Posted on 08/03/2005 10:19:25 AM PDT by Travis McGee
Dog Rips Child From Mother Arms
GLENDALE — A Rottweiller ripped a toddler out of her mother's arms in Glendale, dragged the child up a driveway and mauled her to death, police said today.
The dog, which belongs to the victim's grandparents, pulled the child from her mother's arms about 7 last night in the 2300 block of Via Saldivar, said Sherri Servillo, a Glendale Police Department spokeswoman.
The infant was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead, Servillo said.
The woman was housesitting for the child's grandparents, Servillo said, adding authorities received a "hysterical 911 call" after the attack.
The dog is being held by Pasadena Animal Control, she said.
The woman holding the child was also holding a hose and watering a lawn when the 150-pound Rottweiler attacked, said Glendale police Sgt. Tom Lorenz, calling it a "horrific and tragic incident" that has shocked crime scene investigators.
He said the dog dragged the infant several feet down the driveway before mauling her. The mother suffered no major injuries.
After being notified of the attack, Glendale police officers went to the place where the victim's father works in Pasadena and drove him to the hospital where his child was pronounced dead, police said.
Oh please. Dogs get out of yards and houses. There's a difference between letting your dogs run loose, and escape artists who occasionally get out. If there's a nuisance situation, taking the dog to a vet (or calling the police or animal control) is a much better situation. I've taken in stray dogs and located the owner within a day or two, and have talked to some terribly distraught people. There are cases of dog transporters (working for rescues) accidentally letting the dog get loose, and cases of kids letting out the family dog, etc. Shooting on sight is cruel.
Then let's all get along.
Sorry, I had to. :)
Bebe is 7 lbs, 8 yo. She is bossy, but she is my precious little black shadow...she loves Tinker, and cuddles with him. He is very gentle with her. We had her first, and he came as a 7 week old puppy, while she was an adult who wanted to be a mom...I don't know if it would have worked well the other way...
Maybe you meant "injured". Rottweilers have killed about two dozen people over the past two decades, the report http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/duip/dogbreeds.pdf doesn't say how many were children, but for dog attacks in general it was about 70%.
"BUT THEY ARE!" (in really beeeeeeeeg letters)
So. What would you do? Let me guess. Ban all rottweilers.
Hey, look! There's blind ol. Mr. johnson's seeing eye dog without a leash. Must've slipped out the door after that squirrel again.
Should we catch him for the poor ol' guy?
Nah! Let's blast him, you know the law!
Boom! Boom!
Is it really worth it for these people to keep vicious animals? That poor baby.
"Rottweilers are great assistance dogs because of their calm manner, stability and great strength.
They are great rescue dogs due to their determination, great noses and tremandous courage.
They are wonderful companion dogs. I believe you'd think again if you ever saw the reaction mine get when we visit Operation Stand Down and they get mobbed by the homeless vets, who so desperately need the compassion that is found in the sloppy tongues and wiggling stumps of their tails."
Thanks for the info on this wonderful breed. Rottweilers are very protective. My heart goes out to the family of baby killed by the dog. One of the best book series for young children is Good Dog Carl. http://www.gooddogcarl.com/
I thought I was the only one to do that...
I've had three Timber Shepards, all were great, no problems. Best hunting dogs I ever seen, unbelievable noses. Smart and protective at all times, never unruly, always gave plenty of warning growls.
Of course, I lived in the middle of nowhere, always knew where they were and I outweighed them, (one was 186 pounds), so I could handle them.
Your statement is a little too blanket for me.
Yeah, you're right, the rest of us should live in terror of huge dogs escaping because some owners don't know how to keep a dog in the yard. If you can't even keep a dog in a yard, then maybe you shouldn't own a larger or more aggressive breed(I'm not worried about dogs under 50 lbs unless in a pack.)
I've had people I know tell of stories of dogs off the leash. Why should I have to run away from a pit bull(as my friend and I both had to do on SEPARATE occasions) because some idiot can't build a bigger fence or do what's needed to properly enter/exit the yard?
Also, you and I both know there's a significant difference between the rare 'escape' and people who don't care if their dogs are roaming the neighborhood.
You say shooting on sight is cruel, well, you've apparently not been chased by a dog with the highest percentage of fatal attacks to its name. You also don't have a mother who is afraid of dogs(bitten when a child) or children that might get mauled and killed by dogs that are 'escape artists(how cute.)
Labradors!
I used to have a friend that had a Rottweiler that scared me to death!! She said he as gentle as a lamb.......
Pitt Bulls are another breed that scare me.
we have two beautiful collies....gentle and as loving as can be.
I respect your experience and opinion, but I think it's a mistake to put guns and dogs in the same category. Whether we like it or not, dogs are somewhat independent actors in their own existence.
Even an irresponsible gun owner still has to PULL the trigger.
That's why I think some regulations or ordinances(requiring obedience school for larger dogs and leash laws strictly enforced) are in order, whereas the free man should be presumed free to own firearms, knives, clubs and stun guns.
"My friend's Rotty is a big baby. This dog reacted for a reason. My guess it was beaten with the hose and freaked when he saw it. People make these dogs mean."
Two "wouldn't hurt a fly" rottweilers nearly tore my at the time springer spaniel to shreds. The large stick I carry and the dogs owner saved my dogs life.
Rotts and Pits do not belong amongst the public.
Precisely, and those owners should be held responsible.
Those people will never get over what happened to this child, and the dog should be destroyed, BUT you can't blame every Rott or Pit for this.
There are 10's of thousands of these dogs around, and we get a few bad ones. Yes, they are bad. Yes, they can do the damage. Yes, there are creeps that keep these dogs for this very reason.
You can't judge every dog in the breed by these dogs. There are plenty of good dog breeders, who breed for good dispositions, and screen the owners that these dogs go to because they DO need a firm hand.
Banning certain breeds of dogs is not the answer. Just as banning guns is not the answer. These dogs would not kill if they were owned by people who were responsible.
SUV's don't have teeth and don't spontaneously start themselves up, leap out of locked houses through living room windows and maul passersby.
If it seems reasonable to own a rottweiler as a pet, especially a 150 lbs. rottweiler, then it should seem just as reasonable when I shoot it and claim it tried to attack me or my child.
The chances of people believing me are going to be a lot better than me making that claim about your SUV.
Either chain them to something solid, or don't get upset when I come kill it out in your driveway.
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