Am I being Unfair? (Warning: Graphic Pics)

[crazydog]

Originally Posted by tjdmom

I'm sorry but I just don't think it's something that you or the owners can take a chance with. What if they kill a child next time? I do feel sorry for the puppies in a way but don't think it's a risk I would be willing to take.

And if your yorkie bit somebody, should it be put down too? What's good for the goose...

[megansmomma]

Originally Posted by crazydog

And if your yorkie bit somebody, should it be put down too? What's good for the goose...

Well, I would take 100 bites from a Yorkie before I would take 1 from a pit

As for your previous statement about capital punishment, there are MILLIONS of dogs PTS each years in this country. The vast majority because of neglectful and irresponsible pet owners.

[megansmomma]

Originally Posted by thomas1ke

normally all dogs would not be out together, to tell you the truth I am not sure why this particular day they were. We live on 11 acres and there are 3 families here, 2 of the 7 were mine. My Brittany Spaniel is 10 years old and has lived outside her entire life and never been restrained. My Pittbull is a year old and he has also lived outside unrestrained. The other 5 dogs belong to the neighbor and they live inside, normally those dogs are let out 1 or 2 at a time to go to the bathroom. Anyway explanations aside there is no excuse. We all have learned a big lesson from this and have a schedule for the dogs now (There is never going to be more than 1 out at a time).

Personally, I do not believe in having outside only dogs. It bring on a pack mentality and this can/will become dangerous as you have learned. I hope all of these free roaming dogs are spayed and neutered so they are not bringing any more puppies into the world.

[Patti]

At the very least I would want then to rehome the dogs to a secure environment where the dogs could be trained and not pose a danger to anyone. I could not live knowing they were so close and the next time it could have a much worse outcome. I hope your son and you heal quickly.

[FlDebra]

Originally Posted by megansmomma

Personally, I do not believe in having outside only dogs. It bring on a pack mentality and this can/will become dangerous as you have learned. I hope all of these free roaming dogs are spayed and neutered so they are not bringing any more puppies into the world.

This is a good point. I too, live in the country where way too many think it is find to let larg dogs roam unattended. I do not believe in that. We had a group of them form up a pack and start hunting our neighborhood for smaller dogs. I am sure it would have just been a matter of time before a child or adult was attacked. As it was one regular walker was challenged by them, scared off by pepper spray. She got Animal control to round them up. Several were pets from the area that had joined in the stray pack.

Thomas -- I know it is a difficult decision. I think what ever you decide will be right. You saw the viciousness of the attack and can best judge the likelihood of them being able to ever be trusted with more training. Myself, I would never trust a dog that had drawn human blood. A small dog is not going to kill, but I would still not trust it around a child if it had previously attacked. A large dog (regardless of breed)though, could easily kill. If those wounds you showed had been on a major artery, you and/or your son would not even be here now. I would not want that to happen to another.

I am surprised your little Yorkies have not been attacked by these aggressive puppies. One bite like you received could easily mean the end for them! I hope at the very least, the pits are rehomed to a family that will aggressively train them and keep them attended or secure at all times. But if you choose to have them PTS I would understand completely. It would be hard to choose to let them live and then read about a small child being killed a few months later!

I pray you and your son's wounds heal soon and more importantly the emotional scars will recede. That must have been a horrible experience.

[MyTrixie143]

I am so sorry you and your son were attacked. What a horrible thing to happen!! I am glad you both are alright.

I honestly couldn't say put them to sleep. With them being so young I would give them a second chance to live. I also agree that having other dog's around may have provoked it. You have to realize that dogs are pack animals and they are all about territory and dominance. If they aren't properly trained they can get out of control very easily.

I would have the dogs evaluated by a professional experienced trainer and get to the bottom of it and rehome them if needed. You can also make an arrangement to where the pitbulls are muzzled any time outside of the house so you know it won't ever happen again.

[Sharly4]

I too am on your side. I was bit and dragged across the yard as a child by a pit bull. This one wasn't a puppy. I was walking down the street with my friend the owner and her dog jumped the fence and got a hold of me. Since pit bulls have lock jaw she didn't and wouldn't let go. It took several blank shots from their pistol for her to let me go. My dad wanted her put down and they some how got her out. A couple of years later I found out she lunged at her throat biting her in cheak. It was then that they finally had her put down. In their house and yard she was the sweetest dog. I don't know what provoked her or why she turned out that way. I'm still afraid of pitbulls puppy or adult. I don't want them around me and I don't want them in my neighborhood.

[kalina82]

pit bulls do not have locking jaws, that is just a myth. their jaw structure is just like every other dogs.

[MizMaRLeysMoM86]

Originally Posted by kalina82

pit bulls do not have locking jaws, that is just a myth. their jaw structure is just like every other dogs.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who realizes this.. I feel like pit bulls are made out to be such vicious animals. They are dogs just like our yorkies. I hate that any one has been attatcked by a dog. It's terrifrying and something that can sway peoples view of dogs for the rest of their life unfortunately. I've been attacked by a big dog, and been bitten on the lips and had and considerable amout of blood drawn by a small one((some kind of scottie/poodle mix)). It's all in how the owner raises the dog I think. I have met a sweet loving dog that was a pit and I have encountered a vicious rat terrier named Killer ( I'm not kidding about the name ) ... so once again... I am sorry this happened to the OP... but I don't think dogs can be judged by their breed....

[Symph2001]

As someone who has survived a rather brutal dog attack (german shepard) I would never be able to live next door to them. At 5 months they might be saved but they would defiantly have to be rehomed far away from me and mine.

[Sharly4]

Originally Posted by kalina82

pit bulls do not have locking jaws, that is just a myth. their jaw structure is just like every other dogs.

Well that's what the animal services told my dad. They explained to him that was the reason why she just didn't bite and let go. She had a hold of my right foot and never let go. She wasn't shaking her head or anything like that she just bit down snd never let me go. She was trying to drag me somewhere but her owners snd my dad had her surrounded. It was very traumatizing. Pitbulls aren't allowed in my neighborhood. It's in the bylaws snd if I see one I report it ASAP!

[livingdustmops]

Pit Bull Fact vs. Legend facts about Pit Bulls:

Pit Bulls speak - we are good dogs!

Most people, who are unfamiliar with the American Pit Bull Terrier, falsely believe that they are dangerous dogs. Unfortunately, Pit Bulls have a bad reputation because of some mean people who have abused their dogs and trained them to be aggressive. Pit Bulls are actually very stable, intelligent, and highly trainable. They are strong athletic dogs, and they require a guardian who is responsible and will give them plenty of exercise and training. They are very loving and loyal and make excellent animal companions.

Little-known facts about Pit Bulls:

Pit Bulls serve as therapy/service dogs. The Chako Rescue Association has Pit Bull therapy dogs in Texas, Utah and California. Helen Keller even had a Pit Bull as her canine companion and helper. Cheyenne and Dakota are a team of hard-working Search-and-Rescue Pit Bulls in Sacramento, California. They play an important role in their community by locating missing people in conjunction with the local Sheriff. In their off-duty hours, they do charity work as therapy dogs.

Petey, the faithful dog on the TV show, The Little Rascals, was a Pit Bull. He spent countless hours with children day after day and never hurt anyone. He was one of the most intelligent Hollywood dogs of all time.

There are quite a few celebrities who have Pit Bulls as members of their family including: Rosie Perez, The Crocodile Hunter, Judd Nelson, Usher, Alicia Silverstone, Cassandra Creech, Sinbad, John Stuart, Amy Jo Johnson, Linda Blair, Vin Diesel, and Bernadette Peters.

Pit Bulls are heroes! America's first war dog was a Pit Bull named Stubby. He earned several medals during World War I and was honored at the White House. The Ken-L-Ration dog hero of 1993 was a Pit Bull named Weela. She saved 30 people, 29 dogs, 13 horses and a cat during a flood in Southern California. A Pit Bull named Bogart saved a four-year-old child from drowning in a swimming pool in Florida. Dixie, the Pit Bull, was inducted into the Georgia Animal Hall of Fame after she saved some children from a Cottonmouth snake.

Pit Bulls are one of the most stable people-friendly dogs in existence. The National Canine Temperament Testing Association tested 122 breeds, and Pit Bulls placed the 4th highest with a 95% passing rate!
Dispelling some myths about Pit Bulls:

-Is it true that Pit Bulls can lock their jaw?
The infamous locking jaw is a myth. The American Pit Bull Terrier and related breeds are physiologically no different from any other breed of dog. All dogs are from the same species and none have locking jaws. Dr. I Lehr Brisbin of the University of Georgia states, "To the best of our knowledge, there are no published scientific studies that would allow any meaningful comparison to be made of the biting power of various breeds of dogs. There are, moreover, compelling technical reasons why such data describing biting power in terms of 'pounds per square inch' can never be collected in a meaningful way. All figures describing biting power in such terms can be traced to either unfounded rumor or, in some cases, to newspaper articles with no foundation in factual data." Furthermore, Dr. Brisbin states, "The few studies which have been conducted of the structure of the skulls, mandibles and teeth of pit bulls show that, in proportion to their size, their jaw structure and thus its inferred functional morphology, is no different than that of any breed of dog. There is absolutely no evidence for the existence of any kind of 'locking mechanism' unique to the structure of the jaw and/or teeth of the American Pit Bull Terrier."

-Are Pit Bulls naturally aggressive towards humans?
While many Pit Bulls do tend to be aggressive towards other DOGS (as are most terriers), the normal, well raised Pit Bull has NO human-aggressive tendencies! In fact, human-aggression was actually bred out of the breed. The majority of Pit Bulls are affectionate, intelligent, trainable dogs. In fact, the highest obedience trial record of all time is held by an American Pit Bull Terrier named Maddy!

-Can Pit Bulls "turn" on people?
In fact, no breed of dog does. Dog aggression is nearly always preceded by some kind of warning, and there is always a reason behind the attack. However, many inexperienced owners do not recognize the dog's behavior as aggression, or refuse to acknowledge it as a warning sign. The only exception I can think of is Springer Rage, a rare and controversial neurological condition that manifests itself as a spontaneous attack, followed by confusion, and then a return to normal behavior. Pit Bulls are NOT prone to this condition. There are individual dogs of any breed that may be more aggressive to others.

Pit Bull quotes:

Pit bulls are famous, in circles of knowledgeable dog people, for the love and loyalty they bestow on anyone who shows them a smidgen of kindness.
--Linda Wilson-Fuoco, journalist

In my opinion, Pit bulls are the least likely to be human aggressive. On the whole, you have to do a lot of work to make them aggressive to people.
--Sue Frisch, Dessin Animal Shelter manager

Pit bulls are especially good at pleasing people since they are strong and smart, they learn quickly and they are very adaptable."
-- Rob Mullin, dog trainer, owner, "K-9 Wizard & Co." Trumbell, Connecticut


By Sonnet Dashevskaya - Spindletop Pit Bull Refuge, Austin branch

Sources:
The Chako Rescue Association for the American Pit Bull Terrier
Debby Wolfinsohn's The Pit Bull Press
Denna's Pit Bull Page
J. Balsam's Friends Of Terriers Website
The American Pit Bull Terrier Speaks... Good Dog! by Cline and Martindale

[Bizzymammabee]

Originally Posted by livingdustmops

Pit Bull Fact vs. Legend facts about Pit Bulls:

Pit Bulls speak - we are good dogs!

Most people, who are unfamiliar with the American Pit Bull Terrier, falsely believe that they are dangerous dogs. Unfortunately, Pit Bulls have a bad reputation because of some mean people who have abused their dogs and trained them to be aggressive. Pit Bulls are actually very stable, intelligent, and highly trainable. They are strong athletic dogs, and they require a guardian who is responsible and will give them plenty of exercise and training. They are very loving and loyal and make excellent animal companions.

Little-known facts about Pit Bulls:

Pit Bulls serve as therapy/service dogs. The Chako Rescue Association has Pit Bull therapy dogs in Texas, Utah and California. Helen Keller even had a Pit Bull as her canine companion and helper. Cheyenne and Dakota are a team of hard-working Search-and-Rescue Pit Bulls in Sacramento, California. They play an important role in their community by locating missing people in conjunction with the local Sheriff. In their off-duty hours, they do charity work as therapy dogs.

Petey, the faithful dog on the TV show, The Little Rascals, was a Pit Bull. He spent countless hours with children day after day and never hurt anyone. He was one of the most intelligent Hollywood dogs of all time.

There are quite a few celebrities who have Pit Bulls as members of their family including: Rosie Perez, The Crocodile Hunter, Judd Nelson, Usher, Alicia Silverstone, Cassandra Creech, Sinbad, John Stuart, Amy Jo Johnson, Linda Blair, Vin Diesel, and Bernadette Peters.

Pit Bulls are heroes! America's first war dog was a Pit Bull named Stubby. He earned several medals during World War I and was honored at the White House. The Ken-L-Ration dog hero of 1993 was a Pit Bull named Weela. She saved 30 people, 29 dogs, 13 horses and a cat during a flood in Southern California. A Pit Bull named Bogart saved a four-year-old child from drowning in a swimming pool in Florida. Dixie, the Pit Bull, was inducted into the Georgia Animal Hall of Fame after she saved some children from a Cottonmouth snake.

Pit Bulls are one of the most stable people-friendly dogs in existence. The National Canine Temperament Testing Association tested 122 breeds, and Pit Bulls placed the 4th highest with a 95% passing rate!
Dispelling some myths about Pit Bulls:

-Is it true that Pit Bulls can lock their jaw?
The infamous locking jaw is a myth. The American Pit Bull Terrier and related breeds are physiologically no different from any other breed of dog. All dogs are from the same species and none have locking jaws. Dr. I Lehr Brisbin of the University of Georgia states, "To the best of our knowledge, there are no published scientific studies that would allow any meaningful comparison to be made of the biting power of various breeds of dogs. There are, moreover, compelling technical reasons why such data describing biting power in terms of 'pounds per square inch' can never be collected in a meaningful way. All figures describing biting power in such terms can be traced to either unfounded rumor or, in some cases, to newspaper articles with no foundation in factual data." Furthermore, Dr. Brisbin states, "The few studies which have been conducted of the structure of the skulls, mandibles and teeth of pit bulls show that, in proportion to their size, their jaw structure and thus its inferred functional morphology, is no different than that of any breed of dog. There is absolutely no evidence for the existence of any kind of 'locking mechanism' unique to the structure of the jaw and/or teeth of the American Pit Bull Terrier."

-Are Pit Bulls naturally aggressive towards humans?
While many Pit Bulls do tend to be aggressive towards other DOGS (as are most terriers), the normal, well raised Pit Bull has NO human-aggressive tendencies! In fact, human-aggression was actually bred out of the breed. The majority of Pit Bulls are affectionate, intelligent, trainable dogs. In fact, the highest obedience trial record of all time is held by an American Pit Bull Terrier named Maddy!

-Can Pit Bulls "turn" on people?
In fact, no breed of dog does. Dog aggression is nearly always preceded by some kind of warning, and there is always a reason behind the attack. However, many inexperienced owners do not recognize the dog's behavior as aggression, or refuse to acknowledge it as a warning sign. The only exception I can think of is Springer Rage, a rare and controversial neurological condition that manifests itself as a spontaneous attack, followed by confusion, and then a return to normal behavior. Pit Bulls are NOT prone to this condition. There are individual dogs of any breed that may be more aggressive to others.

Pit Bull quotes:

Pit bulls are famous, in circles of knowledgeable dog people, for the love and loyalty they bestow on anyone who shows them a smidgen of kindness.
--Linda Wilson-Fuoco, journalist

In my opinion, Pit bulls are the least likely to be human aggressive. On the whole, you have to do a lot of work to make them aggressive to people.
--Sue Frisch, Dessin Animal Shelter manager

Pit bulls are especially good at pleasing people since they are strong and smart, they learn quickly and they are very adaptable."
-- Rob Mullin, dog trainer, owner, "K-9 Wizard & Co." Trumbell, Connecticut


By Sonnet Dashevskaya - Spindletop Pit Bull Refuge, Austin branch

Sources:
The Chako Rescue Association for the American Pit Bull Terrier
Debby Wolfinsohn's The Pit Bull Press
Denna's Pit Bull Page
J. Balsam's Friends Of Terriers Website
The American Pit Bull Terrier Speaks... Good Dog! by Cline and Martindale

It's not the breed that is bad it is the people that have them. As with any animal large or small an owner needs to teach them and train them properly. for many years we have had pitbulls in our family. I never had any problems with my small children around them. Pits are not aggressive towards people unless trained to be so. I think the OP needs to let the animal control people evaluate the dogs and see what they are like and if they can be trained.

[Taybri]

a person needs to look at the BIG picture=in a dog's life he will come across all people, children, babies and who among them can compete with a biting dog?? sadly the dogs have the ability and the need to attack-i was told that if you had a dog that bit and you turned them over to the humane society and they were rehomed and bit, the original owner is still liable. I read your story on the day --wellll tomorrow i have to take my 3 yr old chihuahua to be put down--it breaks my heart-he was a sweetheart and then he had seizures and a definite brain disorder where his eye bulges from the pressure and he will attack and bite and not let go, i coped with it when it was just me being bit but now i have an 18 mth old grandson who loves dogs and has almost been bit---so you see we have to look at the whole picture and see that to bite once will happen over and over and it is a chance i won't take and neither should you.

[Maui]

HI,
I just joined and brought up this same discussion. In our counties we have had several very severe attacks by pits. the last one was a mom walking her child in a red plastic wagon ACROSS THE STREET. The neighbor lady was walking her pit down the street and for what ever reason this dog attacked the child and the mother. The child was a toddler and her scalp was pulled off. the mother received such severe bites. the owner of the dog was trying to get the dog off but he was too strong. Anyway, the result was a law or statute in our county that if you own a pit or otherwise large breed dog. He has to have proof of vaccinations and proof of behavior (I am not positive of that one) but they all must be muzzled when outdoors. The result of this dog was the owner had no choice. Any physical attack of persons means the dog goes down after the 10day grace. I am sorry to say but I think any dog should be put down after it attacks someone that viciously, as you don't know when the next unprovoked attack could be. Needless to say your child will always have that fear and a dog can just sense it. Very sad to hear and I am sorry, but these dogs may do it again. Good luck with your descision.