3 Pit-Bull Attacks In 3 Days
I found this amazing and horrifying.
THE BLOODY paw prints were still in the snow, and a bunch of white gauze lay nearby.
The pinkish snow was packed down where two pit bulls had attacked a 10-year-old boy – severely injuring his right arm and puncturing his neck, left arm and back with their teeth shortly after 11 a.m. yesterday.
The child had been walking with two boys who had both dogs on leashes. The dogs – one brown and the other white with brown spots – began fighting each other, then turned on the 10-year-old, said Capt. Ben Naish, police spokesman.
It was the third vicious pit-bull attack in Philadelphia in three days.
On Friday, a victim’s wrist was nearly severed. On Saturday, a woman was mauled to death. And last night, doctors were trying to save a little boy’s arm. All three attacks involved dogs known to the victims.
Now, I’m fully expecting the response that you can’t blame the breed and that pit-bulls are some of the sweetest dogs, but… they scare the hell out of me. There are simply far too many of these stories. And it’s the severity of these attacks – and the fact that the dog involved had no previous history of violence, but rather just snapped – that most concerns me. And when it comes to maiming and death certain breeds stand out.
According to the Clifton study, pit bulls, Rottweilers, Presa Canarios and their mixes are responsible for 74% of attacks that were included in the study, 68% of the attacks upon children, 82% of the attacks upon adults, 65% of the deaths, and 68% of the maimings. In more than two-thirds of the cases included in the study, the life-threatening or fatal attack was apparently the first known dangerous behavior by the animal in question. Clifton states:
If almost any other dog has a bad moment, someone may get bitten, but will not be maimed for life or killed, and the actuarial risk is accordingly reasonable. If a pit bull terrier or a Rottweiler has a bad moment, often someone is maimed or killed–and that has now created off-the-chart actuarial risk, for which the dogs as well as their victims are paying the price.
Clifton’s opinions are as interesting as his statistics. For example, he says, “Pit bulls and Rottweilers are accordingly dogs who not only must be handled with special precautions, but also must be regulated with special requirements appropriate to the risk they may pose to the public and other animals, if they are to be kept at all.”
The life-threatening or fatal attack was apparently the first known dangerous behavior by the animal in question. Either someone is lying or this is a big problem. Let me be clear. ALL dogs bite. But what we’re dealing with when it comes to certain breeds is an attack so vicious and relentless it resembles the behavior of a wild animal rather than a household pet.
Erb was unable to stop the dog from clamping down on her daughter’s throat, and the dog was still attacking Staab when medics arrived, police said.
The attack was stopped only after responding police officers shot the dog to death. After the shooting, a second pit bull charged the cops, prompting them to kill that animal too, police said.
Staab was pronounced dead at 7:24 a.m. in her mother’s home.
Wow, just wow. But these sorts of stories involving pit-bulls have become almost expected. Seriously, when we hear about attacks like this our first thought isn’t Golden Retriever. And, no, I’m not advocating outlawing certain breeds. That said, I really don’t want to be in the same room with those breeds – which is my problem/phobia, not yours.
And just to add some HCR politics into the mix… if domestic violence can be classified as a preexisting condition then how long before insurance companies charge more depending on what breed of dog you own?
Tags: Dogs
A horrible breed of dog.
People who own these dogs are usually young, irresponsible and usually lacking in education.
Owners of these dogs are always quick to defend them, saying that it’s the training.
I have seen friendly pit bulls, but there is always something sketchy about them.
There are many good and less aggressive breeds out there.
why choose this one ?
People like to own pit bulls for the same reason they like to flash a gun tucked in their waistband.
A pit bull is a weapon that can also serve as a pet. Owners like to take advantage of this ambiguous status by claiming it is a pet, while benefiting from the penis-extending effects of packing a weapon. It is like carrying around a real gun but claiming it is just a toy.
I would rather be in a room with a loaded gun on a table than be in a room with a friendly pit bull.
The Dog Whisperer’s pit bull — Daddy — died last week.
But don’t let me get in the way of your stereotypes.
I want my own killer whale.
I know several pit bulls, and the problem is you don’t know what will set them off. A friend’s dog was mauled horribly by a pit bull who was great with kids — but is also an extremely aggressive alpha male who wil l not abide the sight of another dog.
My own, unscientific opinion is that it’s partly the breed, but moreso the breeding. REsponsible breeders of any breed are careful to use only their best dogs for breeding purposes, and only a fraction of them live up to the traits of their parents. Most pit bulls are bred by amateurs, and the results speak for themselves.
Go get ’em Pit Bull Pandora! I’m more worried about your bite!!
But as an aside–the most frequent reason needed of after hours “on-call” operating room team, I would have to bring in at an LA children’s hospital, was for “dog attack”. Now granted, this was the early 80’s, and pit bulls were just coming on the radar–but nonetheless. And yes, my homeowner’s insurance did have a question in underwriting, of whether we owned pit bulls.
I love my pitbull and will continue to advocate for them. Not all owners are stereotypical “thug life” I am quite the opposite, and have spent an enormous amount of time teaching her obedience and couldn’t have a better pet. These stories are awful and sad–but it is people who are training these dogs from birth to be vicious–and unfortunately they need and should be put down when coming from these situations. BAD RAP is a great organization that dispels many of the common misconceptions made about these dogs, some already listed above.
No offense, but you are an idiot who will act all surprised when your dog rips some kids face off. It is just a fact.
Isn’t the right to bear dogs in the Constitution sumplace? You can have my pit bull when you pry his cold dead jaws off of your leg.
I can understand the fear that people may have for the breed, but the facts are if you want to own a dog like this, you need to study up on them.. They are loveable and great family dogs..Yes they have alot of dog to dog aggression, however with the proper training u will be able to control your Pit.. It is not a custom of this breed to have dog to human aggression, from reading the article, It sounds to me that there might have been bad training.. since u will see signs of aggression, or redirected aggression, which is what it sounds like it might have been.. Two dogs fighting and then turned on the boy.. Someone did not get the dog the training or help it needed to be the best that it could be… My heart does go out to the childs’ family.. However, the parents are at fault and they should never be allowed to own a pit that they can’t control..
Pit Bulls are bred for “dog to dog aggression” so they inevitably attack dogs and humans because no amount of proper training will override their breeding given the circumstances that family dogs find themselves in.
With all due respect, your comment identifies you as someone who will act surprised when your dog rips some kid’s face off. “He was such a good pet. So good with the kids, I don’t know what happened.”
Please. We all know what happened. He was a Pit Bull.
It is not a custom of this breed to have dog to human aggression
Will that fit on a tombstone?
Of the 88 fatal dog attacks recorded by DogsBite.org from 2006-2009, pit bull type dogs were responsible for 59% (52). This is equivalent to a pit bull killing a U.S. citizen every 21 days during this 3-year period. The data also shows that pit bulls commit the vast majority of off-property attacks that result in death. Only 18% (16) of the attacks occurred off owner property, yet pit bulls were responsible for 81% (13).
Dog bite deaths and maimings U.S. and Canada (1982-2009)
By compiling U.S. and Canadian press accounts between 1982 and 2009, Merritt Clifton, editor of Animal People, determined the breeds most responsible for serious injury and death:
The combination of pit bulls, rottweilers, presa canarios, and their mixes:
• 80% of attacks that induce bodily harm (stitches/surgery)
• 69% of attacks to children
• 83% of attack to adults
• 68% of attacks that result in fatalities
• 74% that result in maiming (permanent damage or loss of limb)
In my lifetime, there have been several dogs who where looked down upon with the same type of ignorance applied to them. The german shephard, boxer, doberman pinscher and the list could go on. All of these dogs became popular and back alley breeders pop up. Also, a lot of people did and understand the breed nor did they try and do so but had to have one and caused even more damage to the breed.
Back alley breeders, puppy mills, etc. are not in the business of bettering the breed of any dog but destroying them just to make there money. They cause the breed to become nervous, timid, etc. and all kind of problem develop.
Even people who buy any dog from a good breeder and do not understand the breed, not training them with at least basic training are also the proplem.
I have had and raised pit bulls for about 30 years now. I have yet to have one bite a person, child, family member or myself. I have never fought them and alway socialized them. All of been properly raised and have been a part of my family.
I now have four grand children. I have a 13 year old female pit bull who was about 6 years old when the first grandchild was born. Before the first grandchild, she had never been around a baby before but she accepted everyone of them and loves them dearly.
And from a comment made earlier. I am not young or a thug or have I ever been arrested for anything. I am 59 years old and a retired police detective. I believe that there should be laws that better govern dog owners. They should be required to take there dogs (all dogs) to certified dog trainers and have both basic and advance classes. They should socialized there dogs with neighbors and other dogs. The registeration of a dog should be the same as with a weapon and held responsible for their dogs action even if it means jail time. Those who violate the law after having should also be held accountable like a person who used a weapon and never be able to have another dog.
Some might think this is extreme, but everyone should be held accountable. This also might stop some people from getting animals of any kind because of the responsibility they would have for the animal and the community.
Also, a lot of people did and understand the breed nor did they try and do so but had to have one and caused even more damage to the breed.
I understand it is not the dog’s fault it is dangerous. I don’t care.
she accepted everyone of them and loves them dearly.
Dogs do not love. Anthropomorphize much?
everyone should be held accountable
AFTER the dog kills or injures someone? No thanks. Well yeah, but prevention first.
The thing is, all dogs may potentially attack humans, but even if the risk of a pit bull attacking is no greater than any other breed, the consequences of a pit bull attack are too great to bear.
There is no need to take that kind of high-stakes risk – or ask others to accept that risk – just for the vanity of having a powerful pet.
Love might not have been the right word to use and I already know what you are going to say but I have no problem with my dog being around my grand children and when she leaves this world, I might not get another pit but whatever kind of dog I get, they will be raised the same.
I guess where we will always differ. If I thought that my animal, or anything else was of a high risk to my family or community, I would not have them. I do not have a vanity for a powerful pet. Just a good one and I have always had good bets. I have had other dog breeds and some where even raised with the pits with no problems.
I do not advocate for anyone and everyone to have one. I do believe like you said that it is not the dogs fault but I do believe that it is the fault of the person who raises a dog of any kind and does not do what is proper to make sure that he has the type of pet that is non threatening to anyone.
I just wish that everyone would take the time and energy to research any animal before buying one and creating problems. When man is the problem, he shoud take the blame.
Take care.