My community is up in arms after an unleashed dog attack!

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

My apologies in advance for posting this, but I was shaking and sick after hearing this today. From time to time, we've posted about the danger of unleashed dogs. But this time I'm squarely focused on Pit Bulls. I really need to vent and I can only think to do it here and get your thoughts as I try to collect my own.  

Our community is reeling due to a pit bull attack.  A couple was walking their 7 lb. leashed maltese in a beautiful neighborhood not far from my office when 2 pit bulls belonging to a neighbor who rescues and fosters pits came from behind.  Apparently her dogs got loose--they get loose a lot. The couple never saw them coming until it was too late. The husband tried to pick up their little dog up but one pit grabbed her by the head.  Little Sobo died instantly. The dogs devoured parts of her while the owners tried to get her body.  If that isn't horrific enough…the two dogs, in pack mentality, charged another man down the street and then made their way to a nearby development and tried to attack a woman walking a pomeranian but the woman was able to lift her dog above her head and save it just as animal control got there.  Of course, the fault is with the owner for owning these dangerous dogs and not containing them. But it's not just these two that have been aggressive. She's rescued others just as bad because now we know that several neighbors have been bitten. What I want to know is when and where does it become unacceptable to own these dogs?  I can't believe I'm saying that, but I am.  

I've worked a little bit with Pitt Bulls and Pitt-mixes in rescue and I know they can be smart, sweet, loving dogs one-on-one but there's not one pure Pitt that I would have trusted completely with others or with other animals. 

One of my staff lives in that neighborhood and her 10 year old son (cute and bright as a button) started a dog walking business about a year ago after being smitten with Finn and Oscar (our office doodle).  His favorite "client" is Edgar - a pomeranian. Jackie spends his days off thinking up special things to do with Edgar.  It was sheer luck that Jackie wasn't walking Edgar. 

BTW did I mention that the owner came across this bloody mess and drove away without saying ANYTHING when the couple told her what happened.  The husband was so distraught, he was taken to the ER.  These poor people, I can't even imagine.  Children and adults have been bringing flowers and little dog toys to a memorial that's growing for little Sobo.

I know any breed can be aggressive but --as someone has said - an aggressive dog is like a firecracker, but a pit bull is like a hand grenade.

To the borough's credit, there's going to be a community-wide meeting next week to discuss what residents feel should be done. Come on DKers, (at least anyone who's made it through this awful post) please help me with a list. 

       

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Linda, either I didn't know that you were attacked by pit bulls or  I had forgotten.  These dogs attacked the same way.  One of Karen's links explains the "warning" signals other dogs give has been purposefully bred out of them.  Both you and Charlie are so lucky.  I feel so sad for this couple  too.  They are devastated. 

[Oliver & Elizabeth]

What a tragic story, I feel so sorry for the owners of the maltese. I completely agree that pit bulls are inherently aggressive and not a family or community friendly pet. They have been bred for centuries to be aggressive towards other animals and it's way too hard to train this innate drive out of the dog. Having a pit bull as a pet is a huge responsibility and should only be undertaken by very experienced, responsible, and physically strong people. Clearly, this isn't always the case. 

In Seattle, our shelters are mostly filled with pit bulls or pit mixes, so I definitely support strict spay/neuter requirements for pit bulls. Also, it would help with aggression.

However, are breed bans actually effective in reducing dog attacks? When I googled it, it seemed like a mixed bag. Are there other more effective options?

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Good points, Elizabeth. I don't know about the effectiveness of breed bans but I think they would help reduce the population. And I say that with a heavy heart. I volunteered with a rescue for a couple years.  My first "foster" was a beautiful black pit mix puppy (typed as a lab mix). She was friendly, sweet, smart and got along with everyone and every dog.  I took her everywhere.I might have adopted her but the rescue didn't allow "failed fosters." Then at about 7-8 months, I was walking her in the park and out of the blue she tried to attack a dog that was minding its own business. Snarling, lunging, snapping!  I had her tight on the leash. Another volunteer with me thought she just wanted to MEET the other dog and I should let her.  Are you kidding me? NO!  Thanks for the stupid suggestion!  This behavior surfaced a couple more times.  I worked with her for about another month and the behavior disappeared.  I didn't know much about pit bulls then - but I knew the behavior was in remission, not gone. When she was adopted, I told her prospective owners before they made the decision that as sweet as she was, she was unpredictably dog aggressive so they would always have to consider her 100% dog aggressive. They would have to accept that and manage her that way.  They have and she has a good life with them.  The owner of the rescue did not agree that I should have given that information.  Part of the problem…rescues. 

[Judy, Meg & Polly Wolly Doodle]

I am horrified to read this, I don't like to run across any unleashed dog but PB's really scare me.  Karen, as usual, thanks for all the info you have added to this post.  This argument comes up frequently in our area and I am marking all this to use later. 

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

That's great Judy! I hope a lot of members will mark Karen's info. I know it's going to help me.  The organization that gave these dogs to this despicable woman is already trying to defend themselves and the dogs. The editor of the local paper (who is a friend of mine) isn't buying there BS but she has to give them a chance to respond. More to come.  I may be ghost writing an editorial and Karen's info will be invaluable. They're having a big pit bull giveaway in Philadelphia this weekend. What a world.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Some more great resources for towns considering BSL from dogsbite.org: http://www.dogsbite.org/dangerous-dogs.php

This link in particular is very helpful in understanding the issues with pitbulls and what communities can do about this:

http://www.dogsbite.org/dangerous-dogs-pit-bull-faq.php

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Thanks!!

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I agree that PB's are not to be trusted. This is a most horrific case. In Ireland they have to be muzzled and leashed by law, I would prefer if they were not bred at all. I once had to hold our Maltese above my head after two dogs ran out of a farm when I was walking a country road. It was terrifying. I can't imagine what would have happened had I lost her in this way.  Who in their right minds wants to own a PB and rescuers of them need to be super smart experienced dog handlers to take one on let alone multiple dogs. 

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Oh Nicky!  Sounds like Ireland is doing better than us (why does this not surprise me). You know the paper published a picture of Sobo in her bed with all her toys and I don't even know this dog and I cried. She looked so much like a tiny version of our happy DK doodles.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Whoops I keep saying Sobo but her name was Sobe!

[Sue]

Wow...is all I can say....As an owner of a little 4 month old GD puppy I do not know how I would react if pitbulls or any dog for that matter came and attacked my puppy. I feel so bad for these owners and do not think it is fair at all that we as responsible dog owners always have to be looking over our shoulders when we walk....I hate it when any dog is off leash.....It gets me so angry especially when the owners look at me like their dog will never do anything wrong...I have to avoid certain streets in my neighborhood because one family thinks walking their GSD who is huge off leash is fine....I don't trust him and what happens if one day he decides to dart....what am I suppose to do??? Perhaps there is someone in this group who could write something about how to protect you and your dog when you are being approached by an off leash dog.... Cheryl I am sorry you had to go through this.....It is scary and sad for your community...

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Thanks Sue, but it's the owners I feel so sorry for. Carry pepper spray or what Linda carries.  I'm ordering some. And in some neighborhoods, I carry a big stick. If I know there's problem, I avoid that neighborhood. And I never let Finn "make friends" on a walk unless it's a puppy being socialized.  I don't know what could have helped in this situation though.