Sad story (disturbing)

[mulewagon]

Why is everybody talking about pit bulls? The Daily Mail article said it was a mastiff. And it said the little girl mauled two weeks ago was attacked by a mastiff.

Mastiffs are becoming popular, and they're big, strong dogs, so we'll probably be seeing a lot more stories about mastiff attacks.

 

[AinaWGSD]

Quote:
Exactly. I won't say breed doesn't play a part, but there are dozens of factors that go into a dog bite/attack that are totally independent of breed. Yes, pit bull type dogs are more likely to be reported in dog bites, particularly dramatic ones. The sensationalization of "pit bull attacks" plays into that. The fact that most people don't know a pit bull from a blocky labrador plays into that. The number of pit bull type dogs out there plays into that. Genetics plays into that, let's face it there are a lot of people getting pit bulls that shouldn't own any breed of dog much less a large powerful one. There are a lot of people mistaking weak temperament and aggressiveness for desirable traits in these breeds and intentionally breeding dogs with these traits. Genetics plays a large part in temperament. If you take a dog with the genetic propensity towards fearfulness or aggressiveness and put it in the right home where it is properly socialized and trained it can be an ok dog, not what I would call a "safe" dog, but not an inherently dangerous dog either. Take that same dog and put it in an uneducated home that doesn't do any socialization or training and you have the makings of an evening news story on a vicious dog attack, that same dog becomes an inherently dangerous dog due to the environment and lack of management.

I've worked in veterinary medicine for 10 years. I can honestly say that 99% of the pit bulls and pit bull type dogs I work with are "safe" dogs. The few I've worked with that weren't were primarily the result of poorly bred dogs placed in uneducated homes where training was minimal and socialization was non-existent. I've been bitten three times. One was an old english sheepdog, out of character for that dog, and my fault (I accidentally cut him with the clippers while shaving). One was a german shepherd that had a questionable temperament to begin with and reacted badly to us cleaning her ears. And one was a tiny two pound chihuahua with an intestinal blockage that was painful in the position I had to put him in to take x-rays. The pit bull with a bullet wound to his foot (domestic violence, girl's ex came looking for her with a gun and the dog got between them) we probably could have x-rayed without a muzzle and was not the least bit aggressive with us when we were flushing the wound. Quite frankly, I've seen far more aggressive chihuahuas, labs, lab mixes, and dachshunds than aggressive pit bulls. Each time I see a dachshund on the schedule that we haven't seen before, I automatically assume it's probably going to try to bite me. I can't say the same for pit bulls or any of the other so-called "dangerous" breeds. My biggest fear with pit bulls is that I'll bend down to pet one and it will jump up to greet me and give me a fat lip with it's big boney head.

 

[Jasmine1998]

This goes along with the fact that most people who see a short haired, medium sized muscular dog automatically think it is a pitt bull. I also don't like what some breeders are doing to the breed....a nice APBT should not look like some of these things people are breeding & putting out.....it seems like a contest now of who can breed for the largest head.

http://www.pitbullsontheweb.com/petbull/findpit.html

 

[kychicken75]

We once ran a pitbull kennels..raised ,bred and showed pits..never once had any problems with our dogs...all sweet and loving ....think alot of it is how they are raised..and how tight the breeding is...

 

[SimplyMe_AngieD]

Quote:
I agree.

While this story is tragic. I honestly could of been any breed. No matter what the breed, there will be bone headed dog owners, and bone headed dogs.

Angela

 

[carolinagirl58]

Quote:
Fantastic link! I intend to save this for future use. I agree with you too....most people see a thickly built dog with big jaws and they automatically think it's a pit bull. Many of the breeds shown on that link are breeds that were bred for human aggression. Pit bulls were bred for dog aggression and have a huge desire to please their owners. They are not man-killers, they are sweet loving wonderful animals. My pit bull is by far the most intelligent dog I have ever owned and her desire to please us is so strong she can be taught anything in just minutes.

 

[Sword]

Another pit bull problem in my opinion is that the wrong kind of people own them. Not just the creeps that encourage aggressiveness, but also the well meaning but weak and inexperienced kind. Pits need a strong, caring owner that understands pits.

 

[bt03]

I have had my mastiff for almost 6 years now but he is closer to 8 1/2 years old. He is nearing the higher end of the life span for his breed and i don't know what I will do without him. He was raised as a service dog and was taught that children are only to be helped protected and cared for. His biggest crime is breaking a picket in the fence to get to a female that wandered into our neighborhood. He really is the sweetest thing that you could ever meet (but beware of the slobber) and anyone that meets him loves him but is usually deathly afraid of him because of his size and the look on his face. No matter what type of dog it is this could happen to anyone. It's a matter of what is the whole story not just the surface of it.

This mastiff sounds like he was well cared for, in the article it says the man had them because he loved them and even walked them miles daily (which mastiffs need) and the neighbors children would pet him when they saw him. If the mother and the siblings were in the kitchen with the toddler when this happened I wonder what the rest of the story is.

 

[lasergrl]

Well, the pregnant women that was killed was killed by her pit bull (not a mastiff). They had two pitts and were involved in rescue. The Mr said that his dog was never abused or in a fighting ring. He also said his dog has always been sweet. Also was quoted as saying that he doesnt blame the dog and will be burying it with her. Umm sorry thats a little nuts. If that dog killed my loved one and unborn baby, I would not be that forgiving.
Again to each their own but it is unsettling how many lately have been sweet dogs that would never hurt a fly, and were definately pitts. I have a bullmastiff puppy that I do not trust unsupervised with kids or other new dogs. But, at least she has given me small warnings here and there (wich are promtly corrected). Any dog of any breed that is aggressive with or without warning has one strike with me. Its unfortunate these people didnt get that chance. BUT Im not sure they would take my stance given the husbands response to this situation. They seem like they would find excuses for certain behaviors or not see them. Some people can be so blinded by the "its how they are raised" stance that they arent being fair to the animal. Every breed has traits and behaviors that need to be considered. I just hate how people ignore this with pitts but not so with other breeds. (this pitt was not neutered either)

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

Ca attack.

Horrified neighbors left flowers in front of the tiny white house on Reina Del Mar Avenue, where a "Beware of the Dog" sign hung from the fence. Darla Napora loved her dogs -- 2-year-old male Gunner and a 6-year-old female pit bull, Tazi -- family said, and was an avid supporter of Bay Area Doglovers Responsible About Pit bulls, or Bad Rap, which seeks to change attitudes toward the polarizing breed.

Yep sounds like an owner that didn't know what breed it really was an was not experienced with the breed.