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.

[MineralMan]

"I used to live in an area where there were a lot of pit bulls. I suppose they can be fine dogs, but they rarely are. Nine times out of ten they were owned by sociopaths."

And there you have it. Around here, pit bull owners are generally young guys with shaved heads and a weight-lifter's body. The Death Metal band bumper stickers on their cars or trucks put them in a category I worry about.

Skinheads with pit bulls. A bad, bad combination. Fortunately, my neighborhood has become very stable in the past year, with all the houses lived in by their owners for about three blocks. No pit bulls.

[annyokie]

Wow! Thanks for all the links!

[T Minus Four]

Pit bulls can make fantastic family pets if you train them properly. I can attest to that.

Yeah, until my five-year-old pushes down your five-year-old. I'd consider one if I lived with my family alone on a deserted island.

[ffusco]

Thank you! Pit Bulls, Rotties and other large breeds need to be repected. They must be raised from a good breeder and raised like children and adequately socialized. My Rottie came from a horse ranch andf I knew the owners and met the entire litter before Betty scampered over to me. She picked Me out ;)

[radiohead]

But these creeps that fight them breed for fighting dogs. That's why they often have to euthanize even the puppies.

The animal control officers in Detroit shown on 'Animal Cops' have said that it is SOP to euthanize all pit bulls that they take in. They are bred to fight and the humane society just can't take the risk that one of these dogs will attack the person who adopts it.

I'm no fan of the pit bull, but it very sad to see the younger pups who haven't really done anything and know that they will be euthanized because of their jerk owners.

[annyokie]

While that may be very true, most dogs owners do NOT obedience train their pets, be they Yorkies or Rottweillers.

Obedience train your dog. Make your life and the lives of those around you, not to mention your dog's life easier.

[Born Conservative]

Rabies shots are no longer painful nor prolonged in treatment regimen. This is outdated information from the time that rabies shots had to be given in the abdomen.

The first set of rabies shots ARE painful, because of having to give rabies immune globulin, a thick liquid injected in the tissue around the wound, and the remainder given into the muscles. Depending on the person's wt, this may mean 4-5 shots. However, the remainder of the PEP protocol (post exposure prophylaxis) is a single shot (usually in the upper arm) on days 3,7,14, and 28. I do agree, however, that they aren't as bad as they used to be. Also, they are expensive. The entire series is well over $2000 to complete.

[MineralMan]

"Thank you! Pit Bulls, Rotties and other large breeds need to be repected. "

Hah! How about restrained. That's what they need. Frankly, I don't know you...or your dog...so you'll forgive me if I don't trust your pit bull or rottie. Keep it restrained at all times. Your dog is not as important to me as the neighbor's kid, and I will object strenuously if your dog is loose anywhere near me.

[The Other Harry]

and if yours is off leash and comes into my yard, it will never come out of my yard again...

Btw, I like that. It is no joke tho. That is why god gave us Dr. Mossberg.

I also think that is legal. Around where I live (Virginia), I think it is. I'll need to check.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Ever seen what a dalmation can do to a 7 year old? I have. How about a German shepherd? Rottwieller? Doberman?

At one time or other ALL of those breeds have been accused of being simply too agressive to be around children.

My dad used to rais German shepherds when they were the baddest dogs around (mid '60s). At one time we had half a dozen adult dogs. Not a single one ever even attempted to bite me or my siblings but would literally tear up an intruder.

I ahve had several friends with pit bulls AND children that were far easier going and less likely to attack than some high strung Cocker Spaniel.

Get real and use common sense instead of sensationalistic journalism to form your opinion. BTW, if you read the article, you will notice that the dog was RABID. His breed had absolutely NOTHING to do with the attacks.

[The Other Harry]

Thank you! Pit Bulls, Rotties and other large breeds need to be repected.

Is that before or after you kill them?

[Crawdad]

I'm just curious. What was the dog's name?

[Ichneumon]

While that may be very true, most dogs owners do NOT obedience train their pets, be they Yorkies or Rottweillers. Obedience train your dog. Make your life and the lives of those around you, not to mention your dog's life easier.

Excellent point, one that bears repeating.

It should also be pointed out that while an improperly trained little dog is just an annoyance, an improperly trained large dog (of *any* breed) can be dangerous. People who own large dogs need to take their responsbility seriously.

And come to think of it, the same is true of people who raise children... A poorly raised child is far more likely to become an adult who is some sort of danger to themselves or others.

[annyokie]

Thank you. My children have been obedience trained, as well. I can take them anywhere and youngest son is only six.

[ModernDayCato]

I don't post on Free Republic anymore between the Bushbots and the Moderators, but I couldn't break the tradition of posting to alarmist 'kill all the pit bulls' threads.

Meet Pooh:

Staffordshire Terriers (Pit Bull isn't even a breed, but that's another story) are by far the nicest, most intelligent and responsive dogs I've ever run across. That's why they can be trained so easily by morons.

[beelzepug]

I have a real problem with people who let their dogs run loose with ball bats, I don't care what breed they are.

[MineralMan]

"Meet Pooh:"

No, thanks. Keep the thing restrained on a leash or penned in your yard. Keep it out of my yard, entirely. Thanks for your cooperation.

[two23]

"This is simply not a breed which makes for a household pet."

Some homeowners insurance companies agree. The premium is high and the alternative is getting rid of the dog. The people we know chose to get rid of the dog. No insurance--no mortgage.

[MineralMan]

"-If it weren't for the laws, I'd kill every one I saw.-

I feel the same way about those negroes, always stealin' stuff and committin' crimes.
"

A dog is not a human being, so your sarcasm is unwarranted. Your dog is your property and your responsibility. If you have a mean one, keep it away from me and mine at all times. And I'm not being sarcastic.