Posted on 05/02/2007 3:26:57 AM PDT by DieHard the Hunter
George, a nine-year-old Jack Russell terrier, was put down after being savagely attacked by two pitbulls in the Taranaki township of Manaia on Sunday.
George was walking into town with a group of children who lived next door when the pitbulls rushed the group, heading for a four-year-old boy.
The boy's 11-year-old brother, Richard Rosewarne, said George started barking and rushed at the pitbulls as the children ran away.
George's owner, 69-year-old Alan Gay, said the pitbulls savaged George until a passing motorist intervened and managed to separate the dogs.
The first Mr Gay knew about the incident was when a local vet rang him and told him his dog had suffered horrific injuries. Mr Gay decided to have George put down.
He told NZPA today he had been receiving phonecalls non-stop from relatives and media organisations since word of George's heroics got out.
"The phone has been going since about half past seven this morning. Everytime I hang up it rings again. It's worn out, I might have to get a new one," he said.
He said as long as there were pitbulls there would be incidents like Sundays.
"I don't think it's wise for anyone to have pitbulls. They're killers, they only know one thing.
"But the little Jack Russells like George, they're harmless."
Mr Gay said unrestrained dogs had historically caused problems in Manaia and he would be reluctant to replace George.
"The town would have to clean up its wandering dogs first. If I got a puppy here he's going to couple up with the kids next door, they're going to go up town and he'll follow them and there'll be problems if there's pitbull terriers around."
He said the children next door had been fond of George and had written a note for him.
"In memory of George, we are sorry that George left in such a terrible way. He was our guardian and hero whenever we went walking and we will never forget him," the note said.
Mr Gay was told by South Taranaki District Council staff that the two pitbulls were found after the attack and the owner had admitted they had returned home on Sunday covered in blood. They were impounded awaiting destruction and the owner may be prosecuted.
The council said it intended hunting down all dangerous and unregistered dogs and neutering them.
Thank you, kanawa.
Kanawa, Mate: great story.
We are clearly talking about a different dog. As I thought (and have said over and over and over again on this thread). We are not talking about the sort of dog you own, who will fight bears to protect his master.
We are talking about a mungrel mutt “breed” that has been designed to enhance its aggressive and antisocial tendancies for perpetrating Crime. They get called “pitbulls” for want of a better label. But any idiot could easily tell the difference between one of these mungrel “pitbulls” and the dog that you own. You can spot these dangerous mungrel mutts from a mile away (a safe distance unless you are armed).
I’m on record as having admired the courage of your heroic dog, having fought for you against a bear. I meant it at the time, and still do.
No NZ “pitbull” would have done that for you: they are undisciplined, untrained, ornery and just plain mean. Designed to be antisocial canine psychopaths.
Maybe the real problem is that you don’t have dogs like this in North America. Meaner than junkyard dogs, bred to be that way. Maybe it’s a cultural thing? Dunno.
All I *do* know is that no sentient law-abiding human being would defend owning such a dangerous, out-of-control creature as a matter of right.
How many kids, how many old folk, how many miniature horses, how many cattle, how many petting zoos, how many Jack Russell Terriers need to get mauled and killed before this problem is brought under control?
How much “Collateral Damage” is enough before someone puts on the brakes and says “we go this far and no further” with these dangerous Mutts?
*DieHard*
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.