Posted on 04/09/2009 4:44:23 PM PDT by Chet 99
Owner defends dog that bit toddler
By JOSH LANIER
jlanier@islandpacket.com 843-706-8137
Published Thursday, April 9, 2009
The 32-year-old owner of a pit bull that mauled a Bluffton toddler over the weekend said he's sorry his dog hurt the child, but he doesn't plan to put the animal down.
The attack happened near Brighton Beach when a Crystal Robic took her 1-year-old don T.J. Bishop for a walk Saturday afternoon in his stroller and headed up Shawn Gorman's gravel driveway to chat, Gorman said.
When Robic got about 10 feet from the six puppies delivered by Daisy, a 2-year-old pit bull, the dog, which was on a runner, leapt onto the stroller and bit the boy in the face and neck. Paramedics rushed the toddler to Hilton Head Hospital, where he received six stitches for cuts to his lips and the back of his neck.
Calls to Robic were not immediately returned Wednesday.
"(Robic) wanted to protect her baby when she pulled her baby out of the stroller and away from the dog," Gorman said. "All Daisy was doing was protecting her babies. It's not the dog's fault, she's just doing what dogs do."
Several neighbors claim this isn't the first person Daisy has bitten and Gorman admits the dog did attack a man riding his bike near his Tillman Road home last year.
"She's scared of wheels," he said. "It's just natural for a dog to go after wheels, but I haven't trained her to be mean, though."
Daisy and a second pit bull Gorman owns is quarantined at Gorman's home while S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control officials determine if the dogs have rabies.
Thom Berry, spokesperson for DHEC, said 10-day quarantines are mandatory when an animal attacks someone, and the sequestering is at the owner's expense. If the dog begins to show signs of rabies, the animal will be put down, as dictated by state law.
If not, the dog will be released into the owner's custody, Berry said.
Gorman said Daisy is a month behind in her rabies vaccination because he has been out of work as a carpenter for six months and can't afford the shot.
He was charged with failure to keep his dog vaccinated, he said.
"She's a good dog, she didn't mean to hurt anybody," he said. "I'm not going to kill my dog when I don't think she did anything wrong but try to protect her babies."
Gorman said he keeps his dogs -- two pit bulls, six pit-bull puppies and two Boston terriers -- for protection and won't give that up.
He hasn't spoken with Robic since the attack but hopes the boy is OK.
"I feel bad, I really do," Gorman said. "But sometimes things like this happen and it's never good. I'm just not willing to kill my dog because of it."
Keep the dog then but hope you have lots of money when you’re sued ....
One can say a lot of things about one’s dog. One cannot speak authoritatively about one’s dog’s considered intentions
Story says he’s an unemployed carpenter.. suing him will be of no use.
Well then he’d better get rid of that dog ... or contain it better ... it just can’t be that “Oh well, I’m unemployed so tuff” ... that kid has some medical bills that has to be paid and he should pay them, not blow off that the dog was doing what dogs do ...
Pit Bulls should be considered guilty until proven otherwise.
I agree with Shawn Gorman that he should not kill the dog. He is an idiot for letting people go near a dog that can be vicious. I hope the baby is ok and the parent will forgive the poor dog and let it live.
I wouldn’t want to be one of those Boston Terriers. Just a matter of time.
I was jogging in the park today. A woman was there with a pit and a boxer, both off leash. The pit came for me, snarling, and the woman barely managed to grab it. It fought like mad to get away from her, and as it was fighting, the boxer attacked it. Fortunately, the woman seemed to know how to handle the situation. Scary. Honest.
.You wrote: I agree with Shawn Gorman that he should not kill the dog. He is an idiot for letting people go near a dog that can be vicious. I hope the baby is ok and the parent will forgive the poor dog and let it live.
Idiots should not be allowed to keep vicious dogs and then skate free when they maim someone. He's stupid enought to give a loaded gun to a kid.
“All Daisy was doing was protecting her babies. It’s not the dog’s fault, she’s just doing what dogs do.”
Great. Then the owner will understand when the baby’s father blasts the dog with a shotgun. He’s just protecting his baby, after all.
Kids should also be taught you don’t go near a litter without an adult’s express permission and presence. Several of the attacks I’ve seen lately have had more to do with idiots blundering near new litters and mothers reacting to protect them from a perceived threat.
I find it a little hard to fault any female animal for defending their young, honestly. I’ve had everything from proud momma cats who damn near dragged a newborn into your lap to admire to a female rat who spent weeks charging at every human hand near her cage. Don’t mess with the little ones til the mother allows it!
This particular mutt has a history of attacks to its name.
why do I see a connection here of Obama?
Sounds like an identical description.
If THAT be true, then the sentence is death, to be carried out immediately......I hate those things.....
Dear God, the man is a complete asshat.
Homeowners insurance?
The article said the little boy was being pushed in a stroller up the driveway. The mother apparently didn't know the dog was there, or didn't know she was with puppies, or didn't realize it could be dangerous. The owner should have stopped anyone from coming close to the dog.
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