Man Strangles Rabid Pit Bull

AP ^ | September 5, 2003

[Shermy]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Will Stewart says he didn't have a choice in strangling a 6-month-old pit bull-mix puppy.

The puppy that wasn't known to be aggressive suddenly turned violent last week. The dog bit or scratched four adults and two children in an Indian Trail neighborhood and was later found to be rabid.

Stewart says the dog, Jake, went crazy. He says after the dog bit the children and his wife, he had to act.

He called the dog, which he thinks weighed between 50 and 60 pounds, and pinned him to the ground. Stewart says he couldn't wait for animal control to arrive, so he strangled the dog as he and the dog's owner held him down.

The Stewarts, the couple who owned Jake and their two children -- all of whom Jake bit or scratched -- have begun the painful and expensive treatment for rabies. Stewart says his first treatment involved seven shots, and he has four more appointments for additional shots.

[ffusco]

My apologies, Sir.

[Protagoras]

Carry on.

[Feiny]

You have no clue about pitbulls. They make great pets, unfortunatley, they are abused & taught to attack by low life scum. If you bothered to find out about the history of the breed, you would know that human agggression is an abberration in the breed that was always exterminated. It was not until the drug losers & gands got ahold of the breed and took advantage of the breeds "eagerness to please their owner" that the problems began.

Please check out this site before making more ill-informed comments: http://www.pitbullsontheweb.com/petbull/sadreality.html
http://www.pbrc.net/breedinfo.html

[ModernDayCato]

Actually, I only have one neighbor and he has no children. What, no more trite little pillow sayings?

[ModernDayCato]

So I guess that means you aren't willing to take the consequences of your dangerous animals actions? I guess you were just kidding.

Not sure where you live, but I'm quite sure your Hitler-esque solution is not the law of the land here.

[Protagoras]

Actually, I only have one neighbor and he has no children.

That may keep you safe from the consequences of your choices.

What, no more trite little pillow sayings?

It was not a saying, it was a statement of policy.

You said you would stand up for the consequences. That would be the consequence of your animal killing my child. Same as if you had a tiger or a lion. One for one. You would get the same concideration as the victim. None.

[ModernDayCato]

It was not a saying, it was a statement of policy. You said you would stand up for the consequences. That would be the consequence of your animal killing my child. Same as if you had a tiger or a lion. One for one. You would get the same concideration as the victim. None.

Uh, then you would fry. That would be the consequences for YOUR actions. While my dog killing your child (which would never happen) would be a tragedy, it does not convey to you the right to take my life. Which, of course, you already knew.

I remember you now. You're one of those people here on FR who like to yank other people's chains by making outrageous statements. Thanks for reminding me why I no longer post here.

[Blood of Tyrants]

ANY breed of large dog can maul a human. Should we outlaw all dogs over 35 pounds?

[Blood of Tyrants]

Or just those that you don't approve of?

[Snowy]

ANY breed of large dog can maul a human. Should we outlaw all dogs over 35 pounds?

Please provide a link where a lab or golden MAULS someone.

[Protagoras]

Uh, then you would fry.

No problem, I'll take my chances. When the government fails at it's only legitimate function, to defend my rights, I have a moral right to defend them myself. You would be gone which would make it irrelevant to you what happened to me later.

[Blood of Tyrants]

What does a link prove? I KNOW people that have been mauled by German shepards, dobies, rottweillers, collies, black labs, coon hounds, and mixed breeds. You are once again the willing victim of sensationalist journalism.

Try these links of dog bites by breed.

http://www.co.clark.nv.us/parks/AnimalControl/97bitebreed.htm
http://www.co.clark.nv.us/parks/AnimalControl/00bitebreed.htm
http://www.kidsafewa.com.au/factsheets/Dog%20Attacks.pdf
http://www.aafp.org/afp/20010415/1567.html

Aggressive dogs (higher attack rate)

Bull Terrier
Cocker Spaniel
Chow Chow
Collie
Doberman Pinscher

German Shepherd dog
Great Dane
Pit bull
Rottweiler
Siberian Husky

Here is a good one that shows fatalities by breed.
http://wonder.cdc.gov/wonder/prevguid/m0047723/m0047723.asp#Table_1
You can see that in the past 10 years the pit bull is less prominent and the Rottweiler more. Perhaps due to the popularity of the breed.

And here is the google link that got me all this.

http://www.google.com/search?as_q=breed+table&num=100&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&btnG=Google+Search&as_epq=dog+bites+&as_oq=&as_eq=&lr=&as_ft=i&as_filetype=&as_qdr=all&as_occt=any&as_dt=i&as_sitesearch=&safe=images

All this proves is that the more popular a particular breed of agressive dog is, the more people are bitten by that breed.

Plus you are ignoring the primary cause of the attack in this case: RABIES.

[Snowy]

I do agree that any rabid dog would probably act like that. However, aggressive breeds are more dangerous and should be watched more carefully than the non-agressive breeds. If you go by popularity, then Labs should be at the top of the list of dogs most likely to kill. If a dog has a history of biting, and is an aggressive breed, then they should probably be put down. I have known some people with Doberman's, and these dogs were very nice. However, take a look at the below link. This mauling occured yesterday, I believe.

http://www.kyw1060.com/news_story_detail.cfm?newsitemid=31935

[Blood of Tyrants]

Looks like age doesn't necessarily bring wisdom. I would NEVER adopt a full grown dog of an agressive breed.

[Snowy]

Looks like age doesn't necessarily bring wisdom. I would NEVER adopt a full grown dog of an agressive breed.

I wouldn't adopt any dog with a history of biting (the article said it had a history of biting). I participate a bit in Golden Retriever rescue, and yes some we get (usually the mixed breeds) have snapped at people. Those dogs are put down.

[ModernDayCato]

First off, can't argue with your first sentence, provided you are willing to accept the consequences, and it seems like you are.

That may sound great sewn on a pillow, but the reality is that you would never get to trial. As long as that's acceptable to you, it works for me.

Never happen anyway.

[Protagoras]

You are the one who isn't willing to accept the consequences despite saying you were. But you would have no choice if it happened to my kid.

Now please return to coddling your dangerous animal and your former practice of not posting on this forum.

You are right about one thing though, even if you lived next door to me it would never happen because I value my children's life more than your property rights. Your property would be destroyed before my child. Midnight ratpoison snacks are delicious to dangerous animals.

[ModernDayCato]

Yawn. Predictable and boring.

[ModernDayCato]

PS = If you can get on my property without my German Shepherd biting you (very territorial) or without 00 buckshot in your @ss, more power to you.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go coddle my killer dogs, and yes I will not post again. It's too boring.

[Protagoras]

and yes I will not post again. It's too boring.

Excellent choice for FreeRepublic. Please live up to it. It will cure much boredom for other posters.