Newborn baby attacked by pit bull

WXYZ ^

[Chet 99]

Posted: 09/01/2010

Last Updated: 14 minutes ago

WATERFORD, Mich. (WXYZ) - A newborn baby is in the hospital recovering from a pit bull attack that happened as his grandfather held him in a Waterford backyard.

Wally Mersino was holding his four-day-old grandson when the family dog, a pit bull mix named Floyd jumped up and bit the baby on the head. “His fang tooth or something put a laceration on the head, I kicked the dog away and we rushed the baby in the house to stop the bleeding,” says Mersino.

He says, the dog was sitting next to him on the back patio when all of a sudden without provocation, without warning, the dog jumped up and opened its mouth on the newborn.

The baby was rushed to the hospital, and Animal Control came and took the dog away. The newborn had several stitches and is expected to be released from the hospital as early as Thursday.

Mersino tells Action News, the family dog was put down Wednesday, and even though it was sad, he knows it had to be done.

[Texan5]

Is it just me, or does anyone else think it takes a special kind of stupid for a person to allow ANY pet within grabbing distance of an infant? I’ve always had cats and dogs-we had a German Shepherd when my daughter was born-and there was no way that the pets approached within feet of that baby without being restrained. I don’t hear of people setting their babies next to cows, pigs, goats or any other animal...

[Texan5]

At the risk of being pedantic, the prevailing scientific theory is that wolves are the ancestors of dogs, but they are indeed wild animals and are not appropriate domestic pets. A few dog breeds-German Shepherds, Huskies, Malemutes and a few others-have been bred with wolves in the last couple hundred years, but it is no longer done legally, and they are domestic pets-there are no AKC wolf/dog hybrids available, to the best of my knowledge.

I’ve never heard that the other two wild breeds pictured- Dingos and African Wild Dogs-were used in domestic dog breeding, or that any wild canid was used in the breeding of the Staffordshire or any other terrier, or any other pit fighting breed-my dog book says they are derived from domestic dog stock-mostly Mastiffs and Bulldog breeds...

[TigersEye]

No doubt. I wouldn’t leave a small child alone in a room with five gallon buckets full of water either.

[Texan5]

Is the dog in the second picture a Belgian Terveuren (sp)? What a pretty dog.

[Texan5]

“buckets full of water”

Or matches, lighters, sharp objects, poisonous substances firearms, strangers-a responsible adult should know that a child must be kept away from practically everything-animals and children do not have the ability to make value judgements. Anyone who doesn’t know that does not need to have a pet-and maybe not a child, either.

[TigersEye]

Agreed. Neither children, animals or potentially dangerous inanimate objects can be charged with taking responsibility. That is left to adults and both children and pets should be under the supervision of adults.

[shibumi]

"Is the dog in the second picture a Belgian Terveuren (sp)? What a pretty dog."

No. It is an "open coat" (sometimes called a "plush" or "Shiloh") standard German Shepherd Dog, with an extraordinary pedigree. His grand father was a Sieger (German National Champion) VA1, SchH3.

It was a trick question. Of the three dogs pictured, he is quite probably the most dangerous, having been previously trained as a sentry and indeed, has come into his own only after finding highly productive work as a K9 Officer with a dedicated full-time handler.

[Windflier]

my dog book says they are derived from domestic dog stock-mostly Mastiffs and Bulldog breeds...

I don't disagree with those facts. I only wonder about whether their observed temperament was intentionally bred into them, originally.

[shibumi]

"I don't disagree with those facts. I only wonder about whether their observed temperament was intentionally bred into them, originally."

That "observed temperament" you describe just doesn't exist.

This is why kanawa said you were not being rational.

Ask yourself this. Why is it that when fighting pit breeders are caught, there is always evidence of dog torture?

The answer is (you're not going to like this one) that Pit Bulls are so naturally non-aggressive that they have to be tortured into behaving that way. Without whipping, teasing and goading, their natural instinct is to work and serve.

I posted that picture of the three dogs for a reason. The third one is not an exception. Pits are, by far, the best search and rescue dogs in the world. They also make excellent service dogs. (That's why so many pictures of Helen Keller show her with one of her Pit Bull companions.)

This is not to say that they don't require special handling. Any working dog, when deprived of his job (purpose) and activity (outlet) can develop edgy behavior.

You talk of "mountainous" evidence. The evidence that exists only serves to show that there are mountains of very perverse people, willing to do horrible things to these animals, to elicit the "desired" behavior from them.

The mountain of evidence regarding the natural instinct and character of the Pit Bull Terrier has this at its peak:

Sgt. Stubby - the Most Decorated War Dog of All Time

[Windflier]

That "observed temperament" you describe just doesn't exist.

Oh? So, I should take your word for that, and ignore my own lying eyes. Right.

Pit Bulls are so naturally non-aggressive that they have to be tortured into behaving that way. Without whipping, teasing and goading, their natural instinct is to work and serve.

So why are my 78 year old mom's pit bulls so insanely aggressive? She's never given them anything but love and the best of care, yet they're so dangerous that the family won't even visit at her home anymore. Too many close calls and terrifying incidents. And, she raised them from puppies.

The picture you posted of Sgt. Stubby looks nothing like a pit bull terrier. Looks like a Boxer to me.

[shibumi]

Well, I don't know your mom, but I do know that "love" given in the wrong way (i.e. showing submission instead of leadership, allowing dominance and "alpha" behavior instead of exhibiting it) can, in a way that seems strange to the human mind (since we, after all, are not pack animals) be torture for dogs who crave a purpose and a "place."

I don't want to sound flip, but has this 78 year old woman (which means she was at least well into her 60's when she got the dogs - right?) ever enforced an exercise program for them?

You think Sgt Stubby was a Boxer? OK.

Sure.

...whatever...

[Windflier]

..."love" given in the wrong way (i.e. showing submission instead of leadership, allowing dominance and "alpha" behavior instead of exhibiting it) can, in a way that seems strange to the human mind (since we, after all, are not pack animals) be torture for dogs who crave a purpose and a "place."

Aye, aye, aye...

My family has owned dogs of all sorts since long before I was born. I grew up with lots of dogs, and nearly every member of my family keeps at least one. I currently have a wonderful dog, myself.

I have never known any dog to need anything more than simple affection, and a bit of discipline to grow into a healthy, well-behaved pet. I've never known any dog to need the sort of psychological management that you describe.

Trust me, my mom exhibits the "Alpha" behavior you speak of. There's no question that she's in charge of her turf. She's a natural command personality.

Alright. I think I've said enough on this. We have very divergent views on pit bull terriers, and I don't expect us to find much common ground discussing it further. In truth, it's not my most passionate subject, so I'm growing weary talking about it.

I respect your views, but disagree with them - as you obviously disagree with mine.

Good night, and we'll talk elsewhere on the forum.

[shibumi]

My compliments on the gentlemanly manner in which you’ve handled our disagreement. That’s rare to find on these threads.

I do not wish to exacerbate our differences any further, but if you would indulge me in one thing - and I promise, there won’t be a “Gotcha!” at the end of it. I merely wish to know for my own edification. What kind of dogs has your family had?

Thanks again.

[Texan5]

That is a lovely, fine dog, shibumi.

Having owned two German Shepherds, I certainly agree with the common wisdom that a working dog-especially those breeds used as guard dogs need a job and an owner/handler who knows how to be the alpha of the pack-even my sweet female Siberian Husky thinks she is a watch dog-especially in the summer when she needs to stay in the air conditioned house and it is too hot for her to go hiking in the woods with me-she also takes care of my three cats, whom she thinks are her subordinate pack members.

Dogs have been bred selectively by humans for thousands of years-new research says possibly as long as 20 thousand years-to be companions to humans, working with us and guarding us. Any dog or other domestic animal can be forced into being vicious by abuse and torture, and by rewarding bad behavior, just as humans can (think-serial killer), irrespective of breed.

The Romans fought dogs-I believe the favored breed was called a Mollusus, or some such-the ancestor of the modern Mastiff. Breeding dogs for fighting is ugly, immoral, and the abuse of man’s best friend, period, but most of the fighting breeds were originally bred with strong jaws and a tenacious hold for hunting and catching boars, bears and other game-the perversion of that purpose is the misuse of one of God’s creatures.

When I was a small child, German Shepherds were the devil dogs, later it was Dobermans, then Rottweilers and so on-my husband and I had a black Chow who lived to be 17, and even played gently with our cats-but everyone was terrified of him because Chows were the devil dogs at that time-like with humans, it is more nurture than nature...

[Windflier]

What kind of dogs has your family had?

Geez, they run the gamut. We're talking 70 years of family history here.

In my youth, we mostly had mixed-breed dogs. You know how kids are. We'd bring home every stray we found, and when Dad was stationed away from home, Mom would usually let us keep them.

Dad's family owned lots of mutts too, but they also had some pure breeds. I remember them fondly talking of a bulldog from Dad's youth, and there was a beagle and a boxer in there, too. My Granddad used to hunt when he was a boy in Mississippi, and they owned some sort of hunting dogs (I can't recall the breed). In his elderly years, he owned a Scottish terrier.

Mom owns two pit bulls, one brother owns a couple, one sister owns a husky, and I've got a Great Pyrenees/Golden Retriever mix. I've also owned a Shepherd, and a Shepherd/Wolf mix. We had to let the last go after he bit a neighbor kid, even though the kid provoked him.

Alright. Glad we ended this as gentlemen. Thanks.

[Salamander]

Actually, for the sake of brevity, I’d just say you were a drama queen.

Comparing dogs to murderous Muslims is a textbook example of a straw man argument.

If the tiara fits, wear it.

[Salamander]

What's to understand?

It's an invalid analogy which compares intentional mayhem perpetrated by sentient beings capable of choosing between moral “good” and “evil”....and dumb animals.

Bargain basement histrionics, at best.

“Buzz off.”

Aw, hit too close to home, did I?

:)

[Windflier]

What's to understand?

Keep trying, junior. You'll puzzle it out sooner or later. I have faith in you.

[Salamander]

“Just because an animal can be classified as a canine, doesn’t mean that it’s suitable for domestication.”

Invalid logic.

None of those canids have been modified by selective breeding [aka “domesticated”] by humans.

*All* of them retain the wolf-like, prick-eared appearance of true “primitive dogs”.

Do your “mountainous reports” include these statistics?

---

Top 10 Most Aggressive Dogs

1. Friend of Foe?

It can be argued that any dog breed can be trained to be aggressive, and any dog breed can be trained to be passive.
The fact is, particular dog breeds are often linked with particular traits.
The pit bull is often viewed as an aggressive breed, and the golden retriever is often viewed as a passive, friendly breed.
These views, however, are undue generalizations.
Aggressive dogs come in many breeds and sizes. As it turns out, some of the most aggressive dog breeds are also the smallest breeds.
Dachshunds
2. The dachshunds have a strong instinct to dig. Their name literally translates to “badger dog” in German. Dachshunds were bred to chase badgers out of holes, therefore, they are high-energy dogs. When dachshunds are unable to relieve their energy in a healthy manner, they can become irritable, obstinate and quick to bite.
Chihuahua
3. The chihuahua is one of the smallest dog breeds, and therefore they become easily threatened by other dogs and humans. As with many small dog breeds, chihuahuas often display aggressive behavior for self-protection purposes, and may become suspicious of people other than their owners. Chihuahuas are not recommended for children because they can misinterpret a child’s actions and defend themselves by biting.
Jack Russell Terrier
4. Jack Russell Terriers were bred for fox hunting and have retained strong hunting instincts. Jack Russell Terriers are high-energy dogs and like to chase, explore, bark and dig. If they do not receive enough exercise to occupy their energy, Jack Russell Terriers can become restless, destructive, and develop aggressive behavior.
Australian Cattle Dog
5. Australian cattle dogs were bred to protect cattle, and therefore retain a strong protective nature. They are avid guard dogs, and are extremely loyal and obedient to their owners. The Australian cattle dog’s protective nature can lead to dominant and aggressive behavior, particularly with unfamiliar animals and persons.
Cocker Spaniel
6. Cocker spaniels were bred to hunt and track fowl. They are prone to roaming and hyperactivity. When cocker spaniel are not walked regularly, they can become restless and develop negative behaviors such as guarding of objects, barking, hyperactivity and aggressive behaviors.
Beagle
7. Beagles are part of the hound group, and were bred to sniff out game. They have a predisposition to roaming, exploring, chewing and barking. Beagles are high-energy dogs and may become destructive when left alone. With lack of exercise and stimulation, beagles can develop negative behaviors such as excessive digging, chewing and biting.
Border Collie
8. Border collies were bred to herd livestock. Border collies are extremely intelligent dogs with a lot of energy to expend. When border collies are not challenged in both mind and body, they can become destructive. Border collies are not recommended to people who do not have ample time to spend with a dog. An unstimulated border collie can become irritable and develop aggressive behavior.
Chow Chow
9. Chow chows were bred by the Chinese as working dogs, and home protectors. Chow chows can be aggressive around strangers, and have been know to be capable fighters.
The Pappillon
10. The papillon was bred primarily for companionship. Papillons are extremely loyal to their owners. Often, they can be very possessive and suspicious of strangers. Their possessive nature can lead to aggressive and violent behavior.
.
English Springer Spaniel
11. Like its relative the cocker spaniel, the English springer spaniel was bred to hunt and track fowl. The English springer spaniel is intelligent, energetic and requires daily exercise. Generally, they are good with other pets but since they are natural hunters, English springer spaniels can develop aggressive behaviors when they are denied an outlet for their natural instincts.

---

Of the above breeds, your “logic” actually holds true:

” they’re much more prone to unprovoked attacks than other dog breeds are.

They are more prone to attacking family members and household guests than are other breeds of dogs.

They’re more easily coaxed or trained to be vicious, than are other breeds of dogs. “