Woman Breaks Her Leg Running From Pit Bulls

http://cbs2.com/topstories/local_story_236151856.html ^ | Aug 24, 2007 12:14 pm US/Pacific

[BenLurkin]

CBS) HAWTHORNE, Calif. Two children menaced by pit bulls in Hawthorne were safe Friday, but a woman running from the dogs broke her leg and a squad car being driven to the scene collided with another vehicle, injuring an officer and a motorist, police said.

A report that two pit bulls were menacing a 16-year-old girl and her 6-year-old brother in the 2900 block of 141st Place at El Segundo Boulevard and Prairie Avenue was received by Hawthorne police about 8 a.m., Hawthorne police Lt. Michael Ishii said.

An animal-control officer distracted the dogs with a chemical spray, and the children ran to safety, Ishii said.

No one was bitten, but a woman who ran from the dogs fell and broke her leg, and she was taken to a hospital, Ishii said.

Meanwhile, an officer driving to the scene crashed into another vehicle at El Segundo Boulevard and Prairie Avenue, he said.

Paramedics transported the officer and the other motorist for treatment of ''minor-to-moderate'' injuries, he said.

The dogs were returned to their owner, who lives in the neighborhood, and police issued a citation for violation of the leash law, Ishii said.

[AFPS]

Where does my freedom end and yours begin?

Your “freedom” to harbor dangerous, unpredictable animals ends at my freedom to raise my family in a safe environment.

EXACTLY!

Last week the family moved out across the street. We rejoiced! They had 2 Pit bulls that constantly jumped the fence. We could no longer walk out Golden Retriever as they had both attacked him. Thankfully, we had a water hose with incredible pressure lying there and while I dragged my dog backwards into the house (he was on a leash), my son sprayed the dogs. Every time we walked out they would jump the fence and threaten us. So, what were our rights in this situation? We called animal control repeatedly, but until they ATTACKED us, they couldn’t do anything except give them a citation. My family was hostage in our house all year.My children were not allowed in the yard, my dog could no longer be walked, and I had to look outside every time we walked to our car and be very quiet so the dogs wouldn’t know we were there. Now, my Golden doesn’t attack people because he was bred to HUNT. Pits are bred to FIGHT. We had no freedom in our own home, so some one else could have the right to own a vicious and aggressive animal.

[Drew68]

We called animal control repeatedly, but until they ATTACKED us, they couldn’t do anything except give them a citation.

And that's the problem in many places. Until the dog attacks someone, it isn't considered a vicious animal. Unfortunately, once a pit bull finally (and inevetibly) attacks someone, you wind up with someone seriously maimed -or worse.

Me? I'd have been hard-pressed not to take a quiet midnight stroll across the street and toss a couple of nice, juicy, Prestone-marinated steaks over the fence. I know I'd be thinking about doing this every time those dogs left their property and terrorized my family.

[org.whodat]

I own one

Well does it make you feel like a big man are something? Good thing you don't depend on me for your business.

[Dysart]

I see you are infantile, in addition to being logically-challenged. Why does shattering your falsely held belief anger you? You make a false statement, you are gently corrected, and then you attack me. Now, wipe the drool off your chin and please try to refrain from histrionics.

[JustaDumbBlonde]

"In this case, the media is spot on."

Of course you would think so, because it meshes with your agenda.

[JustaDumbBlonde]

“Okay. I find my dog dead, you’d better be gone as well. Or I’ll make you ‘gone’.”

I agree. If someone, without any reason whatsoever, came to my door and made such a threat, they would have bitten off more than they wanted to chew.

These fine 'conservatives' around here that want to kill a neighbor's pet just because of what it looks like need to take a long, hard look at their own heart.

[Dysart]

Not that I own a pitbull, or any type of dog, but if someone came to me with a threat like that, I’d have to have a .45 nearby, as a “suggestion” not to come around me or my property (dog included) ever again. I’m not the kind to take threats lightly, no offense.

These violent threats, sometimes veiled, often not, are frequently seen on these PB threads. Scary bunch who bear watching.

[Dysart]

Some of the posts here I tend to write off as Keyboard Cowboys looking to show how tough they are on the Internet. Absolutely pathetic at times.

No doubt, most violent threats are bluster from fearful people. They are truly afraid of these dogs, and I try to understand their posts with that in mind. Others I find more need closer scrutiny.

[org.whodat]

Pitbull owners should be required to carry mauling liability insurance if their dog is ever unmuzzled or out of their immediate control while off the owner’s property. some states are changing that, one call to the police and they come calling, three calls and you go see a judge, http://news.aol.com/story/_a/states-crack-down-on-dangerous-dogs/20070723072609990002

[SIDENET]

It looks like it’s intently studying its prey to me.

LOL. That adorable little puppy?

[Don W]

Hi, it's me again. Try THIS little game, oh wise and omnicient about all things canine one

[Don W]

Wow, I'm impressed that you could find a death caused by canines study whoopee.

Now let's see if you can even IDENTIFY a "pitbull".

I'll bet you can't ID a pit for love or money. But you want them "outlawed". That sounds pretty f_LIBERAL to me.

[Libertina]

People who own agressive, snarling dogs (of ANY size)... hm, something wrong there...

[linn37]

John I’m a bit confused here. The poster wanted a potentially harmful animal removed from his neighborhood because he feared for his childrens safety. You are more worried about the dog?

Plus its clear that you would also inflict damage to the poster for even suggesting that your dog might be removed without your help? Why not call the police and let them mediate it if you feel so threatened?

[Don W]

No, the liberal media does not make the dog attack, but it certainly does hype the few attacks that do occur.

Remember that the same media that has misled you into thinking that the pitbull is the most dangerous creature alive also is telling you that:

Iraq is a lost cause,

America is the cause of the world’s ills,

white folk are guilty of everything,

and it’s all men’s fault.

Try using some logic. This breed has been around for several hundred years, and was a North American favourite for a pet for the majority of that time.

Any human aggression was WHOLLY unacceptable in fighting dogs when dogfights were acceptable, because the handlers would have to go into the ring and separate the dogs. If ANY dog couldn’t control itself when a human hand was involved, it was immediately removed from the gene pool.

The problem today seems to stem more from idiots owning these dogs, AND their lack of association with small children.

[SIDENET]

I think that is why people like me think the breed should be exterminated. Nothing personal towards the animal, I just don't trust ANY large animal with the kinds of equipment these dogs have. Sorry-JMHO

Well, there's no reason for you to be sorry for your opinion. I appreciate your honesty and BTW, nice Python!

Here's my perspective:

Right now, pit bulls are the dog of choice for some of the worst elements of our society. This is because they can be used for dog fighting and are also seen as status symbols of "toughness". The same people who would use a dog in this manner aren't generally known for reponsible dog ownership or kindness towards animals. This is not the dogs' fault.

Much is made of the pit bull's nature. By nature, it isn't a bad dog and I believe that the numbers are on my side (please bear with me). Even with all of the news stories of pit bull attacks, the vast majority of pit bulls in this country haven't harmed anyone and there are a LOT of pit bulls in the US. Furthermore, I don't think that these dogs are any more likely to "snap" and attack a person than any other breed of dog. The same thing was said about Dobermans back in the 70s and it was untrue. I remember when Dobermans were thought to be almost mindless, unpredictable "killing machines". Now, you never hear about dobies attacking people anymore. What happened? Was the dog breed the problem, or were irresponsible owners the problem when this dog was popular among some of the worst of society?

I happen to like pit bulls. I think that they look great (I do realize that beauty is in the eye of the beholder) and that the breed's characteristics make them one heck of a good dog when properly trained and socialized. Look at the dog in the picture below. He is certainly doing more for the good of society than many of the thug garbage who would fight and mistreat his type.

There is currently an outcry to ban pit bull-type dogs in many communities. I believe that this would be nothing more than allowing the scum of society dictate what is outlawed by their own bad behavior. To use a phrase borrowed from the military:

"One guy sh*ts his pants and now everyone has to wear diapers."

As far as protecting myself, I'm on the same page as you. I'm not about to just let some vicious and dangerous dog attack me if I am able to defend myself, and I definitely believe in the right to own firearms (I'm one of those damn Glock owners myself).

I know that I've addressed more than what you posted to me, but I just wanted to offer my two cents in this discussion. Thanks.

[Xenophon450]

That puppy is incredibly cute, it can either be raised into a loyal and trustworthy friend or a brute savage capable of only murder and mayhem. Pit bulls as the former are great companions which I would be lucky to own myself. I hope you find yourself a great companion, always treat him as he were a good friend, for I have seen many dogs treated as slaves, (beaten, neglected, malnourished, ect) and they do not socialize well...

[SIDENET]

Someone showed me a photo of their sweet pit bull pet. It had eyes like a souless reptile--yet to the owner, it was her little sweetie.

They look as soulful as any other breed of man's best friend to me.