Time for America to ban pit bulls?

[fletcher21]

http://www.news4jax.com/news/25516673/detail.html

Dad: Dog That Killed Baby 'Very Loving'
Police: 3-Day-Old Baby Attacked In Arlington Home Sunday Night
POSTED: Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Email
Print










Family Photo
A photo of newborn Justin in his father's arms, along with the family's 4-year-old boy, an unidentified family member and the pit bull.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Investigators are trying to figure out why a family's pit bull described as a "very loving dog" attacked a 3-day-old baby in Arlington Sunday night.
Police said they when they arrived at the home on Dickson Road in Arlington at 10:40 p.m., the baby was being transported to Shands Jacksonville Medical Center, where the boy died.
The baby's father told Channel 4 that he and his family are devastated by the loss of their new son, Justin Valentin. He said the dog attacked the baby on the bed while the mother took a shower.
"I don't know what happened," the father, Mark Valentin, said. "My wife went to the restroom and the dog got to the baby. We're not neglectful parents."
The father said he and his family are grieving over the loss of their child.
Valentin said that the dog never showed any signs of aggression toward anyone in their family, adding that his 4-year-old son "has never had any problems with this dog."
Video: Newborn Dies After Pit Bull Attack
Video: Family Speaks About Tragedy
Video: Humane Society Comments On Mauling
Document: Fatal Dog Attack Police Report
The father said he had raised the dog since the day it was born, and he said it was a very nice and loving dog who was never beaten.
Valentin said the pit bull had gotten loose before in the past, but it was returned by neighbors with his tail still wagging. Officers with animal care who picked the dog up after the attack painted a much different picture, saying that the pit bull was extremely aggressive with them.
"I want parents to know ... don't think you'll be quick enough," Valentin said. "It can happen in the blink of an eye."
The young, red pit bull was turned over to Jacksonville Animal Control and Protective Services, then euthanized at the request of the family.
Police, animal control officials and the Department of Children and Families are all investigating.
In a separate case Monday night, Manatee County deputies fatally shot a pit bull that charged them after attacking a 5-year-old boy in Bradenton. Authorities said the boy tried to climb a tree to get away, but the dog bit into his arm and tried to pull him down.
"I would never recommend leaving an animal alone with an infant, period," Animal Control Officer Robert Currey said. "Even if it's a family pet, you never know how they're going to react to a new, basically, living being in the residence with them -- which is basically the animal's territory."
One local lawmaker is working to change the state's law on dangerous dogs. State Sen. Tony Hill said this latest tragedy of an infant dying gives him more reason to push for change.
The current law, which was passed in 1990, prohibits counties from passing laws that are specific to certain breeds, meaning there cannot be special restrictions for pit bulls, for instance.
In the spring, Hill proposed a bill that would remove that restriction. The bill didn't make it out of committee, but Hill said he will try again. He said that if his bill passes, cities and counties would be able to pass laws that require pit bulls to be muzzled or on a leash, for example.







So the dad claimed the dog was loving? Isn't having a pitt basically like leaving a loaded gun out in your home? I know many people with pitts, and every single one of them is an absolute terror. These dogs are just not friendly dogs. My feeling is that pitts need to be banned from here. How many deaths does it take before people will realize these are not pets, but ruthless killers? My view of dogs is the same as PK... No real use at all, except that lap dogs can be good pets for old people and young kids. I've never owned a dog and never wanted to.

These parents should both be looking at criminal charges, right? I guess it's true, 7 out of 10 people are idiots.

[Rodster]

I say give the dog to Mike Vick he'll know what to do.

My vote is yes ban those f-in dogs, they're worthless.

[fletcher21]

I swear, if a politician wants to have an edge, they should propose to ban pit bulls. I know as long as they weren't a total sled I would vote for them. Someone needs to take a stand to these dogs. There are a big number of people in my area that both own and breed these dogs. I had a good friend a few years ago who was a breeder. One time I was walking up to his house and one of his pits came at me, full speed. I thought I was dead. Luckily for me, he was on a long chain that I had not seen. He stopped about 2 feet from me, foaming at the mouth and out for blood. My buddy came outside and the dog immediately turned into a little puppy, licking his face and arms.. I think the mentality of many of these owners is that these dogs will protect them and their family, but how many times have we read about these stories? German Shepherds could do the exact same thing, but I can't remember ever reading about one mauling a 3 day old baby. I had a run in with another pit at the park once. The owner had let it off it's leash and it came running at me. For some reason it stopped about 5 yards from me, growling and snarling. I have my ccw, and I pulled out my gun. The owner came up to me and threatened to call the police on me for threatening his dog. Show me 1 decent pit bull owner and I will show you 100 that should have been wiped out of the gene pool a long time ago.

[dbdynsty25]

This is precisely why I rock the chihuahua mixes as gay as it may seem. They aren't doing damage to anyone. I refuse to own something that has the potential to kill or really hurt someone...regardless of their temperament. I'm not down for liability lawsuits.

[Rodster]

I have no problems with German Shepard's as the breed is considered intelligent and will only attack when provoked or they told instructed to protect. Pit Bulls, Doberman Pincher's, Rottweiler's and Bull Mastiffs are all very nervous breeds. You just don't know what you will get and what will set them off.

[fletcher21]

This is precisely why I rock the chihuahua mixes as gay as it may seem. They aren't doing damage to anyone. I refuse to own something that has the potential to kill or really hurt someone...regardless of their temperament. I'm not down for liability lawsuits.

My dad is in his 60s and lives alone. I bought him a chihauhua and it's been a life saver for him. The dog is the definition of lap dog. Best money I ever spent.

As for the liability lawsuit thing, it seems like Americans are such pussies/idiots that I can't remember an owner ever really paying the price for their pitt killing someone. If we make the dog an extension of the person, that would change a lot of this. Your dog killed someone = YOU killed someone. People who own these dogs are a menace to society, and I wish someone would come down on them. Of course the family in the topic I posted requested the dog get put to sleep, so that someone couldn't examine it and prove how dangerous it was. Gutless fucks. I hope those parents wake up every night and remember what they did.

[Feanor]

Ideally, all dangerous dogs would be replaced by non-dangerous ones, but I think an actual ban on pit bills in the US would be incredibly hard to enforce.

It's illegal to import the American Pit Bull Terrier, Dogo Argentino, Brazilian Fila and Japanese Tosa into New Zealand, but there's still no shortage of dog bite injuries.

http://www.dia.govt.nz/diawebsite.nsf/w ... ommunities

[Teal]

I think it's stupid to have a pit bull...but I think it may be moreso for the government to 'ban' them. I don't want the government, federally speaking, banning much else.

That being said, we went this route:



I mean, how can you go wrong with a beagle?!?

[MizzouRah]

Yes ban them!

Teal, that's a little cutie!

[F308GTB]

One of my buddies, a 61 year old guy, was training for cycling events for the Texas Senior games. He swept the events last year and was hoping for just the same amount of success this year to qualify for the nationals next year (to be held in Houston). He was really on top of his game. Last week he was out for a ride and a pit bull came after him. He crashed when the friggin' dog's head got in the spokes, breaking 4 ribs and taking away his hopes. Fortunately the dog was too freaked out by its own near death experience it ran home. This very same pit bull gave him a nice bit on his calf earlier this year. After this second incident, the owner was given a citation and the dog taken away to be put down.

[pk500]

Pit bulls shouldn't be banned. Fewer targets for shooting practice, less fun.

[Jimmydeicide]

Great choice Teal we have 2 beagles, one of them is silent the other is a howler i hope yours is a quiet one because telling that thing to "shut it" every time it hears something is annoying.

great rat catchers they are.

[Teal]

Great choice Teal we have 2 beagles, one of them is silent the other is a howler i hope yours is a quiet one because telling that thing to "shut it" every time it hears something is annoying.

great rat catchers they are.

We got a fantastic deal on that little rascal. The kids had a black labrador, but the lab went all protect and defend on the neighbor's kid, and nearly killed him, and we had to put him down. So, I thought smaller would be better...lol.

So far, he's not been a howler. He only does that when the kids finish playing with him and put him back in the kennel, and only for a few minutes, so...here's hopin'!

[Rodster]

Holy sh*t Teal i've never ever heard of a black lab going ape sh*t loco. What you do to that dog?

p.s. nice choice on the beagle

[sportdan30]

I haven't heard of a lab doing that either, but that's not to say it couldn't happen. We have a four year old chocolate lab that's the sweetest dog in the world. Great temperment and isn't all hyper like most labs are at her age. She absolutely loves kids and adults for that matter. She does however have a threatening bark, which if you didn't know her might make you rethink her intentions.

I've heard enough of these pitbull stories that I'm also of the belief that's it time the species be done away with. With regards to this story, it sounds like unfortunately that the dog either was jealous of the newborn or thought it was some kind of play toy. Sad story indeed and one that could have been avoided.

[JackB1]

sorry - double post

[JackB1]

Any parents that have a pit bull AND a baby, need to have their kids taken away from them. You might as well leave loaded guns laying around as well.

As much as I love dogs and blame most of pit bull attacks on people (for breeding them for generations to fight and for training them to do so) this can be
a dangerous breed, especially if you don't know the bloodlines. The idea that parents can have their kids in the same household with their pitbulls is just
plain stupidity.

[Rodster]

With regards to this story, it sounds like unfortunately that the dog either was jealous of the newborn or thought it was some kind of play toy. Sad story indeed and one that could have been avoided.

[Naples39]

Granted any dog can attack without warning, but I just don't understand why anyone would buy a pitbull. They're bred to be strong and aggressive. Why would you want that in your house?

People always act surprised when there's an attack--"he was such a loving dog." Really if you wanted a loving family dog why are you buying an animal that's specifically bred to be otherwise?

[fletcher21]

Granted any dog can attack without warning, but I just don't understand why anyone would buy a pitbull. They're bred to be strong and aggressive. Why would you want that in your house?

Lots of "tough guys" feel like if they get a few tats and a couple pit bulls, that will make them a bad ass. It's always the same typical pit owner. Guys in their mid 20's to 30's tend to really love them. I know several guys who fit that mold. No one buys a pitt bull because it'll be a great family pet. They buy one to intimidate people and to show how much of a man they are.

[JackB1]

... "They're bred to be strong and aggressive."

Therein lies the problem.

Interesting articles:
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/rea ... -dangerous

http://www.pitbulllovers.com/pitbull-ar ... tacks.html

[Danimal]

I say instead of banning pit bulls, let all these animal rights people take them all out for a walk... into the woods.... after they haven't been feed for a week.

Whomever comes out of the woods, shoot on sight.

Maybe my approach is too aggressive

[Naples39]

... "They're bred to be strong and aggressive."

Therein lies the problem.

Interesting articles:
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/rea ... -dangerous

http://www.pitbulllovers.com/pitbull-ar ... tacks.html

Lots of weasel-y argument in there IMO. Yeah, fatal dog attacks are rare, thankfully. And no, the majority of pitbull owners won't see a dangerous attack. But that is completely besides the point.

Dog Bite-related Fatalities in the United States.[44]
Year Total Involving pit bull-type dogs
2005 28 17 (62%)
2006 29 15 (52%)
2007 34 18 (53%)
2008 23 15 (65%)
2009 30 14 (47%)

What percentage of dogs in America are pitbull-type? 3%? (Just a guess--it's probably lower) Seems like pitbull attacks dramatically over-account for their numbers.

We tolerate dangerous stuff all the time, like airline travel, where there is a tiny tiny percentage of an accident, but the risk is vastly outweighed by the benefits to society and life.

It seems to me pitbulls do raise the risk to people by a very small percentage, but for what benefit? I mean can any pitbull owner really claim that there aren't another dozen breeds of dog out there that would provide nearly the exact type of pet their owner is looking for?

[ScoopBrady]

I guess I'm a bad parent who should have his taken away from him.

This is our dog, Maxine with my daughter. I found Maxine on the streets when she was just a puppy and took her in. We've had Maxine for 9 years now and she's a great dog. I don't know exactly what she is but I'm fairly confident that she has some Pit Bull in her. She is the most loving dog I've ever had.

[dbdynsty25]

Well Scoop...it's not that you're a "BAD" parent...it's just that you may be increasing your chances of something happening by owning a pit bull. That's not to say that there aren't nice pit bulls that never would ever do anything to a kid or another human, but isn't the slight risk that seems to be inherent with these dogs something that may worry you? It's a serious question...wouldn't even a slight risk be something that you'd want to mitigate?