Man found guilty in pit bull attack
Owner of dogs fined; animals euthanized
ADAMS RUN — The owner of a pit bull that charged a sheriff's deputy faces more than $9,000 in fines after being found guilty of several charges in connection with the reported attack, officials said.
Another deputy shot the pit bull as a protective measure during the Jan. 21 incident at the home of Nero Meyers, 32, of Wright Hill Road, according to a report from the Charleston County Sheriff's Office.
While the dog survived its wounds, it was euthanized this weekend along with another dog taken from the residence, according to Kay Hyman with the Charleston Animal Society, which was given custody of the animals.
"It's unfortunate, and it's a sad, sad part of the shelter system that we have to euthanize, but it's for safety reasons," Hyman said, explaining that the shelter cannot hold onto dogs with a propensity to attack or bite.
Meyers was found guilty Friday afternoon of having a dangerous animal at large, two counts of not having proof of rabies vaccinations and two counts of ill treatment of animals, said sheriff's Maj. John Clark. The magistrate ordered Meyers to pay $9,368 in fines, plus $200 to the Charleston Animal Society.
The reporting deputy was responding to a call from a neighbor who said the white pit bull came into his yard and attacked him, though the neighbor did not report any injuries.
The deputy knocked on Meyers' door when the unrestrained pit bull charged. The deputy discharged his pepper spray, but the wind blew it back into his face, so he shot at the ground and retreated to the truck to wait for assistance, the report said.
Other deputies arrived at the scene, and the unrestrained pit bull ran at one from behind, showing his teeth. The dog was "within 12 to 18 inches" from biting the assisting deputy on the buttocks, the report said, when the reporting deputy fired twice, hitting the dog in the rib cage and the left front leg.
The pit bull ran into the woods, and deputies could not locate it until the next day, when they took it into emergency custody, the Sheriff's Office said. A tan pit bull tied to a stake in the yard also was aggressive, and sheriff's deputies took it into custody the same day as the attack, the report said.
The dogs didn't have much water, and what they had was dirty, the report said. Also, the dog's sheltered area "was improper and too small for the size of the dogs."
Reach Susan Hill Smith at 937-5550 or ssmith@postandcourier.com.
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Comments
sandnateater (anonymous) says...
This breed of dog is dangerous and needs to be outlawed. The officer should have put a bullet in this dangerous animal and it's owner since the guy used the dog as a weapon to attack the officer. There is no place in society for these worthless excuse for a canine. They are killers.
February 3, 2009 at 4:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
purgatory420 (anonymous) says...
it's not the breed, it's the owner. don't look at the problem, look at the source of the problem.
February 3, 2009 at 6:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandnateater (anonymous) says...
to many of these dogs maul people to be just the owner, even the "nice" ones at the dog park grab the necks of other dogs when they are "playing". It's the breed. That excuse that it's the owner not the dog has been proven wrong over and over again. Try again.
February 3, 2009 at 7:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justjerry (anonymous) says...
It IS the owner and not the breed. I have seen plenty of dogs grab the necks of other dogs when playing and most of them have not been pit bulls.
Please cite your references where it proves it is the dog and not the owner or the environment that it is raised in.
February 3, 2009 at 7:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandnateater (anonymous) says...
read the paper, watch the news.
February 3, 2009 at 7:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CricketsandCicadas (anonymous) says...
Bad dogs are the result of bad owners, period. The media however contributes to this problem by throwing the word "pit bull" around regardless of the actual breed of dog involved. Often when a picture of the dog is included the dog is a mixed breed. I've seen lab, shepherd, chow, boxer, and retriever mixes all called pit bulls by the news. Please stop vilifying these dogs and start prosecuting the owners.
February 3, 2009 at 7:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandnateater (anonymous) says...
http://www.dogbitelaw.com/breeds-caus... more to come.....can you submit proof pit bulls are not the most dangerous?
February 3, 2009 at 7:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandnateater (anonymous) says...
http://www.la-spca.org/dedication/tal... stats.
February 3, 2009 at 7:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandnateater (anonymous) says...
just jerry, cricket, purgatory
I;m waiting for your proof these dogs are not dangerous...need more stats?
February 3, 2009 at 7:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandnateater (anonymous) says...
http://www.dogsbite.org/dangerous-dog...
February 3, 2009 at 7:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Valkyrie (anonymous) says...
These "assualt" or military style dogs are dangerous and if police come up against them, the cops may have a fight on their hands. We need stricter assualt dog laws. Maybe Ban them, or a 3 day waiting period and aback ground check before you can buy these assualt dogs. We need to close the loop hole of person to person sells.
February 3, 2009 at 8 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandnateater (anonymous) says...
come on guys, let's debate!!! what's wrong, you can't find proof to support your argument?
February 3, 2009 at 8 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wtpd4444 (anonymous) says...
About 3 years ago a dog attack a man on James Island and put him in the hospital (almost killed him) and the deputies did nothing. They said that it was not their job. (Did not want to do the paper work.) Now let them get attacked and they want to use deadly force.
It is owners not the dogs. All dogs rough house by going for the neck. Watch a mama dog, she controls her puppies by grabbing them by the neck. We should grab the owners by the neck with a hangman's noose.
February 3, 2009 at 8:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justjerry (anonymous) says...
The second link was dead for me, the first however was pretty funny. I think that someone in the first week of statistics 101 could pick that one apart in about 2 minutes.
http://animal.discovery.com/tv/animal...
http://www.austinlostpets.com/kidskor...
http://www.realpitbull.com/myths.html
http://www.happypitbull.com/socialiss...
http://www.riospitbull.com/apbt_fact_...
February 3, 2009 at 8:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
The dogs are dangerous and unpredictable. I realize that some owners are irresponsible and some are not, but every owner that I have known really hasn't much cared about other people as much as they cared about the dog, based on their own conversation. Anyone around one of the dogs who is not the alpha had best be diligently alert to attack at the drop of a hat.
February 3, 2009 at 8:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Neponset (anonymous) says...
Don't know what the answer is, but my cat was mauled by two pit bull type dogs and I have the vet bills (about $1500) to prove it. With a few exceptions, dogs should be controlled to prevent these situations. A little common sense, fences and leashes would prevent many tragedies.
February 3, 2009 at 8:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justjerry (anonymous) says...
One thing that I noticed about all of your references is that they all say things like 'pit bulls are involved in x% or all dog bite attacks.' They never discuss things like what the population make up is. They also never discuss what the dog's environment is. There are bad owners of pit bulls (Michael Vick) who raise their dogs in a bad way. This does not mean that this is a bad breed. Look at the whole picture.
February 3, 2009 at 8:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandnateater (anonymous) says...
just jerry, maybe it's time to upgrade off the commadore64 computer. lol
February 3, 2009 at 8:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandnateater (anonymous) says...
you sent bias stats produced by sites for pitbulls. ypu loose, i win.
February 3, 2009 at 8:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justjerry (anonymous) says...
Neoponset I would bet that there are plenty of dogs that if they could get ahold of them would have mauled your cat, especially a pair of dogs. Sorry that it happened, that truly does suck but again, it is not the breed it is the owner. In this case I would also bet to some extent it was dogs being dogs.
February 3, 2009 at 8:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bigdrewsmoove (anonymous) says...
The main problem with pit bulls is that wannabe thugs and other idiots get them so they can look tough. Pit bulls are incredibly strong and when put in the hands of these idiots they can be very dangerous. Any dog tied to a tree all day long or kept in a tiny apartment with no exercise all day is going to be aggressive. It is not the Pit Bull breed that is the problem, it is the abundance of idiots that own the dog to make up for their lack of self esteem.
February 3, 2009 at 8:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justjerry (anonymous) says...
You sent useless and disjointed stats generated to create hysteria, I WIN!
and not a Commodore, just a work computer with a occasionally picky firewall :)
February 3, 2009 at 8:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bigdrewsmoove (anonymous) says...
Valkyrie, I don't agree with the term "assault" dog, but I would definitely support any kind of law that would help keep these wonderful dogs out of the hands of such irresponsible people. Unfortunately, with so many back yard breeders it would be next to impossible to monitor who is buying these dogs. Maybe a mandatory spay and nueter unless you are a registered breeder should be inacted.
February 3, 2009 at 8:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justjerry (anonymous) says...
bigdrew - That I will buy, and again, it further supports my point that it is the owner and not the breed.
February 3, 2009 at 8:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CricketsandCicadas (anonymous) says...
Here's Ohio's legal definition of a pit bull:
- An American Pit Bull Terrier
- A Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- An American Staffordshire Terrier
- An American Bulldog
- Any other pure bred or mixed breed dog whose appearance and physical characteristics is predominately those of any of the dogs listed above, or is a combination of any of the dogs listed above.
That covers a large percentage of the dogs in this country
Here you go Sand. Here's a pub from Pediatrics a peer-reviewed journal written by researchers at our own MUSC
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org...
Be sure to read the conclusions.
It's ok for you to be a dog racist if you want but your 'facts' are all seriously flawed.
February 3, 2009 at 8:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CricketsandCicadas (anonymous) says...
Nice idea bigdrew. From my previous link - "19 of 20 classifiable deaths involved an unneutered dog"
February 3, 2009 at 8:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
youngatheart (anonymous) says...
loose = "My pants are falling down because they are too loose"
Lose = "You will lose this battle"
February 3, 2009 at 8:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bigdrewsmoove (anonymous) says...
Exactly, dogs are not like people. They don't watch TV and read the paper and do other things to distract themselves from life. Their main goal is to eat and breed (spread their seed). All of us are grown adults, so imagine if you went months or years without getting a release. You would be pretty upset. The testosterone in male dogs chemically alters them to be more aggressive, it is a scientific fact. When dogs are spayed or neutered they no longer have this frustration and they are more balanced and less prone to attack. Besides, there are major health benefits to fixing your pet and the unwanted pet population is already out of control so there is no disadvantage to fixing your dog. This all goes back to the point of responsible owners. Don't blame the dog because their owners are irresponsible.
February 3, 2009 at 8:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandnateater (anonymous) says...
help, my neighbors poodle that she keeps in side attack me. you can't be serious to compare a pitbull tied to a tree to a ankle bitter house dog... come on you can do better than that.
February 3, 2009 at 8:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCHoser (anonymous) says...
OMG-CricketsandCicados-did you just use the terms "dog racist"? Now people have to embrace all types/breeds of dogs??? You have got to be kidding...dog racist....lmao!!! The link kind of supports what Sandnateater is saying-pit bulls are the most common killers/attackers, and that is not by accident. They have no fear, will attack anything and will not stop until they kill the prey or are physically removed-those are facts! I can't speak for everyone, but I don't want my kids to be around that type of animal.
February 3, 2009 at 8:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rld1771 (anonymous) says...
officer used pepper spray on himself? shot the ground?...another officer 12-18 inches away from being bitten in the buttocks?
too funny......
February 3, 2009 at 8:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justjerry (anonymous) says...
schoser - it is probably not a good idea to have your (or anyone else's) kids around ANY type of animal. Even the tamest animal is still just that, an animal and can snap for any reason at any time.
February 3, 2009 at 8:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bigdrewsmoove (anonymous) says...
Sandnateater, in reponse to your sarcastic comment about poodles, check these links out:
http://www.goofigure.com/UserGoofigur...
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pitts...
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,4...
February 3, 2009 at 8:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandnateater (anonymous) says...
just jerry my goldfish just bit my kid......stop dude you got me on the floor LMAO.
February 3, 2009 at 8:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandnateater (anonymous) says...
big if you going to make a dumb comment just do it and stop embarrassing yourself further. if you think anyone is going to support your claim poodles are more dangerous than pit bulls. lmfao
February 3, 2009 at 8:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandnateater (anonymous) says...
one poodle story vs 1000 pit bull stories...nice try
February 3, 2009 at 8:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Valkyrie (anonymous) says...
bigdrewsmoove - I was being sarcastic. LOL. Sounds much like the "assualt rifle" debate.
February 3, 2009 at 8:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bigdrewsmoove (anonymous) says...
Sandnateater, how old are you? You don't do yourself or your argument any favors with comments about biting goldfish.
February 3, 2009 at 8:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandnateater (anonymous) says...
a male full grown poodle attacking a pit bull puppy. nice try again....you need to read the articles a little further...nice try.
February 3, 2009 at 8:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCHoser (anonymous) says...
justjerry-I don't let my kids around any animal that can maul them, but it is not always up to me. People care more about their right to own an animal than they do about others, plain and simple. I wouldn't go so far as to say that all animals are dangerous, but common sense tells you some are more so than others.
February 3, 2009 at 8:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandnateater (anonymous) says...
do said to keep your kids from all animals because they bite. i was just showing how ridiculous that argument was....made you bite(no pun intended...lmfao off at you).
February 3, 2009 at 8:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
geekboy (anonymous) says...
Shoot pit bulls on sight. Problem solved.
February 3, 2009 at 9:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bigdrewsmoove (anonymous) says...
Sand, I never made the claim that poodles are more dangerous than pit bulls. That was in response to your sarcastic comment. Poodles are just as prone to attack as any other dog. If thugs and criminals all of sudden took a liking to poodles (highly unlikely) you would hear about a whole lot more poodle attacks. Maybe there wouldn't be as many fatalities since poodles aren't nearly as strong as pit bulls, but they can cause damage just the same. As it stands now, most poodles are owned by housewifes who take care of the dog and are responsible so you don't hear about as many poodle attacks. Once again supporting my claim that it is about RESPONSIBLE DOG OWNERS!
February 3, 2009 at 9:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nelsnjef (anonymous) says...
"Ultimately the public's fickle gaze fell on the sport of dog fighting, primarily because it could be more easily hidden from the prying eyes of the law than baiting and other fighting sports. Since dog fighting required smaller and more agile animals than the ones that were used in baiting, fighting bulldogs were bred with terriers who were known for their feistiness and indefatigable focus. The result was the bull-and-terrier, more commonly known as the first pit bull terrier - a muscular, canine gladiator bred specifically for combat with other dogs. "
This was taken from an article actually in favor of Pittbulls , and talking about the history of the pittbull , now while I agree that environment plays a huge factor in how a dog interacts with people and other animals , I choose to believe that the dogs should have never been bred in the first place, (Seeing as how they were bred specifically for combat with other dogs), and should not continue to be bred , I do not know anyone who owns one, however if I did I would not go to their home ever, (I guess that would make me a "Dog Racist"). I am sorry not referencing any statistics myself just venturing a guess that most of the owners of Pittbulls are not responsible !! Thats my guess and also my humble opinion. I will post the link here as I believe I read an article that was fair to both sides of the argument !!!
www.pitbull411.com/history
February 3, 2009 at 9:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
now_here_this (anonymous) says...
In the interest of full disclosure, sandnateater should tell us if he/she or someone close has been attacked by a pitbull. I would be willing to bet that Rottweillers, German Sheppards, Dobermans and Chows would have all been eliminated in the same kind of knee-jerk reactions when it was their turn to be the bad dog of the day.
February 3, 2009 at 9:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SpiderJohn (anonymous) says...
http://www.trivia-library.com/a/9-dog...
So......poodles are bad! Go figure!
You may also note pit bulls are NOT on the list! This actually suprised me.
February 3, 2009 at 9:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCHoser (anonymous) says...
How owners treat and raise dogs is a huge factor, but not the only factor! The breed(s) that attack more do so by nature, and nothing can change that, it is bred into them, it is the history of the breed. There are tons of studies that support that fact. Will all dogs bite in certain situation? Of course, but some breeds attack more ferociously than others. It is not only pit bulls, but that is the subject of this story.
February 3, 2009 at 9:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bigdrewsmoove (anonymous) says...
nelsnjef, the article you posted states that pit bulls were bred to attack OTHER DOGS, not humans. When they were bred specifically for fighting, the dogs that showed human aggression were destroyed. Throughout the years, responsible breeders have bred out the dog aggression in most pit bulls. However, there are still the irresponsible back yard breeders who breed aggressive pit bulls to create more aggressive pit bulls to sell to other idiots that want a "tough" dog. I realize pit bulls aren't for everyone, but in the right hands they are extremely loyal and loving dogs. It is ridiculous to want to destroy an entire breed of dogs because of some of the irresponsible people who have given them a bad rep.
February 3, 2009 at 9:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nelsnjef (anonymous) says...
Point taken and I am not here to argue, I was just referencing an article Favorable to the Pittbull .....and then stating my opinion , however I don't care if they were bred to fight other dogs or what , anything bred to fight anything is just wrong that was the point I was making ....I tried to be fair in my post to both sides while all the while stating my own opinion , nothing anyone can say to me will ever make me comfortable being around a pittbull no matter how its been bred !!
February 3, 2009 at 9:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
crankyyankee (anonymous) says...
I never understood the mentallity of those that have this type of dog. Why would you want one? It's about the same as hanging around a sex offender and being suprised when you're raped. It's not the sex offenders fault it's his mother that's to blame! Give me a brake.
February 3, 2009 at 9:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bigdrewsmoove (anonymous) says...
nelsnjef, you are correct anything bred to fight is wrong. I agree 100%. I also respect your decision to not be around Pit Bulls and I am not trying to change your mind at all, but I think one day when you are ready you should at least spend some time with one who belongs to a responsible owner, I think you'd be surprised.
February 3, 2009 at 9:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
me1059 (anonymous) says...
Anyone who doesn't believe that environment makes the biggest difference should read this article... If these poor dogs can become family pets, imagine what they would be like if raised from a puppy in a positive environment.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008...
February 3, 2009 at 9:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cfrulla1 (anonymous) says...
Well lets see...i don't have any links to any biased websites or anything like that...Just 1st hand experience....My buddy's older brother got a pit bull when he was in the middle of his "thug-life" stage..he fed it raw red meat all the time, made it wear heavy collars to bulk up, beat the dog good when it was bad, didn't neuter him, and kept him inside all day....This pit is crazy and unpredictable, scary to say the least..........Well, the dog was bred and my buddy got two of the puppies..he takes great care of them (both females), feeds them regular food, shows them affection, keeps them outside most of the time, lets them run around plenty...and what do you know, these are two of the sweetest dogs ever!! IT IS the owner, not the breed
February 3, 2009 at 10:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandnateater (anonymous) says...
living in fantasy land!!!
February 3, 2009 at 11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandnateater (anonymous) says...
ditto cranky
February 3, 2009 at 11:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Weeeee (anonymous) says...
I can't help but think of Friday:
"Got bit in the ass today, son, by a stinkin' ass filthy dog. You should've seen it. Biggest dog I've ever seen in my life. I said, "Doggy. Please don't bite me, dog!" And I turn around to jump over the fence. The dog grabbed my a**! Told you. I told you. I told you. You didn't tell me s***!"
AHAHAHAHA
February 3, 2009 at 11:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tc1 (anonymous) says...
It seems obvious that it is both the traits of the breed and the traits of many owners. Dogs have been bred for certain abilities and some human animals have certain inhuman traits.
Duck hunters do not choose pit bulls for retrieving.
February 3, 2009 at 11:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Get_seriousHELP (anonymous) says...
yapping chihuahuas and yapping liberals...they all sound the same.
February 3, 2009 at 11:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tc1 (anonymous) says...
"yapping chihuahuas and yapping liberals...they all sound the same."
And when you are being attacked by murderers one is as useful as the other.
February 3, 2009 at 11:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
forget (anonymous) says...
Personal experience here. Two pit bulls on the street I live on have killed other animals (pets). One, it killed the other dog it was raised with since it was a puppy. It just attacked it in the backyard one morning and wouldn't let go. The pit was 11 months old. The other dog was a 6 yr old bull dog (like the Citadel mascot).
The other one lived next door to the other people's pet. The pit bull tore off the boards of the fence and pulled the jack russell thru and mauled it. This happened as children were in the back yard with the little dog. That particular pit has been growling and trying to get over into that yard and the one on the other side of the house as well. The house on the other side had a 2 yr old that would play out back. How tragic it would have been if the dog chose the other side of the fence that day.
Animal control wouldn't take the dog because they said the mauling happened in his own yard (!!!!) It only happened in that yard because he PULLED the animal into it!
Neither of these animals were abused or raised to be vicious.
Why would someone want to take that chance with one of these animals. There are plenty of other breeds to choose from.
Make a responsible choice when deciding on a pet. Especially if you have children or it is going to be coming into contact with them.
February 3, 2009 at 12:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SpiderJohn (anonymous) says...
Posted by Get_seriousHELP on February 3, 2009 at 11:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
yapping chihuahuas and yapping liberals...they all sound the same.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted by tc1 on February 3, 2009 at 11:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"yapping chihuahuas and yapping liberals...they all sound the same."
And when you are being attacked by murderers one is as useful as the other.
Get help - REALLY Get Help - this topic has nothing to do with liberals or neo-cons. But you two trolls just have to toss it out there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 3, 2009 at 12:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sassyfras1 (anonymous) says...
Well I am going to have to agree that pitbulls should be outlawed. I have owned many dogs in my life time including a pit. My pitbull was loveable and well socialized but when it came right down to it she WAS dangerous. We lived in the country and she killed several animals. I had tried stopping her but if she was set in that "mode" there was no stopping her. It is in their nature. I have witnessed this first hand. It broke my heart to get rid of her but it was the right thing to do. I wish people were more responsible with these animal but they won't. There needs to be a law.
February 3, 2009 at 12:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
slowcountry (anonymous) says...
I seem to recall a pitbull being the mascot dog on "the little rascals". Also, Helen Keller and Theodore Roosevelt were loving owners of this breed. And just to drive home the point that it's the breeder and not the breed, I don't recall one of Helen Keller's struggles being dog bite, nor do I recall Teddy Roosevelt's "Big Stick" being used to fend off a pitbull attack. If it's good enough for the president, well...nuff said
February 3, 2009 at 1:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
forget (anonymous) says...
No, not "nuff said". Both my beighbors dogs were raised as family pets. Both viciously killed. One pit was only 11 months old. Still a puppy.
I worked with a young girl whose boyffriend had three. She was pregnant. I asked her if she was comfortable with those dogs around her new baby. She said that they never hurt anyone. I in turn asked her "Is it worth the chance?"
It's not.
I just remembered the father in Georgetown about a few years ago. Left his two yr old sleeping in the bed when he went to answer the door. While he was talking to the landlord on the front porch his 4 (yes he had 4 of them in his house) mauled his baby.
Too big of a chance to take.
February 3, 2009 at 1:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coolfreaknbeans (anonymous) says...
People sit there and say poodles bite more and crap like that. Let Capt Obvious point something out for you. If a poodle latches onto my leg- I will bi tch slap it until it lets go. (minor flesh wound, no real biggie) If a pit bull latches on to my leg- chances are they wouldn't let go at any cost, I would be severely wounded, scarred for life and could even bleed to death. So don't tell me it's only the owner and not the breed. Many of kind loving owners have been mauled or had children killed and NOT one of them ever suspected a thing. I have only seen two types of pitbull owners. 1) The trailer trash redneck type or 2) The wanna be thug Guess what both types have in common? Low self esteem and the feeling that they need to prove something. I think pitbulls should be outlawed. They are a useless, nasty breed whos owners usually fit the same bill.
February 3, 2009 at 1:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kszimmer7 (anonymous) says...
To me, this story and all of the subsequent comments drive home three points:
1.) if you are planning to adopt an animal, you should do your research first and determine which breeds are for you. Then when you walk into a shelter, you know your limits. You also will have no excuse to then give up your animal later when you feel you have no other recourse. I don't care what your reasoning is for giving up an animal, unless you have died--you are irresponsible to give up an animal. If you didn't know that pitbulls have a propensity towards aggression towards prey, then you should not have adopted them.
2.) If you don't know how to take care of an animal that is dependent upon you to sustain an enjoyable life, then you should not have one. If the only way you know how to take care of your animal is to tie him up in the yard and give him filthy water, then no one should be surprised that the animal is unhappy.
3.) No one knows what an unhappy creature is capable of. It's ridiculous to argue that pit bulls are to blame because of their breed--many were bred to be lap dogs, and actually adore humans when raised properly. The comments posted after this article asserting that pit bulls are all terrible are knee-jerk reactions to something that clearly, the writers don't really know about....sandnat? You have yet to make an actual argument. All I see are repeated strains of "try again."
I have seen repeated examples of absolutely atrocious owners who adopted an animal thinking it would be like living in some kind of L.L. Bean catalogue, with a dog curled up picturesquely by the fireplace. No human investment in training, medical care, or actually loving their pets. The owners who tie up pit bulls in their yard are equally as bad as the owners who don't pick up their animals' waste, or who euthanize their animals because they can't handle them, or who let their animals live outdoors, or who get angry if their animals rub against a wall and leave a mark. This is not a story about how awful pit bulls are--it's a story about how awful owners can be, and why there should be as many restrictions on adopting an animal as adopting a child.
February 3, 2009 at 1:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
UrGatorbait (anonymous) says...
"This breed of dog is dangerous and needs to be outlawed. "
No idiot owners like this need to be outlawed not the dogs along with people like you, no wait, you provide comic relief.
February 3, 2009 at 2:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
youngatheart (anonymous) says...
Slow, that was an Staffordshire Terrier on the Little Rascals not a Pit. Helen Keller had an Akita.
February 3, 2009 at 2:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
UrGatorbait (anonymous) says...
"you sent bias stats produced by sites for pitbulls. ypu loose, i win."
Your stats could be considred biased also there bright spark. Your argument is well formed for good playground or 6 year old discussion you excel at or just maybe the mark of a quality hayseed education. Now try again discussing things or disproving them with something else other than an infantile argument. C'mon put on yer thinkin' cap sparky. You can do it.
February 3, 2009 at 2:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kszimmer7 (anonymous) says...
AKC MEET THE BREEDS®: American Staffordshire Terrier
Courageous and strong, the American Staffordshire Terrier (Am Staff)'s athletic build and intelligence make him ideally suited to many dog sports such as obedience, agility, tracking and conformation. He is often identified by his stocky body and strong, powerful head. The breed's short coat can be any color, and either solid colored, parti-colored or patched.
A Look Back
Until the early 19th century, the Bulldog used for bullbaiting in England was more active and longer-legged than the breed as we know it today. It is thought that the cross of this older Bulldog and a game terrier breed created the Staffordshire Terrier. Originally called the Bull-and-Terrier Dog, Half and Half or Pit Dog, it became known as the Staffordshire Bull Terrier in England. When accepted for AKC registration in 1936, the name changed to American Staffordshire Terrier to reflect the heavier American type and to distinguish them as separate breeds.
Right Breed for You?
The Am Staff is a people-oriented dog that thrives when he is made part of the family and given a job to do. Although friendly, this breed is loyal to his family and will protect them from any threat. His short coat is low-maintenance, but regular exercise and training is necessary.
If you are considering purchasing an American Staffordshire Terrier puppy, learn more here.
Terrier Group; AKC recognized in 1936.
Ranging in size from 17 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder.
General purpose dog.
February 3, 2009 at 2:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bigdrewsmoove (anonymous) says...
Youngatheart, Staffordshire Terriers are one of the dogs that people usually refer to as "Pit Bulls" along with American Staffordshire Terriers, Bull Terriers, American Bulldogs and of course American Pit Bull Terriers. So according to the media frenzy surrounding these dogs, the Little Rascals extremely violent ill tempered dog never ripped one of their little arms off.
February 3, 2009 at 2:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
youngatheart (anonymous) says...
Very true big.
February 3, 2009 at 2:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
slowcountry (anonymous) says...
Forget- I would be willing to bet the bloodline was tainted with bad breeding habits, like inbreeding. But at the end of the day all dogs are animals and susceptible to animal behaviour. But if such a breed were universally violent, we would see much larger rates of attacks. You can watch videos online of dog fights and you can also find videos of pitbulls working as therapy dogs in retirement homes. Again, the breeder and not the breed....
February 3, 2009 at 2:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
slowcountry (anonymous) says...
I have to disagree with you on the little rascals and helen keller's dogs..
February 3, 2009 at 3:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
forget (anonymous) says...
But, like I said, can you take that chance? Should you take that chance? I won't take the chance with MY child. The young woman that worked with me said that her boyfriend wouldn't get rid of the dogs for the baby. As a mother, to me, it would be MY responsibility to make sure that my baby was safe. That would mean removing myself and my child from that home. He apparently made his choice. He chose the dogs. I wouldn't take that chance. She disagreed with me. Her prerogative.
February 3, 2009 at 3:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
slowcountry (anonymous) says...
Forget- I do agree with you about this.. This breed is a very game driven breed, like most terriers, and are not the best choice for families with small children. Or people who can't give them the space and excercise they require
February 3, 2009 at 3:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ThePhink (anonymous) says...
I have a German Shepard and Pit mix. Yes my 7 year old daughter plays with him. She has since he was a puppy. Come in my yard while she is out playing try to even approach her. The dog loves her to death and you would be the one in trouble. He has never bit anyone but you can tell when his protective instincts kick in. You come in with someone in the family you are fine and he would love to play with you. You come in by yourself you will probably get whats coming to you. It is his territory and he has that right. If you think he is a killer how about the 3 kittens he took at seperate times and became their surrogate mother/father? Nope they all sleep with him and you wouldn't mess with them either.
It is the owner and not the dog.
By the way my dachshund will bite you before he will. And yes the dachshund loves him also.
February 3, 2009 at 4:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
number1volsfan1 (anonymous) says...
I have an idea, instead of killing the breed, let's eliminate the idiot thug and gangster mentality that is consuming our nation's youth.
February 3, 2009 at 4:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandnateater (anonymous) says...
gatordick, i lmao every day at your ignorant posts.
February 3, 2009 at 4:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eatmorecollards (anonymous) says...
I just can't see any use for pit bulls, other than what they were bread for. Fighting other dogs in a pit. Since dog fighting is illegal, what good are they?
I wonder what the man in the article thinks about them now that they have cost him $9,000.
February 3, 2009 at 4:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
forget (anonymous) says...
Phink - I guess it is your prerogative, like I said about the young woman that worked for me. But for me, I don't take the chance. Not worth it. I would hate to come home after work and walk into the house and find that my pet mauled my daughter after school. Don't have to worry about that with the "weener dog".
February 3, 2009 at 4:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
edwardh1 (anonymous) says...
dog owners usually say
"he has never bitten anyone"
or
"he got out by accidentz"
February 3, 2009 at 4:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ParkCircle4Ever (anonymous) says...
The reason people own these dogs, is that when the idiots who get them as puppies to make them all 'tough' can't take care of them and the skin and bones 6 month old adorable puppy wanders the street and softies like me take them in... now my old shep/lab mix wouldn't let a squirrel cross his path, but my now 10 year old pit is nothing but a fat ball of fur whose major problem is that he licks too much. Any dog can be viscious, especially when idiot thugs decide that if rappers and football players glorify them as fighting dogs that they need them too. Give ME a 'BRAKE.'
February 3, 2009 at 5:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coolfreaknbeans (anonymous) says...
Bingo edwardh1. It's like serial killers. How many people do you hear say ," Yeah we knew he was a looney SOB. The neighbors had running bets on how many bodies he had in his crawl space." Or a pitbull owner saying, "Yeah we knew he'd rip some someones limb off eventually." It's always the quiet neighbor or the sweet dog.
February 3, 2009 at 6:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
walleyedwoman1215 (anonymous) says...
edwardh1 wrote: dog owners usually say 'he has never bitten anyone...'"
Reminds me of the time my father was delivering something to a wealthy woman's home. When he walked up the driveway her dog bristled and growled. He yelled and the woman opened a window and called down, "He won't hurt you. Bring it around to the back door."
The dog nailed him 10 seconds later. Dad staggered around to the "delivery entrance" with the dog latched to his leg and blood streaming into his shoe. The woman was waiting on the verandah. Dad screamed at her, "He's a real sweetheart, lady!" The woman fainted and fell down the steps.
The year was 1958. The dog was a Doberman. Before that Dad was only afraid of one thing: God. Afterwards he added Doberman pinschers to the list.
February 3, 2009 at 6:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
devilsadvocate77 (anonymous) says...
Its the breed. An owner does not have to abuse a pit bull to make it mean. They just have to basically leave it on its own and its natural instinct will become dominant. Its instinct is for aggressive behavior plain and simple. And it is equipped for doing damage with it large jaw and blunt head. Leave a poodle to its own way and it too will revert to natural defenses. Thing is a poodle instinct is to bite but not to hang on with the type of pressure a pit bulls jaw can produce.
February 3, 2009 at 6:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
UrGatorbait (anonymous) says...
Any dogs natural instinct and will to survive will prevail. If the dog was alone devil than you might have a case, the dog wasn't alone. It wasn't under control by owner.
February 3, 2009 at 6:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
UrGatorbait (anonymous) says...
"This is not a story about how awful pit bulls are--it's a story about how awful owners can be, and why there should be as many restrictions on adopting an animal as adopting a child."
Well said jszimmer
sandnat, when you have nothing else to say or can't support an argument or a position, than I guess name calling is all you have left.
February 3, 2009 at 6:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
UrGatorbait (anonymous) says...
sandnat...
"as usual when someone gets defeated on these blogs they resort to picking peoples grammar and spelling apart. it's typos, get over it. it doesn't mean their arguments get thrown out on technicality. you still loose blue."
shoulda put calling posters names to complete the trifecta.
February 3, 2009 at 7:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sassyfras1 (anonymous) says...
kszimmer7 your assumptions make you sound ignorant.
First my dog was well exercised, well kept, and trained. She was trained by a professional dog trainer. I knew what type of dog I was GIVEN. That is the reason she was trained. I spent years being a responsible owner. Just like all of the pitbull advocates are claiming is needed to make a well adjusted animal. Finally when push came to shove she needed to go! Please do not be so presumptious to think that I handed my problem off to someone else.
Like I said IT broke my heart! I love dogs they are the best pets but Pitbulls ARE dangerous. Bottom line!!!
She was only killing animals "right" but what if it was a child she set her sights on. I could not live with that and she could not be trained to go beyond what was just in her nature.
February 3, 2009 at 7:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kszimmer7 (anonymous) says...
My comments are not ignorant. If you were given a pit bull and did not know how to handle the breed, then you should have sought more professional training help, or you should have referred the "giver" to a pit bull rescue with people who understood how to handle a dog that was apparently going through a transition. I worked for an animal advocacy clinic for a long time, and watched as animals were abandoned daily under the auspices of a good reason, the people couldn't help it, giving up the animal "broke [their] heart[s]s." It is unbelievable. When you accept responsibility for a creature that cannot stand up for itself, you do everything you can not to pass the responsibility off or kill a loving animal in the prime of its' life. If everyone decided to use the option of having to give up an animal because they just couldn't handle it, then we would be overrun with needy animals....oh wait, tons of people do that already. The statistic back in 2006 of animals returned after adoption was 75%. There's no excuse for that, unless, like I said earlier, the pet owner dies. And even then, you should provide for your pet's placement in a will.
February 3, 2009 at 8:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kszimmer7 (anonymous) says...
And didn't you say you lived in the country? I guess it's wrong to assume, but I'm going to go ahead and assume that because of the rural area, you had some space to work with? So you could have put together a fenced-in area with plenty of room to run? Plus, no one should be handed an animal. If you aren't paying an adoption fee for your newest family member, then be skeptical of the background. Ask a lot of questions. And have a plan. Regardless, we can "should" all day. What needs to be done is an incredible screening process to adopt an animal. And vets need to be screening as well--asking new clients where they got their animal, what their plans are, etc. And neighbors need to be watching and reporting the behavior of each others. And NO ONE needs to be supporting breeders.
February 3, 2009 at 8:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lilmia86 (anonymous) says...
if you want to see how the American Pit bull terrier stacks up in the American temperament test check it out:
http://www.atts.org/stats1.html
they scored an 84.3%, which is better than many common "sweet" dogs
Cocker Spaniel 81.7%
Aulstralian shepard 80.5%
Border collie 80.3%
Dachshund 78.6%
Punish the deed not the breed
February 3, 2009 at 9:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cubfan (anonymous) says...
My really nice, normal next door neighbors had a pit bull. Until it bit my then 12-year-old daughter in the face. TOTALLY unprovoked. She was not teasing it, not playing rough..never would. My daughter knows how to behave around dogs, she has had them all her life. This particular dog was nice every time my daughter saw her and then one day it just jumped on her and bit her face. Thank GOD she just has a scar on her nose.
The neighbors down the street had two pit bulls. They chased my 6-year-old daughter INTO my house one day. If not for our our German shepherd/beagle/lab mix getting between them and our son physically pushing these dogs out of our house I don't know what would have happened. She was just playing in the yard and they came from nowhere. A few weeks later, they attacked another neighbor who was walking her dog, and nearly killed the dog.
It's not golden retrievers, labs, pugs, etc chasing and biting my kids..it is pit bulls. I live in a nice neighborhood around nice people-but we shouldn't have to stay inside just because our neighbors want to own pit bulls.
February 4, 2009 at 3:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jammer007 (anonymous) says...
Sandnateater is an idiot.
February 5, 2009 at 2:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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