Pit bulls and children do not mix
Posted
May 31, 2006 at
9:33 am by
Jessica
People own pit bulls to use as a weapon and if you are part of the few that doesn’t own a pit bull for a weapon, then know you’re amongst the majority of trash that does. Nobody thinks, “Gee, a pit bull would be a GREAT family dog.” A pug is a great family dog, a pit bull is not. In fact, why not just go out and get your family a bear or a tiger? And if you’re fortunate enough to live in an area where one of your neighbors owns one of these weapons of mass destruction, then do yourself a favor and move (your property value isn’t going to soar with pit bulls running around anyway) or get your village to sign an ordinance banning these animals. Children deserve better. People deserve better.
From the website dogbitelaw.com, here are some stats on dogs that kill:
As stated above, there are two problems that have been reported as though there is only a single problem, namely there are canine homicides (i.e., dog bite related human fatalities) and the dog bite epidemic. The dogs responsible for the bulk of the homicides are pit bulls and Rottweilers:
“Studies indicate that pit bull-type dogs were involved in approximately a third of human DBRF (i.e., dog bite related fatalities) reported during the 12-year period from 1981 through1992, and Rottweilers were responsible for about half of human DBRF reported during the 4 years from 1993 through 1996….[T]he data indicate that Rottweilers and pit bull-type dogs accounted for 67% of human DBRF in the United States between 1997 and 1998. It is extremely unlikely that they accounted for anywhere near 60% of dogs in the United States during that same period and, thus, there appears to be a breed-specific problem with fatalities.” (Sacks JJ, Sinclair L, Gilchrist J, Golab GC, Lockwood R. Breeds of dogs involved in fatal human attacks in the United States between 1979 and 1998. JAVMA 2000;217:836-840.)
Other breeds were also responsible for homicides, but to a much lesser extent. A 1997 study of dog bite fatalities in the years 1979 through 1996 revealed that the following breeds had killed one or more persons: pit bulls, Rottweilers, German shepherds, huskies, Alaskan malamutes, Doberman pinschers, chows, Great Danes, St. Bernards and Akitas. (Dog Bite Related Fatalities,” Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, May 30, 1997, Vol. 46, No. 21, pp. 463 et. seq.)
Owners of such dogs should be aware that if their dogs attack a person, the attacks may be scrutinized by law enforcement. The reason is that irresponsible behavior with or toward a dog whose breed is known to bite has caused a rising and unacceptable injury and death toll, which authorities are determined to stem.
“Irresponsible behavior” is defined differently from place to place. In California, for example, it can be a felony for a person to possess a dog trained to fight, attack or kill that, because of the owner’s lack of ordinary care, bites two people or seriously injures one person. (See Felony prosecution of attack dog owners.)
In different parts of the United States at the current time, there are a number of parents who are on trial for manslaughter because their dogs have killed their children. In these cases, the prosecutors have taken the position that the parents behaved irresponsibly because they left their children in the company of dogs most likely to bite.
There is an 8 out of 10 chance that a biting dog is male. (Humane Society of the United States.)
And here is the tragic story, brought to us by WTHR-Indianapolis, that tells a true account of just one out of thousands of tragedies that involve a child mamed or killed by a vicious dog each year. As a society, we fight for safer streets, safer schools, safer immunizations, safer foods, environment, homes, cars and so on, we need to keep ban dogs that are most likely to kill a child. People cannot be trusted to keep your children safe from their dogs. If you think the kind of person that chains up a pit bull or a rottweiler in their yard is of a level of sophistication that they keep innocent people in mind, then your are sorely mistaken.
Indianapolis - A toddler’s life is on the line after a pit bull attack. The victim’s family wants the owner held accountable.
It happened Friday afternoon in the 13-hundred block of South Belmont near Lambert Street on the city’s southwest side.
Police say the animal took control of the toddler and wouldn’t let go. His young victim’s blood was still on it’s snout while teams at Riley Hospital worked to save 2-year-old Amaia Hess.“She sustained serious injury to her face and it appears she may have been bitten on other parts of her body too. One of her eyes is missing at this point. The other eye is seriously injured,” said Sgt. Mathew Mount of the Indianapolis Police Department.
The little girl was in the stroller with her mother. A man opened his door and the dog, named Ozzie, ran out straight for the little girl.
“I seen the baby in the dogs mouth and the dog shaking the baby like a rag doll, just shaking, shaking, shaking,” said a witness.
Amay’s great uncle calls her a sweet loving child facing a long struggle.
“One eye was completely tore out but the pupils were good so they can do some reconstruction on that,” said the uncle. “The doctors said that there’s many many surgeries there to do.”
It’s the second pit bull biting at the house in a year.
Tags: dog-attacks, dogs, family-dogs, fighting-dogs, pets, pit-bull-terriers, pit-bulls, Social Issues |
376 Responses to “Pit bulls and children do not mix”
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361. Anne Merewood said:
August 15, 2008 @ 11:23 pm
It is really sad how misinformed the original author of this article was. We have 3 boys. We have fostered many dogs. Most of them were pitbulls. We adopted our current 80lb pitbull. He is the gentlest and most submissive, willing to please dog I have ever known. When we worked with the foster agency they refused to place spaniels with us because we had kids. But pitbulls make great family dogs. Dog aggression may happen because of their history, but unlike guard dog breeds (German shepherds, dobermans, etc) pitbulls have never been bred for aggression or protectiveness towards people. The statistics are there because of the situation most pitbulls are in - owned by people who want to look scary, and are not responsible owners. If all those people owned German Shepherds or Rotties or Great Danes, those would be the breeds hitting headlines. Pitbulls were the great American family dog for decades, popular with pioneering families for their hardiness. The dog on Little Rascals was a pit. You can get bad dogs in all breeds but there is nothing about pits that makes them dangerous dogs towards people except too many of them being owned by bad owners.
362. Ashley said:
August 25, 2008 @ 12:15 pm
This blog is very upsetting to me I am so tired of people claiming that pitbulls are such killer animals. I have owned a pit all my life. My parents got me a pitbull puppy when I was four years old I am 24 yrs old and he just passed a year ago and in all that time she never showed aggression towards me or anyone else in the neighberhood ever one loved her. My son is three years old now and my husband and I just got him a blue pitbull puppy.. I have heard from so many people how bad these dogs are but they are not they are very good dogs.. I have never met a mean pitbull in my life and if I do i won’t blame the dog, you blame the owner….. You can make any dog a sweetheart and you can make any dog a killer.. So stop pointing the finger at the breed of dog and start pointing your finger at the owner..
363. hannah said:
August 27, 2008 @ 11:44 am
This article really makes me angry. My anger is geared towards the person who states that pits are only used for vicious attacks. You cannot judge a dog’s temperment and capabilties simply by its breed. I have owned many pit mixes and now am the owner of a 3 month old full blood pitbull. He is the sweetest animal I have ever had and does not show aggression towards anyone. True he bites but he is still in his puppy stage and never bites hard enough to harm anybody. He is just a dog and deserves the respect that other animals receive. In my opinion any dog has the capacity to harm someone if they feel threatened. The true malice lies in the hands of the owners. If you train an animal to act violently towards people it will do what it is taught. I am currently pregnant with my first child and I trust that Memphis will never harm my baby. The blame should simply be placed on the vicious owner and not the dog.
364. Marc & Hooch said:
September 4, 2008 @ 6:03 pm
Jessica, please buy a clue! You have absolutely no idea what you are so boldly spewing out on the net. ANY dog is what you raise it to be. These pit attacks you hear of aren’t done by cared for and trained pits owned by responsible owners. In fact a pit is one of the most people friendly dogs there is. The problem comes in when some low-life gets one for the wrong reasons and raises it on a six foot chain in the back yard. You’d go nuts too! There are ALOT of responsible pit owners out there including myself who raise and train thier dog with love and just like children, you get out what you put into them. My dog loves everyone “especially kids” and worships the ground that my granddaughter walks on. Please before you judge an entire breed based on the actions of a few irresponsibe owners, do some research and at least know what you’re talking about. Here are some links that may help, starting with my “about us” page on my web site to get you started in educating your self instead of making ignorant remarks… http://netsecuritycentral.com/aboutus.aspx , actually there are enough links on that page to get you started. One more thing, i read somewhere once “judge not, lest you be judged”
365. suz100 said:
September 4, 2008 @ 8:36 pm
Hi
Just home from the vet: A pitbull attacked my lab puppy on our walk today. The most vicious thing I have ever had to witness! My poor little guy has stiches in his neck, bites all over his legs.
The pitbull was in a fenced in yard, he busted the wood right out and came after us. Pulled me to the ground, had Larsen by the neck. I screamed for help untill the neighbor came out to help. He grabbed the first thing he could find, which was a brick. He stunned the pitbull enough for Lar`s to break free and run home. (we where only 8 houses from home!) The man that owns the dog yelled at me, said I walked to close to the fence, that someone hurt his dog with a brick! Not a sorry or anything else. This dog was trained to do this! He had to be! I have a girlfriend that has 2 pitbulls, they are babies! The sweetest dogs I have ever been around!
That brick saved my pup, with out a doubt. As a dog lover I pissed that someone could raise a dog to be such a killer. When I went down to show him the vet bill, he took a wad of $100 dollar bills out and asked me How much….mmmmmm wonder what this guy is selling???? He is no good in my book. I get why he has such a dog. I`m calling the dog warden in the morning. Thanks for letting me vent…Suz.
366. Kymberly said:
September 4, 2008 @ 9:33 pm
I am so sorry for your hurt, fear, and pain. How awful for you and your pet! Even the man who rushed to your aid (a hero really) risked his own life and limb.
Please do follow up with the dog warden. The next time a brick might not work.
I believe every dog is an individual - but this “individual dog” sounds like a risk.
367. Sarah said:
September 5, 2008 @ 5:58 am
I am so sorry to hear about your puppy. I hate these types of people. They give our dogs the bad reputation that they have earned. I am glad that you didn’t take this situation and generalize it to all pit bulls. Again, I am so sorry! This is so terrible and it makes me really sad. I am happy your dog was able to get away. I hope your baby makes a full recovery and suffers no permanent damage.
368. suz100 said:
September 5, 2008 @ 4:21 pm
Thank you for your kind words girls!
The puppy is pretty quite today, breaks my heart, my hyper sonic lab is laying with his toy, but can`t play.
The dog warden did what he could, made sure the dog had his shots and the owner has 30 days to get insurance on the dog? (never heard of that?) The warden said that if the dog bites 2 more times it will be put down. So I guess in my state it`s 3 strikes your out!
369. lilsquirrt said:
September 8, 2008 @ 11:17 am
look we have three pitbulls and sometimes around six or eight kids all under the age of 14 and my dogs have never biten any of them. they have even been around a 5 month old.
370. charles wade said:
September 25, 2008 @ 2:25 am
Hi, Michael wrote………..”Pits are strong dogs no doubt but their jaw strength is just the same as other breeds of comparable size”……Michael are you serious or merely EXTREMELY ignorant? It is this type of lack of understanding about how and why the breeding of pit bulls makes them so dangerous and the potential “killing machines” they are. When Dobermans or Shepherds fight pit bulls the gamblers usually lay 30to1 that the pit will be victorious..seldom, if ever, does a person cash the 30to1 wager. Why? Because the pits are bred to KILL!!! The other dogs slash and tear, the pit uses the SUPERIOR strength of his jaw to lockon and crush its opponent. Wake up Michael and stop misleading others. People, ESPECIALLY, when dealing with life and death matters should be much better informed than ignorant, uneducated, nincompoops whose inflated and yet fragile egos lead them to believe they posess a degree of expertise in many areas when in reality they have no expertise in any area. The FACT that pit bulls are more dangerous and more DEADLY than other types of dogs is irrefutable, and all the lame attempts I hear people use to attempt to defend pits as though they are just like any other dogs is nonsensical. The only place that is true is in the very IMMATURE, undeveloped minds of people trying to climb a slipperyslope to nowhere and seriously lacking any real life experience with how deadly these dogs can be. The inbreeding often leaves many dogs lacking intellectual abilities and those attempting to defend them are also similarly lacking. The argument is silly and I have already spent more time on iyt than it deserves, is SAD though that so many people have to suffer because of these braindead “experts” like Michael.
371. jack said:
September 25, 2008 @ 8:43 am
Spot on with that post. As from my posts before you can probably see that I have raised more pits for “sporting” purposes than any one on this board. As I say time and time again it is the ignorant pit bull pet owner than spouts of his nonsense about pitbulls being like any other dogs. That attitude leaves people open to greater risk. As for pitbull bite (it is called having a “good mouth”) in the “sport”; well yes they tend to have a great bite due mainly to their large neck muscles and the shaking of the head and neck when they latch on (please don’t quote stupid bite force tests done on one dog of each breed as that would just show what a stupid grasp of statistcs you have). Dogs in sport are trained to hang onto tires, spring poles etc etc. Having a good mouth as well as being game are very important. Mountain man’s Grand champion zebo is an excellent example of a pitbull with a VERY good mouth. PIT BULLS ARE NOT ORDINARY DOGS SO PLEASE HAVE SOME RESPECT FOR THIS DOG BREED AND ITS HERITAGE; ONLY BY HAVING HEALTHY RESPECT WILL LESS ACCIDENTS HAPPEN. If for whatever reason you want a pitbull OTHER THAN FOR “sport” and cannot accept having (weird) any other breed then at least GIVE IT HEALTHY RESPECT AND RESPECT ITS LEGACY, IT IS NOT A TOP POODLE. Respect and a little fear brings responsibility, putting your head in the sand does not. Pit bulls are still used for fighting because of their gameness, stamina and mouth (among other things). There have been some pits with poor mouth that went onto great things because of their gameness but in general these die early in the pit when against a fast finisher (ie a dog with a good mouth).
Charles Wade is spot on. I love the pitbull but it is idiots lieing to the general public and saying they are just like any other dog. I’ve had over 40 dogs nearly all pits from top fighting lines and not one has ever bitten a person. Why ? No not because they are so super gentle, because I respect what they could do. I then keep them away from possible situations that could lead to violent human/pit interactions. I respect their power and capability for inflicting extreme damage that my dogs have. That is why RESPECT AND KNOWLEDGe is vital, live by the truth for if you tell lies others will just cease to believe and it will move to the other extreme.
Please get real, respect your dogs and realize that having and keeping a powerful (in mind as well) comes with great responsibilty.
372. Marc & Hooch said:
September 25, 2008 @ 5:46 pm
Anyone who would fight a dog is not fit to live. There’s a special place in Hell for the inbred rednecks that would raise dogs for the purpose of fighting. I fight every day for my dog. He’ll never have to fight for me.
My APBTs have always been gentle and loving with anyone, especially kids. They also gets along with other dogs. Why, you might ask? Are they the “one in a million” that skipped getting the kill gene?
The answer is NO. I raised them to be social, gentle and disciplined. A dog is like any other animal. They learn what they are taught from birth. If you stick a dog “or any other animal” out on a six foot chain with a shack of a dog house in the mud, then what are you teaching them? You’re teaching them that people are evil and life is hard. Wouldn’t you snap?
Sadly this is how a majority of APBTs live and the really unlucky ones end up in the hands of low-life dog fighters and really get the abuse piled on. Is this the dog’s fault?
People are so quick to blame the breed. Guess it’s easier than facing the real problem, that so many people all too often are evil, vile creatures that don’t deserve to share the same air as these loving, loyal dogs. Much less call themselves “master”.
These poor dogs are being hated and abused and it all comes down to their greatest weeknesses, which in a just world would be their greatest attributes. Their loyal dedication and strong, athletic build gets so many killed or mangled in a pit. Or just stuck with a heartless, irresponsible owner who wanted a tough looking dog to impress their friends, but offers no training and no attention. And for what?
I’m far too angry to continue with this. I just want people to understand that it’s not the dog’s fault! It is the scum-bags who get an APBT for all the wrong reasons! If you met ANY of the APBTs i’ve raised, you’d understand. Ban the deed, not the breed!
Marc Howington
Dacula, Georgia
http://netsecuritycentral.com/aboutus.aspx
http://www.myspace.com/kinghoochdaddy
373. Jane said:
September 26, 2008 @ 4:00 pm
People who decide that Pitbulls are weapons are just flat out STUPID! And really don’t deserve an explanation. You can’t explain to ignorant people what they simply refuse(or IGNORE) to hear!?! I do HOWEVER, agree that *Edited by Site Owner, should NOT own them, because the dog would obviously be smarter than the owner in that case. Please, get a life and get over the Pit Bulls are Bad thing! It’s so played out. Petey for The Little Rascals was a Pit and among one of the BEST DOGS THAT EVER LIVED!?! Put THAT in your pipe and smoke it!
*Edited for violation of guidelines
374. Lori said:
October 9, 2008 @ 11:27 am
I’ve been doing rescue for 16 years, and I’ve found that the Pits and Pit types I’ve dealt with are absolutely the best dogs - they’re amazingly smart, kind, funny, well-behaved and safe. It’s so easy to jump on the hysteria bandwagon with inaccurate stories and statistics rather than doing the reasearch to see that these dogs are not the monsters they’re portrayed as being. The Am Staffs, APBTs, and Staffies have become our favorite breeds, and I’ve worked with almost every breed out there. Ours guys, whether raised from puppyhood or taken in as adults, are fantastic dogs. Once you get to know these dogs - and stop buying into the media hype - you’ll wonder, just as we do, how on earth anyone could possibly buy into the stereotype.
375. Adam said:
October 17, 2008 @ 9:51 pm
This is the biggest load of bs I’ve ever read, get you head out of your ass and look around you.
376. Michael said:
October 20, 2008 @ 6:49 pm
Charles,
Thanks for grabing a line in a post of mine from what a
year ago? I never claimed to be an expert on Pits but Im sure I know more than you. How many have you owned ? How many breeders do you know ? How much experience do you actually have with dogs ?
Jaw muscles have to be developed Charles they don’t come super strong to only Pit Bulls as if by Magic. There is nothing remarkable
about the average non fighting trained pit bulls jaw power. To be special they would have to be hundreds of pounds greater in crushing
force than any other breed and this is just not the case.
What I think is remarkable about them is what also gets them into trouble. They have wonderful heart combined with terrier tenacity and drive. Put that into the wrong hands and it could be a recipe for disaster. My posts are just my opinions just like yours . I think I also said I don’t recommend them as first dogs and bringing one into a house with small children is probably not a good idea. I also said they are not safe around children because no dog is. I guess you missed those. If anyone is misleading people you are
Charles…..Killing Machines…Locking Jaws…Line bred dogs have brain disorders ? By the way, who in Gods name would put a Dobe or GSD in with a Pit ? Did you watch White Fang too many times?
If pits were so gung ho to kill people every police force and military would use them. Why don’t they Charles ? Theyre just not right for that kind of work. If you don’t agree ask the “experts”
p.s
Tell that psycho Helen to give me my CD’s back.