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    John Lynds
  • 11 years ago
    • Categories: News

Pitbull Attacks Have Residents Concerned

Three pitbull attacks this summer in East Boston, two of which occurred this month, has officials wondering what can be done to prevent more attacks in the future.

The most recent attack occurred last week when Eastie resident Jessica Lee Jones walking her two dogs. Jones stopped to talk to two neighbors when two pitbulls came from out of nowhere and attacked her dogs. The attack left Jones’s hands and legs bloodied as she tried to prevent the attacking dogs from mauling her two corgis.

The other attacks occurred on August 5 and July 27.

During the August 5 attack, a pitbull killed a cocker spaniel and was later euthanized by the owner.

On July 27 a pitbull bit an Eastie resident after the owner invited the victim to pet the dog.

“Dog owners need to be responsible and there is a leash law and dogs need to be on a leash no longest than 10 feet when out in public,” said District 7 interim Capatain Tim Connolly. “From a police perspective and from a public safety perspective all dogs should be muzzled because that is the only way to reduce bites.”

However, Boston’s 2004 muzzle law for pitbulls and other dog breeds was overturned last year at the state level.

These latest terrifying incidents have raised questions over the state law that prohibits legislation or city ordnances that target a specific dog breed.

Last October two pitbulls went on a rampage and terrorized residents in Jeffries Point and Maverick Square. Police had to shoot one of the two pitbulls after the dogs broke through a screen door, killed a cat, attacked a teenager and chased people around Sumner Street.

At the time Mayor Thomas Menino complained that the state went forward with overturning the muzzle law without consulting cities and towns that would be affected.

“In Boston we view this as a public safety issue and will work aggressively to find a solution,” said Menino.

Both Menino and City Councilor Sal LaMattina have advocated for laws requiring owners of pitbulls to register their dogs with the city and require owners to muzzle the animals when in public.

“What happen in East Boston underscores the need to have vigilance,” said Menino. “While we don’t believe this entire breed is evil there has been problems with pitbulls in the past both in Boston and nationally. People have gotten hurt, other animals have gotten killed so there is a pattern.”

For his part, LaMattina worked with Councilor Rob Consalvo to pass a home rule petition to force pitbull owners to muzzle their pet.

“I’m very concerned because this is a very scary situation for everyone involved,” said LaMattina.

A 9-year review of fatal dog attacks in the United States determined that, of the 101 attacks in which breed was recorded, pit bulls were implicated in 42% of those attacks.

Another study found that 94% of attacks on children by pit bulls were unprovoked, compared to 43% for other breeds

The authors wrote: “Attacks by pit bulls are associated with higher morbidity rates, higher hospital charges, and a higher risk of death than are attacks by other breeds of dogs. Strict regulation of pit bulls may substantially reduce the US mortality rates related to dog bites”.

John Lynds:

View Comments (54)

  • Problem is people aren't getting their dogs spayed and neutered so the unstable dogs are breeding like rabbits. If everyone who is not a licensed breeder sterilized their dogs we could work on breeding the aggression out as best we can. Just like how they used to pick the aggressive ones back in the day for dog fighting we can pick the more docile and stable ones now, it's not too late to save this beautiful breed! BSL solves nothing, we need to get rid of it now before they come after YOUR breed!

    • Pits are disproportionately owned not as companions but as weapons, for fighting, for making money breeding more pits, or owned for the vicarious AGGRESSION, power and virility they provide their owners.

      In our area, 2 groups provide free pit spay/neuter, but even with these programs, most pits are not spayed/neutered. Most pits live short brutal lives.

      Sarah mentions the breeding of "unstable dogs". Oh my, she doesn't understand! The attacking pits are doing exactly what pits were designed to do: attack for no reason, without first trying to avoid a fight. That's essential for winning dog fights and pits are the best. Proof is with literally countless breeds/combinations, all USA dog fighters choose only pits.

      Tragically the current pit bully people/ pit mongers do not care about the welfare of others and they don't even care about the welfare of pits any more than those who fight dogs do. Oh, the pit "advocates" will fight over a particular pit here and there, but that's not because they care about pit welfare, that's because they LOVE to fight. Remember, that's one of the aspects that attracts them to pits, aggression.

      Spend some time with the BULLY people. Here's what they say, "Beware of dog? No, beware of owner". and "My dog may not start the fight but she will finish it." Imagine saying that about a human? My teenage son won't start a fight, but if a 5 year old throws a tantrum and kicks my son in the leg, my 180 pound, 6' son will quickly strangle the little boy and gouge his eyes out. Hey, the little kid started it!"

      Muzzle dogs? Keep dogs SAFE? Why, that would only happen if pit owners cared about the welfare of their dogs and others. See above.

      Want proof that pit BULLY people do not care? Their refusal to offer or accept any breed specific solutions to this breed specific crisis.
      Some even say, "What crisis?" Oh, those 900,000 too many pits being born annually, so that many MUST be killed in pounds, if only to make room for the next swarm of surplus, homeless pits. Those pits suffering and dying before, during and after fights. The thousands of pits' victim neighbors, passersby, pets/people, who are attacked by "good" pits for no reason, other than the pits' instincts and the fact that the pit was aware of the victims; existence. Good pits have worked for hours to chew into homes to reach their victim, again, simply because the pit knew the victim was there.

      Re: Sarah's "let's breed out dog aggression." Won't happen,. Those who "love" pits love pit dog aggression. That's what attracts them to pits. "Dog aggression is what makes a pit a pit." "Pits are the warriors, the gladiators of the dog world.".

      There IS a kind sane solution: MANDATORY spay/neuter microchipping (MSNM) of all pits, pit mixes, all dog-aggressive dogs. Now that dog fighting is illegal, it's time to make breeding THE fighting dog illegal too. It is the only hope to end dog fighting too.

      Breeders of other dogs: know who is buying your pups and for what purpose. When in doubt, spay/neuter pups before sale, to prevent selective breeding for increasing reactivity and dog aggression. If you fail and over the decades your breed becomes the "next pit bull", your breed is added to the MSNM Law. It would take many many generations to create a "game" fighting dog from a non-bully breed.

      No responsible owner is punished, as his dogs are spays/neuters. If a lab mix is misidentified, no problem she gets a free spay.

      As human population grows, we are forced to live closer together. What we do, therefore, effects each other more and more. I do not have the right to burn trash outdoors on a windy day during a dry spell if it puts my neighbors' homes at risk.

      The bully's right to breed more dogs designed to attack FOR NO REASON, to attack WITHOUT WARNING must end where it robs neighbors of their safety and well-being on public sidewalks and inside their own homes.

      Colby, pit fancier/fighter, breeder, author wrote: "inasmuch as dog fighting is illegal... as long as these dogs are bred there will be pit contests to prove who owns the better fighting dog." Of course, he got that right! But with his words, he also tells us how to end dog fighting: stop breeding pits.

      While it is true that sadistic, sociopathic humans selectively bred the pit bull into existence, that is not sufficient reason to continue breeding more of them. These man-made mutations to attack and not stop, even without training to do so, makes pits victims too. Let's stop making more victims.

      • Breeding out aggression is possible just like it's possible to breed out a certain color or to make the dog have short legs or floppy ears. You could never breed it out entirely, every breed has their bad apples but you could make a difference. And the only people who want a pit bull for the aggression are idiots, honestly I've never heard one person ever say they wanted a pit because it was a "gladiator". I do hear them say they want a pit bull because they are loving, fun and active. In fact a lot of people I know desperately want their pit to be friendly and play with other dogs. Sometimes that's not possible but you have to know your dog, and be able to read your dog's body language. They do give warnings, however brief, however subtle, like dilated pupils, stiffening of the body or their hair standing up. Once again, you have to know your dog which is why not everyone needs to own this kind of dog, it takes a lot of responsibility and not everyone has the time and energy to put into these dogs to make them safe. Hell, most of them can't even be bothered to keep them on a leash or contained in their yards! We can't just wipe them out and avoid taking any personal responsibility what sort of plan is that? We bred the aggression in, we can breed it out. These dogs have been around for a long time and only in the last couple of decades has this become a problem. There has to be a better way then killing them all. Sharks attack people, let's wipe them out! Bees and spiders kill people, add them to the list. Cars kill people, but I doubt any of you people would willingly hand your vehicle over and start hoofing it to work every day. Hey! People kill people! Let's start spaying and neutering ourselves and stop "creating victims"! You can't punish everyone for something only a few do.

        • The people you know who claim they "want their pit to be friendly and play with other dogs," are lying. If they wanted such a dog, they would NOT have chosen a pit bull in the first place! Attempting to turn a pit bull into such a pet is equivalent to trying to turn a French poodle into an Alaskan sled dog!
          You claim pit bulls give a warning, but people who have a lot more experience with dogs than you or your "friends" dispute this. Pit bulls have been specially bred to attack without warning so as not to waste time growling, raising their hackles and attempting to intimidate the other dog in the fighting ring. As for "dilated pupils," most people aren't close enough to observe a pit bull's "pupils" when they are attacked by some marauding land shark!

        • Sarah-you raise a good point.I am a pit bull owner who never set out to have one,but when fate brings a needy animal to me,I know I am to take it in.
          You said there are 900,000 pit bulls being bred each year?Hmmmm....
          If they are all evil monsters,WHERE ARE THE 900,000
          MURDERED OWNERS????????

    • Don't bother with the histrionics. Us border collie owners, spaniel owners, etc, aren't shaking in our shoes. The only 'breeds' that are / will be banned are you many pit bull types and variations. This does include the various molosser types you've mixed pit / bulldog into. You've had forty years to take care of the problem and have miserably failed. 98% of the population wants the government to step in and take care of it once and for all -- ban the monsters.

      • Lol, it's actually more like the opposite, most people want to end BSL, that percentage is ridiculous. Even the president doesn't believe in BSL so good luck with your genocide, I don't think its going to turn out so well, though. Cocker spaniel owners ought to be afraid, I've been bitten myself by three seperate cocker spaniels, and I know a lot of other people who have also been bitten by one. God lord, It's an epidemic! Ban all spaniels!

        • Tell that to the people of Miami-Dade, Florida! Last summer, there was a vote on whether or not to keep the 1989 BSL law in place and even though all the pit nutters, newspaper/TV websites, etc. were claiming BSL would be overturned, when the people voted, two-thirds voted in favor of BSL!
          As for "the president," there are a LOT of congressional elections next year and by coming out in favor of pit bulls, he's catering to white trash in hopes they will vote for the Democrats in the next elections!
          Finally, the word "genocide" did not enter the English language until 1944 and the definition of genocide is "the deliberate and systematic destruction of a racial, political or cultural group." So please tell us, Sarah Hunter, to which "racial, political or cultural group" do DOGS belong?

  • per the article: "A 9-year review of fatal dog attacks in the United States determined ..."

    How about citing a source on this? Kind of hard to decide the credibility of the study not knowing who conducted it or their methodology.

    • Actually, the CDC said this, from
      the 1998 report, page 4: "Despite these limitations and concerns
      (about breed identification), the data indicate that Rottweilers and pit bull-type dogs
      accounted for 67% of human DBRF in the United States between 1997 and 1998. It
      is extremely unlikely that they accounted for anywhere near 60% of dogs in the
      United States during that same period and, thus, there appears to be a
      breed-specific problem with fatalities."

      The situation has only gotten worse since then. Pit bull types and mixes are responsible for 95% of deaths by dog attack this year so far.

  • During the nine year study of fatal dog attacks how many fatal attacks on people were commited by people? I trust my pitbull over ANY stranger. The old saying is true. There are no bad dogs, just ignorant owners.

  • The neglected, chained outside beagle breaks free and the beagle roams the neighborhood. His instinct guides him to follow his nose, barking, chasing rabbits. He barks that annoying beagle bark. He was not trained to sniff and run. Theses behaviors feel good and right to a beagle.

    The pit bull escapes. Centuries of selective breeding causes him to feel the urge to tug, crush, not stop. He finds a victim, it might be a neighbor dog or if another dog isn't handy, an elderly neighbor filling her bird feeders in her own, fenced back yard (happened 8/20/13 in Passiac NJ. )

    Neither the beagle or the pit bull is abused or angry when acting on their instincts. "Good" pit bulls are happy when mauling, thanks to those many generations of heritage to do so.

    Become pit bull aware: Good YouTube videos, showing pits bulls doing their happy tugging mauling skills, are "must sees" for those who think that breed doesn't matter.

    These videos should be show at every Pit Bull AWARENESS Day.

    Paste these words into YouTube search bar

    (These behaviors are that of "good" pit bulls, doing what they were created to do, what many LOVE to do) Note their waggy tails.

    Weird pit bull attack random

    Bullseye hang time

    “pit bull vs cavalo"

    cuida tu pitbull para que no suseda esto

    Pit Bull Attacks Owners wife

    "pitbull kills its owner"

    "man stops to help woman during dog attack"

    Pet Pit Bull eats owners arm off!! we've had it since it was
    a puppy,

    Pet Pit Bull attacks owner - "He was my baby!"

    “Pet Pit Bull attacks owner whilst he's driving,
    SHELBYVILLE, KY.”

    "father saves son, 5, from dog attack"

    Pit Bull attacks herd of Cattle in the U.K

    2 Pit Bulls attack woman sitting on porch - Pipe, car, club
    required to sto

    Pet Pit bull attacks owner, mauling arms, wrists &
    abdomen – Middletown

    Pet Pit Bull attacks 15 yr old owner, 911 call - New Jersey (dispatch: “Can
    she get away from the dog?” Caller: “No he’s locked onto her arm!”

    Family Pit Bull attacks 2 yr old boys face - "he played
    with it all the time"

    Dog [Pitbull] Attacks Police Car Rips Off Bumper!!

    “Pit Bull attacking poor little dog on the street” (this is filmed sideways but shows “good” LOCKING JAW) Poor pit takes a beating.

    Pitbull Pack Mauled 63-Old Jogger to Death, Dog Owner
    Arrested for Murder in Littlerock

    “Dangerous dog almost kills another dog”

    Pit Bull attacks increase vicious dog laws - "He yelped
    twice, then I knew

    Pit Bull mauls man
    protecting niece - "It had him on the ground just tearing a

    American Staffie Mix kills 2 yr old boy - "It wasn't a
    vicious dog, it was a pet"

    Pit Bulls attack owner

    Poodle, Others Attacked By 2 Pit Bulls

    Pit Bulls attack 89 year old lady in Tucson - 08/Mar/2012

    • Were pit bulls bred to be guard dogs or have human aggressive traits? No, so your argument is just meant for the ignorant. Pit Bulls were never bred to be human aggressive at all- which is why pit bulls rank for favorably in temperament testings- even better than your beloved beagles.

      The American Canine Temperament Association tests more dogs and dog breeds than any organization in America. Pit Bulls CONSISTENTLY score among the top of the list for friendliness, passing the tests at a high percentage than your aggressive beagles

      http://einhorninsurance.com/california-insurance/pit-bulls-pass-atts-temperament-test/

      86.4% of Pit Bulls tested by the ATTS had a good temperament.

      Golden Retriever = 84.9%

      Beagle =80.6%

      Bichon Frise =76.7%

      Chihuahua =71.1%

      Cocker Spaniel =81.9%

      Labrador Retriever = 92.4%

      Lhasa Apso = 70.4%

      Shih Tzu = 78%

      Yorkshire Terrier 82.5%

      • The ATTS, was NOT created to evaluate dogs for "pet" suitability. It was developed in 1977 by Alfons Ertelt and he was a printer, NOT an animal behaviorist. He owned German shepherds and was involved in the sport called shutzhund, which involves training dogs in the same manner in which police dogs are trained. The ATTS was intended to test working dogs for jobs such as police work and it favors bold animals, i.e., dogs that face danger head-on without hesitation or fear. Courage was a desirable trait, timidity an undesirable trait. Thus, German shepherds did much better on the ATTS than did collies and other timid breeds. In fact, 95% of the dogs that fail the ATTS do so because they "lack confidence," e.g., when approaching a weirdly-dressed stranger. Of course, pit bulls are going to score well on a test geared toward aggressive behavior because these monsters were bred for the purpose of fighting and killing other pit bulls and nothing deters them, certainly not weirdly-dressed strangers!

    • When my dogs escape (once a year)they go sniffing and urinating on every vertical object or looking for someone to pet them.When pitbulls get loose their on a mission to latch on to something or someone and kill it.

    • Debbie, you ignorant cunt,
      You know what other breeds were bred for fighting?
      Shar peis. That's right. Shar fucking peis, the lethargic, well folded snoozers who evoke more "Aws" than an orphan fundraiser skit.

      Who else, might such an ignorant, hateful cunt ask, be bred for fighting? How about the ferocious Boston Terriers, Rhodesian Ridgebacks and German shepherds.

      You, as well as your "point," are invalid.

      • Tehschmoop, you ignorant cunt (to use your own puerile names), look up the difference between "meat mouth" and "bone mouth" shar peis. Bone mouth are the fighting sharpeis, The ones bred in the west with the wrinkles are meat mouth sharpeis, you ignorant hateful cunt (to use your own puerile names) moron. Boston terriers were not bred for fighting you hateful ignorant cunt (to use your own puerile names) moron. They were the first "non-working breed" ever registered with the AKC, bred exclusively to be a companion animal, you ignorant cunt (to use your own puerile names) moron. Rhodesian Ridgebacks were bred for lion protection and German shepherds were bred specifically to be police and war dogs - but not to attack. You, as well as your "point," are invalid. moron. That's my word for you.

  • Thank you. You've verified what I posted. Neglected beagle, selective breeding equals ignorant irresponsible people.

  • Targeting the ONE breed which has been responsible for over 50% of dog related human fatalities EVERY decade since 1851, and about 65% of fatalities and life-altering maulings since 1980, a breed which has NEVER accounted for more than 5% of the US dog population makes sense. Unprovoked, explosive and disproportionate aggression in dogs is an inheritable brain dysfunction and appears as an anomaly in most breeds; but was selected for in fighting breeds. It cannot be loved, trained, or socialized out of a dog and here is the study that proves it: http://www.thetruthaboutpitbulls.blogspot.com/2013/07/the-science-of-how-behavior-is.html

    • Those are completely made up statistics. Pit Bulls weren't known as an aggressive breed until the 1980's. Before that there were few recordings of pit bull attacks. From the 1950's-1970's German Shepherds had the bad reputations. Talk to anyone over the age of 40 and they never heard of a pit bull attack as a child. Before the 1950's pit bulls were one of the most loved breeds in America. In fact they were nick named the "Nanny Dog" before this time period. You made up statistics aren't based on any reality. Find me 2 reports of a pit bull attack before 1950, let alone in the 1800's. Good luck!

      • Here ya go:

        July 1947, New York City (Bronx), NY
        Stanley Balaban, 11
        Fatal pit bull attack

        February 1945, Los Angeles County, CA
        Marguerite Theresa Derdenger, < 2
        Fatal pit bull attack

        May 1945, Dade County, FL
        Doretta Zinke, 39
        Fatal pit bull attack

        May 1940, Winkler County, TX
        Raleigh Leroy Henderson, 3
        Fatal dog attack involving bulldog (pit bull-type)

        December 1937, Wichita County, TX
        L. G. Brown, 71
        Fatal dog attack involving bulldogs (pit bull-type)
        In 1935, the American Kennel Club (AKC) beganrecognizing the pit bull breed, but only under name "Staffordshire Terrier."

        March 1934, Worcester County, MA
        Eunice Dean, 4
        Fatal dog attack involving bulldogs (pit bull-type)

        May 1931, Cook County, IL
        Mary Loretta Watson, Adult
        Fatal dog attack involving bulldog (pit bull-type)

        August 1919, Warren County, MS
        John Doe, Adult
        Fatal dog attack involving bulldog (pit bull-type)
        (Above) First documented instance of a bulldog used to savage an African American man to death in a violent race clash - Vicksburg, Mississippi.

        September 1917, New Orleans, LA
        John T. Michel, Jr., 4
        Fatal dog attack involving bulldog (pit bull-type)

        August 1917, New York City (Bronx), NY
        Ralph Perotta (John Potta), 9
        Fatal dog attack involving bull terrier (pit bull-type)

        September 1916, Johnston County, OK
        Jane Doe, 8
        Fatal dog attack involving bulldog (pit bull-type)

        December 1912, Jefferson County, AL
        Jasper Goff, 5
        Fatal dog attack involving bulldog (pit bull-type)

        June 1912, Cook County, IL
        Ignatz Obolhusky, < 1
        Fatal dog attack involving bulldog (pit bull-type)

        June 1911, Dutchess County, NY
        Esther Haight, 25
        Fatal dog attack involving bulldog (pit bull-type)
        By August 1911, Ogden enacted a pit "bulldog" ordinance. The dogs are known as a menace.
        Also, there is a public call to ban pit "bulldogs" in the District of Columbia after a series of attacks.

        May 1911, Jefferson County, IL
        John Doe Yearwood, 4
        Fatal dog attack involving bulldog (pit bull-type)

        March 1910, New York City (Manhattan), NY
        Bernard Romm, 10
        Fatal dog attack involving bulldog (pit bull-type)

        December 1909, New York City (Manhattan), NY
        Carl Limpert, Adult
        Fatal dog attack involving bull terrier (pit bull-type)

        November 1909, New York City (Manhattan), NY
        John Eldice, < 2
        Fatal dog attack involving bull terrier (pit bull-type)

        August 1909, New York City (Brooklyn), NY
        Laura Liebess, Adult
        Fatal dog attack involving bulldog (pit bull-type)

        February 1909, Essex County, MA
        Bert Colby Leadbetter, 2
        Fatal pit bull attack

        May 1908, Baltimore County, MD
        George Davis, 30
        Fatal dog attack involving bulldog (pit bull-type)

        March 1908, Hamilton County, OH
        Baby Doe, < 1
        Fatal pit bull attack

        September 1907, Philadelphia County, PA
        Jefferson Norris, Adult
        Fatal dog attack involving bulldogs (pit bull-type)

        July 1907, Logan County, OK
        Baby Doe Manning, 2
        Fatal dog attack involving bulldog (pit bull-type)

        May 1907, Knox County, IN
        Baby Doe Miller, 2
        Fatal dog attack involving bulldog (pit bull-type)

        February 1907, Plymouth County, MA
        Margaret Goss, Adult
        Fatal dog attack involving bulldogs (pit bull-type)

        February 1907, Philadelphia County, PA
        Lena Smith, Adult
        Fatal dog attack involving bulldog (pit bull-type)

        May 1906, Lamar County, TX
        Mrs. James Crow, Adult
        Fatal dog attack involving bulldog (pit bull-type)

        June 1905, Cook County, IL
        Yvonne Davis, < 2
        Fatal dog attack involving bulldog (pit bull-type)

        July 1902, Alleghany County, VA
        Pedestrian John Doe
        Fatal dog attack involving bulldog (pit bull-type)

        January 1902, Westchester County, NY
        Mary Kelly, 5
        Fatal dog attack involving bulldog (pit bull-type)

        September 1901, Mercer County, PA
        Mabel Mahon, 6
        Fatal dog attack involving bulldog (pit bull-type)

        August 1901, Sangamon County, IL
        Martha Baxter, Adult
        Fatal dog attack involving bulldog (pit bull-type)

        September 1900, Jefferson County, KY
        Baby Doe Johnston < 1
        Fatal dog attack: bulldog-ratter (pit bull-type)
        In April 1898, pit bull fancier Chauncey Z. Bennettformed the United Kennel Club (UKC), the first club to recognize the pit bull breed.

        December 1897, Ashtabula County, OH
        Clifford Squires, 6
        Fatal dog attack involving bulldog (pit bull-type)

        June 1896, Albemarie County, VA
        Johnnie Martin, 11
        Fatal dog attack involving bulldogs (pit bull-type)

        June 1896, Racine County, WI
        Harry Acklam, 7
        Fatal dog attack involving bulldogs (pit bull-type)
        By August 1896, Sacramento enacted a pit "bulldog" ordinance. The dogs are known as savage.
        Also, there is a public call to ban pit "bulldogs" in the City of Chicago after a series of attacks.

        February 1896, Bergen County, NJ
        Maggie Gorman, 6
        Fatal dog attack involving bulldogs (pit bull-type)
        First documented home invasion attack.

        June 1894, Schuylkill County, PA
        Frank Tory, Child
        Fatal pit bull attack

        May 1894, Mercer County, KY
        Mary Brand, 16
        Fatal dog attack involving bulldog (pit bull-type)

        June 1892, Cook County, IL
        Herman Kronkaw, 2
        Fatal dog attack involving bulldog (pit bull-type)

        April 1891, Los Angeles County, CA
        Don Shorb, 7
        Fatal dog attack involving bulldog (pit bull-type)

        April 1891, Dubuque County, IA
        John Doe Meyer, 10
        Fatal dog attack involving bulldog (pit bull-type)

        March 1891, Berks County, PA
        "Birdie" Miller, Child
        Fatal dog attack involving bulldog (pit bull-type)

        September 1889, Racine County, WI
        Joseph Hurtzen, 9
        Fatal dog attack involving bulldog (pit bull-type)

        July 1889, Hamilton County, OH
        John Pumphrey, 73
        Fatal dog attack involving bulldogs (pit bull-type)

        May 1889, Licking County, OH
        John Doe, 6
        Fatal dog attack involving bulldog (pit bull-type)

        October 1888, Cumberland/Franklin Counties, PA
        Isaac Lifter, Adult
        Fatal dog attack involving bulldogs (pit bull-type)

        March 1887, New Haven County, CT
        Baby Doe Sweeney, 3
        Fatal pit bull attack

        March 1886, Cook County, IL
        Georgie Johnson, 5
        Fatal dog attack involving bulldog (pit bull-type)

        September 1885, Greene County, OH
        Jane Doe Parsons, 4
        Fatal dog attack involving bulldog (pit bull-type)

        July 1885, Lehigh County, PA
        Baby Doe Beining, < 1
        Fatal dog attack involving bulldog (pit bull-type)

        February 1881, McKean County, PA
        Miss Shearer, 16
        Fatal dog attack involving bulldog (pit bull-type)

        July 1879, Bergen County, NJ
        Sammy Ryer, Child
        Fatal dog attack involving bulldog (pit bull-type)

        September 1878, Stark County, OH
        Jane Doe Applinger, 3
        Fatal dog attack involving bulldog (pit bull-type)

        March 1877, Hamilton County, OH
        Jane Doe Boote, Child
        Fatal dog attack involving bulldog (pit bull-type)

        January 1858, Brooklyn County, NY
        Eddie Johnston, Child
        Fatal dog attack involving bulldogs (pit bull-type)

        factU.S. fatal pit bull attacks have reached 220 since 1998; the last year the CDC studied fatal dog attack data. In the last 8-year period of the CDC study (1991 to 1998), pit bulls averaged 2.8 deaths per year. From 2005 to 2012, the most recent 8-year period, pit bulls averaged 18.8 per year, an increase of 670%.

        • Then there are the life flights caused by pit bulls. Here's the a few from this year so far. For the complete list see:

          http://occupymaulstreet.blogspot.nl/2013/01/pit-bulls-should-they-be-called-life.html

          Aug 2013, Magee, MS; Relative's pit bull pulls two year old boy off of a swing to get him down on the ground and scalp him. Airlifted to hospital in Jackson after family members pry the animals jaws off of his head. "Never showed signs of aggression before"

          Aug 2013, Antioch, CA; 10 year old boy mauled severely on the head and arms while visiting pit owning friends over the weekend. Flown to UC Davis to get sewn back together. His family is holding a medical fundraiser in lieu of the pit owners taking care of his galactic medical bills

          July 2013, Escambia County, FL; 63 year old woman had taken in two stray pit bulls for 5 months and cared for them. All was fine until they went pit bull and tried to kill her and the other "family pit bull". Flown by EMS to USA Medical Center in Mobile

          July 2013, Hoisington, KS; Neighbor's pit bull jumps a fence to maul a 4 year old boy playing in the back yard. Flown to Wichita Hospital with severe injuries to his face and arm

          June 2013, Clay County, IN; Diabetic Pit Nutter dreams of his pit bull licking his toes. He wakes up to find two toes missing and working their way through his pit bull's digestive tract. Airlifted.

          June 2013, Green County, TN; 2 year old boy wanders into the chained Canine IED in the back yard. Airlifted to Johnson City Medical Treatment Center for severe head wound after a police deputy shoots the thing

          May 2013, Coffeyville, KS; 2 year old girl mauled by one of her family's five pit bulls then airlifted to Wesley Medical Center. The family decides to euthanize all five of the animals Leg severed at just 2 days old!

          May 2013, Wilson County, TN; 2 year old is attacked and mauled, then flown to Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Sheriff: "Dog and owners not at fault since the dog was on-property". 13 Pit Bull DBRFs and 21 pit-life flights so far in 2013...

          May 2013, Henderson County, TX; Child attacked by a pit bull in a home near Eustace. Life flighted to Dallas Hospital in critical condition

          May 2013, Daytona Beach, FL; 27 year old out on a walk with her six year old daughter takes a mauling from 5 containment breaking pit bulls to save her daughter. Flown to Halifax Medical Center

          April 2013, Bradenton, FL; Family pit bull with previous 2X bite history grabs 6 year old boy by the head and neck and thrashes until family members can beat it to release.
          The boy is life flighted to a nearby hospital

          April 2013, Prairie City, IA; 4 year old Jordan Arndt is mauled by her baby sitter's American Staffa-shredder. She is life flighted to the hospital but she doesn't survive, becoming the 28th US pit bull DBRF victim in the last 365 days

          April 2013, Buckeye, AZ; Two boys playing in their backyard are attacked by the family pit bull when they remove a chew toy from it's mouth and the canine idiot decides to use them as chew toys. One of the boys is airlifted

          April 2013, Bay County, FL; Medical fund set up for 7 year old Tyler Jett, who took not one but two life flights after being pulled off his bike and mauled by neighbor's two loose pit mixes. The perp tried washing the blood off the animals and has been arrested on evidence tampering and drug charges DBRF!

          March 2013, Brownsville, TX; 8 year old boy savaged about the face and head by neighbor's Pit Bull. Life flighted to San Antonio hospital

          March 2013, Springfield, OH; Pit owner attacked and bull baited when he breaks up a scuffle between his pit bulls. Poured into life flight chopper

          March 2013, Bishopville, SC; Police officer mauled while investigating a neighborhood drug deal. Flown to the trauma center with serious groin injuries and will be out of work for a month. Another classic pit bull net drain on society moment!

          In 2007, Houston allowed a "Pit Bull Task Force" influence local dog safety policy. F-Minus grade assigned
          March 2013, Baytown, TX; 12 year old girl flown to Houston's Memorial Hermann (Again!!) after going over to pit mix owning friend's house.

          March 2013, Macon, GA; 5 year old boy scalped by pit bull while visiting his Grandmother. The boy's life is saved by neighbor who broke through fence. Caesar Milan wannabee Uncle stood over the incident shouting ineffectual release commands. Flown to Boston and in the ICU

          March 2013, Athens, GA; 8 year old boy airlifted to Egleston Hospital in Atlanta after being mauled by the family pit bull when visiting a friend's house

          March 2013, Walworth County, WI; 14 month old toddler attacked by two pit bulls at his baby sitter's house. Life flighted to Milwaukee Hospital where he dies from his injuries. The owner was injured during the rescue attempt despite owning the animals since they were cubs.

          March 2013, Dundalk, MD; Pit breeder claims the dog in the video is a pit-beagle mix. One thing for sure... it's a life flight doggie!

          Feb 2013, Lakewood, NJ; 10 month old girl gets too close to the family Nanni-mauler while it feeds. MEDEVAC'd to the Jersey Shore University Medical Center and in Critical Condition

          Feb 2013, Grand Isle, NE; Woman staying at relatives is mauled saving her four year old son from the family pit bull. Airlifted to Bryan West Hospital. "Every bone in my hand, in my arm was broke and crushed and just scattered into pieces."

          Jan 2013, Montgomery County, TX; 4 year old Christian Germanous becomes Texas' 44th pit bull DBRF victim. Mauled by neighbor's pit bull, life flighted and later dies at the hospital DBRF!

          Jan 2013, Lee County, FL; Family takes in stray pit bull thought to be lost hog hunting animal. Three weeks later the three year old mauled about the head and neck then poured into a life flight helicopter

          Jan 2013, Beja, Portugal; 18 month old toddler falls on family pit bull. Life flighted to hospital in Lisbon with "severe head injuries" and dies two days later DBRF!

          Jan 2013, Fitchburg, MA; Mother and daughter attacked by another tenant's pit bull at an apartment complex. After the pit bull is stabbed off the victims, the mother is MEDEVAC'd with serious facial injuries and bites to her hands.

          Jan 2013, El Paso, TX; 67 year old woman attacked by breeding pit bull and has her thumb bitten off. Police Deputies were able to locate her thumb and it accompanied her on the air ambulance ride to local area hospital

        • Can you tell us what a "pit bull 'type'" dog is???? When people think "pit bull" they think of the American Pit Bull Terrier. You are referring to several different dog breeds and trying to pass them off as one single breed. Nice try buddy!

          • Pitbulls are not an official AKC breed. It's a dog type as defined by the American court system. BY LAW, in America, pitbulls are American Staffordshire terrier, Staffordshire Bull terriers, " registered" American Pit Bull terriers( APBT) and unregistered pitbulls an their mixes which is inclusive of AMERICAN Bulldogs ( not English Bulldogs). All the aforementioned dogs are descendants of UKC Stafforshire terriers. UKC Staffordshire terriers can STILL be "registered" as APBT in America. All unregisterd UKC and registered AKC Staffies and "registered" APBT can be registered as UKC APBT. Came from the same foundation dogs and still mixing blood. All these dogs are the same.

        • I had to reply here. First vicitm
          Stanley Balaban was attacked by bull terriers and were described as heat crazed. It was in the summer with record high heat.

          Maurguerite......Headline was Baby killed by jealous dog. .... the owner stated "the dog had never been friendly to the baby but never vicious." Well gee, lets see. Ummm I really dont think I have to say where the fault lied here do i????

          You get Doretta... those should have been shot.

          Raleigh was mauled by a bull dog, mangled and chewed to death. The child was left in the care of the dogs owner. Stupid owner again.

      • Here's more - all fatal:

        September 1885, Greene County, OH
        Jane Doe Parsons, 4
        Fatal dog attack involving bulldog (pit bull-type)

        July 1885, Lehigh County, PA
        Baby Doe Beining, < 1
        Fatal dog attack involving bulldog (pit bull-type)

        February 1881, McKean County, PA
        Miss Shearer, 16
        Fatal dog attack involving bulldog (pit bull-type)

        July 1879, Bergen County, NJ
        Sammy Ryer, Child
        Fatal dog attack involving bulldog (pit bull-type)

        September 1878, Stark County, OH
        Jane Doe Applinger, 3
        Fatal dog attack involving bulldog (pit bull-type)

        March 1877, Hamilton County, OH
        Jane Doe Boote, Child
        Fatal dog attack involving bulldog (pit bull-type)

        January 1858, Brooklyn County, NY
        Eddie Johnston, Child
        Fatal dog attack involving bulldogs (pit bull-type)

      • And do not spread the Nanny Dog myth. It kills children. Even Bad Rap has come out and admitted that the nanny dog is a dangerous myth. You are the one that is making things up, Dave.

      • So far this year, 19 people in the US have been killed by dogs and pit bulls murdered 16 of them. That's 84%. The percentage of dog attack fatalities attributable to pit bulls is rising every year.

        Additionally, neither the pit bull, nor any other dog was ever nicknamed the "Nanny Dog." This foolishness started with a 1971 article in the New York Times in which the president of a pit bull organization made an offhand comment. It wasn't intended to be taken seriously and only a fool would believe parents in the past would have entrusted their child to the care of a freaking dog!

        You ask for "2 reports of pit bull attack before 1950"? Why? What would that prove? I could give you hundreds, but I think Marc Brown (below) has already done this. So why don't we concentrate on one of the more famous pit bulls, the one Theodore Roosevelt owned while in the White House, the one pit nutters constantly cite as "proof" pit bulls are desirable dogs owned by famous people? "Pete," the pit bull, was such a vicious monster that he bit several people in the White House. After he chased French ambassador Jules Jusserand down a corridor and attacked him, ripping off the man pants and almost causing an international incident, Roosevelt ordered a White House footman to remove the dog, saying he never wanted to "lay eyes on it again." It is assumed the footman took "Pete" off and killed the demon dog.

      • For the sake of children everywhere never say the word nanny and dog in the context of ANY dog being a watcher of children. And like everyone else is telling you the pitbull nanny dog was and is a MYTH.

  • Fatalities reported
    in 2005

    News organizations reported at least 29 fatal dog attacks in the United States
    in 2005. The category of dog most commonly reportedly involved in these attacks
    were pit-bull type and pit-bull mixes (15 attacks), followed by Rottweilers (6
    attacks):

    Fatalities reported in 2006

    News organizations reported at least 30 fatal dog attacks in the United States
    in 2006. The category of dog most commonly reportedly involved in these attacks
    were pit-bull type and pit-bull mixes (16 attacks), followed by Rottweilers (9
    attacks).

    Fatalities reported in 2007

    News organizations reported at least 34 fatal dog
    attacks in the United States in 2007. The category of dog most commonly
    reportedly involved in these attacks were pit-bull type and pit-bull mixes (18
    attacks), followed by Rottweilers (4 attacks).

    Fatalities reported in 2008

    News organizations reported at least 23 fatal dog
    attacks in the United States in 2008. The category of dog most commonly
    reportedly involved in these attacks were pit-bull type and pit-bull mixes (14
    attacks), followed by Huskies (3 attacks).

    Fatalities reported in 2009

    News organizations reported at least 30 fatal dog
    attacks in the United States in 2009. The category of dog most commonly
    reportedly involved in these attacks were pit-bull type and pit-bull mixes (14
    attacks), followed by Rottweilers (4 attacks).

    Fatalities reported in 2010

    News organizations reported at least 34 fatal dog
    attacks in the United States in 2010. The category of dog most commonly
    reportedly involved in these attacks were pit-bull type and pit-bull mixes (18
    attacks), followed by Rottweilers (4 attacks).

    Fatalities reported in 2011

    News organizations reported at least 31 fatal dog
    attacks in the United States in 2011. The category of dog most commonly
    reportedly involved in these attacks were pit-bull type and pit-bull mixes (21
    attacks).

    Fatalities reported in 2012

    News organizations have reported 34 fatal dog
    attacks in the United States in 2012. The category of dog most commonly
    reportedly involved in these attacks were pit-bull type and pit-bull mixes (20
    attacks).

    Fatalities reported in 2013

    News organizations reported at least 18 fatal dog
    attacks in the United States so far in 2013. The category of dog most commonly
    reported involved in these attacks were pit-bull type and pit-bull mixes (16
    attacks), followed by German Shepherd (1) "large, longer haired, black
    "Mixed breed or Mastiff-Rotweiller (1)

  • 19 dead by dog attack so far in 2013. Pit bull type dogs killed eighteen of them. Eleven of the eighteen dead are children.
    Stars indicate people killed by a ‘family’ pit bull – ones that had been raised and cherished as an indoor pet, ‘never showed aggression before’, and knew the victim.

    Child fatalities by pit bull type dog (11):
    Christian Gormanous - 4 yrs old
    Isaiah Aguilar - 2 yrs old
    Ryan Maxwell - 7 yrs old **
    Dax Borchardt - 14 mos old **
    Monica Laminack - 21 mos old **
    Tyler Jett - 7 yrs old
    Jordyn Arndt - 4 yrs old **
    Beau Rutledge - 2 yrs old **
    Ayden Evans- 5 yrs old **
    Nephi Selu – 6 yrs old **
    Arianna Jolee Merrbach – 5 yrs old

    Adult fatalities by pit bull type (6):
    Betty Todd - 65 yrs old **
    Elsie Grace - 91 yrs old **
    Claudia Gallardo - 38 yrs old
    Pamela Devitt - 63 yrs old
    Carlton Freeman - 80 yrs old
    Linda Oliver – 63 yrs old

    (1 non-bite related fatality) James Harding - 62 yrs old - chased into traffic by two attacking pit bulls

    (1 non-pit type killing) [Rachel Honabarger - 35 yrs old - mauled to death by her own GSD mix]

    Two of the pit bull type dogs were BULL mastiffs, ie 40% pit-fighting bulldog.

    If 16 of 19 dead were killed directly by pit bull bites, that's 84% dead by pit and 11% dead by 'molosser'.

    If you count the pit-mix mastiffs as pit bull types, that's 95% killed directly by pit bull type bites.

    The man who ran into traffic kept pit bulls himself. He knew perfectly well what the two stranger pit bulls that were were chasing him would do if they caught him, so he preferred to risk a swift death by oncoming car.

    Said the father of one of the dead children: “It's truly a sad day when people are so willing to discount all the lives that have been taken by pit bull type dogs. To them they are just isolated events that give their dogs a bad rap. When they hear of another death by pit they don't think about how painful it must have been to die that way, that a parent will never get to see their child grow up, or of the kids that don't understand why mommy's never coming home. No, all they think about is how bad it's going to make their breed look. But they're not isolated events. They are our children, our parents, our loved ones and our friends. They had a name, life, and soul.”

  • Hi, I am the girl who was attacked last week. I am pained that this chain of debating comments are so stuck on the "Pit Bull dilemma". Even after being attacked by two of them, I don't feel like they are the problem. It's the people that own them. The laws govern people, not animals. The laws can be put in place to keep good dogs, pit bull or not, away from people who cannot properly care for them. They are used as status symbols by dangerous people. They are taught to fight, bred and raised to be killers or guardians. I grew up with an Old English Bulldog that had an aggressive nature, but we never had any incidents, lived in the suburbs, had lots of friends visit my home, and he lived a healthy long and loving life. There needs to be some governance over how owners can care for dogs that have "special needs" such as pit bulls. As I see it, careless dog owners are as dangerous as careless gun owners. I don't believe the property is the issue, but the property owner's negligence.

    • The careless owner of a Chihuahua or poodle doesn't pose a risk to other people. Even if the issue is down to one of training and discipline, I still don't see this as a reason to allow fighting breeds within a civilised community. Personally, for me, for domestic dogs to be a viable option in a civilised community, they must have a genetic resilience to poor treatment or lack of training that ensures they don't maim, maul or kill even if exposed to such negative conditions. Either this, or an attack needs to be defensible by an adult at the very least.

    • Bravo Jessica! It all starts with people. I wish more were like you. Fight the deed, not the breed. If people would put half the effort into going after the abusers of these loving dogs that they put into trying to erradicate them then perhaps they would understand. The dogs don't build the "rape cages" or put themselves on chains to be beat. They don't willingly go into pits to fight. People put them there. Even the ones who have the ability to "think and reason".

      • Yes, it "all starts with people" and ends with someone being badly injured or killed! People cannot be trusted to control dangerous animals, thus, the only solution to the problem is to forbid the ownership of dangerous animals. I'd rather have a neighbor who owned a lion or wolf than a pit bull because lions and wolves attack only for food or out of fear -- pit bulls attack solely for the enjoyment of attacking, maiming and killing because this is what they were bred to do!

    • Yes, "laws govern people," but because people cannot be trusted to control their animals, people are not allowed to own dangerous creatures such as lions, tigers, bears, cougars, etc. Pit bulls need to be added to this list of dangerous animals people are not allowed to own!

  • Springfield, MO

    In April 2008, the Springfield-Greene County Health Department released data to a local TV station - following the City of Springfield's adoption of a 2006 pit bull ban:

    "The Springfield-Greene County Health Department reports that dog bites and vicious dog complaints are declining since the implementation of the Pit Bull Ordinance in the City of Springfield two years ago. In 2005 the health department fielded 18 vicious dog complaints, but only eight in 2007. Bites were down from 102 in 2005 to 87 in 2007."

    "The ordinance, which requires pit bull owners to register their dogs annually, has also resulted in fewer pit bull dogs being impounded at the Springfield Animal Shelter.

    In 2005 there were 502 pit bull and pit bull mixes impounded, compared to only 252 in 2007.

    According to statistics taken from the Springfield-Greene County Health Department, as reported in the News-Leader March 12, for the three-year period beginning in 2004, there were 42 "vicious" animal attacks recorded in the jurisdiction covered.

    After passing the local ordinance banning or strictly controlling the ownership of pit bull or pit bull types, the number of attacks has dropped dramatically.

    For the five-year period from 2007-2011, there was a total of 14.

    "Because we are impounding fewer pit bulls, we've also seen overcrowding in our shelter subside," says assistant director Clay Goddard. "It is the natural tendency of pit bulls to fight, so our animal control staff are forced to segregate them in individual pens.

    When we have several pit bulls in the shelter simultaneously, this severely limits space for other dogs."
    ***************************************************
    Washington

    In 2008, the City of Wapato passed an ordinance that bans new pit bulls, rottweilers and mastiffs. Nine months after its adoption, in March 2009, Wapato Police Chief Richard Sanchez reported successful results:

    "Nine months into the ban and police calls about vicious dogs have been cut in half. The Wapato Police tell Action News they've gone from 18 reports in January, February and March of last year to seven so far in '09. "Seven calls in three months... that's nothing," says Chief Richard Sanchez, Wapato Police Department.

    Chief Sanchez credits local cooperation for the decline of dangerous dogs."
    ***************************************************
    Rhode Island

    When the City of Woonsocket was debating a pit bull ordinance in June 2009, the animal control supervisor in Pawtucket, John Holmes, spoke about the enormous success of Pawtucket's 2003 pit bull ban:

    "Holmes says he predicted that it would take two years for Pawtucket to experience the full benefit of the law after it was passed, but the results were actually apparent in half the time.

    "It's working absolutely fantastic," said Holmes. "We have not had a pit bull maiming in the city since December of 2004."

    Holmes says the law also capped the number of legal pit bulls in Pawtucket to about 70 animals."

    In July 2013, Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien and City Council President David Moran sent a joint letter to Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee asking that he reject a statewide anti-BSL measure before him.

    While they agree that some pit bulls can make good pets, said Moran and Grebien, "the number and severity of pit bull attacks against people and other animals in the early 2000s required us to take the action we did."

    Prior to the 2004 city ordinance, Pawtucket Animal Control officers responded to many calls about serious pit bull attacks against people and animals, according to the letter. Two of the worst cases involved a nine-month pregnant woman and a child.

    While proponents of the bill argue that breed-specific bans don't work, said Grebien and Moran, "the results in Pawtucket dramatically prove that they do work."

    In 2003, the year before the local ban on pit bulls went into effect, 135 pit bulls, all from Pawtucket, were taken in at the Pawtucket Animal Control Shelter for a variety of health and safety reasons, with 48 of those dogs needing to be put down.

    In 2012, 72 pit bulls were taken in, only 41 from Pawtucket, with only six needing to be euthanized, according to the two officials.
    "That's a tremendous improvement," they state in their letter.
    ***************************************************
    Per section 8-55 of Denvers pit bull ban:

    A pit bull, is defined as any dog that is an APBT, Am Staf Terrier, Staff Bull Terrier, or any dog displaying the majority of physical traits of anyone (1) or more of the above breeds, or any dog exhibiting those distinguishing characteristics which substantially conform to the standards set by the AKC or UKC for any of the above breed.

    Over the course of 22 years, the Denver ban has withstood numerous battles in state and federal courts. It has been used as a model for over 600 USA cities that legislate pit bulls, as well as US Navy, Air Force, Marine and Army bases ( so much for Sgt Stubby).

    without it, we'd see just what we see in Miss E's lame replies. Every pit owner would claim their land shark was anything but a pit bull.

    Miami Dade county voted 66% to keep their pit bull ban, just as it is worded, last year.

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