Boy, 6, dies after pit bull mauling

Dallas Morning News ^ | August 31, 2007 | HOLLY YAN

[org.whodat]

While pit bulls may be a good choice for an experienced, responsible owner

There is no such thing as a responsible owner and a pit bull! Everyday they own it they are betting their families live, and all the own, on it's not going to turn and kill or maim someone.

[Drew68]

Pit bulls are a public menace and should be eliminated entirely. There's always the argument that most pit bulls never harm anyone, that it has to do with the owner, etc. But you don't hear a lot about other breeds doing this sort of thing.

I agree wholeheartedly. The "bully" lovers will be here soon to tell us that chihuahuas bite more people every year than pit bulls do while conveniently leaving out the fact that chihuahua bites don't maul, permanently disfigure and kill people.

I am thankful that I live in a neighborhood that bans these vicious animals. If I later move to a neighborhood that doesn't, I'll do my best to encourage and support laws banning them there as well.

[PAR35]

Perhaps, just perhaps, this law will make people think about not only the best breed (or mix) for them, but will encourage them to be more responsible as dog owners.

I wouldn't think that the law would have much impact on that type of owner.

[epow]

As the grandfather of a 5 YO grandson I am so infuriated by this report that I can barely control my anger and outrage. Any parent stupid or uncaring enough to keep a pit bull in the same house with a child should be jailed until the dog can be euthanized and the owner put through an exhaustive psychological examination to determine if he or she is mentally and emotionally fit to retain custody of the child.

AFAIC just having a pit bull in the home with children is prima facie evidence that the parent is not fit to have custody, and a judge should order the dog destroyed and the parent placed under regular scrutiny by an LEO trained to look for evidence of other aberrant behavior by the parent.

I would no more allow a pit bull in the same household with a child than I would allow the child to play with 1/2 dozen 6-foot rattlesnakes, and any parent who would is too stupid or careless to have custody of kids. I realize that I'm talking about suspending the parental rights of thousands of parents, but preventing the unimaginable horrors that this one child suffered because of a parent's stupidity or carelessness is more than enough reason for such a Draconian attempt to prevent such horrors happening to other little kids. If parents aren't capable of or responsible enough to make sensible decisions for the safety and welfare of their children, someone or some responsible party needs to step in and take control away from the irresponsible parent(s).

[Darnright]

>There is no such thing as a responsible owner and a pit bull! Everyday they own it they are betting their families live, and all the own, on it’s not going to turn and kill or maim someone.<

You are either trolling for a flame war, or you are hysterical.

Cesar the famed dog trainer has more than one pit bull. Is he not a responsible, capable dog owner?

The vast majority of pit bulls in this country never cause harm to people, much less kill anyone.

Should they be owned by druggies, gang members or idiots that think it’s cool to fight dogs? Take a guess.

[brytlea]

Assuming that pit bulls should be done away with, how would you propose to implement that? How can you tell which dog is a pit bull? Would you include all breeds that *look* like a pit bull? Who would decide?
susie

[Trailerpark Badass]

Everyday they own it they are betting their families live, and all the own, on it's not going to turn and kill or maim someone.

LOL, you're an idiot.

[org.whodat]

B. Any law-enforcement officer or animal control officer who has reason to believe that a canine or canine crossbreed within his jurisdiction is a dangerous dog or vicious dog shall apply to a magistrate of the jurisdiction for the issuance of a summons requiring the owner or custodian, if known, to appear before a general district court at a specified time. The summons shall advise the owner of the nature of the proceeding and the matters at issue. If a law-enforcement officer successfully makes an application for the issuance of a summons, he shall contact the local animal control officer and inform him of the location of the dog and the relevant facts pertaining to his belief that the dog is dangerous or vicious. The animal control officer shall confine the animal until such time as evidence shall be heard and a verdict rendered. If the animal control officer determines that the owner or custodian can confine the animal in a manner that protects the public safety, he may permit the owner or custodian to confine the animal until such time as evidence shall be heard and a verdict rendered. The court, through its contempt powers, may compel the owner, custodian or harborer of the animal to produce the animal. If, after hearing the evidence, the court finds that the animal is a dangerous dog, the court shall order the animal's owner to comply with the provisions of this section. If, after hearing the evidence, the court finds that the animal is a vicious dog, the court shall order the animal euthanized in accordance with the provisions of § 3.1-796.119. The procedure for appeal and trial shall be the same as provided by law for misdemeanors. Trial by jury shall be as provided in Article 4 (§ 19.2-260 et seq.) of Chapter 15 of Title 19.2. The Commonwealth shall be required to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

Current Virginia law, comply with it!

[DanielLongo]

In other news, owners shocked when pet crocodile bite’s off husband’s leg.

[Darnright]

Virginia dangerous dog law has a specific clause that prohibits anyone charging a dog with being dangerous simply because of breed.

Just so you know...

[Jaysun]

I agree wholeheartedly. The "bully" lovers will be here soon to tell us that chihuahuas bite more people every year than pit bulls do while conveniently leaving out the fact that chihuahua bites don't maul, permanently disfigure and kill people.

Chihuahuas don't rip your throat open. I guess they could....if you were laying down.....and you let them take several bites.

[BenLurkin]

The time has come for Pitbulls to go.

[org.whodat]

LOL, you're an idiot.

[Feiny]

I guess I am outlandishly inappropriate

[Feiny]

and many freepers

[Feiny]

Just like people, some dogs are bad.
In LA, we have a gang culture & third world population that likes to fight dogs. Then, there are the idiots who don’t think they need to spay or neuter their dogs and also allow them to roam free or just toss them out when they are no longer wanted. This creates a population of stray dogs that tend to pack. Some estimates are that over 800 pitbull types (including mixes) are euthanized in LA County every month.

http://edition.cnn.com/2007/US/08/23/dog.fighting/index.html?eref=rss_us

Pitbulls are the most abused breed of dog out there....the proof in this story is that the dog was being beaten with a shovel. Wow, I am SHOCKED an animal beaten with a shovel attacked...just SHOCKED.

[Jaysun]

I guess I am outlandishly inappropriate

There's a way around this. We could say that I was drunk or kidnapped and someone else used my computer.

[Feiny]

I will get drunk & kidnap you.....

[Jaysun]

I’ll tie myself up and wait in the driveway.

[Feiny]

This may take a while....I tend to get lost when driving drunk....I have retained Lindsay Lohan as my chauffeur.