Man fatally mauled, dog killed, by pit bulls on dog walk

[StarPattern]

Seriously. I was the one taking the picture. My dobe was muzzled. I didn’t crop his ears, his breeder did. On the advice of BOTH his trainer and his vet, I introduced him to this group of people and word for word, my trainer told me “bring him around people who are going to ignore him. Let him get used to people being around without them paying any attention to him. If he comes to a person for attention, have them pet him, but don’t fuss over him.”

That is why the people are not looking at him. That is why he is sitting and focused on me… because I was the one taking the picture.

The muzzle is to prevent him from having a bite record. In my area, bylaw requests that you need to muzzle certain breeds of dogs in public, because it is safer. You need to have your dog on a certain length of leash at all times. I do that because it is the bylaw and because I know he has a tendency to have anxiety around people and things that aren’t normal.

I’m so glad I can be a part of a group of people who know me and my situation so well that they can tell me, through a computer screen, how bad of a person I am for following the advice of multiple trainers (with specialization in aggression and multiple certifications and accreditation) and vets of both the medical and behavioral kind . I’m so fortunate you all are certified dog trainers and I’m especially thankful for the “pack mentality” of this group.

Have a great day.

[Sswor]

You’re fine, Star Pattern. Everyone thinks they know better then everyone else, especially on the internet.

[Sswor]

@khall

Sswor, yeah keep dreaming that ban will NEVER happen because of all what has been cited over and over again yet your bully bias just cannot wrap your head around the fact that there are extremely few dog bite fatalities. Way more to worry about that kill humans and children than dogs (hey like gun control) and much better way to address dog bite fatalities than BSLs considering it is not just bullies that are involved. Considering the many many bullies that happily live in our society without ever causing an issue, and all the other points you, JanM and CT have such a problem grasping talk about extremist views, there you go.

Until you figure out how to have an adult conversation on the internet, sans personal insults, your posts will continue to just be background noise. Best regards.

[khall]

JanM: “I still don’t understand someone keeps a proven vicious animal, and won’t even confine it properly.”
I agree totally with you here. Why I say euthanize any human aggressive dog REGARDLESS of breed that cannot show they can be retrained. That is my issue with all of these posters who are proponents of BSLs. They are singling out a certain type (not even a breed since it is based on the looks of the dog) which does not equal a human aggressive dog. In order to be effective in reducing dog bites and dog bite fatalities, dogs that have shown this propensity should be targeted. Take a look at Boulder, CO, they have not had a dog bite fatality in 30 yrs! They have strict dangerous dog laws and strict spay/neuter laws across the board, not targeting any one breed or type. That should be the model all communities follow in order to reduce dog bites and fatalities. BSLs are not effective, period.

[red_mares]

@Sswor

You’re fine, Star Pattern. Everyone thinks they know better then everyone else, especially on the internet.

Huh? If the dog in the picture was a pit, would you say the same thing?

Sorry but if you have to “manage” a dog that closely, you are not “fine”.

[JanM]

Rock-This horrible attack happened in the county. There are no restrictions on the number of animals you can keep outside of city limits. I heard some rumors that the animals were dealt with (I don’t have proof, but my guess is the animals were destroyed either officially or vigilante style), but I do know that the county passed some kind of dangerous dog law after this.

Khall-I absolutely agree with the Boulder rule on dangerous animals, and the way it’s enforced.

However, I’ve lived in some very backward places in another state, and they couldn’t even get a licensing bill passed, to help support low cost spay neuter programs, or help the revolting animal shelter improve. However, the city has a kennel license requirement. That is partly to limit puppy mills, and hoarders. However, if you are an insider, nothing will happen to you.

They have had repeated instances of animal hoarding, and enforcement for those related to the local older families is a joke. One case of a vicious dog attack was on Judge Judy, and the second I heard where it happened, and the names involved, I knew that nothing was ever done about the vicious attack on an innocent animal, and nothing ever would be. The defendant actually giggled through the entire case, and it was a total joke to her, because she knew she would never even be cited for her dog’s out of control behavior. It’s a place where who you’re related to trumps everything, and people who retire there should realize that the city wants their money, but doesn’t care about them, or their animals. This is two states ago, and I won’t say where, but it’s sad

[Sswor]

@red mares

Huh? If the dog in the picture was a pit, would you say the same thing?

Sorry but if you have to “manage” a dog that closely, you are not “fine”.

Don’t know because it’s not a pit. She loves her dog, feels partially responsible for its behavior, and is doing her best to deal with it. I don’t think she deserves internet abuse for any of that. I don’t see a muzzle wearing dobe as a public safety issue. I vote to leave her alone.

[khall]

JanM I feel your pain, I live in a county with no AC, no shelter and really not many rules governing pets. Common to see them free roaming, often to get hit on the road. I have picked up many over the years to either foster and rehome or sometimes PTS depending on the situation (the bully I rescued I found on our land when we were building our house, he turned out to have human aggression to men and children so PTS). Living in the south, the unwanted pet population is high and the animals are treated rough in many cases. Hoarding, puppy mills or just plain stupid, very common to dump them out in the country (which is where I live).

BSLs targeting a certain breed or type just makes no sense when even the most basic of care is often not seen. I have no problem with an across the board spay/neuter law, I have no problem and have donated to free bully altering that are offered. I would welcome real AC that has the welfare of the animals in mind. I wished more communities would follow Boulder’s lead with their approach to pets, maybe we could solve many problems not just dog bites and fatalities, but also reducing the number of unwanted pets all around so that we could reduce the number of animals that don’t make it out of the shelter alive. Not just the bullies but all of the unwanted animals.

[sisu27]

@Thylacine

dunno, but the body language of that dobe (thank buddha that that awful ear trimming thing is illegal in oz!) says ‘I can’t bear to even acknowledge that there are humans I don’t know near me can someone get me outta here?!’

won’t say anything about drinking/watching sport with a problem dog in an enclosed room…

In a lifetime of owning Dobes, mostly intact males, I have never owned one that required that kind of management. However I do not see what you describe in that pic. Nor would I attach as much meaning to a single pic as many here are. Starpattern you didn’t stand a chance on this thread but I do mostly understand what you are saying. Not saying I would keep that dog but I get it a bit as I do have the dog aggressive Jagdterrier Sswor referenced (she hasn’t committed any murders other then wildlife for over 8 years so I don’t really need to justify her continuing life…also she’s an awesome dog but I digress).

Anyways I see a Dobe focused on his mom which is pretty typical. I hear an owner that is doing a lot of work with a dog that has some issues and preventing him from causing any harm. She isn’t high on my list of bad dog owners. This isn’t Dobey based bias either lol. These awful pitbull stories rarely include an owner that sounds that educated nor committed to their dog in any way. Not on the same level at all imo.

And “thank buddha” that I live in Ontario where, for now, we can still legally crop. The breed has always had cropped ears, it is correct for this purpose built breed and it doesn’t bother the dog one bit. All the better to hear you with my dear…

[Gestalt]

@sisu27

“thank buddha” that I live in Ontario where, for now, we can still legally crop. The breed has always had cropped ears, it is correct for this purpose built breed and it doesn’t bother the dog one bit. All the better to hear you with my dear…

Seriously? Doesn’t bother them to have their ears cut off? So many things I could say about your attitude.

[JanM]

khall-They did have laws, and animal control is part of the sheriff’s department (including alligator removal), but they didn’t have a vicious dog law on the books then. They do now.

Where I used to live, the city had animal control, also part of the police department, and a vet’s office was the animal shelter, with a no kill that is pretty good too. Unfortunately, the county had no animal control. One little community had a lot of older people, and they also had a huge feral, and dumped dog problem. It was so bad that many of the older residents stopped going outside for exercise, or even to their mail boxes, after several people were attacked in broad daylight. The county sheriff couldn’t do anything about it, and some of the local residents were left with two choices, watch their neighbors be attacked, or take the law into their own hands, so the dogs soon disappeared. I hate that dogs and cats are dumped like this, and left to make their own way, and usually end up dead for one reason or another.

[rockonxox]

@JanM

Rock-This horrible attack happened in the county. There are no restrictions on the number of animals you can keep outside of city limits. I heard some rumors that the animals were dealt with (I don’t have proof, but my guess is the animals were destroyed either officially or vigilante style), but I do know that the county passed some kind of dangerous dog law after this.

Ah ok. I thought you were saying they let the dogs all go back home!

[JanM]

rockonxox-Actually I don’t know if the dogs were quarantined at home, or at the shelter or vet’s office. However, after they went back to the property, they disappeared mysteriously, and the owner had nothing to do with it from the rumor I heard (from a very reliable source). My question about the entire situation is why anyone has eleven grown dogs, and if it’s for the reason I suspect.

There was also the sad case in the rural areas in Colorado. A woman went out to feed her horses, and didn’t come back from the barn. Her husband went out to check on her, and found her mauled to death. He called the sheriff’s office, and everyone who responded had to have counseling because it was so horrific. It turned out the animals were found when they went to a neighboring (the properties were very far apart) ranch and went after a man. He jumped into the back of his truck, and his son came out and shot one of the dogs, and the other ran home. When they called 911 the sheriff’s office tracked the dog home, and found it was a property that had a previous case where a passing runner (on the public roadway) was attacked, and maimed by the same owner’s dogs (one was a different dog in the second attack, and was dead before the attacks on the next two people).

It turned out that after the attack on the runner, the local D.A. claimed there were no dangerous/vicious dog statutes. He was wrong, and the state of Colorado has some that would have led to the seizure of the dogs after the attack on the runner.

After the second attack, the dogs were located, the owner arrested, and prosecuted (I think she had at least 3 years in prison), but i could have been prevented if the D.A. had done what he was elected to do. It led to the defeat of the D.A. I think. The owner or someone on the property had killed one of the dogs from the first attack, but didn’t stop the other dogs in the pack from running loose, and attacking people. The dogs were mixes including pit supposedly, but I know they were several large breed mixes, and they terrified anyone who lived near the woman. Another owner who refuses to take responsibility for protecting the public from her animals. I never understood why people who don’t care about dogs get them and let them run loose.

[Thylacine]

@JanM

khall-They did have laws, and animal control is part of the sheriff’s department (including alligator removal), but they didn’t have a vicious dog law on the books then. They do now.

Where I used to live, the city had animal control, also part of the police department, and a vet’s office was the animal shelter, with a no kill that is pretty good too. Unfortunately, the county had no animal control. One little community had a lot of older people, and they also had a huge feral, and dumped dog problem. It was so bad that many of the older residents stopped going outside for exercise, or even to their mail boxes, after several people were attacked in broad daylight. The county sheriff couldn’t do anything about it, and some of the local residents were left with two choices, watch their neighbors be attacked, or take the law into their own hands, so the dogs soon disappeared. I hate that dogs and cats are dumped like this, and left to make their own way, and usually end up dead for one reason or another.

just quoting this as a jumping off point…

:eek: so many “counties” with their (non) laws described in this thread make them read no different to what it’s like to live in 3rd world countries.
hows about ALL dogs be registered?
limit amount of dogs per household before Kennel License is required
the rego fee for non purebred intact canines quadruple that of spayed/neutered canines.
barking laws enforced.
at least the backyard be fully fenced.
owners of roaming/stray registered dogs fined “bigly”
unregistered dogs found roaming risk being euthed within 72hrs and if claimed owners hit in the back pocket with fines and fees upon collection.

these are just some of the rules for owning a pet canine in my first world country - that, in the 70’s was just like so many of the “counties” being posted about here. strays roaming everywhere, kids being attacked in school playground by groups of loose dogs, bike riders chased/harassed by loose dogs, dogs causing road crashes/being killed by cars and frustrated non dog owners laying poisoned baits (not always meat) that rarely, if ever even found their way to the intended target.

seeing a stray or loose canine on Launceston streets is an absolute rarity, and cause for comment. 99.9% of the time its a local escapee thats quickly snapped up by a neighbour then placed on the dedicated lost animals of Launceston facebook page being reunited with its people within 24hrs (usually less).

Cats are next on Launceston City Councils, list.

[khall]

Thylacine, first of all the US is a big country with large portions of it as very rural areas. I live in the SE, Georgia to be precise. Altering pets is not the norm in much of the rural areas. It should be. That IMO should be the first focus. The nearest county to my county that has adopted spay/neuter laws is Bibb county. None of the surrounding counties have such laws. We don’t even have AC:/ As for picking up these roaming dogs, they often do. At least in the areas where there is a shelter. Bibb county just built a new 3 million dollar facility. They still have to kill for space. Bibb is still seeing many strays, litters etc. Not being very successful in upholding the new spay/neuter law. Bibb county a couple of years ago had a big grant from non profit for spay/neuter in certain area codes. Easy to get the certificate, had people going door to door to educate the people about it, even offering to pick them up and take them to the vet. The county lost the grant, did not use the money up. Could not get people to alter the pets. grrr. Education and teaching the kids at a young age about caring for the pets IMO is the best way to get people to change, slowly I know. sigh

Many many pets are killed in our shelters on a regular basis. (around 4 million each year) Why I am fostering a litter (originally 6, now 4) litter of lab mixes puppies and a lab/boxer mix and a mutt:) The litter came out of a shelter south of me they were on the euthanasia list, shelter had killed 58 dogs the week before due to lack of space. The lab/boxer mix was also on the kill list. All are lovely dogs/puppies with nothing wrong with them. Over population of pets is a huge issue, with millions killed each year.

https://www.facebook.com/CompassionateCaninesRescue/photos/a.210603155619740.65122.210596095620446/1745383995474974/?type=3&theater

[Thylacine]

guess what?

prior to making, then cracking down on all the rules it was also the wild west here as far as pet ownership went.
that was part of my point.
it didn’t happen overnight, but by being diligent about the rules (and also making sure dog owners got good off lead parks, plentiful free pooh-bags as well as dog friendly reserves in exchange for yearly moderate registration fees) what once was a horrible canine mess is now a pleasant place to walk and keep dogs for both dog & non dog owners.

all it takes is Political Will.
we’ve proved it can be done.
(from what i can gather it’s also pretty much the same throughout Australian rural/regional/cities)

ps. Launceston is also a regional/rural city of some 50,000 people surrounded by and dotted with farmland.

[CanadianTrotter]

@Sswor

Until you figure out how to have an adult conversation on the internet, sans personal insults, your posts will continue to just be background noise. Best regards.

Agree wholeheartedly, she always manages to lower the tone and wipe out any credibility she’s struggling for.

[sisu27]

@Gestalt

Seriously? Doesn’t bother them to have their ears cut off? So many things I could say about your attitude.

Have at it. You have proven to have strong opinions based on little substance imo and this is yet another example. Yes, seriously, in my experience with the breed (which is a lot) they are not bothered by cropping. Nor docking. But for some reason that doesn’t get people excited like cropping does. It’s a funny thing. Often on social media a pic of a cropped adult dog gets lots of ohhhhs and ahhhhs so beautiful etc but show a pup that still has tape on his ears and people freak out. And rarely does anyone freak out about the absence of a tail.

My “attitude” is that I see/hear of horrific disgusting things happening to dogs every day that anger and sadden me. Cropping/docking, given that my dogs have never been bothered in any way by either, is nowhere near making the list. Plus it is correct and is function and form.

My rescue was locked in a crate for 3 years and abused. That upsets me. He has baggage because of that. He does not have any issues that relate back to his ear crop. Non-issue.

[khall]

Thylacine Political Will? From a country and my state (red state for years) that voted in Trump as president? Who cannot agree on a good health care legislation? Where gun control is fighting words? Ah I wish we had more who had interest in over population of unwanted pets. Georgia does have a state law any pet adopted from a rescue or shelter has to be altered. Some areas as I have pointed out are addressing spay/neuter laws, it is just some counties (like the one I live in) are very poor and with a wide ranging population both in geography and socio economic means.

BTW I despise Trump and happily voted HRC, small blue dot (along with all of my family) in a very red state.

The good old boy system is still very much alive and well here, for example: There is a rich family in Macon, 2nd wife who got into rescue, they live downtown Macon where there are strict pet ordinances on numbers and leash laws. She runs a rescue from their home, has had as many as 35 dogs at one time at this home in a subdivision (well to do subdivision with old historic homes). They have an underground fence that may or may not contain the dogs, the dogs bark a good bit. They do not care it annoys the neighbors, have been cited, have deep pockets, ordinances have been changed to accommodate them now. Case not really going anywhere, but neighbors have banded together (no light weights themselves) and are persisting. Remains to be seen what will happen, but really if they cannot be made to follow the rules and AC is ham strung how really can the rules be enforced evenly and across the board?

[Gestalt]

@sisu27

Have at it. You have proven to have strong opinions based on little substance imo and this is yet another example.

Ahhh how sweet, you’ve tried to trash me. :lol:

Slicing off a dogs ears and chopping off its tail is beyond abuse. It is torture. It is not needed or required for that dogs life. But go ahead and pat yourself on the back while keeping a dog that is so fearful it is dangerous. I think we will probably see you and your dog in the headlines some day.