[News] Pup sacrifices life for young girl

[Dougal&Little]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/4125477a22395.html

A family's celebrations turned to tragedy when their dog was killed defending their daughter from a pitbull attack.

Jo and Gary Russell say they are heartbroken at the loss of their silky terrier Mickey but are relieved their daughter Laura, who had been celebrating her 13th birthday, escaped unhurt.

They want to know why a Manukau City Council call centre operator told her to approach the stray pitbull-type dog after Laura called for help.

DSS Animal Management carries out dog control for the council. It recommends no one should approach unfamiliar dogs.

Laura, a pupil at Farm Cove Intermediate, had been hosting a sleepover at the Russell's Half Moon Bay home when the attack happened on Saturday.

She and three friends were out walking with the family pet when they came across the stray dog on Sunderlands Rd.

The girls rang the council call centre asking the operator what they should do with the animal that at first seemed friendly.

"She said to take it to the nearest house, so we tied it up really tight and gave it water," says Laura, who took it to a friend's house.

But the dog, thought to have been a cross between a pitbull and a bull mastiff, broke free and went for the teenager.

Terrier Mickey leapt to her rescue but was crushed instantly.

The father of Laura's friend, Peter Jones, heard the girls' screams and ran to help. He tried to release Mickey from the dogs' jaws.

It only relented when Peter's wife Jodie punched the stray on the nose.

By then the terrier had suffered massive internal injuries.

"It happened within just two minutes of us arriving home," Mrs Jones says. "If it had happened two minutes later the girls would have been in huge trouble. Someone would have got hurt."

Police officers were called to the scene and pepper-sprayed the dog to calm it down. It later strangled itself in a struggle to get free.

Father of three Mr Russell says his daughter has had trouble sleeping since the ordeal and is devastated after losing their pet.

It had been a replacement for the dog they had to leave when they emigrated from Scotland.

Mr Russell says he will be 'eternally grateful' to the Joneses for intervening and is calling for a ban on pitbulls and similar breeds.

"How many kids need to become victims before we stand up and demand that these animals require special permits and controls?"

Mrs Russell has vowed their dog's death won't be in vain. She wants the council to review how they handle calls.

"Some of those dogs are vicious killers - even adults don't stand a chance."

Howick councillor Sharon Stewart agrees and says she was given similar 'poor' advice when told to catch a pitbull-type dog running wild in her street.

She believes the children's ordeal could have been worse.

"If it hadn't been for the neighbour getting hold of the dog it probably would have attacked the children."

Council organisational performance director Robyn McCulloch says she has spoken to the family.

She says the staff concerned are being interviewed.

"We're obviously deeply concerned about the outcome for the Russell family and the loss of their dog. "It's a distressing time. We are taking this matter seriously and carrying out a full investigation."

[Little Bit]

How horrible! No wonder she has a hard time sleeping! Very sad!

[bdbmamaw]

Wow. These little guys are truly big dogs in little bodies. I had to go hug each one of mine because I know that they, too, would give up their own life for me. It just makes me want to protect them even more.

[Dougal&Little]

It's so sad. It's the second terrier to be killed this year in NZ defending its owners from another stray.

I know Dougal would get himself killed if a dog tried to attack me.

The equally sad part of that story was that the other dog killed itself in a panic to get away. How terrified must that dog have been to choke itself to death trying to get away? If only the stupid person from dog control hadn't suggested that the little kid approach the dog. Two dogs might be alive today. Even if the stray did get euthanised -- that's a much kinder death than the one it must have suffered.

Cornering a scared dog is going to make it aggressive. Even Dixie will bite if she's cornered and scared. But a big dog will just do so much more damage. It's truly sad.

[TinyBit]

What a wonderful and brave little dog.

[ashley809]

This is just so sad. There seems to be a story like this every day in the news somewhere. Poor little doggy who tried to save her!

[Dunkaroo]

Originally Posted by Dougal&Little

http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/4125477a22395.html

A family's celebrations turned to tragedy when their dog was killed defending their daughter from a pitbull attack.

Jo and Gary Russell say they are heartbroken at the loss of their silky terrier Mickey but are relieved their daughter Laura, who had been celebrating her 13th birthday, escaped unhurt.

They want to know why a Manukau City Council call centre operator told her to approach the stray pitbull-type dog after Laura called for help.

DSS Animal Management carries out dog control for the council. It recommends no one should approach unfamiliar dogs.

Laura, a pupil at Farm Cove Intermediate, had been hosting a sleepover at the Russell's Half Moon Bay home when the attack happened on Saturday.

She and three friends were out walking with the family pet when they came across the stray dog on Sunderlands Rd.

The girls rang the council call centre asking the operator what they should do with the animal that at first seemed friendly.

"She said to take it to the nearest house, so we tied it up really tight and gave it water," says Laura, who took it to a friend's house.

But the dog, thought to have been a cross between a pitbull and a bull mastiff, broke free and went for the teenager.

Terrier Mickey leapt to her rescue but was crushed instantly.

The father of Laura's friend, Peter Jones, heard the girls' screams and ran to help. He tried to release Mickey from the dogs' jaws.

It only relented when Peter's wife Jodie punched the stray on the nose.

By then the terrier had suffered massive internal injuries.

"It happened within just two minutes of us arriving home," Mrs Jones says. "If it had happened two minutes later the girls would have been in huge trouble. Someone would have got hurt."

Police officers were called to the scene and pepper-sprayed the dog to calm it down. It later strangled itself in a struggle to get free.

Father of three Mr Russell says his daughter has had trouble sleeping since the ordeal and is devastated after losing their pet.

It had been a replacement for the dog they had to leave when they emigrated from Scotland.

Mr Russell says he will be 'eternally grateful' to the Joneses for intervening and is calling for a ban on pitbulls and similar breeds.

"How many kids need to become victims before we stand up and demand that these animals require special permits and controls?"

Mrs Russell has vowed their dog's death won't be in vain. She wants the council to review how they handle calls.

"Some of those dogs are vicious killers - even adults don't stand a chance."

Howick councillor Sharon Stewart agrees and says she was given similar 'poor' advice when told to catch a pitbull-type dog running wild in her street.

She believes the children's ordeal could have been worse.

"If it hadn't been for the neighbour getting hold of the dog it probably would have attacked the children."

Council organisational performance director Robyn McCulloch says she has spoken to the family.

She says the staff concerned are being interviewed.

"We're obviously deeply concerned about the outcome for the Russell family and the loss of their dog. "It's a distressing time. We are taking this matter seriously and carrying out a full investigation."

My heart goes out to the Russell family... My deepest condolences goes out to you.. You had a great dog!

As for the banning of the pittbulls in general - Why would they ban ALL pitbulls? Honestly, I do not think pitbulls are bad dogs - they are actually very affectionate & loyal & are good dogs... It sucks that they have such a bad rep! It's irresponsible dog owners that are breeding these dogs for fighting that should be convicted, not the dogs!

My boyfriend and I are thinking of getting a playmate for our Yorkie and we were thinking of getting a pitbull... It just breaks my heart every time I hear a pitbull being banned or whatsoever because of probably irresponsible owners...

[Dunkaroo]

Originally Posted by bdbmamaw

Wow. These little guys are truly big dogs in little bodies. I had to go hug each one of mine because I know that they, too, would give up their own life for me. It just makes me want to protect them even more.

AMEN to that...

[shadream]

Pitbulls have a bad rep because they have been bred to fight and been abused and mistreated by humans for too long, they unfortunately do need to be banned. I would never trust one. They can turn at any time, they are like time bombs, I read constantly of small children and animals being killed or maimed especially in the inner city. Sorry if this makes me unpopular, but I am tired of hearing how they are great dogs, if they are so great why are they the ones named in all these attacks?

I love animals and it isn't their fault this has happened but it has and now it has to stop.

[Wrenee4]

Oh how very sad...and on her birthday too!!

[Jenn218]

OMG! I hate hearing about these stories!!
I am glad that the girls are okay, but that poor furbaby!!!!
They are so loyal and will do whatever to protect us.....If they only knew their true size!!

[Dunkaroo]

Originally Posted by shadream

Pitbulls have a bad rep because they have been bred to fight and been abused and mistreated by humans for too long, they unfortunately do need to be banned. I would never trust one. They can turn at any time, they are like time bombs, I read constantly of small children and animals being killed or maimed especially in the inner city. Sorry if this makes me unpopular, but I am tired of hearing how they are great dogs, if they are so great why are they the ones named in all these attacks?

I love animals and it isn't their fault this has happened but it has and now it has to stop.

Pit's ARE great dogs... Like you said, they were bred for fighting and were mistreated by humans - THEREFORE HUMANS needs to be blamed - not the dogs!

My ex-husbands father bred pitbulls and they are the friendliest, most loyal dogs I have seen (until now that I have my Yorkie). But yes, I used to be scared sh*tless of pitbulls.. NOT because I have been attacked by one or any of my family or closest friends, BUT because of the stories on the news about attacks.

ANY ANIMAL - treated the way some HUMANS treated pitbulls for fighting WILL be very dangerous - regardless of its size. Only reason why a pit causes so much damage because they are very strong dogs!

FYI: from http://www.pets.ca/articles/article-pitbulls.htm

"A well-raised pit bull of proper temperament is the most loyal and loving dog in the world, bar none. "

[Dunkaroo]

Originally Posted by Dunkaroo

Pit's ARE great dogs... Like you said, they were bred for fighting and were mistreated by humans - THEREFORE HUMANS needs to be blamed - not the dogs!

My ex-husbands father bred pitbulls and they are the friendliest, most loyal dogs I have seen (until now that I have my Yorkie). But yes, I used to be scared sh*tless of pitbulls.. NOT because I have been attacked by one or any of my family or closest friends, BUT because of the stories on the news about attacks.

ANY ANIMAL - treated the way some HUMANS treated pitbulls for fighting WILL be very dangerous - regardless of its size. Only reason why a pit causes so much damage because they are very strong dogs!

FYI: from http://www.pets.ca/articles/article-pitbulls.htm

"A well-raised pit bull of proper temperament is the most loyal and loving dog in the world, bar none. "

Also, Pitt bulls are from the "terrier" line...

[shadream]

Originally Posted by Dunkaroo

Pit's ARE great dogs... Like you said, they were bred for fighting and were mistreated by humans - THEREFORE HUMANS needs to be blamed - not the dogs!

My ex-husbands father bred pitbulls and they are the friendliest, most loyal dogs I have seen (until now that I have my Yorkie). But yes, I used to be scared sh*tless of pitbulls.. NOT because I have been attacked by one or any of my family or closest friends, BUT because of the stories on the news about attacks.

ANY ANIMAL - treated the way some HUMANS treated pitbulls for fighting WILL be very dangerous - regardless of its size. Only reason why a pit causes so much damage because they are very strong dogs!

FYI: from http://www.pets.ca/articles/article-pitbulls.htm

"A well-raised pit bull of proper temperament is the most loyal and loving dog in the world, bar none. "

I do blalme humans. no argument there

[shadream]

Also, Pitt bulls are from the "terrier" line...
Yes but still worlds apart, hard to campare a pitbull with a yorkie.