Dog attack

[ComoxCorn]

Both dogs. Both humans. Pretty black and white. Also, I have never met a friendly yapper dog. Ever. My dad has a lhaso apso (sp?) and it is the devil! That dog will try to attack people from inside the car if they walk by! :shrugs:
I dunno, I love giving the misunderstood a chance and prooving that humans are to blame. Kind of like snake owners.

Just another statistical compilation. These statistics show by percentage, pit bulls lead in bites in the U.S.

http://www.dogsbite.org/blog/2009/07/pit-bulls-lead-bite-counts-across-us.html

The only time I would deem a pit bull owner responsible is if their dog looked like this anytime they had their dog outside of their home. Just because the potential is there, regardless of who the owner is.

 

[animalhouse]

http://www.pitbullhappenings.com/pitbullfactsmyths.htm

Look around this site. has a lot of info on it

 

[ComoxCorn]

http://www.pitbullhappenings.com/pitbullfactsmyths.htm

Look around this site. has a lot of info on it

I've read that site before. Very amatuer and unprofessional. It's full of denial of actual statistical facts compiled by many juristictions across North America.
This is a lobby group fighting to prevent the ever increasing bans on pit bulls from juristictions across North America.

In Canada, they are banned in Ontario, Winnepeg and soon to be banned in Vancouver.

 

[animalhouse]

But look around.. there are many other sites with the SAME Info.. Whether it looks "Amateur" or not. The facts in it.. are that. No matter how they are written.

 

[ClickClickClickBOOM!]

Just another statistical compilation. These statistics show by percentage, pit bulls lead in bites in the U.S.

http://www.dogsbite.org/blog/2009/07/pit-bulls-lead-bite-counts-across-us.html

The only time I would deem a pit bull owner responsible is if their dog looked like this anytime they had their dog outside of their home. Just because the potential is there, regardless of who the owner is.

So you're saying that ANY dangerous dog should be wearing a muzzle? Alright how about ALL humans wearing hand cuffs. They COULD do something! You never know! I could attack somebody RIGHT now better lock me up. Better put a muzzle on my Am. Staff. too even though he's put up with toddlers sticking their fingers IN his eyes, mouth and ears with out so much as a roll of the eyes. Or maybe my friends rott who has done the same? This comment is just ridiculous.

 

[ClickClickClickBOOM!]

And I guess I'm not responsible because I REFUSE to put a muzzle on any of my dogs just because it has a mouth and teeth...

 

[ComoxCorn]

And I guess I'm not responsible because I REFUSE to put a muzzle on any of my dogs just because it has a mouth and teeth...

So you're saying that ANY dangerous dog should be wearing a muzzle?

I'm referring to APBT's. Sorry, but for years I have been reading of attack after attack by this breed, and there is little anyone can say to me to convince me that this is a safe dog. I've read people here syaing they bite like any other dog because of provokation. Well, this breed provokes without cause or apparent reason once it decides to launch an attack. The end result is horrific. And even though kids seem to draw the most sympathy as been victimized, I sypmathize for any victim of this breeds attack.
If you want to compare this dog to herps, this dog is THE TOP HOT of dogs. And we as a reptile community are very skeptical of inexperienced hots owners. Yet many here can easily toss off the continuing bad press this breed gets as "just bad owners". Maybe you should check out some of the links I have posted. Are you really telling me that you have an acceptable tolerance level of the attacks this dog is responsible for? Sorry, but I've read just one too many PB attack story in my 52 years.

 

[stephen]

Again

I think its how they are raised,they can be loving creatures even more so then other dogs.The attacks may have been by pitbulls that have been trained for dog fights or just abused animals.They have 900 pounds per square inch of pressure in there jaws, which I believe is stronger then any other dog,also when they are in attack mode there eyes roll in back of there heads and cant hear comands.I dont know of any other breed that does that,which is why these attacks may have occurred.

 

[LBoz]

I can sympathize with the pit owners/lovers here and understand your fury at the thought that this animal is so hated and (possibly, but doubtfully) misunderstood. However, go back to the original story here. YBH, you posted this horrific account of two children playing in their own yard, minding their own business, doing nothing to provoke the attack, and now a little girl lies in a hospital bed, permanently maimed and possibly facing the end of her short life. Yet clearly you posted it because you were angry that yet another pit bull story made the press and you wanted a chance to rally FOR the dog. As a mother TO a mother, that's confusing to me.

I'm not convinced that a "banning" of bulls is the answer, but I do feel that extreme fines and regulations be placed on dogs of this nature. Mandatory training upon adoption, strong fencing surrounding the home of a pit keeper, animal must be leashed AND muzzled when outside...things of that nature. How many people have to die from attacks before you realize that these dogs can be a threat to anyone, including your own children?

I sincerely hope that none of you ever find yourselves sitting beside your child, praying that they pull through because they accidentally provoked your dog.

 

[tsst]

... it did mention that in a large portion of the cases (two-thirds), the fatal or life-threatening attack was the first known case of any aggression in the dog. I don't know if I believe there was no sign of any previous aggression, ...

That's because no pit owner has ever seen an aggressive pit! :shrugs:

 

[starsevol]

I don't think that banning the breed is the answer. I think punishing both people and dogs for a crime that has not been commited is just plain wrong and stupid.
In my life I have known exactly one pitbull, and he was a sweetheart.

What I think should happen is stiffer penalties for attacks....

a dog (any dog) attacks and kills someone's pet should incur either a $25,000 fine or a year in prison, euthanization of the dogs involved, and a lifetime animal ownership ban of any adults in the house.

a dog (any dog) that attacks and injures a person should get a $50,000 fine AND a year in prison, euthanization of dogs involved, and a lifetime animal ownership ban of any adults in the house.

and a dog (any dog) that kills a person...well that should incur a $500,000 fine, 10 years in prison, euthanization of dogs involved, and a lifetime animal ownership ban of any adults in the house.

If my suggestion was made reality, you would see much more responsible and thoughtful dog owners........

 

[tsst]

I don't advocate the elimination of the breed but owner's that deny these dogs are dangerous are simply being self-deceiving. Ignore the sensationalized news reports. Look past the socially perceived reputation. But you will still find the facts that they are disproportionately responsible for maiming and death in dog attacks. There are owners out there that absolutely exasperate the problem, sure. But to deny these animals are dangerous and aggression oriented is attempted fallacy.

I could tell a long drawn out personal experience about some pits that I knew somewhat well but I am fairly certain after reading through many of the posts that it would make little difference.

FEAR VADER! (that's for Dean)

 

[dionythicus]

I will tell a personal story.

A co-worker grew up around pitties. Loved them, owned them, believed through and through that they are good dogs and even fighters can be saved. She bought a female puppy from a backyard breeder who had nothing but health problems, but was a sweet dog. Then she bought a male puppy from another backyard breeder who was in good health and was also a sweet dog. When those two were young adults, maybe 1 and 2 yrs old, she took in a rescued fighter. He was huge, 24" inch neck, and again a very sweet dog. One day, after she'd had him for a few months, C (we'll call him) killed her cat as it went past him in the hall. He just grabbed it, shook it hard enough to break its neck and dropped it. End of story for that poor cat. My co-worker did not see any red flags in that action, which leads down the road to what happened a few years after that. For some reason, the two males (both neutered and housemates for years) went after each other. It may have been jealousy over her attention, I don't know, but they were in it to the death, almost hers. She stupidly thought she could separate her beloved pets and nearly had her arm ripped off in the process. She was hospitalized for more than a week and still has permanent nerve damage in that arm. Both dogs were euthanized as a result, but I'm sure she still doesn't see anything wrong about knowing her dog C was not only capable of killing, but had proven it by killing her cat. She didn't want the dogs destroyed, and as a pet owner myself I can understand that, but how can anyone think these dogs can be allowed to go back into someone's home like they're perfectly safe?

I'm glad some of the Michael Vick dogs were saved, but I'm waiting for the day when one does something like my co-worker's fighter "rescue". Animals are not to blame for answering their instincts, but humans need to respect that instinct and be far more attentive to our pets' nature. We have to see the red flags and respond accordingly. That rescued fighter should have been put down after he killed the cat. That was a huge warning sign that was ignored.

 

[ForkedTung]

I don't think that banning the breed is the answer. I think punishing both people and dogs for a crime that has not been commited is just plain wrong and stupid.
In my life I have known exactly one pitbull, and he was a sweetheart.

What I think should happen is stiffer penalties for attacks....

a dog (any dog) attacks and kills someone's pet should incur either a $25,000 fine or a year in prison, euthanization of the dogs involved, and a lifetime animal ownership ban of any adults in the house.

a dog (any dog) that attacks and injures a person should get a $50,000 fine AND a year in prison, euthanization of dogs involved, and a lifetime animal ownership ban of any adults in the house.

and a dog (any dog) that kills a person...well that should incur a $500,000 fine, 10 years in prison, euthanization of dogs involved, and a lifetime animal ownership ban of any adults in the house.

If my suggestion was made reality, you would see much more responsible and thoughtful dog owners........

I agree!

Unfortunately, there is a fad population crisis of pits in my area at the moment.

Yep, seems to be a big fad, especially in inner cities! and I'm guessing for the very reason that the breed is known for, aggression.

 

[jesserca]

I've been watching this thread since last night, and I guess I'm going to add my story to this. I am a dog lover. I don't even know if lover would be he right word for how much I love dogs, I love them more than most people, its sad really. I always defended pits, and I still do to an extent, but my thoughts were skewed last year.

I was at the dog park with my pup and there was a family there who had a male intact pit, and there was a couple who had a puppy. I was standing around watching my dog run around when out of now where for no real reason that I could see the pit attacked the pup. It was brutal. Luckily some men got the pup away, I don't know if he survived.

Of course everyone at the park told the family to leave. Immediately the family started acting like because they owned a pit we were being cruel to them, of course we were just picking on the pit because it was a pit. Then the pit ran after my dog. I freaked out my dog is my life, (I only had one at the time) my dog is my baby and that pit was much bigger than her. Luckily she got away because she was faster than the pit but he lunged after her and snapped. I screamed at the family to leave, something I never do, I never lose my cool, but the though of loosing my dog was a little more than I could take. The pit was between me and my dog and getting her was impossible. The family finally left, but seeing what one could do really made me reconsider my position.

I do blame the owners, they were clearly irresponsible. But no one could see that attack coming. I still like the dogs, I still feel for them, but after seeing that I would never ever own one nor I would I feel comfortable having them around my children if I had any.

 

[Michael823]

The only time I would deem a pit bull owner responsible is if their dog looked like this anytime they had their dog outside of their home. Just because the potential is there, regardless of who the owner is.

That's just nonsense, honestly. That's a silly as someone saying "the only good snake, is a dead snake.". People are by far the most dangerous species on the planet, especially those under the influence. So I hereby declare that the only responsible person, is a person who walks out of their home in handcuffs. Those under the influence shouldn't even come out of their homes, as they are statistically much more dangerous.

This discussion has turned into a witch hunt, and it completely boggles my mind, considering we expect other to look past the bad stigmatization of snakes. This was not the direction that the thread about the little girl being killed by a Burmese Python took, and I'm left asking... why? How on earth can anyone condone one, while demonizing the other.

 

[wade]

I for one don’t condone one and except the other. I think people who own potentially dangerous pets need to understand that they are potentially dangerous. They need to admit that fact to themselves and take the necessary precautions. Weather it’s an African Rock Python or a pit bull.

The only argument I really have here with you Mike is that you refuse to admit to yourself that your dog could potentially be dangerous. And that is simply foolish and irresponsible on your part.

 

[Shiari]

What people seem to fail to remember is that EVERY dog is potentially dangerous. If one type of dog should be kept muzzled, then ALL dogs should be kept muzzled all the time.

I also disagree with the proposed punishments listed earlier. If the dog is proven *aggressive* I agree with them... but my dog is super happy go lucky. However, he HAS tried to attack someone.... someone who was sneaking around me from tree to tree in the dark. Turns out the person was afraid of dogs. All my dog saw was someone coming to "get us". Later on that same walk we passed by someone on the sidewalk and he licked them. It is NOT right to kill my dog if he ends up biting someone who is sneaking up on me. I watch him well, and he's well trained, and I refuse to muzzle him simply because he happens to have teeth.

It's also not right to punish a dog that kills another animal with death either. My first dog chased, killed, and ate squirrels. He had an incredible hunt drive and would have happily taken down any cat that crossed into the backyard. So basically, the proposed situations are far too vague. Maybe for a dog that has been allowed to run free in the neighborhood, is breaking into backyards, or attacking leashed pets. But not for my dog that was in *his* backyard and was a hunter by breed.

As to pibbles, these dogs were once referred to as "nanny dogs"... because they were ideal playmates and guardians for children. Non-backyard bred pitbulls, ones that are bred to be *companions* are fabulous and safe pets. No more dangerous than any other dog. In fact, the most dangerous dog I have personally met was a 110 # golden retriever with aggression issues so severe that he was kept muzzled most of the time even in his own home. When the owners decided to adopt a child, they finally gave up on the dog and euthanised him. Let's muzzle all goldens now because some of them bite!

 

[tom e]

I guess I'm pretty much right in the middle on this.
On the one hand, even though the statistics are clearly stacked against the pits (and yes there really really are people..) Walk around outside. If your neighborhood is like mine, just about 80% of visible dogs (behind fences and otherwise) are some sort of bully breed or mix. Ask anyone in a shelter what kinds of dogs are being bred without any limit- Chihuahuas and Pits. Maybe I'm just talking about so cal. here, but I doubt it. With representation like that they could attack LESS then all the german shepherds in my neighborhood and still look like the mean ones..

My point for the other side. We all know some great pits and mixes. My little poodle's best friend is an obvious pit mix (who some folks here would deny I'm sure if he got listed in a statistic, because he is a mix) but is the sweetest dog to my cranky little puffball. Jax (poodle) won't play with other dogs except to chase and bark them. Obie (pit) recognizes that and has decided his favorite game is to get chased all around the yard and get barked at and bit, lol. I'm sure you all really need another anecdote, right?
But at the end of the day, I will also admit that when I'm out walking my dog (who IS yappy and dog aggressive BUT is on a leash) I worry and will even change course if I see a strange pit bull down the street. Much more than I would a lab.
Some have said yeah they are dog aggressive but aren't supposed to bite people. But how's a strange pit going to react if I'm on the other end of my dog's leash and trying to stop him from killing my dog? And I'm not his master either?

I think Lori nailed it here and I agree with every word.

"I'm not convinced that a "banning" of bulls is the answer, but I do feel that extreme fines and regulations be placed on dogs of this nature. Mandatory training upon adoption, strong fencing surrounding the home of a pit keeper, animal must be leashed AND muzzled when outside...things of that nature. How many people have to die from attacks before you realize that these dogs can be a threat to anyone, including your own children?"

 

[wade]

What people seem to fail to remember is that EVERY dog is potentially dangerous. If one type of dog should be kept muzzled, then ALL dogs should be kept muzzled all the time.

One does not follow the other.

African Rock Python = cornsnake
Pit Bulls = poodle