Pregnant Pacifica woman killed by family pit bull

sfgate.com ^ | August 11, 2011

[Free ThinkerNY]

PACIFICA -- A pregnant Pacifica woman was found dead by her husband today after an apparent attack by a family pit bull, police said.

The 32-year-old woman, whose name has not been released, was killed in her home on the 500 block of Reina del Mar, said Capt. Dave Bertini, a Pacifica police spokesman.

The woman's husband told police that he had arrived home from work around noon and found one of the couple's two pit bulls standing over his wife's body. He was able to get the dog into the backyard before police arrived a few moments later.

Attempts to revive the woman were unsuccessful, and she was pronounced dead at the scene.

While the investigation was under way, Bertini said, the dog got loose from the yard and charged at officers who were stationed outside. They fired three shots at the pit bull, killing it.

[SJSAMPLE]

I have been told, repeatedly, that attacks like this are rare.

[Godwin1]

All pit ball breed dogs should be destroyed. All animals are inherently unpredictable. But the strength and ferocity of this breed is such that it is just too dangerous to have around humans. Not a day goes by but we hear or read of some horrific story concerning these animals. People are more important than animals. We don't need the risk they present.

[Venturer]

People own pits to intimidate other people.

[freekitty]

I am glad to hear your family is okay.

When they go after the illegal breeders; they will cure this kind of stuff. The breeders are breeding them with too much aggression.

Unfortunately, no one wants to do the right thing.

[Realman30]

Was this the owner’s fault? One hears that so much with these beasts.

[LongElegantLegs]

What?

[GBA]

That is so sad. I know people love their pits, but I just don't get the attraction.

Just one of these "Pit bull kills ____" stories is too many and I long ago lost count.

I'm sticking with English springers. My one springer should be a WalMart greeter. He LOVES everyone and people just love him back.

Need to get him into therapy dog training...he's a natural. Every one I've had has been like that, but my boy takes it up to the next level or so.

[LongElegantLegs]

I don’t know, but a german shepherd did:
http://www.morgancountycitizen.com/?q=node/18044

a mastiff did:
http://www.times-age.co.nz/local/news/masterton-fears-after-kid-mauled/3962334/

a boxer did:
http://www.urbanacitizen.com/main.asp?SectionID=3&SubSectionID=5&ArticleID=157964

a doberman did:
http://www.kgan.com/shared/newsroom/top_stories/videos/kgan_vid_7383.shtml

a bulldog did:
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/9181642.Bradford_dog_attack_victim_s_arm__is_saved_/

a rottweiler did:
http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/local_news/9183480.Seven_year_old_boy_mauled_by_rottweiler_on_Southend_beach/

But the only one we hear about is the pit bull. So strange...

[DJlaysitup]

People own pits to intimidate other people.

For the most part I think you are right. My daughter and son in law (newly married) are into the whole dog rescue thing. While I admire their concern for the animals, they always end up with pit bulls. Personally I think that is a very dangerous situation - but they seem to be doing well and I know that making a big issue about it would only get me alienated from them.

Recently my duaghter told me that they are thinking about starting a family within the next year or so. At that point I know I will have to do everything I can to get them to stop with the pit bull rescue stuff.

[LibertarianLiz]

What this looks like is bad pack power structure, with the wife not carrying enough authority.

Really? To me it looks like the typical "poor mis-understood pit bull" story.

My husband is the top-dog in our household, yet, he has no qualms with leaving me alone with our corgi.

[terycarl]

People own pits to intimidate other people.

amen brother...we have people in my city that own these worthless animals who are on food stamps(not the dogs, the people, poorly phrased sentence....anyway, they walk the streets with their dogs, usually on a leash, but you can see the arrogance on their faces....worthless people, worthless dogs

[LongElegantLegs]

Seriously, what do you mean by that?

[jocon307]

“At that point I know I will have to do everything I can to get them to stop with the pit bull rescue stuff.

Well I agree, but no need to focus on that one breed. Newborns and various “rescue” dogs are a recipe for disaster, so I’d just focus on that.

I’m a cat person, but when I brought my baby home I made sure to lock the 2 cats I had out of her room at night. Basically they just sat around and observed her, but I didn’t want to worry while I was sleeping. The thing with babies is they don’t know nothing, so they don’t even know if something is wrong, that was my concern.

[PAR35]

I know people love their pits, but I just don't get the attraction.

Name a better breed for guarding a meth lab.

[truthguy]

Anybody can make anecdotal statements. Here's the real data:

In 2010, the combination of pit bulls (22) and rottweilers (4) accounted for 79% of all fatal attacks. In the 6-year period from 2005 to 2010, this same combination accounted for 71% (129) of the total recorded deaths (181).

So the record is clear.

[LongElegantLegs]

Where’d you get your real data, if I may ask?

[truthguy]

Where’d you get your real data, if I may ask?

Here you go: Dog Bite Statistics

[truthguy]

I screwed up. Try this:

Dog Bite Statistics

[editor-surveyor]

What a great pet!

How long will it take for the idiot to go get another pit?

[OldPossum]

For the most part I think you are right. My daughter and son in law (newly married) are into the whole dog rescue thing. While I admire their concern for the animals, they always end up with pit bulls...

I am right now looking for another dog and petfinder.com is a good way of doing that. But, as I look through their listings I am struck by the sheer number of pit bulls and pit bull mixes that I see. I wouldn't take one of those dogs under any circumstances, and I see a lot of people agree with me.