Texas toddler killed by pit bull

Washington Times ^ | 3-16-07 | UPI

[JZelle]

A 2-year-old Texas girl riding her tricycle was attacked and fatally mauled by her family's male pit bull, it was reported Friday.

The Dallas County Sheriff's Department responded to a 911 call Thursday afternoon from a man believed to be the girl's father, The Dallas Morning News reported.

Deputy Michael Ortiz said the girl's injuries were mainly to her face and head but neighbors who witnessed the attack said she also appeared to have been bitten on the throat and buttocks.

Witnesses said the girl's father was trimming weeds nearby when one of the family's pit bulls apparently broke it chains and attacked the child.

Authorities withheld the name of the victim and her father pending a decision on whether to file criminal charges in the case.

[007girl]

I brought her home at 8 weeks and several people in Pet Smart thought she was a Chihuahua too!

[rbmillerjr]

Here is my pitbull rule.

I hate them as they kill to many kids. When an owner lives in the neighborhood or walk their bull in my neighborhood. I tell them that it is an area with children and to please keep the dog leashed. I advise them if I see the dog unleashed for any time period I will kill the dog...If my kids are attacked I will kill the dog and the owner.

[A knight without armor]

One of my favorite dogs! I know they are gentle. I did not know they are good defenders or guards.

[007girl]

My bad, willi76! Sorry I didn't post anything "intelligent or meaningful"!

[rottndog]

Some animals shouldn't be around children,...


Never had a problem.

Welcome to Free Republic!

[Mark-in-Kentucky]

My neighbor had a Rottweiler, and I had a shotgun loaded with buckshot . . .

Psycho dog. I didn't like the way it looked at the kids.

I like Rottweilers, but they can be intimidating animals when you find yourself in close proximity to one you haven't been around. I visited a buddy of mine who had just gotten one, and I was decidedly nervous around it for a while. The thing would gallop past you, and you could literally feel the ground vibrate.

[massgopguy]

1% of the dog population. 30% of all fatal bites. You'd be safer with a pet Cobra.

[stephenjohnbanker]

: )

[Elyse]

My Aunt Martha had a pit bull that could have licked you to death! He didn't, though. Instead, he mauled my cousin Lawrence.

The majority of them seem to be sweet family pets, until they attack. :( I just don't understand why anyone would take the chance.

[Rightly Biased]

I just always wonder why we never see articles about a pet Australian Cattle Dog mauling a 2 year old?

[Beckwith]

I did not know they are good defenders or guards.

Some are and some are even skittish.

However, they become a family member and most will behave like a family member in a situation.

It helps that the little ones are around 140 or 150 pounds and have a very deep bark.

This one weighed just shy of 300 pounds.

But, Benedictine won the honor of the largest dog on record by tipping the truck scales at 305 pounds. A Saint named Ayette's Brandy Bear shifted the heaviest load, 6,400'/2 pounds of steel on a wheeled cart, for 15 feet in less than 90 seconds. And a bitch, appropriately named "Careless Ann," tied the record for the largest litter with 23 puppies whelped.

Tales of their great rescues abound, with 2,500 lives credited to the dogs. One of the most famous dogs, "Barry," reportedly saved 40 lives. On his 41st mission, his rescue attempt ended in tragedy when the person killed Barry in a misbegotten "fit of cowardly terror."

In case you didn't notice, I love these animals.

[rottndog]

Luck....no.

Responsibly raising and caring for them....yes.

Serious dog attacks almost never occur by dogs which have been properly trained and socialized. When looking into dog attacks, in almost every instance there is some history of mistreatment or neglect involved in the attacking animal. The biggest problem, IMHO, is failure to properly socialize an animal, and the biggest mistake I see people making is keeping the dogs always chained up outside, not being part of the family.

Personally, I would not object to special licenses and requirements for the ownership of certain breeds, Rotts included. I just don't agree that there should be a blanket bans on animals, that primarily come from an ignorant public that doesn't want to look to common sense solutions.

[Elyse]

My daughter has one and he's known as the Grandpuppy at our house. That picture just cracked me up because our grandpuppy is "a little messy", too, to say the least.

[willi76]

Wasn't referring to your post(s) or your picture. I mean the same pictures you see a thousand times (that only the poster finds hilarious and add nothing new to the conversation)

[Texas_shutterbug]

damn, damn, damn

I've been attacked by a dog - no, it wasn't a pit bull - and it was freaking scary. Thank God it wasn't a pit bull or I would have much more seriously injured.

Just damn.

[Graycliff]

I pepper sprayed my self while cuffing a man 1 time.