Posted on 10/24/2007 6:51:47 PM PDT by Dubya
AMARILLO — A miniature horse given to a boy with brain cancer by the Make-A-Wish Foundation was killed by a pair of pit bulls who were found roaming in his yard, authorities said.
The 31-inch tall horse, Anniversary, was donated by the foundation to 3-year-old Christian Vasquez in late August.
Christian, who was diagnosed in January with a malignant form of brain cancer, received a pull cart, a blanket, a halter and a bridle set from the foundation on Saturday, said Jelaine Workman, executive director for the foundation's Amarillo chapter.
Two days later, Anniversary was found dead on his property in Pampa by Christian's father, Raul Vasquez. The father was nearly attacked by the dogs but managed to climb a tree and call 911 on his cell phone.
One of the dogs was captured by authorities and remains in custody at the Pampa animal pound, while the other escaped and remained on the loose, Gray County Sheriff Don Copeland said.
"I was scared to death," said Raul Vasquez, 41. "They killed Anniversary, and I thought they would kill me too."
It was unclear how the dogs entered the property, which is surrounded by a 4 1/2 -foot-high fence.
Workman said the foundation won't be able to supply a second horse but was getting calls from residents who wanted to donate money for a new one. Anniversary cost $1,300, and the foundation included free feed, training and veterinary care for a year in its gift.
"This horse was beautiful," Workman said. "It just makes me angry that people allow their dogs to run on the loose."
Get the kid a quad and a shotgun.
Shoot the dogs then hang the owners. This could have been children instead of a small equine.
The father should have had a gun.
Michael Vick reference in 5... 4... 3...
This is really awful, awful, awful. The idiot dog owners are the culprits and need to be seriously punished.
That proves to you don’t let pit bulls run around without a leash!
Just think what could have happened if this kid had been out there in his pull-cart when these pit bulls attacked? Man-o-man!
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My son in law just gave my daughter a puppy-- half bulldog, half pit bull. They have two small boys and another on the way. I think he needs his head examined.
First thought: The pit bulls used cancer to kill the horse?
bttt
Dogs running loose will pack up, and eventually, they will attack what they see as prey.
As the former owner of an AKC registered German Shepherd, I am now open to the concept of “pet permits”.
Yes, my own dog was highly trained and obedient, but he was also a dangerous animal, potentially lethal to humans, and required extensive amounts of time and attention.
I love dogs, but am no longer in the position to responsibly own and care for one.
I’m not talking about the veterinary expenses, just the minimum level of personal care and attention such an animal requires to live contentedly in a human environment.
It’s not really any specific breed that is the issue, it’s the owner’s lack of ability to keep their “pet” animal under control.
I hope they can find the dogs owner, and toss him/her in jail.
You may need to handle this one yourself.
There aways, dang I ran over the poor thing with my car.
Most Pitt bull owners are just sick people!
They probably are okay dogs, if you neuter them. Really cuts down on their aggression (very much hormonally-driven). Even given that, I wouldn’t want one.
I hope the owner will be shamed into donating another horse..If this owner could be jailed for this..he ought to be.
The dogs jumped the fence or dug under it or were maliciously let in?
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