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. 

       

[Amy and Annabelle]

Yes, that class was unnerving to say the least. I was happy to learn I wasn't the only one in class to complain. She is all graduated now and back to her happy little self.

[Carol and Banjo]

My heart was in my throat reading this.   I'm heartbroken for this poor couple.....I can not even begin to imagine what they're going through.      I have no words to express my disgust with the owners.    I have friends who in the past have owned BP mixes....they really were the sweetest dogs.   That said, I never allowed my children to be near them.   To my knowledge, there were never any incidences with either of the two I knew.    My feeling is, nature is nature.   I don't have it in my scope of knowledge to be able to predict what any animal is going to do.   If a particular animal has a genetic tendency towards certain behavior my guard will be up.      I don't believe PB's are suited for house pets.   Period.      These people should be held criminally responsible for what these dogs did.   Not just to this poor sweet dog....but also for menacing the other two people afterwards.        Prayers for the couple who lost their beloved dog.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

I so agree with everything you've said.  Thanks Carol for responding.

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

How horrible and I feel so sad for the owners. I'm so sorry this has happened Cheryl. At the very least I think that woman should be banned from any more rescues as she is not responsible with them. Coming upon a loose dog is always in the back of my mind when I take my two for a walk, especially when it's just me walking them. I've been taking them for an early morning walk by myself lately. We do the same route every day and I usually always know everyone we meet. Yesterday we happened to meet a sweet puppy for the first time and it was a positive experience for all. Today I head out and not even a couple of blocks from my home, a man turns the corner with a large dog and a small dog. I've never seen them before. The large one kept baring his teeth at us, growled and tried pulling at us. I noticed the man used retractable leashes too which I don't trust. The man says he couldn't stop and greet because the larger one is protective of the smaller one. What? As if I would stop! I couldn't move on fast enough and was afraid of seeing them again. Jack just wanted to get away from them and Jilly had to give them a piece of her mind for a good couple of blocks. OMD  Now I want to alter my walk time to try to avoid another meeting with them. I'm glad the borough will be addressing this.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

I know, loose dogs are rare where I walk but always a threat.  I don't go to dog parks.  And I've stopped going to rescue/shelter fairs in the park because there are fosters trying to socialize dogs that are unpredictable - and frankly, they know nothing about the dog's background and less about training.The newest thing is big rescue days at the pet supplies store.  The last time there were 50 or 60 dogs  of all shapes and sizes milling around in a small space.  I took Finn home.  Be careful.  Finn doesn't want anything to happen to his cousins or you. We both need pepper spray or Mace.

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

I agree and thanks for the push to get some type of spray. I have been meaning to get something. A couple of weeks ago there was a guy from the water company working down the street and I noticed he had some kind of small canister on him. I figured it was for dogs and asked and it was an air horn the company gives them to use. I tried downloading an air horn app to my phone but it just wasn't loud enough so I just might get one of these air horns. Tom carries one when he's bike riding, he's read where it's recommended. You've given me the push I need. Thank you and you get something to use too!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Thanks Cheryl. You have started such an informative discussion. Pretty frightening. I may order spray too.

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

I agree!

[Gail and Bailey]

What a horrible thing to have happen!  I can't imagine seeing your dog being killed and eaten....just horrifying!!  My heart goes out to that poor couple!    

I know people say that pits are so sweet but I am not buying it!  My sister-in-law was walking her schnauzer and it was attacked and mauled by a pit bull.  The couple ran out of their house and finally got the pit off the schnauzer as my SIL was screaming and traumatized.  They turned and took the pit into the house and left my SIL on the street alone with her bleeding dog!!  Not a word or offer to help get to a vet!!  Thank God for a man driving by who stopped to help and drove them to a vet.  Poor little Oscar died from his injuries.  A police report was made a day or so later but, by then the folks had disappeared ...moved out of  the rental and could not be found!  We have always wondered how many times their dog had done this and how many times they have "gotten away" with it!  

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

OMG Gail that's horrible. I'm so sorry.

[Adina P]

Ugh ugh ugh.  This is just horrible.  I can't even imagine witnessing that and not being scarred. 
I think that EVEN breed tendencies aside, given what happened and that these dogs have gotten loose before, those people should get their rescue/dog owning licenses taken away.  Oh oops there are no such things.  Maybe there should be.
Would it be so wrong to require some kind of special licensing to keep a pit bull?  Maximum security fence, double gate, etc..etc.  I'm still mixed on the whole BSL thing.  Given that I know a few people who have had pits (or mixes thereof) live full lives without harming any creature, I don't like the idea of taking people's dogs away.  I also worry about BSL doing away with other breeds.  But the reality is that I am wary of almost any pit-like dog I see.  Especially when I see it choking itself at the end of the leash, pulling the owner along.  I think anyone who owns a pit needs to be one kick ass trainer in serious trained control of their dog or they are adding to the problem.  But few people I see with pits seem like they have achieved this. 

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Great ideas, thanks. I'm going to add them to the list. I know, BSL is a slippery slope. This is a tough issue. I've known some pit mixes that raised from pups are wonderful dogs, or so I'm told, but knowing what I now know, I'm always on alert.