NOT from a reputable breeder. They were backyard/inbred bred dogs. All dogs have traits and characteristics inherent to their breed that cannot be "trained" out of the dog and a responsible owner will know those when selecting a breed for a pet. :laugh: For instance, I could never train my 160 lb Great Dane to be an attack/watch dog...it just AIN'T in him!!!

 

[Sassygerl]

Remember sweet Petey the Pit bull???...he was in The Little Rascals and was so cute with the circle around one eye. What has happened? Is it the media...the inbreeding or were there not such attacks years ago?

I remember back in the late 70's it was the Dobie.

It seems a far stretch to ban them simply because there are so many pit mixes! Also, I do know people who own the breed and they are great dogs. While many make great family pets, there are those that turn (minimal to how many there are) I personally don't want my children around them, and won't have one, but realistically I know they're around, and always will be more than likely. I can tell you that many Pits when they get their Rabies are listed as "mixed breed" on their certificates. It's true.

I have no doubt there are many, many harmless Pits......but when they do attack it's vicious. And from many stories I've read it's always "he was such a wonderful family pet for 8 years" until he attacked! It's scary. I think though that the media tends to run the most sensational attacks. And as evidenced by the number of messages in this thread, it's obviously a hot button in our soceity.

As far as another thread regarding a Pit killing cats....every large breed has the instinct to chase and kill prey. It's their natural pride. I can assure you I was horrified when my Golden killed a cat right in front of my eyes and I had to take in all her babies who were weeks old. This dog (who has passed on) never had an aggressive bone in him until he saw that cat! I now have another Golden and he would certainly kill a cat given the opportunity...as well as my lab/heeler mix. Thankfully, my tabby cat stands her ground!!!!

 

[forthekids]

editing to add: you know why so many horrible people gravitate toward owning pitbulls? because it makes them feel tough and "gansta" Idiots.

There are many good stories. I've read of pits jumping into rushing rivers to pull their little charges out of the water. They can be wonderful dogs.

My great grandparents lived out on a very large farm. We recently discovered an old photo of all the extended family posing out on the front porch and front grounds of the house. Alongside the family is a pitbull. (I never knew!) My grandma remembered that the dog used to come to the door of the kitchen every day right before lunch, and her mom would fix Pop's lunch in a pail, give it to the dog and the dog would run out into the fields and deliver the lunch to Pop. After lunch, he'd bring the pail back to the house so it could be washed! What a smart dog!

Kgeaux:
Oh what a neat story from your past! Thanks so much for sharing! Always nice to hear good things too....(my biggest prob. with the media is that newsworthy often equals something bad. So often we never see the great things about life and society). Thanks again!

 

[forthekids]

I totally agree with the breeding issue giving the dogs a bad name and have posted that on another thread about pit bulls. Many pit bulls in the news for attacks are most like NOT from a reputable breeder. They were backyard/inbred bred dogs. All dogs have traits and characteristics inherent to their breed that cannot be "trained" out of the dog and a responsible owner will know those when selecting a breed for a pet. :laugh: For instance, I could never train my 160 lb Great Dane to be an attack/watch dog...it just AIN'T in him!!!

Yeah, I hear ya on that SadieMae! It is so sad to see how many dog shelter's there are out there...you know these homeless and often euthanized pooches come from backyard breeders too! I have a friend who was planning to foster a litter of pit bull pups with an organization that rescues pit bulls and rotweillers (sp?), but the woman who was going to turn them over to this organization is changing her mind (and seems have some illegal substance abuse issues) because she wants to sell them instead. This is how it all begins. I'm just horrified to know who will likely get these pups...

I really give this org. credit too, not only are they simply taking these abused/neglected dogs in, but they fully assess their aggressiveness by trained professionals, have a VERY tough process to adopt these dogs, and have their own trainers that know how to work with these breeds. (Pit bulls are naturally dog aggressive and they make sure potential owners know this and take necessary precaustions). They also make the adopters go to training and become more educated on how to care for these dogs along with paying for them to get spayed and neutered.

Thanks for the post.

 

[Juan Martinez]

well. i am glad to see where everybody tends to get the wrong information about the american pit bull terrier.

for one, the APBT was NOT made up in the past 30 some odd years, they were recognized by the UKC in 1898 and were even around before then.

second, the APBT was NEVER bred to be human aggressive, and in fact are very much so predictable. inexperienced dog owners dont bother educating themselfs before they decide on owning or breeding such dogs, so you will end up with dogs of any breed that are in fact unpredictable.

i have been around and owned the APBT for the past 18 years, i have also been working with and showing the APBT for the past 4 years, not ONCE in my whole time dealing with this breed of dog has ANY APBT attacked my child or family member or ANY human friend or foe...

its sad to see ANY story seeing children being attacked and or humans in general. "I" personally have been attacked by a LAB..he basicly punctured my right hand in 4 different areas, i wasnt doing anything but playing baseball at the local park...the dog didnt like the idea of me taking the baseball and went for me...do "I" blame the whole breed ...NO i simply blame the owner for allowing such dog to roam the parks off the leash KNOWING the dog is in fact human aggressive.

also i suggest to most of you, before you go off labeling a whole breed, is maybe educate yourselfs more on the breed, what was their inteded purposes and WHY they SHOULDNT be dog aggressive and how it was in fact impossile for them to be human aggressive with the kind of work they had these dogs doing.

i find it sad how there are MANY dog attacks accross the country, but the media tends to ONLY publish the attacks that will obviously make headlines, such as APBT's. i have been around all different types of breeds, im sorry folks, but this breed is something NOT to be banning, i have seen and ran into many OTHER breeds of dogs that are truely unstable. this is one breed that is being misguided by the general public and most of all the uneducated. just by seeing some of these comments, i KNOW most of you have no clue about this breed...and it honestly sadens me how you wont bother to educate yourself either.

just remember, after the APBT is gone...these thugs and wanna be dogmen will just simply get a different breed of dog...

i can teach a giant poodle to attack people...and if i let him or her loose out in the park and the said dogs rips the face off of some child...it would never even touch the local newspaper...none the less be brought up on national TV.

i also forgot to add, inbreeding and linebreeding are TWO different methods in breeding...they are NOT the same...in fact linebreeding is a great tool to use for ANY breeding program, as well as outcrossing. inbreeding can be a great tool as well, HOWEVER an unexperienced breeder should NOT be using ANY practices what so ever...

the UNEDUCATED and the misinformed are the problems...not breeding practices...just because you bred fifi and fofo in your backyard does NOT make you an expert in breeding. it takes years and dedication on educating yourself about genetics and the breed itself.

 

[forthekids]

forthekids... curly is a name on an internet message board - the news media is the news media, responsible for what they print. I am posting article after article - mainstream news.

Hence, the articles are more reliable than what cury is posting IMO

-------------------

Casshew:
You are right, curly is just a name on an internet board, but he/she seems to be supporting his/her argument with statics that seem much more reliable than the media. (fyi-I'm an academic jounal and research junkie) Whether I'm for or against this issue doesn't matter, from reading his/her posts curly seems to be substanciating the argument through research. I do think that the AKC, National Humane Society and some other sources are much more responsible for what they write than the media.
So, even though curly is formulating an argument in something he/she believes in, it is much more supported than simply stating that information is from firsthand experience or within the news (not saying that this is invalid, just long term research is much more valid).

I guess overall, regardless of your view, curly does make a good argument mainly due to research supporting his/her statements. Ya have to appreciate the work that has gone into that!

 

[Casshew]

"I" personally have been attacked by a LAB..he basicly punctured my right hand in 4 different areas, i wasnt doing anything but playing baseball at the local park...the dog didnt like the idea of me taking the baseball and went for me...

Did this Lab try to rip your throat out? kill you? were you able to defend yourself against it? did he back off after biting? Did the police have to come and rescue you? Did someone have to shoot it 4 times in the head to stop the attack?

 

[Juan Martinez]

Did this Lab try to rip your throat out? kill you? were you able to defend yourself against it? did he back off after biting? Did the police have to come and rescue you? Did someone have to shoot it 4 times in the head to stop the attack?

i weigh 220 pounds...i had a hard time getting away from this dog at the time.

MY "pit bulls" have NEVER done this thing to me nor my child or any other human being within the past 18 years...

let me ask you something...can you honestly tell the difference between a pure bred APBT and a american bulldog? werent you one of the people who all of a sudden became an expert dealing with APBT's by saying they only been around for 30 years??? do you have a clue?

and i have YET to see a story of an APBT ripping the throats of some grown man....

 

[Casshew]

werent you one of the people who all of a sudden became an expert dealing with APBT's by saying they only been around for 30 years??? do you have a clue?

No, I never said anything like that. I have no idea how long the breed has been around.

I had two bad attacks in my neighbourhood, one killing a 13 year old girl who had her throat torn out. Another was a very serious injury to a 5 year old girl who was out walking with her mom and 3 year old sister.

I follow cases of pit bull attacks or pit bull mix, attacks.

I am well aware that biting is a natural behavior in all dogs and smaller dogs can bite even more. Having said that, deaths or greivious injuries do not usually occur with most breeds as they do with Pits & pit mixes.

Thankfully I live where this breed is banned and it is my hope that many communites will take on this legislation.