TX - Jordan Parker, 8 mos, mauled to death by pitbull, 15 July 2004

[Jade]

I have a darling, loving, in the house living German Shepard who was spayed early on and brought up around children. She greets everyone as if they are friends. One day [outside] she started barking quite viscously at something on the other side of the fence. It got my attention immediately because she rarely barks at anything. My husband also responded right away. She was barking at a neighbor’s toddler visitor who was darting around the yard squealing! I have never been so shocked. Of course she was disciplined immediately.

I know that Tybee has taken a good look at the Pit Bull’s jaws – they are made for biting and holding on. Sounds like sil is making a stubborn point. Perhaps if he becomes aware of some of the liability of owning a Pit he will relent. Some insurance companies do not cover a home with certain breeds and if a baby friend comes to play and is attacked they could lose everything in a lawsuit. What if you or your daughter were to find someone else who could give it a suitable home and just happen to mention so and so has a farm and loves Pits… I am also worried that the dog is kept behind a gate because the breed is known for its jealousies. It may think that there is a favored peer on the other side of the gate and one day it will get to establish dominancy.

 

[Amraann]

Tybee if that were my house....

The dog would be gone...
Period.
SIL is an A$$ and that dog needs to go. Now.
I would no sooner trust a dog like that then I would a tiger.

I would put him in the car and drive 3 towns over to the local animal shelter.

 

[Casshew]

I would put him in the car and drive 3 towns over

Tybee is on an island but I like your thinking!

 

[Arielle]

I truly don't know where I stand on this issue. I like to think I am open minded and think fairly of all animals. I have known Rotts that were the sweetest animals in the world and chihuahaus that would rip your ankles to shreds if given the chance. But, I have a story to relate. A few years ago, when my daughter was a toddler, we out in the front playing on her little swingset. We put it out front to play on while waiting for daddy to come home from work so we could see what was going on in the world. Anyhow, we were out there with our dog tied to a tree and having a good time playing. I saw, coming down the block, 2 loose Rotts with no owner anywhere to be seen. Well, I can tell you, I scooped up my little one and dashed right into the house, leaving my poor little 15 pound dog tied to the tree. After Butterbean was secure in the house, I looked out the window to see if I could get to my dog in time. He was straining at the end of his rope, barking and growling at the Rots. But they were still quite a way away, so I dashed back out, unhooked my little guy and carried him inside too. The dogs came into the yard shortly thereafter and marked everything they could before they went on their way. I simply wasn't going to take any chances. However, I would like to think that if I saw two stray dogs of any breed, I would have done the same thing, that I didn't do this simply because they were Rotts.

Two weeks later, these same two Rotts attacked a child waiting for a school bus on the corner. The child managed to get up onto the top of a nearby car and call for help. The dogs were put down.

 

[Jeana (DP)]

Dogs should never be left unattended with children. They see the children not as "human," but as another dog and dogs being "pack" animals are constantly evaluating the other dogs in the pack and react accordingly. Toddlers' jerky motions and movements can easily set off a dog for "no reason." I love animals, but people need to realize that they are animals - NOT a member of your family. They don't think like humans and need to be kept separate from children who cannot defend themselves.

 

[lisad71]

I love animals, but people need to realize that they are animals - NOT a member of your family.

This isn't a fair statement. Especially to those who may not be able to have children or have no family and their animals - cats, dogs, birds, horses, you name it, ARE their family.

 

[snorky]

This isn't a fair statement. Especially to those who may not be able to have children or have no family and their animals - cats, dogs, birds, horses, you name it, ARE their family.

You are right to a point. They may be considered family, but the value of human life is higher. No child or adult deserves to suffer injury or death because of a pet who is given too much freedom. I know most of us love pets and consider them family, but if you had to choose between human life or limb or sacraficing a beloved family pet, I am sure your choice would not be for the animal. Please don't take insult, just consider the value of a human life.

 

[Jeana (DP)]

This isn't a fair statement. Especially to those who may not be able to have children or have no family and their animals - cats, dogs, birds, horses, you name it, ARE their family.

I'm not talking about the way humans feel about their pets, but pets are not human. They have emotions, but they're still animals and will react the way nature intended them to. Didn't mean to hurt any feelings.

 

[Casshew]

Pet owners also have to realize that just like people, older pets get a bit dotty and their personalities can change.

Like your crazy Auntie Mim, or Grumpy great-Grandpa... suddenly they are different and don't want kids around them anymore, or lose it and bark at a lamp for no reason.

How many times have we heard that 'he was such a nice dog, never would hurt a fly'? you just never know how they will change with age.

 

[Texana]

My neighbor had a pit bull for awhile and it was constantly getting loose. That was not a nice situation. They had one preschooler and a toddler at the time as well.

Pit bulls are not good pets. A bite from one of them is not the same as a bite from, say, a weiner dog. Okay, a Daschund, but I love to say, "Weiner dog."

 

[Casshew]

bump

 

[concernedperson]

Maybe we need a whole forum on pit bull attacks? It seems to be ever present and a serious concern.

 

[Casshew]

I have been posting pitbull threads for years here at WS. I think the serach function only goes back a year. There are enough horryfying, brutal injuries and killings to fill a forum

 

[popsicle toes]

The pit bull, which had no history of aggressive behavior, had been tussling with another pet, a smaller terrier, when it attacked the boy, Kerss said.

Many have no history of aggressive behavior ~ till they kill ya!!

That's it. These dogs are BAD NEWS. I think I read somewhere that as they age the cranium does not grow as fast as the brain thus compressing it or that the cranium starts to shrink also resulting in compressing the brain and that makes them crazy. Sorry don't know exactly which is correct.

It's got to be the genes that lay domant for years and then SURPRISE.

"Oh I don't understand how he ripped the head off the neighbors kid. He was allways such a kind and caring dog"

BS.. Put those violet animals down

 

[Casshew]

Banning the breed, sterilizing all existing animals is a good direction to go!

Manditory insurance coverage (expensive premiums) & tight restrictions on the owners would be a good start too.

 

[Nore]

A freak attack can occur with any type of dog. Remember the daschund attack last year?

My family has a pitbull that is 15 years old and although he looks menacing -not as much now since he is an old guy - but is the sweetest, most gentle "second chance" doggy that we got from the shelter.

Punish the deed, not the breed.

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

Lisa, I am thankful your dog has remained docile. Many Pits do not.Punish the Deed,not the breed. That sounds like the people who told me to "get over it" when my children died.I guess some have to experience it to understand.Take care.

 

[Casshew]

Oh Nore, :blowkiss: I am so sorry!