Neighbor attacked by Pit Bulls

[farmgirl19]

The owner didn't train the dog. THAT is the problem. I have seen news articles where the Labrador killed a child, and yes, even a Border Collie that had to be put down, due to attacking the owners, even. Any pack (and 2 is a pack) of dogs can be dangerous, if running loose. I've even had a Beagle that wanted to take on my donkey, once.

If you had a child, that you stuck in the backyard, and didn't raise and nurture, how safe do you think society would be from it? The problem is, the people of the mindset that get the breed. If that breed was completely eliminated, the same folks would get another breed, and then we'd be hearing of how *THAT* breed needs to be banned.

Seriously, I have seen the some of the trash that is drawn to the breed, name them things like "Satan", "N-killer", etc. If we could ban stupidity, and stop some people from getting dogs, ANY dog, we wouldn't have the issues. But, since everyone has a right to own property, and dogs are considered property, we can't stop them, until something like this happens. We worry more about someone getting other weapons, and these idiots can get a dog with no screening. I can guarantee you the dogs were "back yard bred", and not from someone that is a reputable breeder. Reputable breeders won't sell to trash such as that. They figure they brought the dogs into this world, and screen the homes very carefully. You ought to see the contract I have with the breeder of my 2 Beagles. (Of course, I got the fact that the parents were gentically screened for any health issues, etc.) If the dog is for sale or free in the paper, the breeder is just wanting to make a few bucks, or has a leftover that they want to get rid of, before it gets mature enough to breed, and could care less what happens to the animal, once it is sold.

That could have happened (and does happen) with dogs of a different breed. It just doesn't make the sensational column of the newspaper, or newscast.

I had no intention of blowing you off. It is fair questions. I have already noted the collar that was on the one. It doesn't give anyone something to catch the dog by, (due to the prongs), and is not safe for the dog to be in, unsupervised. Not only should stupid people not breed, but they shouldn't own dogs either.

 

[joshuabardwell]

You just named the three worst breeds for pets. They may make a good working dog. They may be OK as pets in a knowledgeable dog handlers environment but for the typical unskilled dog owner stay away. I have great perinease/ lab fix, he can be a hand full at times. Jmho

I basically agree that each dog has a temperament, and the dog's temperament must be taken into account in its care. I have a friend who owns an Australian Shepherd, and she has to make sure that the dog gets enough exercise, or it will just go crazy. But at the same time, I think we have to be really careful about the nature/nurture assumption. In the early 20th century, Pitt Bulls were known as excellent family dogs. Petey, the dog belonging to the Little Rascals, was a Pitt Bull. The Pitt Bull was seen as protective, and was used as a mascot for America during World War I. Pitt Bulls generally do better than average on tests of dog aggression. (The dog is placed in a threatening situation, and fails at the first sign of aggression or panic.) Many of the things we think we know about dog breeds are more a factor of the way that the dogs tend to be seen and treated, than anything else.

 

[Jstpssng]

You guys are making much, MUCH too big of a deal over the prong collar. Yes the owner is an idiot for letting his dog run around loose with it on; but so called choke collars are just as dangerous.

The way the collar works is to quickly cut off the dog's breathing. The prongs aren't sharp; and if you follow this link german pinch collar - Google Search

you can get an idea of what they really look like. I used one on my previous lab because it was the only thing that worked; she would pull against a normal choker, and the so called "gentle leader" left her wondering why she was being punished. Bring out the pinch collar and she would get excited, because she knew that meant she was going out in public.

Which returns to the original topic... why would anybody keep a dog or dogs who are going to be a threat to people?

 

[joemd11]

Timster,
Unbelievable story. You did well.

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

 

[bcp]

why would anybody keep a dog or dogs who are going to be a threat to people?

That's why they want them--because they are a threat to people.

Bruce

 

[timster2]

In all fairness although the State Police described the animals as Pit Bulls the owner has claimed that they were a different breed. She claims that one is and Indian Mastiff and and the other a Borden Russel mix (not sure of the spelling). I got this from one of the news casts that interviewed the owner. I guess to a breeder or someone who can identify different breeds with accuracy you could tell they weren't pit bulls. To my untrained eyes and if you look at the picture in post one you would be hard pressed to tell the difference.

 

[farmgirl19]

The prong collar does NOT work by cutting off breathing. It works by pinching small folds of skin. The choke collar, as the name implies, can choke off the airway, and even collapse a trachea, if used improperly.

I too train many of mine, in a prong collar. It is not a bad collar. It is NOT a good collar to have on a potentially dangerous dog, either. A choke collar would be better for that animal, but again, should not be left on, unsupervised. I am active in competitive obedience. Having it on a dog running loose just is an example of how the owner doesn't care about the safety of his dogs, nor anyone else. That was my point about the collar. Owner is an IDIOT!

 

[Pilot]

Ok, for all you pit bull defenders, tell me why anyone needs one! Be rational about this, let's look at the actual statistics (from: 2011 U.S. Dog Bite Fatalities - Dog Bite Statistics - DogsBite.org)

"31 U.S. fatal dog attacks occurred in 2011. Despite being regulated in Military Housing areas and over 600 U.S. cities, pit bulls led these attacks accounting for 71% (22). Pit bulls make up less than 5% of the total U.S. dog population.

Notably in 2011, adult victims of fatal pit bull attacks more than doubled the number of child victims. Of the 22 total pit bull victims, 68% (15) fell between the ages of 32 to 76, and 32% (7) were ages 5 years and younger.

The year 2011 also marks an increase in pet pit bulls killing their owners. Of the 8 total instances this year in which a family dog inflicted fatal injury to its primary caretaker, the dog's owner, 88% (7) involved pet pit bulls.

Together, pit bulls (22) and rottweilers (4), the number two lethal dog breed, accounted for 84% of all fatal attacks in 2011. In the 7-year period from 2005 to 2011, this same combination accounted for 74% (157) of the total recorded deaths (213).

The breakdown between pit bulls and rottweilers is substantial over this 7-year period. From 2005 to 2011, pit bulls killed 128 Americans, about one citizen every 20 days, versus rottweilers, which killed 29; about one citizen every 88 days.

Dog ownership information for 2011 shows that family dogs comprised 65% (20) of the attacks that resulted in death; 74% (23) of all incidents occurred on the dog owner's property and 29% (9) resulted in criminal charges, up from 15% in 2010."

Having a pit bull is like letting a kid fiddle with a revolver with one bullet in the cylinder. You never know what will happen or when. There's no way you can defend that.

 

[houstonscott]

I wouldn't tolerate a bit bull next to my property. First time owner was gone I would disappear the thing, and never speak of it again.

HS

 

[riptides]

I wouldn't tolerate a bit bull next to my property. First time owner was gone I would disappear the thing, and never speak of it again.

HS

You just did! --speak of it--