Woman, 70, in hospital after pit bull attack

NJ.com ^

[Chet 99]

Saturday, December 05, 2009

By SARAH RAHMAN

JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

A 70-year-old woman was critically injured yesterday morning when she was mauled by two pit bulls that had gotten loose from their Bayonne backyard, police said.

Maria Zaldana, of Jersey City, was attacked at 9:11 a.m. outside the dogs' 15 W. 34th St. home, Bayonne Police Lt. Robert Deczynski said.

Part of Zaldana's scalp was torn off, he said, and she also suffered numerous puncture wounds and had skin torn off from her right knee and calf and the left side of her face.

Zaldana was just steps from the floral shop she's worked at for 25 years when she was attacked.

According to Deczynski, the dogs are owned by Jessica Manno, who was in Florida, and were being cared for by Manno's sister, Kristy Manno.

Kristy Manno told police she had let the dogs out into the yard and went back into the house to fill their water bowls when she heard screams from the front of the home. She ran out the back door and saw that the two chain link gates were open, police said.

[JLLH]

Yes - and the questions still stand. The fact that human error was involved is not negated by the dog’s actions. Lack of responsible ownership is the problem - not the dog breed or, in this case, type (since the pit bull is not a breed per se.)

[allmendream]

Yeah, sure, it isn't the breed.

Because if I leave the gate open on a couple Labrador retrievers they would be out in the street in seconds all OVER that 70 year old lady.... sniffing her and trying to get her to pet them.

If you have a caged beast that is ready and ABLE to kill the second it gets out...... no, couldn't be the breed.

After all, it isn't like dogs have personalities to go with their intended function.... Oh wait THEY DO!

Dogs bred to fight and kill..... fight and kill. Pits were bred to fight and kill.

[allmost]

How much time and effort would it take to train an animal to rip off a 70+ year old lady’s scalp? The human factor goes both ways. It is irrelevant when it comes to pits. You’ve got your reasons for liking them. I have my reasons for not liking them. I don’t promote ‘killing them all’ or anything like that. Just feel safer next to a gator.

[JLLH]

And your source for this is...Oh, wait! The MEDIA!! Of course - and we ALL know how trustworthy THEIR information is!!! How about a little scientific evidence to go with that?? No?? Hmm...why am I NOT surprised!!?? OK - I’ll help you out with a few FACTS: HISTORICALLY, pits were the “nanny dogs” - staying with children. Has their nature changed so much since then?? No evidence of it.

And here’s another FYI - rotties, chows, and dobes have ALL been subject to the same “RUN FOR YOUR LIVES. IT’S A VICIOUS ____________ (fill in the blank with the latest whipping post breed of dog.)” As for Labs, you are comparing apples with oranges since a Lab also isn’t a “guarding” type of dog... However, if we must go down this path: Have you ever seen a poodle or chow or any other breed of dog bite someone? Of course!! Which re-emphasizes my point: RESPONSIBLE DOG OWNERSHIP is KEY — not killing off a politically-incorrect type of dog because the owners/parents/breeders can’t seem to handle some of them. ANY DOG needs responsible ownership. This is EVEN MORE SO when dealing with a powerful guard-type dog. It’s really not that complicated an issue.

[JLLH]

At least you’re honest. And I appreciate the fact that, unlike some of the more hysterical posters here, you aren’t advocating completely wiping out an entire type of dog. I can and do appreciate that some aren’t comfortable around pits. I just have real issues with the “kill every pit or anything that looks like one” mentality.

[Scythian]

I know their owners are responsible for them turning bad, but how do you keep these animals out of irresponsible hands?

This statement is not true, and why people continue to be killed and wounded. Pit Bulls are naturally killers, I'm sorry to say, that is the plain truth.

[Scythian]

Agreed, I am all for wiping out the breed entirely and hope I live to see the day when it happens.

[allmendream]

My source for this is knowing dogs.

Pits historically were bred to fight in the Pit, they were not bred to be “nanny dogs”, or even “guard dogs” (although they make good ones), they were bred to be fighting killing dogs.

All dogs can bite. Not all dogs can kill people with their bite like a Pitt Bull can.

Like comparing a paring knife with a samurai sword. One was designed to be a weapon and can kill, the other can cause superficial wounds.

Responsible dog ownership is key. That is why the sister and owner should be charged with assault with a deadly weapon and any and all other charges that a prosecutor can make stick; they were grossly irresponsible in having animals ready to kill at a moments notice within city limits, and for allowing them to get loose.

[allmendream]

I am NOT for wiping out the breed.

I am for charging irresponsible owners, increasing penalties for having a four legged menace running loose, and putting down dogs that bite.

[allmendream]

Bred to be fighting dogs. Is it any wonder that they are more likely to fight and kill than most other dogs? Not if you understand what selective breeding has done to dogs and their personalities or have half a brain.

http://www.breederretriever.com/dog-breed-history/93/american-staffordshire-terrier-(pit-bull).php

Born in the 19th century, The American Staffordshire Terrier and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier are the result of crosses between Bulldogs and terriers, though there is some debate as to exactly which terrier that was. Some believe that the White English Terrier or Black and Tan Terrier was used, but most experts say it was the English Smooth Terrier. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier was developed in England for the purpose of dog fighting, and was introduced to America during the late 19th century to compete in the same sport. The Americans bred a larger Pit Bull than the English, and the American Staffordshire Terrier quickly took shape as a distinct breed. Though the breed was often employed as an all purpose farm dog during the early 20th century, its legacy has always been that of a gladiator.

[JLLH]

“My source for this is knowing dogs.” How many pits have you known well?

“All dogs can bite. Not all dogs can kill people with their bite like a Pitt Bull can.” Both statements true - which is why responsible ownership is a MUST!!

“Like comparing a paring knife with a samurai sword. One was designed to be a weapon and can kill, the other can cause superficial wounds.” But German Shepherds, Rotties, Dobes, Chows have all fallen under the same “vicious dog” mantra now saved for the Pit.

Because Pits are so desirous of pleasing their humans, they will try to please and do so to the bitter end (a trait those who abuse and mistreat them are counting on). Dog aggression against other dogs is not the same as against humans and the former does NOT necessarily translate to the latter.

We both agree on the absolute necessity of responsible dog ownership. The problem I have is with those posters who advocate mass killing of everything Pit or even resembling a Pit because it MIGHT one day act with aggression towards a human. I also see a huge inconsistency with those who post all over this board about how much they value freedom and liberty and hate government intrusiveness in their lives while in the same breath saying a certain type of dog should be outlawed (by that same government they claim to despise) and no one allowed to own one. Unbelievable contradiction.

[JLLH]

See my above post - and, thanks, I have more than half a brain. The fact that they were used in fighting does not negate the history they have had of being left with children and being beloved pets for at least 2 centuries. It would behoove anyone advocating their total annihilation to ask some pertinent questions regarding why the extreme media coverage only in the last 10-20 years given this dog’s long history of living in close proximity with humans. Where was their alleged “viciousness” when Chows, Dobes, Rotties, and yes even the beloved German Shepherd were taking the heat?? Agenda anyone?? Why did all of those breeds suddenly become acceptable and perfectly harmless while the Pit, who was equally beloved for many many decades at the least, was suddenly deemed Satan incarnate??

[allmendream]

I have known over a dozen pit bulls well, usually sweet slobbery brutes. I have even killed a couple that I knew a little too well and knew needed to be dead. I work with dogs professionally. I am a lifelong owner of dogs, and currently own a Labrador and a Bull Mastiff.

Yes, and many dogs bites CAN kill, but the combination of LIKELYNESS to bite, and ABILITY to kill is a potent one. Pit Bulls are bred to fight and kill, thus they are more likely to bite, and more likely to inflict severe damage when they bite, and less likely to stop before killing.

I agree that no small government conservative should be for a government ban on a dog breed, or their mass euthanasia.

But as a person who emphasizes RESPONSIBLE dog ownership, I think SEVERE criminal and civil liabilities should be brought to bear upon scum who raise these dogs such that the second they are free they are out looking to kill, and then “oopsie” let them loose.

And again, Pit Bulls were bred to be fighting and killing dogs, not nanny dogs.

[JLLH]

” I agree that no small government conservative should be for a government ban on a dog breed, or their mass euthanasia.

But as a person who emphasizes RESPONSIBLE dog ownership, I think SEVERE criminal and civil liabilities should be brought to bear upon scum who raise these dogs such that the second they are free they are out looking to kill, and then “oopsie” let them loose.”

On this we are in complete agreement.

[allmendream]

This guy thought his Pit Bull would make a good "nanny dog".

[JLLH]

Anecdotal evidence does not a type of dog make. You have admitted you have owned several sweet dogs (I presume you did not have them killed?) I doubt seriously that those dogs owned in the past 100 years - prior to the “run for your life it’s a pit” mentality egged on by the actions of a few and fueled by an over the top media - and much-loved by their families were “dangerous” to their families. The question remains: what has changed? The media coverage, maybe?? I think so, given their history of swapping out pits for dobes, chows, and any other breed. Same song, second verse.

[JLLH]

“Pit Bulls are naturally killers, I’m sorry to say, that is the plain truth.”

There is no truth in your statement, sorry. You have been manipulated by the ongoing media assault on a particular type of dog.

[JLLH]

Just to add a little objectivity. Here are the stories the objective media doesn’t care to report:

http://www.understand-a-bull.com/Articles/HeroicPitties/HeroicPitties.htm

[JLLH]

Just to add a bit of objectivity to the discussion:

http://dogsinthenews.com/stories/070301a.php

http://www.understand-a-bull.com/Articles/HeroicPitties/HeroicPitties.htm

http://dogsinthenews.com/issues/0104/articles/010426a.htm

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2007/07/08/2007-07-08_hero_pooch_saves_7yearold_queens_girl.html

http://www.zootoo.com/petnews/straydogsaveswomanchildheldatk-993

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/unleashed/2008/08/pit-bull-saves.html

http://network.bestfriends.org/1892/news.aspx

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMeKGeu81fw

And there are more where those came from.

[allmendream]

Oh, so only the anecdotal evidence of SWEET Pittbulls is acceptable to you? OK, how about the fact that they were bred to be fighting and killing dogs?

I KNEW several sweet slobbery Pitbulls; knowing the breed as I do I would NEVER own one. The ones I killed were running loose and harassing me on my driveway; harass me = clear and present danger to my mom and sisters = dead dog.

Pitbulls have a history of attacking and killing not just strangers; but members of their own family. Witness the little girl above. They are a highly “game” dog that strives for dominance, and sometimes thinks it needs to enforce or establish this dominance via the bite.

And Chows ARE notoriously vicious as well. I would never have a Chow as a “nanny dog” either.

The fact that there are other types of vicious dogs doesn't mean that Pittbulls are not vicious.

I didn't need media coverage to let me know that Pittbulls are vicious killers; all I needed was to grow up in my hometown where the things ran amok, attacked livestock, attacked people; and often as not ended up SSS.