Pit Bull and Other Dog Attacks.

[Details]

The stats seem clear, the danger level is higher with these dogs than others - and I think too high to just let people decide to have this dog, rather than another.

Dogs are what they've been bred for - when a dog has been bred to attack like this, it's not a good pet -no matter how many years they are ok, they still may snap later. It's a common theme - the owners think they are a good, well raised, well bred family pet. And they snap. The ones poorly treated, poorly raised, poorly bred are worse.


What I've never understood - why is it so important to have this dog - rather than others? Sheperds, Labs, mutts, a ton of other fine dog breeds exist, all of them less dangerous by a lot. Any dog might attack, but seems like we could reduce the risk by a lot, very easily.

 

[SadieMae]

I can understand breed loyalty. But what I don't understand, like you, is why that breed, with the reputation it has? Making this go away will not be easy. These dogs are being bred in backyards everywhere. There is no way to stop this short of zero tolerance and banning the breed. Also, from what I have learned on other posts here, it may look like a pit, but could be another related breed of dog that is non aggressive.

 

[imthemom]

"People have this image of them as some kind of uberdog," Cooke says. "More powerful, more fierce, more terrifying."
This could not be further from the description put forth by the United Kennel Club. "The essential characteristics of the American Pit Bull Terrier are strength, confidence, and zest for life," the group's Web site declares. "This breed is eager to please and brimming over with enthusiasm. APBTs make excellent family companions and have always been noted for their love of children."
The American pit bull was developed in the late 19th century by British breeders crossing bulldogs with terriers. They were "looking for a dog that combined the gameness of the terrier with the strength and athleticism of the Bulldog," the kennel club says.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/LIVING/wayoflife/07/24/pitbull.culture.ap/index.html

 

[Lurker]

I can understand breed loyalty. But what I don't understand, like you, is why that breed, with the reputation it has? Making this go away will not be easy. These dogs are being bred in backyards everywhere. There is no way to stop this short of zero tolerance and banning the breed. Also, from what I have learned on other posts here, it may look like a pit, but could be another related breed of dog that is non aggressive.

I was never familiar with the breed until I started dating my husband. I was actually terrified of his dog at first because she was the "dreaded Pit Bull Terrier". She changed my mine on the breed. I grew up with a Golden Retriever that was the absolute BEST dog in the world, the Pit came in a very close second. They are extremely loyal, sweet, dedicated and so very eager to please. They wear their hearts on their sleeves to to speak. If I raise my voice around my Pit, he runs and hides. If he does something wrong and we don't know it yet, he'll sit in the corner with his head bowed down because he let us down. My first Pit was the same exact way. They both adored children and were very gentle around them. They are known for attaching themselves to one person in the family although they love everyone. The Pit we have now is my husbands dog, through and through. My husband can't go to the bathroom without Tucker waiting outside the door for him. He is wherever my husband is and if he's not home, he's with me. It's hard to explain, they're almost human. My dog will sit on the couch with his front legs in the air and his back resting against the back of the couch and watch tv.

 

[imthemom]

We (Tampa Bay Area) just had a near fatal attack on a 5 yr old boy today by a pit, actually 2. Neighbors were shocked, said the owners were nice people. They boy was not a stranger to the dogs, his parents were friends of the family. The dogs have been turned over to ac and will be PTS. Little boy had like 100 stitches in his face and lost alot of blood. Said he is lucky to be alive. Enough is enough. this is sheer insanity and craziness about keeping this kind of dog. Period. There have been too many serious attacks.
These were "family pets".

This is a horrible story and I really feel for the family. The thing is we have heard so many stories of "family pets" and then later it will be much less publicized that it was a fighting dog or it had agressive tendencies before. I don't believe that a dog that is loving, has never han an inkling of agression such as growling or snapping just suddenly attacks someone for no reason!

 

[Lurker]

This is a horrible story and I really feel for the family. The thing is we have heard so many stories of "family pets" and then later it will be much less publicized that it was a fighting dog or it had agressive tendencies before. I don't believe that a dog that is loving, has never han an inkling of agression such as growling or snapping just suddenly attacks someone for no reason!

There are warning signs with any dog and most of the time they're missed or ignored until it's too late.

We had a pekinese when I was little. She was a sweet thing up until she was about 6. She started growling at strangers and barking and lunging at the mail man or UPS man. She escalated to nipping people's ankles if they weren't family and we had to put her down after she bit my brother in the face. The warning signs were there but my parents didn't think she'd bite one of us kids.

 

[feddup]

This is a horrible story and I really feel for the family. The thing is we have heard so many stories of "family pets" and then later it will be much less publicized that it was a fighting dog or it had agressive tendencies before. I don't believe that a dog that is loving, has never han an inkling of agression such as growling or snapping just suddenly attacks someone for no reason!

imthemom: they showed the house, very lovely, they show neighbors being interviewed, nice type people (who were shocked) no, I am now convinced there is something "wrong" in the head with these dogs.
Maybe you can own one their entire lives and never have anything happen but why take a chance? Their are tons of nice breeds of dogs out there to own. Frankly, I dont even think pitbulls are attractive dogs.
Im not feeling sorry for the breed right now, Im feeling more sorry for the 5 yr old who will need God knows how many surgeries to look normal again. And, it wont be long before we hear of another pitbull attack. The family willingly surrendered both dogs over to AC.

 

[feddup]

There are warning signs with any dog and most of the time they're missed or ignored until it's too late.

We had a pekinese when I was little. She was a sweet thing up until she was about 6. She started growling at strangers and barking and lunging at the mail man or UPS man. She escalated to nipping people's ankles if they weren't family and we had to put her down after she bit my brother in the face. The warning signs were there but my parents didn't think she'd bite one of us kids.

I cant believe you are lumping a Peke bite to a pitbull attack, did he need 100 stitches? Did he have massive blood loss?
Sometimes (and I have read this countless times) there ARE no warning signs like people, they just snap and then youre in a real mess. Do you think the woman who kept the 2 Presas in a nice apt bldg ever thought the dog would kill one of the tenants? She couldnt even stop the thing.
There are 2 dogs I avoid, Presas and pitbulls. I think I could stop a Pekegnese

 

[Lurker]

I cant believe you are lumping a Peke bite to a pitbull attack, did he need 100 stitches? Did he have massive blood loss?
Sometimes (and I have read this countless times) there ARE no warning signs like people, they just snap and then youre in a real mess. Do you think the woman who kept the 2 Presas in a nice apt bldg ever thought the dog would kill one of the tenants? She couldnt even stop the thing.
There are 2 dogs I avoid, Presas and pitbulls. I think I could stop a Pekegnese

I wasn't lumping them together. I was merely pointing out that there were warning signs with our Peke, I wasn't comparing the attacks. And those Presas DID show warning signs. There were several people interviewed that said they were afraid of those dogs and that they would lungetowards people. That lady knew those dogs were dangerous and they showed the warning signs. Didn't the woman's partner state how afraid they both were of those dogs?

 

[aussiegran]

I have a personal reason to dislike this breed because one jumped a six foot fence and attacked my miniture fox terrier who died from the injury He was like our baby and I still miss him terribly even though it was 10 years ago.I dont believe they should be in any resedential area .below is the latest attack.


No pet owner expects their beloved family pet to turn against them, but that's exactly what happened to a little girl from Boone County at a relative's house last night.
The three year old was brutally attacked by a pit bull. Luckily, this girl is still alive.
http://www.wsaz.com/home/headlines/8671277.html

 

[feddup]

I have a personal reason to dislike this breed because one jumped a six foot fence and attacked my miniture fox terrier who died from the injury He was like our baby and I still miss him terribly even though it was 10 years ago.I dont believe they should be in any resedential area .below is the latest attack.


No pet owner expects their beloved family pet to turn against them, but that's exactly what happened to a little girl from Boone County at a relative's house last night.
The three year old was brutally attacked by a pit bull. Luckily, this girl is still alive.
http://www.wsaz.com/home/headlines/8671277.html

Thank God they were able to get it off of her and she will live but she will probably be terrified of dogs the rest of her life......rightfully so.
From article:

"This little girl knew this dog very well and she was used to playing with it. That's what the family finds very surprising about this attack. "

This family sure did find out how "trustworthy" this breed is.
aussiegran, Im so sorry about your little dog, I dont know what I'd do if one lived next door to us, worry alot I suppose

 

[SadieMae]

I have a personal reason to dislike this breed because one jumped a six foot fence and attacked my miniture fox terrier who died from the injury He was like our baby and I still miss him terribly even though it was 10 years ago.I dont believe they should be in any resedential area .below is the latest attack.


No pet owner expects their beloved family pet to turn against them, but that's exactly what happened to a little girl from Boone County at a relative's house last night.
The three year old was brutally attacked by a pit bull. Luckily, this girl is still alive.
http://www.wsaz.com/home/headlines/8671277.html

Anyone who owns a pit should expect it to turn. This child was not a stranger to the dog. There are just too many cases of this. The girl was not just bitten, but attacked as in most cases involving this breed.

 

[feddup]

I wasn't lumping them together. I was merely pointing out that there were warning signs with our Peke, I wasn't comparing the attacks. And those Presas DID show warning signs. There were several people interviewed that said they were afraid of those dogs and that they would lungetowards people. That lady knew those dogs were dangerous and they showed the warning signs. Didn't the woman's partner state how afraid they both were of those dogs?

Lurker, there were also people who stated the dogs were friendly UG!
Im sure the womans partner mustve saw warning signs, I do remember reading that the victim was afraid of them, its a horrible story. I hope the owners of the dogs are still in prison? I have only ran into one Presa and it was scary! The guy told me he weighed 140#. That is more than I weigh so if attacked, I dont see how you'd get away from one

 

[Indy Gal]

I can understand breed loyalty. But what I don't understand, like you, is why that breed, with the reputation it has? Making this go away will not be easy. These dogs are being bred in backyards everywhere. There is no way to stop this short of zero tolerance and banning the breed. Also, from what I have learned on other posts here, it may look like a pit, but could be another related breed of dog that is non aggressive.

The reason I became a pit bull person, is they way they are treated. Growing up I saw abuse on these animals, I heard everyone say how bad they are, And now people are trying to kill them all. For me It is speaking for those unable to speak!!

 

[SadieMae]

The reason I became a pit bull person, is they way they are treated. Growing up I saw abuse on these animals, I heard everyone say how bad they are, And now people are trying to kill them all. For me It is speaking for those unable to speak!!

I understand your view of them Indy. I have met people who feel the same way about the breed. They want to show people these are not bad dogs. Many of the dogs are not bad. Would you still be a fan of the breed if one of yours snapped and turned against you with an attack? Can you honestly say it will never happen to you with one of your own?

 

[Indy Gal]

I understand your view of them Indy. I have met people who feel the same way about the breed. They want to show people these are not bad dogs. Many of the dogs are not bad. Would you still be a fan of the breed if one of yours snapped and turned against you with an attack? Can you honestly say it will never happen to you with one of your own?

I would never be able to say that for sure as I resuce all my dogs. I dont see the point in paying 1000 dollars for a dog, when I could save a life for 100 dollars. But I do always put saftey first. And the first time the dog showed any agression , it would be a trip to the vet. As sad as it may sound, but thats what everyone needs to do. It would never get to the point of any of my dogs killing someone as i know what to watch for.

My older huskey is getting cranky in his old ways, which is why he now has a muzzle for the vets office, he know doesnt get walks until late at night as he hates kids now, Just because he is so old and in pain(hip dysplasia?) And he doesnt go to Petco anymore. While you might say why dont I put him down, I truly feel his is getting bad with age. His is a overweight huskey who has bad hips, and the pain meds dont seem to take all the edge off anymore. If he ever snapped at anyone though, he would have to go. He has never I just notice his level of paitence is running thin. Poor guy.

Also back at the start I think here, I told of why I dont have one now. The BF was attacked and killed our girl husky. My old boy killed the pit, which is another reason he gets special treatment, So yes it has happened to me. But I feel the same, I dont blame that dog. His owner kept him on a chain that was like maybe 3 feet long. I felt bad for him as weird as it sounds.

 

[imthemom]

I would never be able to say that for sure as I resuce all my dogs. I dont see the point in paying 1000 dollars for a dog, when I could save a life for 100 dollars. But I do always put saftey first. And the first time the dog showed any agression , it would be a trip to the vet. As sad as it may sound, but thats what everyone needs to do. It would never get to the point of any of my dogs killing someone as i know what to watch for.

My older huskey is getting cranky in his old ways, which is why he now has a muzzle for the vets office, he know doesnt get walks until late at night as he hates kids now, Just because he is so old and in pain(hip dysplasia?) And he doesnt go to Petco anymore. While you might say why dont I put him down, I truly feel his is getting bad with age. His is a overweight huskey who has bad hips, and the pain meds dont seem to take all the edge off anymore. If he ever snapped at anyone though, he would have to go. He has never I just notice his level of paitence is running thin. Poor guy.

Also back at the start I think here, I told of why I dont have one now. The BF was attacked and killed our girl husky. My old boy killed the pit, which is another reason he gets special treatment, So yes it has happened to me. But I feel the same, I dont blame that dog. His owner kept him on a chain that was like maybe 3 feet long. I felt bad for him as weird as it sounds.

Any dog that shows agression should be put down if they could be a danger, not just pits like you said. That is one thing, I would never bring a pit into my house if I didn't know its background. You don't know what has been done to them, it is sad. I see so many at our local pound, they had a special segment on them asking people to please adopt them. Ann Marie Lucas from Animal Planet took a pitbull on a news show on Animal cops the other night so he could get adopted. He was such a sweet boy and she told everyone on television that pitbulls are great family dogs and good with kids!! These are professionals who work with dogs everyday, I value their opinion very much.

 

[SadieMae]

Great that you rescue Indy! There are way too many for me to BUY a puppy. You say would put down a dog that showed aggression...this is what worries me about pits. Unlike your husky who gives signs, pits don't. They just snap and go into kill mode, no advance warning, no signs. If one of yours did snap, they can do so much damage to a person, even yourself. This is just a risk I know I won't take with any animal I own.

OT...have your tried giving your Husky MSM? It's a natural supplement. It really helped my old boy Kong with his arthritis & joint pain.

 

[Indy Gal]

Great that you rescue Indy! There are way too many for me to BUY a puppy. You say would put down a dog that showed aggression...this is what worries me about pits. Unlike your husky who gives signs, pits don't. They just snap and go into kill mode, no advance warning, no signs. If one of yours did snap, they can do so much damage to a person, even yourself. This is just a risk I know I won't take with any animal I own.

OT...have your tried giving your Husky MSM? It's a natural supplement. It really helped my old boy Kong with his arthritis & joint pain.

No but thank you I will be looking that up!

Most of them do IMO shown signs, like a poster said earlier, they were not picked up on. I have seen people encourage it as they think it is cute. But of course I do know there are the ones who dont, but are we not taking that risk on every pet we may bring into our house. Granted most wont be able to kill you.

 

[Indy Gal]

This kills me and my point of posting is 2 things. 1 This is the reason there should be tougher laws on ownership. 2 This is how a pit bull plays. I had a girl and she would always LOOK like she was hurting the baby, but never once. Like my dogs now, when they play you would think they are killing each other. The sounds they make. This is sad, I warn you! And after rereading MAYBE he was agressive, but still never deserved this.

http://www.courttv.com/news/2007/0724/maximus_ctv.html

Suffolk County police say Derick Phanord, 22, confessed to chaining his pit bull to a tree, dousing him with gasoline and setting him on fire after he attacked a puppy in Phanord's home.


The Suffolk County SPCA took in the pit bull and named him Maximus after finding him tied to the tree the night of July 12. Sixty percent of his body was covered in second-and third-degree burns and he had sustained wounds in his mouth, which resulted in the loss of his canine and incisor teeth.
Less than a week later, Maximus died from his injuries, prompting members of the community to fund a $20,000 reward for information leading to the animal's attacker.

The tipping point came on July 12, when Maximus clamped his mouth over the puppy's head and would not let go. According to Varrone, Phanord attempted to open the pit bull's jaw by dousing him with bleach and gasoline.
By the time Maximus finally released the puppy, Phanord was so "incensed" that he decided to get rid of the dog, at the urging of his mother and sister, Varrone said.
He then allegedly took the 2-year-old dog to a wooded area, tied him to a tree, doused him in more gasoline and set him on fire.