"Dangerous Dog Breeds"....owners who say not my dog...no blame on breed, just owners.

I live in a small town.
Earlier this week a 5 year old girl was playing in yard.
A neighbor's 2 pitbulls escaped, went into yard and mauled the little girl to death.
Her grandmother threw herself ontop of little girl, getting injured seriously as well, but unfortunately it was too late.

When I was 14, I was rollerblading with my brother, 13. We skated by a yard, a pit jumped over a 5 ft fence and attacked my brother. I will never forget this scene. 6 men and a boat oar to get the dog off. Luckily, it was just scratches and ripped clothes. We did nothing to provoke dog other then ride by.

I am sick to my stomach about this girl. I know her aunt. I can't belief how senseless this death is. They dressed the little girl up as cinderella, and a horse and carriage pulled her little casket through the streets yesterday.

I am a huge walker. i have walked by her home before. To think that while walking my babies I can be encountered by a blood thirsty monster-well it just isn't fair.

I am very close to my neighbor. He is the nicest guy. My sister is dating him. He has a 10 year old pit who he trusts completely. I don't. The dog has gone camping with us, the beach with us, in my home...never a moment where he has acted agressively...but I never let down my guard. Now this story about the 5 year old...I really don't want his dog around us. It just isn't worth it to me.

Also, should pit owner go to prison? Dogs get out all the time, right?

rambling...just been on my mind the last few days.
thanks!

Re: "Dangerous Dog Breeds"....owners who say not my dog...no blame on breed, just owners.

I firmly believe that while some breeds may have predisposed tendencies towards aggressive behavior, it falls upon the owner to properly train the dog.

I don't think I believe that dogs are aggressive just to be aggressive. I have to believe that the training of the dog plays a major role in whether a dog is aggressive or not. And I believe that the owner should absolutely be held accountable for the actions of their dog.

Dogs can't talk, they lack the understanding and comprehension of actions until they are trained otherwise.

What a tragedy

Message edited 1/18/2011 9:47:15 AM.

Re: "Dangerous Dog Breeds"....owners who say not my dog...no blame on breed, just owners.

I have just never heard of the Golden who mauled the child to death, you know?

Re: "Dangerous Dog Breeds"....owners who say not my dog...no blame on breed, just owners.

Re: "Dangerous Dog Breeds"....owners who say not my dog...no blame on breed, just owners.

its not the dog it is the owner. I have a pit bull that is scared of his own shadow and is the most lovable snuggliest dog ever.

Please so not blame the breed. They have a bad reputation due to bad people.

Re: "Dangerous Dog Breeds"....owners who say not my dog...no blame on breed, just owners.

Re: "Dangerous Dog Breeds"....owners who say not my dog...no blame on breed, just owners.

Re: "Dangerous Dog Breeds"....owners who say not my dog...no blame on breed, just owners.

thanks.

i just never hear any owner say to please keep kids away from my dog, he is crazy and blood thirsty.

I always hear "not my pit"

Re: "Dangerous Dog Breeds"....owners who say not my dog...no blame on breed, just owners.

It's the owners, not the dogs. My 3 year old pit bull slept between my 6 and 8 year old cousins this weekend in a tent in my living room. I trust that dog with my life and she wouldn't hurt a fly.

ETA: The two dogs that did bite my brother and sister growing up were both NOT pit bulls.

Message edited 1/18/2011 9:56:33 AM.

Re: "Dangerous Dog Breeds"....owners who say not my dog...no blame on breed, just owners.

I think it def falls on the owner. My friend has a rotty. Biggest mush around. They trained it. They worked at it.

Other friends had a doberman, and a rotty. Both biggest babies in the world. Would lay down the minute younpet them. But, scared the crap out of anyone who came to the door.

I think people get dogs ( all dogs, not just a breed) and dont want to work at it. You can have one of those yappy annoying dogs be just as vicious as a pit would be. My neighbors have a maltese or something along those lines. Freaking cujo. T barks and charges the fence the minute we go in the backyard. Yes, its a small cute showy dog. But i would have ZERO hesitations if he came into my yard not to harm it. If it was him or my kid, he looses.

Re: "Dangerous Dog Breeds"....owners who say not my dog...no blame on breed, just owners.

http://www.understand-a-bull.com/Articles/OtherBreedBites/AllDogsBite.htm


http://www.understand-a-bull.com/PitbullInformation/PitBullIndex.htm

Re: "Dangerous Dog Breeds"....owners who say not my dog...no blame on breed, just owners.

I'm sorry...but i do think there is such a thing as more dangerous dog breeds...an animal is an animal. Human being forget that..

I would NEVER have a pit and a child in the same house. Don't care what anyone else says. Too many stories of seemingly great, trained, domesticated pits tearing apart a child.

And its not just pits..I understand that. But they are known to be a more aggressive breed.

All it can take is for a child to grab a dogs tail or go near its food and an animal instinct can cause a dog to go crazy..

My friends daughter was mauled by mutt they had for 7 years. This sweet dog who never hurt a thing grabbed the 11 month old by her head, thrashed her like a doll and tore into her head..thank god in the end she was ok, but it was a nightmare for my friend.

To each there own i guess. But what an unfortunate story.

-wanted to add that i think if a couple wants to get a pitbull, fine. I just don't like the thought of them being around children. Even if they are loving and show no aggression. I wouldn't take the chance.

And the reason is why we always hear about pitbulls mauling kids and people is because that when they DO attack the attack is usually vicious b/c of their strong jaws and instinct to not let go...that is what scares the holy hell out of me about that breed..but i know MANY of these dogs will go throughout their lives without ever attacking, i just coudn't take that chance

Message edited 1/18/2011 10:13:52 AM.

Re: "Dangerous Dog Breeds"....owners who say not my dog...no blame on breed, just owners.

The dog should be put down immediately and the owners should be investigated. If it is found that they contributed to the mal-temper of the dog then they should be put in jail. Either way, there should be a HUGE fine for any dog owner whose dog attacks a human. I know it is isn't comprable to the loss of a child's life but laws around dog, or any animal attacks for that matter, are not very clear.

What ever happend to the owner of that chimp that maulled the woman? Anybody know?

Also, to answer your other question. I think it is smart on your part to be wary of ANY dog that is not yours being around your DC. That dog does not have that strong overprotective relationship that many dogs have with their owners children YNWIM?

ETA: In response to Maybebaby- I completely agree with you as well. Pit Bulls are known for their aggressiveness. That is scary about your friends dog, that is why I never let DD alone to play with my parents dogs, ever. We don't have a dog and after reading this post I think maybe we will just get some fish!

Message edited 1/18/2011 10:01:33 AM.

Re: "Dangerous Dog Breeds"....owners who say not my dog...no blame on breed, just owners.

Re: "Dangerous Dog Breeds"....owners who say not my dog...no blame on breed, just owners.

The dog was shot by the police mid attack.

I know other breeds bite, my family had a nutty dalmation that bit 3 different people...but he never went for the neck and attempted to kill anybody.

Re: "Dangerous Dog Breeds"....owners who say not my dog...no blame on breed, just owners.

Posted by heathergirl

Posted by Janice

thanks.

i just never hear any owner say to please keep kids away from my dog, he is crazy and blood thirsty.

I always hear "not my pit"

A few years back, DH and I adopted a Chow mix (I didn't know Chows could be aggressive). She did not like being around men, started snapping, etc. When we took her to the vet, the vet said point blank the dog was aggressive and given her age, it would be very difficult to retrain her. She said the dog could not be near children (we have young nephews who love dogs) and men. It was SO hard to have to give her back, but we just couldn't take those risks. We ended up adopting a pointer from the vet who is amazing

Re: "Dangerous Dog Breeds"....owners who say not my dog...no blame on breed, just owners.

Re: "Dangerous Dog Breeds"....owners who say not my dog...no blame on breed, just owners.

My family's little miniature pincher is more aggressive than some pitbulls I've known. I do believe it's how the owner trains the dog, not the dog itself. That said though, I am seriously scared of pitbulls. My Dad watched some show on tv with a guy who rescued pitbulls and now wants one when our mini dies. I told him I won't come over. One ran up on me not too long ago when I was outside his house (got loose - don't know who it belonged to) and I ran for my life inside the house. Probably wasn't the smartest idea because I also believe fear and a reaction like that can set off even the calmest of dogs, but I panicked.

Re: "Dangerous Dog Breeds"....owners who say not my dog...no blame on breed, just owners.

I will say it...I will never own a dog...I don't like them.
I grew up with them...still no love for them.

The only reason I let my neighbor's "avery" into our life is because josh is dog obsessed. I don't want to pass my feelings of dogs onto him. He has gone over to avery's home without me...when I am there with jessie, neighbor will lock avery upstairs in a room.

Re: "Dangerous Dog Breeds"....owners who say not my dog...no blame on breed, just owners.

Posted by maybebaby

I'm sorry...but i do think there is such a thing as more dangerous dog breeds...an animal is an animal. Human being forget that..

I would NEVER have a pit and a child in the same house. Don't care what anyone else says. Too many stories of seemingly great, trained, domesticated pits tearing apart a child.

And its not just pits..I understand that. But they are known to be a more aggressive breed.

All it can take is for a child to grab a dogs tail or go near its food and an animal instinct can cause a dog to go crazy..

My friends daughter was mauled by mutt they had for 7 years. This sweet dog who never hurt a thing grabbed the 11 month old by her head, thrashed her like a doll and tore into her head..thank god in the end she was ok, but it was a nightmare for my friend.

To each there own i guess. But what an unfortunate story.

Re: "Dangerous Dog Breeds"....owners who say not my dog...no blame on breed, just owners.

My husband was bitten by our neighbor's pit (the same pit who chased after my daughter). The town eventually confiscated the dog becuase it attacked/bit several other individuals. I was chased by their replacement "pit" while I was putting the garbage out at six months pregnant and almost fell while running away from this dog. We now keep weapons at the door AND in our car because these dogs are constantly on the loose. Push comes to shove, doggie loses. There will be no redemption for any dog who attacks myself or my family.

I've been around all types of breeds of dogs but will never expose my children ever to a pit. Way too unpredictable.

Re: "Dangerous Dog Breeds"....owners who say not my dog...no blame on breed, just owners.

Posted by jilliibabii

Posted by maybebaby

I'm sorry...but i do think there is such a thing as more dangerous dog breeds...an animal is an animal. Human being forget that..

I would NEVER have a pit and a child in the same house. Don't care what anyone else says. Too many stories of seemingly great, trained, domesticated pits tearing apart a child.

And its not just pits..I understand that. But they are known to be a more aggressive breed.

All it can take is for a child to grab a dogs tail or go near its food and an animal instinct can cause a dog to go crazy..

My friends daughter was mauled by mutt they had for 7 years. This sweet dog who never hurt a thing grabbed the 11 month old by her head, thrashed her like a doll and tore into her head..thank god in the end she was ok, but it was a nightmare for my friend.

To each there own i guess. But what an unfortunate story.

You're absolutely right- people do forget that dogs are animals. But what makes a pit any more of an animal than a german shephard?

Re: "Dangerous Dog Breeds"....owners who say not my dog...no blame on breed, just owners.

Re: "Dangerous Dog Breeds"....owners who say not my dog...no blame on breed, just owners.

Posted by heathergirl

I firmly believe that while some breeds may have predisposed tendencies towards aggressive behavior, it falls upon the owner to properly train the dog.

I don't think I believe that dogs are aggressive just to be aggressive. I have to believe that the training of the dog plays a major role in whether a dog is aggressive or not. And I believe that the owner should absolutely be held accountable for the actions of their dog.

Dogs can't talk, they lack the understanding and comprehension of actions until they are trained otherwise.

What a tragedy

Re: "Dangerous Dog Breeds"....owners who say not my dog...no blame on breed, just owners.