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Woman mauled by home-invading pit bulls
KING5 ^ | 8/21-07 | KING5.com Staff

Posted on 08/21/2007 8:00:32 PM PDT by paulat

Woman mauled by home-invading pit bulls

07:45 PM PDT on Tuesday, August 21, 2007

KING5.com Staff

Animal control officers say the victim was covered in blood after the dogs attacked PIERCE COUNTY, Wash. - In what deputies describe as the worst mauling they've ever seen, two pit bulls entered a Wauna-area home via the pet door and attacked a woman in her bed.

Pierce County Sheriff's Dept. spokesman Ed Troyer said a neighbor's Jack Russell terrier also entered the home in the 10600 block of 132nd St. Court NW through the dog door and the pit bulls attacked the terrier named Romeo.

The 59-year-old woman was in bed, in her room. Neighbors say she was sound asleep when the attack happened. She managed to get away, run to her car, lock herself in and call 911. Even after fighting off the dogs, she was in pretty bad shape.

Bernard Choi / KING 5 News

Two pit bulls entered a Pierce County home and attacked a woman in her bed.

"Pretty much from head-to-toe, she was covered in blood," said Pierce County Animal Control officer Brian Bowman.

Troyer said firefighters locked the pit bulls in the house until deputies arrived. Officers had to use pepper spray and fight the dogs to get them into custody.

The woman was taken to St. Joseph Hospital, where she was listed in satisfactory condition. The terrier was taken to an animal hospital, where he died Tuesday afternoon.

The pit bulls were taken to the Pierce County Humane Society, where they will remain until the case is resolved.

The pit bulls also attacked a Jack Russell terrier named Romeo.

Troyer said the owner of the pit bulls has been identified and lives on the same street as the victim. KING 5 went to the home, but nobody answered the door. Neighbors say they have had problems in the past with the two pit bulls running wild.

Information will be given to prosecutors, who will decide what, if any, charges will be filed against the owners. Animal control officers say they will recommend gross misdemeanor charges at the very least.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events; US: Washington
KEYWORDS: animals; bopma; breed; breedofpeace; dog; dogofpeace; liability; maul; mistake; preciouspooch; rdo
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To: Mad Dawg
"How about a law permitting one to kill a roaming pitbull w/o fear of lawsuit or criminal charges?"

We don' neeed no steenkin' laws -- just a lack of witnesses....

161 posted on 08/22/2007 9:07:55 AM PDT by tracer
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To: mamelukesabre

Pound for pound, perhaps. And I agree that the great dane would be in big trouble. But some larger breeds can easily kill a pit in a defensive situation just as a fair heavy weight can easily beat a great lightweight.

Tosas, filas, boerboels, and a few other big mastiffs will make short work of a pit because they are much bigger and stronger. They don’t have to be “gamer” because the 50-60 lbs pit is simply going to have its spine snapped by the 150 lb to 220 lb dog.

With the exception of the Tosa, these mastiffs are not fighting dogs, but protective breeds. Consequently, when I say they would make short work of the pit, I am saying that would be the case in a pit attack situation - I’m not talking about dog fighting, which is an abomination.

One fila owner had a pit charge him on his property, and before he realized what was happening his fila had grabbed the pit and was bashing it against a tree trunk. The pit didn’t survive.

The problem with the pit is that it (like the Tosa) is bred for dog aggression. When you couple that genetic drive with left hand side of the bell curve owners, you get a dog that is very dangerous.

If you live in a neighborhood with pits, having a pet boerboel, fila, or cane corso would provide a good first line of defense, which should be backed up with a .357 or larger caliber.


162 posted on 08/22/2007 9:08:48 AM PDT by achilles2000 (Shouting "fire" in a burning building is doing everyone a favor...whether they like it or not)
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To: savedbygrace

Just heard Romeo, the Jack Russell Terrier that probably saved the woman’s life, giving her the time to run away to get to her car...died.

Bless him.

DK


163 posted on 08/22/2007 9:09:05 AM PDT by Dark Knight
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To: from occupied ga

Maybe you need to set out some rat poison to get those dirty rats that have been bothering you?


164 posted on 08/22/2007 9:14:01 AM PDT by Paladin2 (Islam is the religion of violins, NOT peas.)
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To: Paladin2
Maybe you need to set out some rat poison to get those dirty rats that have been bothering you?

The only thing that stops me is that the owner actually likes the vile things and I hate to cause too much grief to neighbors. I'm more of a live and let live person, but she's really pushing the envelope.

165 posted on 08/22/2007 9:16:34 AM PDT by from occupied ga (Your most dangerous enemy is your own government, Benito Guilinni a short man in search of a balcony)
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To: Dark Knight; kanawa
Just heard Romeo, the Jack Russell Terrier that probably saved the woman’s life, giving her the time to run away to get to her car...died. Bless him.

I'm a cat person, not a dog person, and hate that so many Americans think of themselves as their pets' "mommies" and "daddies." It turns my stomach to hear it because it's so feminized and morally demented! However (and one of the reasons I'm against breed banning for pit bulls, Rottweilers, or any other breed), dogs are unique and valuable to human kind -- dogs, including pit bulls (just ask kanawa) will willingly die to protect their human masters. Dogs deserve a very special place in all human hearts. Still, right-minded people will discreetly kill remotely errant pit bulls in their neighborhoods because it's the responsible thing to do for everyone who lives there, especially kids and the elderly. Pit bull owners beware -- the onus is on you to protect your dog from the public at large, not the other way around.

166 posted on 08/22/2007 9:22:25 AM PDT by Finny (Only Saps Buy Global Warming)
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To: from occupied ga

You neighbor is a live-and-let-die person. Deal with it.


167 posted on 08/22/2007 9:23:08 AM PDT by Finny (Only Saps Buy Global Warming)
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To: ButThreeLeftsDo
Posted On General/Chat 05/02/2007 6:23:20 AM PDT

IMHO, the main problem with Pit Bulls is that their owners, due to a fundamentally unjust society, are away from home for long periods of time. They are often serving time in local and federal prisons on a variety of charges trumped up by "Pit Bull Haters," or undergoing extensive medical treatment for burns suffered when their home laboratories blow up because local fire departments are also in on this tragic conspiracy against this fine breed. Thus, they are not at home to discipline and train these wonderful pets.

I just wish you could see the boundless joy expressed by these jolly pets when they see "Mom," and "Dad," walking through those iron gates! In those precious months when their owners are free, Pit Bulls show their warmth and affection, while earning the temporarily-at-liberty owner respect in the hood.

I ask for fairness; fairness and balance. Sure Pit Bulls take out a child or two, perhaps occasionally the odd mail carrier, one or two joggers, or a senior ccitizen. But what's that trifling casualty list against the hours of pleasure these fine dogs give the upstanding citizens who care for and love them?

Much could be gained by allowing Pit Bulls to share their owners' cells, during those tragically inevitable periods when the supporters of this incredibly affectionate breed are forced by an unjust world to suffer durance vile.

168 posted on 08/22/2007 9:25:28 AM PDT by Kenny Bunk ( Teddy K's 'Ïmmigration Reform Act' of 1965. ¡Grácias, Borracho!)
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To: savedbygrace

One of those dogs on your ass is bad enough but two??? Heart pounding, anxiety and fear coursing through her veins...no chance she would be able to get hold of a gun and shoot. A dog that can tow a small car can shake someone like a rag doll if agitated enough....


169 posted on 08/22/2007 9:29:13 AM PDT by misterrob (There's no difference between a knee jerk liberal and a knee jerk conservative.)
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To: tracer
We don' neeed no steenkin' laws -- just a lack of witnesses....

[sound of shotgun being pumped]
"Hey! All y'all! Shut your eyes now, okay?"

170 posted on 08/22/2007 9:45:33 AM PDT by Mad Dawg (Oh Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.)
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To: misterrob

I think I qualified the statement sufficiently.

I’d never be able to make those shots, but someone might . . . . unless their shooting hand/arm had gotten chewed up.


171 posted on 08/22/2007 9:46:35 AM PDT by savedbygrace (SECURE THE BORDERS FIRST (I'M YELLING ON PURPOSE))
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To: luvmypitt
Dont blame the dog for this one ..this blood is on the parents hands for keeping this dog.

They aren't the dog's "parents." They're its owners. There's a very big difference.

172 posted on 08/22/2007 9:53:12 AM PDT by Finny (Only Saps Buy Global Warming)
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To: zadox
They're vicious for the same reason that Golden Retrievers are friendly. (I know, I'm going to get stories about Goldiepaws on the Rampage)--generations of selective breeding. The most aggressive and successful fighters lived and were encouraged to breed more just like them.

It doesn't matter whether the owner is bad or good. I hear arguments about canine free will here on the pit bull threads that are laughable. A good owner might help to overcome the breeding, a bad owner will make things worse--but the dog is not a blank slate. He has been bred to kill, and to kill in a noisy and entertaining fashion.

173 posted on 08/22/2007 9:54:10 AM PDT by Mamzelle
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To: from occupied ga
I just cannot believe the "bankruptcy wish" that pit bull owners seem to cherish. One scarred child, and you've lost your home and your savings and maybe your income.

I think the best thing a citizen can do at this point is to demand of our homeowners' insurers that they not cover certain breeds of dogs--that will identify the remaining pits as pets of the improvident and thus a danger.

And our local shelters should not attempt to place any pits in homes--just euthenize them immedicately.

174 posted on 08/22/2007 10:01:32 AM PDT by Mamzelle
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To: 007girl; Finny

In case you didn’t quite understand my post, I despise Jack Russel Terriers. They have lousy proportions, ugly little beady eyes, hair that gets into everything, piercing little yaphound voices, and ridiculous tails, whether docked or not.

My neighbour has a pair that are trained to within an inch of their lives, and they still yap at unholy hours, jump up on some people without permission, and carry on doing whatever they please when not “under harness”.

They act like large hairy tailed rats on speed and acid. This is the case for every Russell I’ve seen or met, and it’s disgusting. If any of my dogs were half as ill-mannered, I’d take them out for that “ride in the woods”.

That said, I’d quite happily own another pitbull/cross. If it showed the least amount of agression towards humans, that trip to the woods would occur immediately.

Funny how when a breed one is fond of for whatever reason is maligned, those who like them will come to their defense, isn’t it?

That little babble about rats, I have a peke-pom mix that will out-rat any little hellion Russell. I had a fox terrier that would do the same, and the lab/whippet/pit cross my brother had used to evict raccoons and beavers. Oh, and cats were doing a dandy job before the Russell was bred (for hunting WEASELS, BTW).

Those with an irrational and media hyped fear of pitbulls, I feel badly for you. It’s a pity that even among our little community some react with emotion rather than logic concerning these animals. I dislike Jack Russels, but went into hyperbole mode after reading the overwrought anti-pit posts. Those who enjoy them, good for you. You can even bring them to visit, but only for a few hours. After that, I won’t be responsible for the 2 collie’s discipliinary actions.


175 posted on 08/22/2007 10:06:51 AM PDT by Don W (I wondered why the baseball was getting bigger. Then it hit me.)
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To: Razz Barry
re: So true. I work with a few of those people, and my best friend's daughter is a pit owner.)))

Rachel Ray has owned a series of pits. Blew my mind. Now there's a deep pocket!! She's making money faster than Martha Stewart.

176 posted on 08/22/2007 10:09:11 AM PDT by Mamzelle
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To: from occupied ga

Perhaps a second fence with a declared free fire zone between.


177 posted on 08/22/2007 10:10:01 AM PDT by Paladin2 (Islam is the religion of violins, NOT peas.)
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To: mplsconservative

My friend had to get rid of his Jack Russell. He gave it to relatives.

It wasn’t mean, it was just too wild. The thing would jump up and down in place four a solid hour.

He decided it wasn’t the right dog for him in an apartment. He gave it to his relatives who have a fenced backyard. The energy was nonstop.


178 posted on 08/22/2007 10:11:04 AM PDT by shbox
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To: mplsconservative
Jack Russells in no way, shape or form have the temperment of a Pit Bull.

Very true. The Jack Russell terriers my in-laws have and have had are hyper, crazy animals who engage in dominance displays to every visitor, even those who have visited multiple times, like me. Of course, the real problem is their indulgent owners.

179 posted on 08/22/2007 10:17:51 AM PDT by Trailerpark Badass
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To: Finny

BTW, I have nothing at all against JRs. A friend has them and they have always been well behaved. They’re great watchdogs because they make enough noise for any 10 other dogs when someone approaches. She doesn’t take any nonsense from them, though.

That said, if I were to own a dog, I would not likely get a JR. The energy levels are way too high for me. They have springs in those legs and know how to use them.

Yes, little dogs can be aggressive and there seems to be a correlation to that and size, but a smaller dog I could defend myself against. A pit is just way to strong and unstoppable for its size.


180 posted on 08/22/2007 10:18:12 AM PDT by metmom (Welfare was never meant to be a career choice.)
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