Posted on 12/17/2009 8:07:08 PM PST by Chet 99
Days after getting the call that her 11 year old Lab, Shilo, had been mauled, Peggy Navarrete is still haunted by watching her family's pet's last moments in a vet's office.
"I don't sleep at night. I close my eyes and I'm back in that vet's office seeing all that blood,"
Two doors down, her neighbor, Cristie Noble faces the same nightmare. Her dog lingered in a losing fight, his body temperature dangerously low from shock and lying wounded in the snow.
"He was lying on a table, wrapped in a blanket. There was blood on his head and one of his ears was partially torn off."
Noble, her husband and 12 year old daughter had to make the heartwrenching decision to euthanize their 5 year old lab and shepherd cross, Buddy. Navarrete's dog, Shilo, died as the vets worked to stabilize her.
Both dogs had been mauled Monday morning in their neighbor's yard by one or both of their neighbors' pit bulls.
The attack was unexpected, but both families say there have been problems with the pit bulls before.
Navarrete's fence shows signs of an ongoing struggle to keep the male pit bull from tearing holes in it. It's patched here and there.
They say the dog's owners even bought them a number of wooden pickets to keep up with the damage.
It was through the latest hole, now blocked by a sheet of plywood that Shilo apparently entered the pit bulls' yard. No one knows why she or Buddy wandered into the yard.
In fact, no one can explain how Buddy got through the fence. There are no apparent holes big enough for the 70 pound dog to sneak through. Besides, Noble says, Buddy was afraid of the pit bulls next door and avoided the fence that separated them.
"It's a huge mystery," says Noble "and an incredible coincidence that both dogs were in that yard at the same time."
The owners of the pit bulls, who have not responded to our inquiries, have apologized, but insist their dogs are well socialized and safe. They promised to restrain them in the future, but when asked if they would put either of their dogs down, both women say the answer was 'that's not going to happen."
"We appreicated the apology," says Noble, "but it didn't seem like enough."
Navarrete is more direct. "I want them to pay my vet bills and I want them to put their dogs down."
Both admit the pit bull owners are care for their pets and having just lost their dogs they realize what they are asking.
"It's heartbreaking," says Navarrete, "but do you want to have a dog that could kill two dogs in one day?"
Both women say they're also puzzled and angry with the response they got from the Sparks Police Department and Animal Control.
"They sent us one to the other," says Noble. In the end the answer was nothing could be done.
There are ordinances under which a dog can be declared a dangerous animal, but Bobby Smith, Field Supervisor for Washoe County's Animal Services says it only applies if the dog attacks beyond his owner's property. This attack took place in the pit bulls' back yard.
"We're in the midst of a tragic situation," he says, "but our hands are tied."
So there the dispute sits. Both families feel a huge loss. Buddy's bed still sits in the Noble's living room, his collar, almost torn in half rests nearby. Her daughter says she doesn't even want another pet as long as the pit bulls are next door. Noble isn't arguing.
"I don't want anyone else to go through what we've gone through," says says. "I don't want it to be my daughter next or one of her friends who hits a wiffle ball over the fence and doesn't know any better."
Bob Navarrete is no longer greeted in the evening by the faithful dog who filled an emoitional hole when he lost another dog 11 years ago, a dog who them accompanied the family on frequent hunting and fishing trips.
"She'd look for a fish in a mud hole,if you asked her" Peggy Navarrete says.
Navarrete worries about her other thee dogs and what might happen next. "I have to leave my dogs out there and I worry if they'll be there when I get home. It's scary.
Both women say their neighbors take care of their dogs and they realize the difficult decision they may be pressing them toward, but Navarrete says, "I know they love their dogs. I love my dogs, but do you want a dog you can't trust?
"Their dog will die easier than my dog. Mine suffered."
“A pair of Pit bulls attacked my wife and her dog >B?ON A FRIGGING PUBLIC STREET</A> and those are the only P/B out of millions that I give a shit about!!!! The “owner” of these two served time because EPD had cited him several times but he never showed up for the hearings...”
And this is the breed of dog’s fault how, exactly? Because he chose the wrong owner? Obviously you are on a different page. The dogs shouldn’t be allowed to just run around. They should be kept inside with the family. The dogs that attacked your wife were not family pets, were they? Seems to me like your example proves my point pretty spectacularly.
The CDC used to publish dog bite statistics, but they stopped because the media reports were so messed up they couldn’t use the information. They did, however, publish with this their results. They found that of all the dog bite fatalities, the single most common factor was not breed, but the lack of care the dog received (ie, intact dogs, chained dogs, dogs running loose, dogs in packs, dogs in breeding pairs).
But I thought these dogs of Peace didn’t need supervision?
If PBs were toys for kids they would have recalled years ago...
“But I thought these dogs of Peace didn’t need supervision?
If PBs were toys for kids they would have recalled years ago...”
All dogs need supervision when outside! Why would you think they don’t? Unless you live out in the country with high fences and a cement floored dog run, whatever dog you have can find a way out. It’s much better for them to stay inside where they will be cared for and socialized and kept out of trouble. Most dog attacks are from chained dogs and dogs running loose. Take those two things out of the equation and you have much less of a chance of getting bitten. There’s a pack of dogs that comes through my neighborhood every once in a while. Most of them are yellow labs, except for two which appear to be lab/chow mixes. They are extremely vicious, and will not hesitate to come up and start trouble. Any dog can be vicious if left to it’s own devices, and any dog owner can be irresponsible.
A pit certainly surprised a good friend's son. The family pit removed an ear and half of his cheek in front of his dad, and wouldn't let go. The kid hadn't done anything aggressive, the dog just flipped out I guess. The problem was that the dog wouldn't let go. It only let go after dad knocked it out.
I've had two rotties that have snapped at kids who were harassing them with sticks, in their kennels, on my property, but they snapped and let go, resulting in a couple punctures and some bruises. Both males, both over 150 lbs. The parents wouldn't let me pay the bill for the checkup, and one of the fathers put more hurt on the kid than the dog did.
My neighbor that owns the pits is a good friend. We have an understanding about the consequences of his dogs getting loose around me or my family.
I'll wrestle a lab or rot to the ground to stop an attack, and have done so. OTOH, I'll shoot a pit or dob, and in my state, it's legal. In fact, in my state, there is no legal defense for your dog harming someone. If your K-9 partner bites a perp, the agency pays. If your family pet bites, you have no defense in civil court. None. You are responsible. You will pay. We don't have a "leash law" as such, but the dog must be under control at all times. I take that responsibility seriously.
“Is that plain enough for you to understand?”
To whom are you replying?? I don’t recall ever posting to you. Please explain your rude question. Thanks.
Do your own research! (And check out the actual study posted here by Dawn while you are at it. It’s actually a study that was done about top biters...but no, never mind, it doesn’t support your bias so you won’t like it.) And you say I’m good for a laugh??? You don’t even do a modicum of research and post your irrational hatred of a type of dog all over the boards. I doubt seriously you are interested in the truth, so I won’t bother. Yes, there are stories out there - but you are so bent on hating a breed or type of dog irrationally that it’s not worth my time to reply to the insanity. If you were truly interested in the truth it would be different, but it’s quite clear you are not. You only like to engage in insulting dialogue: a clear sign of someone who has no argument.
Ah, yes, the ad hominem attacks - right on schedule. How very very “liberal” of you!! I’d put my IQ against yours any day dearie. At least I do research and do just take a “kill them all just because....they’re evil I just know it!” approach!! Care to substantiate any of your hatred with some scientifically-based studies?? No?? Why am I not surprised?? Yes, I suppose for you the comparison is valid. After all, it’s not such a jump for someone who has an irrational hatred of an entire breed of dog to hate an entire group of people also. Must all be evil in your book, right??? Good grief!!!
It’s the haters who are dense - as they never ever let facts get in their way!!!!
Excellent post, solosmoke! As usual the irrational haters are out in full force, convinced an entire breed of dog is “born evil”. They believe the media reports and never ever question. (Obama would be so proud!) You’d think anyone posting on this board would be more than a little wary and would have learned to ask pertinent and relevant questions about what they are NOT being told... Guess some don’t learn.
“And this is the breed of dog’s fault how, exactly? Because he chose the wrong owner? Obviously you are on a different page. The dogs shouldn’t be allowed to just run around. They should be kept inside with the family. The dogs that attacked your wife were not family pets, were they? Seems to me like your example proves my point pretty spectacularly.
The CDC used to publish dog bite statistics, but they stopped because the media reports were so messed up they couldn’t use the information. They did, however, publish with this their results. They found that of all the dog bite fatalities, the single most common factor was not breed, but the lack of care the dog received (ie, intact dogs, chained dogs, dogs running loose, dogs in packs, dogs in breeding pairs).”
Well said, Solosmoke! However, those who hate this breed never listen to any facts, read studies, or do even the slightest bit of research. In fact, were they not on this board I would wonder if they were of a different political persuasion... they act so much like the left!!
“You can’t assume there was foul play just because a grieving owner makes comments regarding a neighbor they probably don’t get along with.
Fish hawk, over fifty different breeds of dog have taken lives, including labs, chespeake bay retrievers, westies, collies, and hounds. Dogs play by different rules, and thus need humans to make sure they don’t do anything we consider bad.”
EXACTLY!! The “I don’t know how he got out” claim is the mantra of every irresponsible owner. Great post, solosmoke, but don’t you get tired of having to connect the dots for breed-haters over and over ad nauseum?? They never learn, read, do any research or listen to the facts. Rather like the political left - or a two-year old who has his hands over his ears so he “can’t hear you”. Oh, wait, those are pretty much the same thing. Never mind.
Ah, yes, the ad hominem attacks - right on schedule. How very very “liberal” of you!! I’d put my IQ against yours any day dearie. At least I do research and don’t just take a “kill them all just because....they’re evil I just know it!” approach!! Care to substantiate any of your hatred with some scientifically-based studies?? No?? Why am I not surprised?? Yes, I suppose for you the comparison is valid. After all, it’s not such a jump for someone who has an irrational hatred of an entire breed of dog to hate an entire group of people also. Must all be evil in your book, right??? Good grief!!!
It’s the haters who are dense - as they never ever let facts get in their way!!!!
Edited: “don’t just take a “Kill them all approach”
You asked for good stories. Here you go. Read and learn.
http://www.understand-a-bull.com/Articles/HeroicPitties/HeroicPitties.htm (Multiple stories here. Read to your heart’s content!)
And, of course, the research and studies (referenced here):
http://www.squidoo.com/BS-of-BSL
Happy reading!!
You sent me a message at 1:51—1:55—2:13—2:19—2:28. You sure don’t take a hint do you...Your not on my list of people who’s reading material I might be interested in..buy a clue..
You asked for it in one of your posts. But, I should have known you were neither sincere nor truthful. Don’t bother me with requests unless you intend to honor them. SHEESH!! Your blind hatred of anyone who disagrees with you is unbelievable!! And frankly, if you don’t want to engage in useful dialogue and aren’t sincere in wanting to learn, then don’t post to me. But if you insult me in a post - don’t scream when I reply, honey.
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