Posted on 04/11/2010 6:06:39 PM PDT by Chet 99
Memphis Girl Mauled by Pit Bull: Family Wants Dog Euthanized
Reported by: Kevin Holmes Email: kholmes@myeyewitnessnews.com Last Update: 7:58 pm
SHELBY COUNTY, TN – A Memphis child was mauled by a pit bull while inviting her friends to her birthday party. The 8-year-old girl is recovering at Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center, as authorities decide what should happen to the dog that attacked her.
Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputies say the dog was chained to a tree in a front yard on Northdale Drive when it got loose.
Hailey King has undergone several surgeries to repair her hands, face, legs and shoulder. Late Saturday, April 10, 2010, she was unable to move one arm and her mother Eileen says she can barely move the other one.
Kim Shreve managed to help free Hailey from the dog.
“When I looked down in the cove," Shreve tells myEyewitnessNews.com, "there was a little girl and she was balled up in the fetal position and a large brown pit bull was on top of her and mauling her. She was covered in blood.”
After this attack, Eileen King wants the pit bull to be euthanized, but there’s a chance that won’t happen. Right now the one-year-old pit bull is under observation at the Memphis Animal Shelter.
If Shelby County Health officials consider the dog not to be vicious, it will be returned to its' owner. And that's an option that angers both Shreve and King.
“It’s not like you can tap the dog on the hands and tell it not to do it again," says Shreve. "The dog drew blood."
King agrees. “This is vicious," she says, "and that dog needs to be put to sleep.”
The dog’s owner, LeToya Redwing was cited for having a loose dog. The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office says this incident is still under investigation. Additional charges could follow.
Is that a Happy HIPpo?
Jack, More than likely, what you encountered was not at all an American Pit Bull Terrier, but an American Bully... completely different type of dog. Let me say this, pit bulls are known to be dog aggressive... this is a normal trait that is no more out of the normal than a cat that chases and kills a mouse. It’s just part of their history. Until people understand that they are dog aggressive, and prey driven, there will continue to be an outcry to “kill them all”. However, that being said, this breed should NEVER be human aggressive, and any dog that displays any amount of human aggression, if owned by a responsible person, will be humanely euthanized. This breed should love everyone that enters the house. Actually, if your home is broken into, a pit bull should be more than happy to see the robber and be willing to show them to the good china.... after a stop at the cookie jar. Pit bulls were used as the Nanny dogs in the 1800’s.... don’t believe me? Visit www.badrap.org and read up about their history with the children of the 1800’s. Also, although I strongly disagree with it, back in the days when they were used to fight, handlers had to be able to get into the pit and administer medication and check wounds of these dogs. The dogs that turned and tried to bite the handlers were oftentimes put down... why? Because they were unsound temperament dogs, and unsound temperaments toward humans was not allowed. The only ones you see that own this breed that wants the “Billy bad boy” image are the very ones that do not need to own this breed.... or any dog in my opinion. The ones that do not want to take the time to invest in their dogs, socialize them and make sure they are of sound temperament, are the very ones that should not own them. The ones that allow them to run loose so they can get in trouble are the ones that should not own them.... however, every time I hear Joe Birch tell a story about a pit bull that attacked the neighbors cat... I roll my eyes. I had a Chow that killed 2 cats, a Chow that I adopted from the Memphis Humane Society. Was I letting him run loose? No, he was chained in the back yard because I couldn’t keep him inside... the cats got too close to his dog house. Dogs kill cats... that’s just part of the dog/cat world. Cats kill birds and mice, but you never hear a story on the news about the cat that killed a poor bird. Point is, if people wouldn’t let their cats run loose, the cats wouldn’t be in danger of any dog, or car, that happens by. I have 6 dogs, and of the 6, 4 would kill cats. Why wouldn’t the other 2? Because they are 13+ yrs old and wouldn’t spend the energy chasing one. But the 2 Labs would kill a cat in a heart beat. Oh, and I have 2 cats as well... and they are house cats that are inside with my 2 pit bulls everyday. My cats are never let outside, and my pit bulls have never attacked the cats either. But I crate the younger dog when I leave. Mollie pretty much has run of the house. But the cats can get away from her, not that she will chase them, she’s too lazy and could care less what they do. I crate Bella because I’m a responsible owner and know to never leave 2 dogs loose in the house when I can’t supervise... more than likely, Bella would just destroy the house and eat the couch cushions, so I don’t take a chance. I NEVER worry about my dogs turning on me... none of them. They may turn on the cat at one point, and they have had squabbles among themselves, the 2 labs got into a squabble just last night, but the family?? I never worry about it. Why? Because if any of my dogs ever display an unsound temperament, they will be put down. There is a world of difference between human aggression and dog aggression, and it will be a good day when Joe America realizes that.
>>Wow.. I’ve never heard so much hate spewed!!<<
HAHAHAHA! And in so few sentences too. ;)
I think you are inferring things that are not there.
>>They are not supposed to be human aggressive, however, they are Terriers, and dog aggression with this breed is very normal. Hitting a dog with a baseball bat is... well, I will remain professional and just say, it’s wrong.<<
Now I know why, “God Loves A Terrier” notwithstanding, why I don’t really like Pit Bulls. Regarding the baseball bat, I would use that only because shooting it would be more difficult since I don’t have a conceal carry permit. And we are talking purely about defensive measures.
Here is an example of why you want to end the dog in such a situation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXiO_duXa5A
If I had been there. The baseball bat thing would have probably worked. A full sized bat, that is. Or a tire iron. The other dog died, btw.
I am not a PETA member. I do not equate dogs to humans. If they are a danger to me or my property I take them out, as I would any non-human animal. That is just the way the world works, and has always worked. It is the nature of things.
Of course dogs are prey driven. Killing cats and other animals are what they do. I’m not calling for any dog breed to be destroyed. People should educate themselves about the breed they are raising and the risks they entail having such. People should be held more responsible for the dogs they own when their dogs attack people. When that happens people will choose more wisely because of liability concerns.
“However, that being said, this breed should NEVER be human aggressive, and any dog that displays any amount of human aggression, if owned by a responsible person, will be humanely euthanized. This breed should love everyone that enters the house.”
I’m not sure if you are aware of this but pit bulls were bred for war going back to the ancient Greeks. And who fights in wars? Human beings. These dogs were bred to fight and to dominate territorially. It is quite natural for them go kill human beings since they were bred for it. Ancient Rome then used them as fighting dogs.
“The ones that do not want to take the time to invest in their dogs, socialize them and make sure they are of sound temperament, are the very ones that should not own them.”
So are you saying that people should get licenses to own certain breeds that are known to be more aggressive than others? Maybe laws should be drafted to require people who want to own dogs, such as the pit bull, presa canario and other well known aggressive dogs, should have to attend classes, problems to look out for and what to do about them, be required to take them to an obedience school, know the laws in regards to pets who have a tendency to maul people, know their history, what they were bred for, keep AKC registration papers, et cetera so it filters out the people who shouldn’t have them.
There are stories in the news where an irresponsible pit bull owner finds his pit bull(s) have gotten loose and mauled some one or killed them. How should a pit bull owner (or any breed really) be held responsible for his dog that kills or mauls some one? If some one trespasses into a yard with a dog and gets mauled or killed is a totally different story.
From what you have said you sound like a very responsible pet owner. The more aggressive the breed is the more responsibility is required. What do you suggest should occur to prevent those who are less responsible from acquiring the more aggressive breeds of dogs?
“I’m not sure if you are aware of this but pit bulls were bred for war going back to the ancient Greeks. And who fights in wars? Human beings. These dogs were bred to fight and to dominate territorially. It is quite natural for them go kill human beings since they were bred for it. Ancient Rome then used them as fighting dogs.”
Are you talking about the history of molosser dogs? If so, you should know that many of today’s “friendly” breeds also came from those lines, but have been bred for different things for so long that some don’t resemble them in type or temperament.
“There are stories in the news where an irresponsible pit bull owner finds his pit bull(s) have gotten loose and mauled some one or killed them. How should a pit bull owner (or any breed really) be held responsible for his dog that kills or mauls some one? If some one trespasses into a yard with a dog and gets mauled or killed is a totally different story.”
I know you weren’t addressing me, but I do have a solution to this....prevention. That is the only way to fix the situation. If we try to get responsible ownership laws passed, not only will we see a decline in pit bull attacks, but attacks from all breeds. In the rare instance that an owner has truly done right by their dog and it simply “snaps”, we can honestly say that particular dog should be euthanized and move on, hoping to learn whatever we can from the incident so as not to repeat it. Why not give it a chance? The people who are already doing the right thing will not have to worry about having their pets taken away because they fit the generalized standard for “pit bull-type”, and the ones that everyone already complains about but can’t seem to get anything done about will pay the piper.
Most definitely people should educate themselves regarding what breed they are bringing home, whether it be a Pit Bull or a Poodle.
“I’m not sure if you are aware of this but pit bulls were bred for war going back to the ancient Greeks. And who fights in wars? Human beings. These dogs were bred to fight and to dominate territorially. It is quite natural for them go kill human beings since they were bred for it. Ancient Rome then used them as fighting dogs.”
ummm... “These dogs were initially bred in England, Ireland, and Scotland, and arrived in the United States with immigrants from these countries. In the United States, these dogs were used as catch dogs for semi-wild cattle and hogs, to hunt, to drive livestock, and as family companions; however, some were selectively bred for their fighting prowess, and starting in the early 20th century, they began to replace the bull terrier as the “dog of choice” for dog fighting in the United States. American pit bull terriers today successfully fill the role of companion dog, police dog, and therapy dog; however, terriers in general have a higher tendency towards dog aggression.” “Bulldogs were used for all manner of work, including baiting, fighting, stock work, hunting, and farm dog, as well as companion animal. They were an agreeable dog, capable of extreme ferociousness towards other animals but unwavering loyalty and gentleness towards humans. They were a breed which was required to demonstrate a certain level of animal-directed aggression, but were routinely used in pairs to bait animals and hunt, so overt aggression towards others of their same species was not an extreme trait. The breed eventually to be known as the American Pit Bull Terrier was selectively bred specifically with the idea of it becoming the ultimate canine gladiator. But by virtue of the fact that so much of the breed was made up of versatile bulldog blood, the breed also proved adept at a number of non-fighting activities, including those which the bulldog had been used for. Also, the traits (specifically gameness) bred for in pit dogs were surprisingly relevant in other arenas. Gameness is defined as the willingness to see a task through to its end, even under penalty of serious injury or death. Gameness was the trait most cherished in a fighting dog for obvious reasons, however this same trait proved useful in other areas—a dog who had the tenacity to hold a wild bull or boar, steadfastness to protect his master's home and property, and extreme tolerance for pain which made for a very stable dog less likely to bite out of fear or pain was terribly useful in rural old England, and later on in America. So while a core group of fanciers focused on the fighting uses of the breed, and bred with the pit in mind, others kept dogs for a variety of tasks. And indeed, some family/working dogs were used in the pit and some pit dogs were also family/working dogs. There was never a clear
line drawn between ‘fighting dogs’, and ‘non-fighting dogs’ in those early years of the breed. http://www.realpitbull.com/history.html
The only thing I found related to Rome was this ... “The breed is reported to have been pitted against leopards in the ancient Roman arenas. The Molossians gave rise to another family of dogs known as the Mastiffs...The mastiffs were known for their strength and power. The early Britons employed a variation of the Mastiffs as pugnaces - fighting dogs that could be used in either a guardianship or warfare capacity.
When the Roman emperor Claudius defeated the Briton Chief Caractacus in 50 AD, the powerful pugnaces piqued his interest. He quickly seized on the opportunity and began exporting select quantities of the dogs back home to satiate his countrymen’s appetite for entertainment in the arenas and coliseums of Rome. Once in Rome, the British dogs were crossbred with their Roman counterparts. From the years 50 AD to 410 AD, the breed was widely disseminated throughout the Roman Empire for use as fighting dogs. Along the way they mixed with other indigenous breeds throughout Europe, creating a genetic melting pot for the bulldogs that are the immediate antecedents of the American Pit Bull Terrier.
With the high level of aggression that pit bulls may show toward other dogs, it seems a contradiction that they also are described as loyal and gentle companion animals. Pit bulls have appeared as characters in television and film, including Petey of Our Gang. Unfortunately, an increased level of human-oriented aggression outside the ring is being documented as individuals outside the traditional dog fight culture acquire and breed pit bulls for protection or as a threat. And poor training and poor breeding are unbelievably increasing. Sadly, most people in today's world do not have the skills and training to raise a child...How could they even think they could train a pit bull, when a pit needs massive training by a professional.” http://www.pitbull411.com/history.html
The Mastiffs were used for guardianship or warfare, not the American Pit Bull Terrier. No where did I see where Romans used APBT’s to attack humans... they were NOT bred to kill humans... come on man, you have got to be joking! They were bred to fight OTHER DOGS in the pit, they were never bred to kill humans. I feel like I'm trying to rationalize with a brick. Ancient Romans used them to fight other dogs.. for sport, “to satiate his countrymen’s appetite for entertainment in the arenas and coliseums of Rome.”
“So are you saying that people should get licenses to own certain breeds that are known to be more aggressive than others? Maybe laws should be drafted to require people who want to own dogs, such as the pit bull, presa canario and other well known aggressive dogs, should have to attend classes, problems to look out for and what to do about them, be required to take them to an obedience school, know the laws in regards to pets who have a tendency to maul people, know their history, what they were bred for, keep AKC registration papers, et cetera so it filters out the people who shouldn’t have them.”
Absolutely!! It would drastically cut down on problems, loose running dogs, and would eliminate irresponsible owners from being able to own this breed. Irresponsible owners are not going to want to invest any amount of time or training in having this breed. But I would be the first in line!! By the way, after adopting Bella... I invested almost $500 in Obedience classes for her. I would be hesitant to think many of the owners that let their dogs run loose have invested .50 cents in training. If they have, they won't be allowing their dogs to run loose. I've invested too much money in my dog to allow her to run loose and risk being hit by a car and all my money is down the drain.
“There are stories in the news where an irresponsible pit bull owner finds his pit bull(s) have gotten loose and mauled some one or killed them. How should a pit bull owner (or any breed really) be held responsible for his dog that kills or mauls some one? If some one trespasses into a yard with a dog and gets mauled or killed is a totally different story.”
Certainly should. All irresponsible owners should be held accountable for the actions of their dogs. A dog will only be as well behaved as it's been trained to be. If it has not been trained, how can you expect it to be a good dog... it's like the couple at the restaurant that come in and then let their child run wild in the restaurant, bothering other tables and interrupting a nice evening out. Do I get mad at the kid, or the parents that allow the kid to behave that way? I'm ticked at the parents... the kid is only going to be as well behaved as his parents have taught him to be. My kids never left the table when we went out to eat, and they never got loud and disruptive, if they did, they were taken out until they calmed down, or we left all together.
“From what you have said you sound like a very responsible pet owner. The more aggressive the breed is the more responsibility is required. What do you suggest should occur to prevent those who are less responsible from acquiring the more aggressive breeds of dogs?”
Thank you very much. I strive every day to be the best, most responsible owner I can be. I'm not perfect, but I know my dogs, and myself, are held to a higher standard than someone that owns a poodle. I have to be on my best behavior and my toes at all times. No one pays attention to the owner that walks in the pet store with a poodle in a purse, but EVERYONE is paying attention to me, my dog, and how well behaved she is. I think that first off, the back yard breeders and puppy mills that sell these dogs to everyone that walks in with money, should be shut down. Only responsible breeders that are breeding genetically sound temperament dogs and eliminating the human aggressive ones, should be allowed to breed. However I adopted one of mine (and 6 more of my animals) from a shelter. So shelters should do a very intense background check on potential owners. Vet references should be made, experience with the breed should be required, Obedience classes should be required, home checks to make sure the dogs cannot escape a fenced in yard. If a chain set up is going to be used, there should be adequate shelter, fresh water, and the dog shouldn't be near an area where it can be teased (like the dog in this story was). If a person is not readily willing to give vet references, additional references if requested, and have a home check, then the shelter should think long and hard before letting that person adopt. Spay and neuter should be required. When we called to ask about adopting Bella, after the rescue did a vet reference and a few other checks, they said they would spay Bella before we were allowed to bring her home. I said fine, no problem. However, I had someone that was looking to adopt a Rottie, and wanted a female. I know someone that does Rottie rescue and told him I'd give her his number and the pup would already be spayed and UTD on shots. He refused, he didn't want a spayed female, because he is planning on breeding his dog to make money off the pups... a HUGE red flag, and I will not refer him to anyone that I know that has any breed of dog available for adoption. The shelters and rescues are overflowing with great, loving dogs that need adoption, there's no need for the average person to adopt a dog and breed it... down the line, that just means more offspring of that dog will end up in shelters. I would never contribute to that. I can't adopt them all, and the ones I have adopted live a long, happy life. I have one that I adopted that is over 13 yrs old. He was about 2 when I adopted him 10 yrs ago. When he passes on, I'll eventually adopt another. I do what I can, but I won't contribute to shelters being over crowded by letting people adopt dogs just to breed them.
“I know you weren’t addressing me, but I do have a solution to this....prevention. That is the only way to fix the situation. If we try to get responsible ownership laws passed, not only will we see a decline in pit bull attacks, but attacks from all breeds. In the rare instance that an owner has truly done right by their dog and it simply “snaps”, we can honestly say that particular dog should be euthanized and move on, hoping to learn whatever we can from the incident so as not to repeat it. Why not give it a chance? The people who are already doing the right thing will not have to worry about having their pets taken away because they fit the generalized standard for “pit bull-type”, and the ones that everyone already complains about but can’t seem to get anything done about will pay the piper.”
Excellent solution to the problem! Thanks for posting it... now.... if we could just get this through to lawmakers to start enforcing it instead of pushing for BSL laws. From your lips to God’s ears!
“Excellent solution to the problem! Thanks for posting it... now.... if we could just get this through to lawmakers to start enforcing it instead of pushing for BSL laws. From your lips to God’s ears!”<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
It helps (I think, even though it may fall on deaf ears a hundred times for every one time it doesn’t) to tell everyone you know what you know, and give sources. I am particularly fond of the laws passed in Calgary. They have not had to ban any types of dogs, yet have seen a dramatic decrease in attacks, as well as having close to 100% of their dogs licensed! This is the kind of legislation our country needs to mirror, not the failed, yet often cited UK bans, which have been proven ineffective by the fact that their serious attacks have increased since it was enacted.
The tone, caps and quality of English of your reply caused me to check your profile. I saw what I expected to see.
>>FIRST OF ALL WHO ARE WE TO JUDGE MS. REDWING.<<
I’m not judging.
I am saying that if you own a dog that has certain, ah, capabilities, then you go in with the idea that you are responsible for what it does. It’s all about responsibility. The dog’s owner may be a really nice person. The dog’s owner may have even raised the dog right.
Many nice people, via all sorts of activity, get arrested and prosecuted for involuntary manslaughter. It is not about judging. It is about the rule of law. When you create a potentially dangerous situation (and a pit bull, by its mere existence is, by definition, a potentially dangerous situation, as are all animals) by taking responsibility for any dog, you are also responsible for that dog’s actions.
If it kills or maims someone, you are in deep doo doo. Even if you are Mother Theresa.
I think you nail this with your post.
“99% of the attacks were by dogs other than Pitbulls.”
Should’ve asked the guys in the morgue what their ratio was.
Stop That!
You two are making way too much sense to be on this thread.
I like it!
;-{)
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