Why PittBulls get their bad name!!

[Lindaloo]

22 people, ages 19-46, are facing dog fighting charges in what police are calling a highly organized and professional dog fighting ring. 28 dogs and 18 vehicles were confiscated.

Responding to a 911 hang-up call from a mobile home on Lewis Lane near Kiln, MS, deputies found 75 people and 32 dogs at approximately 9:30 PM Saturday. Four of the dogs were deceased.

Of the dogs found, most were Pit Bulls. Sunday morning, animal control officers caged all the animals and carried them off, while animal shelter employees snapped pictures. Officers said the animals were in good condition.

"They had it pretty well enclosed where nobody could see it. We were just lucky to walk in up on this one," Captain Kenneth Hurt of the Hancock County Sheriff Department said.

Orange and blue ribbon was wrapped around trees making a trail down to the pit.

"This here's a pit where they were fighting the dogs. You can see where they've got the black tarp going all the way around joining into this tent. They were hiding it down here so nobody could see what was going on," Hurt said.

Equipped with lights for fighting at night, deputies found a dog examination room and pharmacy. Inside the exam room was a tub, table and scale.

"Some of the dogs when they are brought in have to be washed because a lot of people think they might have chemicals on them.

"They use this here to chain the dogs to it," Hurt said pointing to the chain used to keep the dog on the treadmill.

"These are drugs they use to treat the dogs for injuries and sometimes to pep them up with different drugs, " said Investigator Matt Barnett of the Hancock County Sheriff Department as he pointed out a tackle box full of different drugs.

Deputies also found blood stop powder.

"If a dog gets cut, they try to put the powder on there to get the bleeding to stop," Barnett said.

A concession area selling hot dogs and soda pop was set up in the mobile home. There were signs saying "cold drinks and hot dogs for $1" posted on the wall.

"So they were set up to sell, and make a little cash on the side," Hurt said.

Outside there were heavy chains, several make-shift dog houses, and a couple of 'spring poles.' Owners used the devices to strengthen the dogs' jaws. The dog clamps its jaw to the rope and whips its head back and forth. It's called the bite and shake technique.

"You can see the dogs chained out there, the amount of dogs he has here--yes, it's been going for a good while," Hurt said.

Deputies said they get calls about dog fights fairly often, but by the time they get to the scene many of the people have usually fled.

"Most of them we've gotten four of five dogs from fighting, when we get tipped, but by the time we get there, they're gone. But we lucked up and walked right up on one," Hurt said.

The dogs were taken to animal shelters throughout South Mississippi. Animal control officials said it's likely that the dogs will all be put to sleep.

Along with everything else, several shot guns were also confiscated. Some of the guns were in the NIC database and marked as stolen.

Investigators said more arrests are to come.
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This is exactly what gives the PittBull a bad name!! These people need to be shot.

[Miss Mary]

Linda - this just makes me so sick. I read an expose on dog fighting in Reader's Digest a few months ago and just cried when I finished it. Actually cried reading it. Chaining dogs to treadmills is so cruel. The whole thing is so cruel. Selling hot dogs and soda pop nearby is shocking. OMG how can anyone enjoy themselves watching that is just beyond me. What's even more tragic is dog fighting rings steal gentle dogs like Golden Retrievers and Labs. They then think it's even better entertainment to throw a sweet natured dog in that ring. Sorry if that detail makes you more mad. I know pit bulls can be raised to be sweet and gentle dogs, but they're a breed that obviously can be turned into vicious fighting dogs. Again, the whole thing makes me ill. I want all animals to have good homes. I want the circus to discontinue using animals in their shows - period. Just stop. I even question the need for zoo's now. I know my thinking is bordering on extreme but someone has got to stand up for animals. And I'm getting mighty fed up lately when stories like this get out. At least they stopped this ring.

Mary

[rainstorm]

the dogs should have attacked the people. but, i feel that all pit bulls should be rounded up and put away. no matter how friendly they seem, they have been bred as killers. just my opinion

[Skywatch_NC]

Last week a Pitbull fighting ring was busted in Hollister, NC (not too far from Roanoke Rapids).

Eric

[Lindaloo]

Helen, I am the proud owner of a brindle pitt. She is 3 years old and would not harm a fly. She is very friendly to other animals, especially cats. She wags her tail so hard her whole body wiggles. I do not believe for one minute that a Pitt or a Rottweiller can't be raised in more loving homes without them turning vicious.

Miss Mary, I was told a story about a Golden Retriever that had to be put down because the animal was vicious. Now we are talking about a happy go lucky breed. If people can train a Golden Retriever to attack, people can do anything to any animal to cause them to attack "little critters"

[weatherlover427]

Ugh this is sickening. I ... words cannot describe how sad this makes me. I want to cry just thinking about it. Even though I have Butterfly Kisses playing on my computer, this is too much almost.

[rainstorm]

they cant be predicted. its in their breeding. they are like a ticking time bomb. while most will never go off, some will, and the results could be tragic.

[coriolis]

Reminds me of some people

[Miss Mary]

Helen, I am the proud owner of a brindle pitt. She is 3 years old and would not harm a fly. She is very friendly to other animals, especially cats. She wags her tail so hard her whole body wiggles. I do not believe for one minute that a Pitt or a Rottweiller can't be raised in more loving homes without them turning vicious.

Miss Mary, I was told a story about a Golden Retriever that had to be put down because the animal was vicious. Now we are talking about a happy go lucky breed. If people can train a Golden Retriever to attack, people can do anything to any animal to cause them to attack "little critters"

Linda - I have read about a GR or Lab being put down for those reasons. But you have to admit, that's not very common. In this tri-state area (OH/KY/IN) there were dogs stolen right out of their yards or off porches. The thieves were looking for family type dogs - GR or Labs, in particular to throw into these dog rings. They think it's hilarious to see a gentle dog try to defend itself. My dog wouldn't harm a fly either, she loves the mailman and anyone in uniform. She drives company nuts, it's so relentless - the tail wagging, the licking, the trying to jump up - that we have to put her in another room for some guests. They just can't take it. What I was trying to say is I also think it's just sick that dogs that make great family pets - Goldens/Labs/Collies - are being targeted this way. My next door neighbors have their entire yard electric dogged fenced in. When this stolen dog story broke, they were very worried. Their dog can go right up to the curb. So they watch her very carefully now. I'm glad we've only given our dog the back yard, with her fence. It makes me want to cry first that these dog fights even exist, that is just no way for a dog to live. And second, once well treated and loved dogs are stolen and then thrown into these rings. That's all I was trying to say.

Mary

[Lindaloo]

I knew what you meant Miss Mary. My point was if these people want to fight these dogs and train them they will target any breed.

And wrong Helen, it is not in their breed, it is how they are trained. Do you think German Shepherds are born to know police procedure? No, they are trained. They even train the Pitt in some cities to sniff out drugs.

[rainstorm]

cant agree, it is in thier blood. look at their jaws. they are born to be killers. there are too many cases where they have turned on people for no known explanation

[rainstorm]

Pit Bull Attacks 3, Survives Gunshot To Head
Police Searching For Dog's Owner

POSTED: 5:55 AM EST January 5, 2004
UPDATED: 4:25 PM EST January 5, 2004

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. -- Authorities are searching for the owner of a pit bull terrier that attacked two women and a man in Orange County Sunday and survived being shot in the head, according to Local 6 News.



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Pit Bull Attacks 3 In Orange County


SLIDESHOW: Click here for a larger image.







Three women were walking in a neighborhood on Lee Avenue off Orange Blossom Trail near Lake Holden when they saw a dog, according to the report.

The women reportedly attempted to pet the dog and it attacked.

"I felt like a 2-year-old helpless child," victim Jamie Garner said. "The only thing I could do was cry and ask somebody, please get the dog off me. But everybody was scared to come out of the house."

The dog stopped attacking one woman and attacked another's leg.

"Four bite holes and a big gash on this leg -- you can see all the way to my bone," Sabrina Harris told Local 6 News.

Neighbors hit the dog with a stick and even shot it in the head, but the pit bull survived.

The dog ran by 10 people and found another victim.



"After he jumped on her, they got him away from her," a victim said. " He (then) found me. Come looking for me. And he dragged me from one point of the street to the next."

Orange County Animal Control workers later captured the dog still roaming in the neighborhood with a visible gunshot wound to the head.

All three victims were transported to a local hospital with injuries from the dog. Two of the victims were released Sunday night.

The dog was being evaluated by a veterinarian and will be quarantined for 10 days.

Animal Control officials put up this sign letting the dog's owner know he or she has until Jan. 9 to claim the dog.

Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.

there are just too many examples of this

[rainstorm]

Jane Lee
A Hercules toddler is in recovering after an attack from the family pit bull.

Paramedics say the dog apparently bit the three-year-old girl and her father Tuesday night. The child suffered a bite to her face, and was airlifted to Children's Hospital in Oakland.

Nurses say the girl is in good condition.


this is what really scares me. no family with children in the house should have a pit bull. you never know what will set them off

here is another:

By Jennifer Brevorka, STAFF WRITEROct. 11, 2003 10:49 p.m.
CANDLER - Dannett Dillingham insists she's no hero. Any mother, she says,
would sacrifice herself if she could help save her baby.
Dillingham's instincts kicked in when she ran down Gossett Road on Oct. 3
carrying a tree limb, hoping to beat away the 92-pound pit bull that had her
5-year-old son in its teeth.
"Brandon kept on tucking his head down, trying to protect his face," she
said, lowering her chin to her neck to demonstrate. "And I just started screaming,
hoping that someone would hear me and help us."
The vicious attack was over in a flash. But it will leave lasting scars for a
family that has no health insurance and faces a long, expensive recovery.
`Mommy, don't cry'
The day of the attack, Dillingham was burning trash while keeping an eye on
her two sons and their friend as the children raced around the yard before
deciding to go down the street to get marshmallows for toasting on the fire.
Want to help?
The Dillingham family has no health insurance to cover Brandons future
surgeries or treatment to Dannett Dillinghams injuries. A family friend has set up a
bank account for the family to help cover medical expenses. Donations to the
Dillinghams can be made at any Bank of America branch or at Internet Cash in
the Wal-Mart Shopping Center in Skyland. Checks can be made payable to
Dillingham Fund.



Brandon and his 3-year-old brother waited for their friend alongside a
neighbor's driveway so their mother could see them.
Dillingham, a cautious mother, watched her boys walk 15 feet away from her on
the road. Then she saw a dog jump out of the wooded area directly across the
street from the boys.
The pit bull knocked Brandon to the ground, clamping down on the boy's face
with its powerful jaws.
"It just wouldn't let go," Dillingham said.
The dog ripped off the boy's lip and tore through his nose, damaging the
cartilage. The biting left punctures in the back of Brandon's skull, Dillingham
said.
"The front of his face was just gone," his mother said. "There was blood
everywhere."
When she started beating the dog, it lunged at her, attaching its jaws to the
left side of her chest. At one point, Dillingham said she tried to break free
by shaking herself as the dog hung on her with its jaws and front paws, its
back legs off the ground.
The younger son and his friend stood in fear nearby as Dillingham yelled at
them to run.
"I kept on telling the kids to run back to the house, trying to save them,"
she said. "But they just stood there. They wouldn't leave me alone with the
dog."
Dillingham doesn't remember much about the attack, or how long it took for
neighbor David Williams to arrive and save her. But during the attack that
lasted just moments, the pit bull ripped apart her thigh, back and chest,
Dillingham said.
"I'm used to hearing the kids scream when they play," Williams said. "I know
that sound. But her screams sounded different. I knew something was wrong."
Williams grabbed the animal's throat and threw it across the road.
"My intention was to get it off her and have it come after me," he said.
And it did. The pit bull lunged at him, and Williams kicked it in the neck.
By then, the dog's owner, Harland Linville, was out of his house and brought
his pet inside, Dillingham said.
Linville did not respond to a phone message and letter asking for an
interview.
Sheriff's deputies and paramedics arrived within nine minutes, and
Dillingham's adrenaline wore off.
As his mother trembled and cried, her son reassured her.
"He kept on saying, `Mommy, don't cry. I'm OK. I'm OK,'" Dillingham said.
Medicine, chocolate milk and Coke
Monday, Brandon will face the second of at least four surgeries in the next
year. A piece of his lower lip will be cut and grafted onto where his upper lip
used to be.
For two weeks, he'll eat only liquids, unable to talk while his lips are kept
shut to let the new skin grow into place.
Doctors have told the Dillinghams that Brandon's face will never look the way
it once did. And, he'll undoubtedly have to undergo more surgeries as his
face grows and the skin stretches around and on his lips.
Dannett Dillingham last week tiptoed around her home, her hip injuries making
it difficult to sit. Brandon has seen his new face but isn't quite sure what
to make of it.
His button nose has two lines of stitches running across each side. His upper
lip, a bumpy mass of purple and black, is in stark contrast to the remaining
pieces of pink lip flesh.
Scratches and scabs dot his arms.
"The first time he looked in the mirror, it scared him, and he asked if it
was his face," his grandmother said. "He says he wants his other mouth back."
After spending two days in the hospital, Brandon came home for a week before
he returns for Monday's surgery.
For now, Brandon's injuries don't slow him down. He still loves to jump on
his trampoline, slide around his house in Scooby Doo slippers and romp with his
father.
"I just love him to death," Williams said of the boy. "He always plays with
my grandchildren and just loves to run around."
As his mother and grandmother relive the attack, a visitor can occasionally
hear the squeals of the boy playing with his father and grandfather. His
grandmother, Joyce Dillingham, attributes Brandon's energy to a mix of medicine,
chocolate milk and Coca-Cola.
The attack didn't diminish Brandon's passion for dogs either, his mother said.
"He asked me why the dog wanted to bite him," Dillingham said. "And, he
wanted to know if this dog is going to the devil. But, he still loves watching his
video `All Dogs Go to Heaven.'"
No help from the law
Grateful for the prayers they've received from neighbors and friends, the
Dillinghams know they face a long road ahead.
Dannett Dillingham must go into surgery with the realization that many of her
wounds will result in disfiguring scars.
And Brandon's surgeries will cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, and the
family has no health insurance.
Chris Dillingham, Brandon's father, this year left his job of eight years at
Southeast Industrial to start his own construction firm, Asheville
Construction Services.
The couple had applied for health insurance for the new firm and its
employees, Dannett Dillingham said. The week of the attack, the insurance firm had
sent them more forms to fill out.
Dillingham gathered the additional information and had the envelope stamped
and sealed, ready to be mailed on Oct. 4, the day after Brandon was attacked.
Representatives of Mission St. Joseph's Health System said they would work
with family, helping them apply for financial aid from the state and federal
government or from private sources. In addition, the hospital often provides
patients with uncompensated care.
But as hospital representatives pointed out, the family will have other
medical bills for prescriptions, doctors' visits and physical therapy.
While the bills pile up, the Dillinghams focus on other things, such as how
they can raise awareness in Buncombe County about dangerous animals.
What bothers the family the most, they said, is that there is little recourse
to prevent an attack such as this one from happening again.
The pit bull that attacked Brandon and his mother was euthanized but only
because its owner requested it. If its owner had not signed it over to animal
control, the dog could have continued living at the same house near the
Dillinghams.
Animal control could have forced the owner to enact protective measures, but
they could not have euthanized the pit bull.
"Sometimes people live near a vicious dog and they're hesitant to call animal
control," Joyce Dillingham said. "They want to be a good neighbor. But then,
animal control has no idea what is going on."
In the case of this pit bull, several neighbors on Gossett Road said the dog
was vicious and had a reputation as a dangerous animal. But, animal control
had no record of complaint for the dog.
The Dillinghams were shocked to learn that owners of dangerous dogs that
attack other animals or people are not often criminally charged.
"If you abuse an animal, it's a felony," Dannett Dillingham said. "But if
your dog attacks or kills someone else, (often) there's not much you face as far
as criminal charges."


again, you can find examples of many kinds of dog attacks. but pit bulls are different. they have been bred to be aggressive and kill, and genetically, they are built to kill. i just dont see the need for anyone to own a pit bull.

[Stephanie]

This is exactly what gives the PittBull a bad name!! These people need to be shot.

I couldn't agree more Lindaloo.

[Lindaloo]

Dog Attack!
It has been thousands of years since mankind has had to fear for its collective safety from animal attack. In today's urban society, threat of animal attack has been all but snuffed out; except for dogs which, in spite of a vast majority of those gentle and domesticated, continue to be the biggest animal threat to urban dwellers. Most dogs are pleasant animals, deserving of the name: "man's best friend". The following advice is for those rare but terrifying moments when a dog attack does occur.

While most dogs are not aggressive but even properly trained domestic pets can attack given the right circumstances. Old dogs may become grouchy, female dogs may be defensive about their litter, and some breeds are more inclined to be territorially defensive. Other dogs just do not fancy strangers and others might snap if subject to rough handling or play. To this list should be added the many dogs which belong to irresponsible owners who neglect to provide their dogs attention, affection or training or owners who intentionally encourage aggressiveness in their pets for reasons of personal protection.

All dog owners should take precautions to ensure that their dog is not a threat to others. In almost all countries, you can be subject to criminal and civil liability for attacks of your animal. While some places require prior knowledge of the animal's viciousness before making you liable for these attacks, others make you automatically liable, whether you knew your animal to be vicious or not.

[GalvestonDuck]

I remember old movies back in the 60's and 70's when German Shepherds and Doberman Pinschers were the "fierce" dogs used for chasing down bad guys or for guarding the bad guy's lair. But now in recent years, it's pitts and Rottweilers. They've been characterized that way because some trainers turn them into beasts.

I don't believe they have to be trained that way. Just as how sheps and pinschers can be docile pets, I'm sure pitts can also. And I've seen some of the most gentle rotts (and the puppies are adorable!!!!) in the world.

I was attacked by my cousin's boxer when I was 5 and I was bitten by a scottie when I was 12. But I adore dogs and have never feared them. I could never believe that a certain breed should be rounded up and put down for any reason.

[rainstorm]

disagree. pit bulls are bred as killers:
"A Pit Bull is the closest to a wild animal there is in a domesticated dog" says Judge Victor Bianchini of San Diego. But in the household, it's certainly the humans, dog fighting enthusiasts who owns the Pit Bulls, that hold the distinction.

Obviously, Pit Bull Terriers were not discovered from some exotic, far away land, preying on less endowed species for a quick afternoon snack. Like many others breeds, they were manufactured. And they are continuously bred to fight. But if the Pit Bulls are so vicious, dog fight enthusiasts themselves are a cruel lot. And they'll show no remorse in lying to you just to peddle their goods, the Pit Bull dog itself.





In the U.S., Pit Bull fanciers scowl on the supposed exaggeration aimed at degrading their dogs. While it's true that in a U.S. survey, German Shepherds lead the list in number of attributed dog bites, the more important figure, 60 to 70 percent of dog bite fatalities, are from Pit Bulls, a dog that accounts for only 1 percent of the U.S. dog population.

Reason: When the Pit Bull attacks, it does not merely bite. Powered by clamp-like jaws, it sinks its fangs deep into its unfortunate victims and tears them apart.

"The injuries these dogs inflict are more serious than other breeds because they go for deep musculature and don't release; they hold and shake," says Sheryl Blair of the Tufts Veterinary School in North Grafton, Massachusetts.

Furthermore, while most breeds do not multiple bite, "a pit bull attack is like a shark attack: he keeps coming back," says Kurt Lapham, a field investigator for the West Coast Regional Office of the Humane Society.

they are not like scotties, sorry. my cats bite and scratch me all the time, but i dont advocate destroying all cats. but no one should have a "tame" tiger in a neighborhood. again, there is no reason for anyone to own a dog that is bred to fight and kill. i think some people(not on the board) have them as a status symbol. to me, it should be a crime for a family to have a pit bull with a child in the house, and no pit bull should be allowed in a neighborhood.

[Lindaloo]

Today the American Staffordshire Terrier and American Pit Bull Terrier are wonderful family dogs, capable of anything their owner's demand of them. Neglect and bad training has been a cause for severe damage to the reputation of the breed and has resulted in the deaths and mutilations of many people. There is a growing movement around the world to improve the ownership of these dogs and to educate people as to the true value these creatures hold as companions to people.

The Bull Terrier breed has a long history as a dog of the common man, and it is from his basic stock that the AKC's American Staffordshire and Staffordshire Terriers, and the UKC's American Pit Bull Terrier developed.
------------------------------------------------------------
The Pitt Bull arrived in America in 1870's, as all-around farm dogs and frontier guardians. They excelled in their service to mankind on the frontier and soon earned a reputation as one of the finest dogs a man could own. To increase the dog's usefulness in relation to his new frontier lifestyle, breeders of the Bull and Terrier began to selectively breed for a larger dog. The Bull and Terrier dog became adept at just about anything he was tasked with to include: herding, livestock protection, vermin removal, weight pulling, watchdog, and family companion. In all, things were good for this breed as it was loved and respected as a true family companion and faultless dog. Eventually, these dogs began to assume other names such as Pit Dog, the Pit Bull Terrier, the American Bull Terrier, and even the Yankee Terrier.

[j]

I'm not sure which side to take on this, or if its reasonable to take either side. I always go on the premise that a dog cannot be trusted. PERIOD! I use the same philosophy when a dog approaches me, or I come in contact with a dog, that I use when approaching an intersection on my motorcycle: Assume that the oncoming vehicle (or dog) is about to do something completely stupid like; turn directly in front of you with no signal forcing you to lock the brakes, or if its a dog, give chase growling and snarling trying to bite your leg. In either case it requires defensive moves, and in the case of the dog, usually the only defense is an offense.

I never assume a dog, regardless of breed to be freindly and I definitely do not trust any dog around babies. Now...that isn't to say I'm a dog hater, but I'd rather be safe than sorry, so I assume the worst, and hope for the best.

That being said, I agree with Linda that the owner has a lot to do with the tempermant of an animal, but.. it is kind of hard to know when you approach a dog or are approached by one, if the owner is pyscho.

[rainstorm]

very true j. but pit bulls are responsible for the large % of deaths. they are unpredictable, and bred to kill

Pit Bull

All too often, the TV and newspapers carry reports that a Pit Bull has mutilated or killed a small child or attacked and mauled a grownup. The attack is vicious and the pit bull will hang on and sometimes will not let go until he is killed or knocked out. People don't want these dogs living in their neighborhood. Why is this? Are they really that “bad”? Some breeders say that American Pit Bull Terriers are all wonderful, friendly. obedient and fiercely loyal pets. Who is right? Maybe they all are - depending on the bloodline of the individual dog.
“Pit bulls” were originally bred for pit fighting or “gaming”. Experts indicate that it takes at least five generations of very selective breeding to breed out this deeply ingrained “fighting” personality trait and really alter the “personality” of the dog. Many animal breeders have worked hard to accomplish this goal and to produce wonderful pets. Unfortunately, some breeders still try to foster the "gaming" traits and, even though actual pit fighting is now illegal, advertise that they breed their pit bulls for what they are “meant to do”. They claim that the “game” portion of the pit bull's personality is only directed at the opponent in the ring and not at people (otherwise, they say, how could they be handled safely by their owners during a fight?). They claim the bad publicity is all hype and that the pit bull breeders are taking a bum rap. They state that an attack is “caused” by the actions of the child or adult and the animal was only reacting naturally. Of course, the same can be said of many dog bites from “friendly” dogs.

But a baby crawling on the floor or waddling toward a pit bull may look the same size and shape of an “opponent”. When the child accidentally makes the wrong move, the pit bull attacks with all the viciousness and tenacity required in the “ring”. The animal may not intend the irreversible damage or death, but that does not comfort the parents of the child.