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]

"Whenever I get a pit bull call at work I go right for the 12 guage, my 'pit bull pacifier.' Shot one about a week ago. He was loose, chasing kids and anyone walking in the area. "

Yes. A shotgun is the ideal defensive weapon for dogs and intruders, in my opinion. At the close ranges generally dealt with it is extremely effective, actually regardless of the size shot.

I take it you are in law enforcement.

[ffusco]

Then again I've never heard of a poodle stopping an intruder or dragging a child to safety from a burning house.

[Dementon]

It's truly amazing how much one can learn about another person by what he names his animals.

My Chow/Australian Shepherd is named Squeak. What does that tell you about me?

[MineralMan]

"Of course my dog is tied out, fenced in or locked inside at all times. I know the difference between a trusted family pet and a mean junk dog."

Perfect! I love dogs, but they, like mine, need to always be under control. Even the gentlest dog is capable of causing great harm if frightened or if it thinks it is in danger.

[AntiGuv]

His name is Smedley, after the USMC general.

War Is A Racket by Major General Smedley Butler.

[I still care]

Point taken. The dog in this story was rabid, which the poor thing really had no control over at all.

[ffusco]

My least favorite breed is the Chow- really an ill tempered bear cub- Little bastard took a chunk outa my leg, after I house sat and fed the creep for a week.

[GovernmentShrinker]

Trouble is, most pit bulls are owned by teens and young adults whose parents didn't bother to train THEM. Expecting these young thugs to train and supervise their dogs properly is about as realistic as expecting your Chihuahua to do your taxes for you.

[Crawdad]

It tells me you should call your agent and make sure he got that last homeowners premium check.

[two23]

"It's truly amazing how much one can learn about another person by what he names his animals."

There is a slew of psycho-babble surrounding vicious dog owners and the names they give the dogs. It has to do with fear and power trips. You are right on when you ask what the dogs name is. Do you think it's unfair to discriminate against homeowners with Rot's and pit bulls? Just curious.

[ffusco]

opps I meant junkyard dog!

[annyokie]

Hmm, I may be of the hook in case of a violation (not bloody likely). Annabelle, Cuddleigh, and Puppy are no Rambo.

[The Other Harry]

And should my dog do something that causes me liability, I will accept the responsibility and consequences.

How exactly do you accept responsibility for a dead child?

[farmfriend]

One should always go with a reputable breeder.

[GovernmentShrinker]

No, it's not the dog's fault. But it's also no coincidence that the rabid dog kept as a family pet was a pit bull. The same kind of people who can't be bothered with things like rabies shots are the kind who most often choose pit bulls as their pets. Scary combination.

[ffusco]

I agree. Large breeds have a greater appreciation of potential threats and behave accordingly, as opposed to miniature breeds that go ballistic all the time.

[ffusco]

My Rottie's name is Betty.

[MineralMan]

"And should my dog do something that causes me liability, I will accept the responsibility and consequences.

How exactly do you accept responsibility for a dead child?"

I almost asked the same question, and it's a good one.

[Cap'n Crunch]

You are correct, 100% Jack Booted Thug.

We are issued Mossberg's but I miss the old Winchesters, all you had to do was pump it and hold the trigger back.

Not long ago I bagged a pit bull and a rottweiler (I call it 'big game hunting' in the city) on the same call.

The pit bull charged at me and I shot. I thought I missed him because he took off running. He got about three or four lawns over and dropped. Took two to put the rott down, he was pretty big.

The neighbors came out and thanked me.

[ModernDayCato]

First off it would never happen. That being said, I would accept it the same way I would accept the responsibility for any other liability -- with remorse and my checkbook. What else could I possibly do?