Elderly Orange woman's arms amputated following pit bull mauling

mercury news ^ | 2-16-04 | N/A

[EggsAckley]

ORANGE, Calif. - A 91-year-old woman who was mauled by a pit bull remained in critical condition Monday with both arms amputated at the elbow, officials said.

Ruby Sharum was attacked late Friday night by a pit bull owned by her great-grandson and was being treated at UCI Medical Center. The pit bull, named Zion, was euthanized Saturday by county animal officials.

Next-door neighbor Shelbi Moore said Sharum's granddaughter pounded on her door, screaming that her grandmother was being attacked. Moore said she walked into her neighbor's kitchen after calling 911 and saw the pit bull hovering over the elderly woman with blood stains on the floor.

"I was terrified," Moore said. "I had always thought that dog might hurt somebody." Sharum and her granddaughter were putting away groceries about 10 p.m. Friday when the dog growled and then lunged at Sharum.

The pit bull's owner has another dog, a Rottweiler, that was impounded at a county facility until officials can determine if it took part in the attack, said Pat Markley, a spokeswoman for Orange County Animal Care Services.

The owner does not want the Rottweiler euthanized, Markley said. Moore said she had called Animal Care Services at least 10 times in the past year because she and her two young daughters feared Zion.

County animal-care workers checked on the dogs numerous times over the past six months due to reports that they were loose, barking or fighting with each other, Markley said.

A third dog that lived at the home, also a pit bull, was put to sleep a few weeks ago after being injured in a fight with Zion, Markley said. There were no prior records of any of the dogs biting a human before Friday's attack, Markley said.

"It's really an unfortunate, tragic incident," Markley said. "Pet owners need to watch their animal's temperament not just for their own family, but for their neighbors."

[EggsAckley]

here ya go!

[StatesEnemy]

The owner should be charged with manslaughter - or negligent homicide.

[WV Mountain Mama]

The poor woman. My sister had a below the knee amputation, and has recovered very well. She completed a triathlon within 5 months, but I can't imagine how a 91 year old woman will overcome this. It will alter her life so much, there is a good chance she will just lose her will to live.

Maybe they should put down the great grandson too, he seems like just as much a problem as the dogs.

[Glenn]

The owner should be charged with manslaughter - or negligent homicide.

Shouldn't we wait for her to die first?

[asformeandformyhouse]

But what made her Orange in the first place?

[ought-six]

"The owner should be charged with manslaughter - or negligent homicide."

Nope. The owman didn't die, so no charges associated with a fatality can be brought. The owner can, however, be charged with aggravted assault and battery, which can varry a pretty stiff penalty. I don't make the laws, so don't blame me if you don't think the charges are appropriate.

[Trust but Verify]

Maybe she is an Oompa Loompa?

Terrible headline.

[DainBramage]

They used to be accused of going after black men, now its orange women.

Maybe they need the Vitamin C........Whoa! bada bing!

[singletrack]

My challenge bet it still available to any takers. I'll wager $100 for EVERY golden retriever, beagle, or german short haired pointer etc attack that kills or mauls Vs. $100 for every pit bull attack that kills or mauls.One year, and then we tally who owes what. The pit bull fans will be here shortly with " its not the breed its the owner" , so I'm offering 3 of the most popular breeds in the nation against ONE single breed with far fewer bad owners. So far I've never had one person take this wager. Islam is a region of peace and pit bulls are a great family dog.

[jtminton]

/rimshot/

[cricket]

"It's really an unfortunate, tragic incident," Markley said." [. . .a spokeswoman for Orange County Animal Care Services.]

. . .'Incident'? Well, thankfully, Markley did not say 'tragic accident'. . .

The real 'tragedy' here is that had professional attention (rather than Liberal stupidity) been rendered after maybe even the 'tenth' report of fear and concern by neighbors; this would not have happened.

The other 'tragedy' is of course, the sheer stupidity of any owner having such aggressive, hostile dogs in a family environment (much less at all).

The challenge of a ninety-one year old woman having to adjust to life without arms is perhaps too much to wish on someone.

This all the more tragic inasmuch as this imcident did not have to happen.

[MineralMan]

One of the notable things about these pit bull stories is that so many of them involve a pit bull attacking a family member. Usually it's a child, but this time it's a 91-year-old great grandmother.

A lot of dogs are defensive toward strangers. Few I've ever met are defensive against family members.

I am at a loss to understand how anyone could choose to own a pit bull, given the constant stories about them attacking family members.

I know some friendly pit bulls, but I would not trust them for five minutes. While they're friendly, they're fine. But, I've also seen a friendly pit bull go nuts on some passing dog being walked on a leash.

Personally, I think pit bulls should be a breed that disappears.

[tiamat]

MineralMan wrote:


Personally, I think pit bulls should be a breed that disappears.

---

So do I.

I've only known thugs and dope-dealers to own pits. They are bred to be mindlessly agressive and the world would be a better place without them.

[EggsAckley]

As much as I love dogs, I must say that I agree with you about this breed disappearing. But another element is the owners who train them to be this way. I'm willing to bet that the great grandson just MIGHT be involved with drugs.

[cricket]

bottom line of it all and a correction . . ."This all the more tragic inasmuch as this iNcident did not have to happen."

[LizardQueen]

I've got mixed feelings about making breeds disappear. Clearly some breeds require a much more savvy and responsible owner than others - otherwise it's like giving loaded weapons to toddlers.

Pits are a breed that's got to be kept under control at ALL TIMES and not left running around unsupervised with frail old or young people in the house, especially not with other dogs (the pack mentality can take over).

But given that there's no way to keep idiots from obtaining them, then maybe they should go away.

Makes me glad I have a Lab. She's climbed into bed and napped with my mother - would lick you to death rather than gnaw on you.

LQ

[MineralMan]

"But given that there's no way to keep idiots from obtaining them, then maybe they should go away.

Makes me glad I have a Lab. She's climbed into bed and napped with my mother - would lick you to death rather than gnaw on you.
"

Agreed about Labs. They're great dogs.

Pit bulls are exceptionally popular with drug dealers, gang members, and other idiots who think it's cool to have the "toughest dog on the block." These folks not only do not train the dog to be gentle, they specifically train them to be aggressive and vicious.

No doubt there are good pit bulls owned by good owners. Trouble is: I can't tell them from the vicious ones owned by guys with an inferiority complex or who just want a vicious dog to add to their "bad boy" rep.

I'm for the end of this breed of dogs.

[MineralMan]

"I've only known thugs and dope-dealers to own pits. They are bred to be mindlessly agressive and the world would be a better place without them.

---

"

Well, I'm sure there are those who own these dogs with the best intentions, but there sure are a lot of people who own them who don't have good intentions for their beasts.

My tolerance for pit bulls running loose is absolutely zero. I'm only a little more tolerant of them if kept confined.

[DugwayDuke]

I've only known thugs and dope-dealers to own pits. - tiamat

Pit bulls are exceptionally popular with drug dealers, gang members, and other idiots who think it's cool to have the "toughest dog on the block." - MineralMan

Substitute "guns" for "pit bull" and you have the liberal argument for gun control.