Stray Pitbull saves Mother and Child from Attacker

ZooToo ^ | 7.8.08

[meandog]

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- The wandering 65-pound Pit Bull mix might have seemed menacing to some passerby, but one woman will always remember him as her "guardian angel."

The dog, which authorities think is lost and not a stray, successfully thwarted a robbery attack on a mother and her 2-year-old son, who were held at knifepoint Monday afternoon.

The Florida woman, who has been identified by authorities simply as "Angela," was leaving a playground with her toddler son in Port Charlotte when a man approached her in the parking lot with a knife and told her not to make any noise or sudden movements.

Angela didn't have to do either to protect herself and her child -- a dog mysteriously ran to the scene and charged the man, who quickly fled.

"I don't think the dog physically attacked the man, but he went at him and was showing signs of aggression, just baring his teeth and growling and barking. It was clear he was trying to defend this woman," Animal Control Lt. Brian Jones told Pet Pulse.

"I don't know what this man's intentions were, but it is very possible this dog saved her life."

The exceptional part of the story, Jones said, is that the dog had never met or even seen the people it quickly jumped to defend.

"You hear about family dogs protecting their owners, but this dog had nothing to do with this woman or her kid," Jones said. "He was like her guardian angel."

After the alleged thief ran away, Angela quickly placed her son, Jordan, in the car and tried to drive off. Before she could, though, the dog jumped into her backseat, waiting with her for the police and animal control officers to arrive at the scene.

The dog was transported to a local shelter and if his owners don't step forward within five days, Jones said, Angela and her family plan to adopt the savior she named "Angel."

Animal control officers and shelter workers believe Angel is lost, and not a stray, because of his good health, sturdy weight and mild temperament.

"It's funny, that someone's irresponsibility could have saved someone's life," Jones said of Angel's possible owners.

For Angela, it doesn't matter where the dog came from, just that he was there when she needed him most.

"I don't know what his [the thief's] intentions were -- I don't know why he did it, but I'm glad that -- we call him Angel -- I'm glad that Angel showed up because I don't know what would have happened," Angela told NBC2 News.

For a small town with a population of 46,452, animal control officers were kept busy Monday afternoon. Jones says they department also responded to a report about a boa constrictor in a church parking lot.

The snake found its way into a car engine and was able to be removed without being harmed. It took three people to move the massive, seemingly random placed snake.

"It's funny, because we aren't a big place," he said of the Gulf Coast town. "And we can go for four or five months without the media contacting us about a story. It's been a busy week."

Officers from the responding county sheriff's office canvased the area and were unable to locate the suspect described as being in his 20s, tall and dark haired.

Tell us what you think about "Stray Dog Saves Woman, Child Held at Knifepoint" below. Share your favorite videos by clicking on the ZootooTV tab. Send us your story ideas by e-mailing us at news@zootoo.com or by calling us at 877-777-4204.

Pet Pulse reporter Amy Lieberman and NBC-2.com contributed to this article.

[Peace4EarthNow]

Since you like to comment about violence by pit bulls (no one here has ever denied there are bad seeds in EVERY single breed out there), I'd love to hear what you have to say about severe abuse AGAINST pit bulls:

(This is coming from this website: http://realpitbull.com/abuse.html)

SADIE: A FEW DAYS' PEACE & LOVE

Sadie's story is probably one that is all too familiar to those who do rescue. And I suppose that is just one thing that makes her story so heartbreaking ... it shouldn't be familiar.

Sadie was a Pit Bull ... she came into my life on a Saturday night when the boy who rescued her carried her into our home, and asked me to care for her. She was severely dehydrated, starved, and I was told that she had been beaten with a metal pipe. She had been surrendered on the condition that her owners names not be given out. She was so ill she couldn't lift her hind end up off of the ground by herself. I got water and food down her, gave her a bath, trimmed her overgrown nails (to make walking a bit easier on her), and settled her into a crate for the night. It was a long night ... poor Sadie had been so starved that she had eaten some kind of dead, putrid animal, and nothing would settle on her stomach ... I stayed up until about 5 in the morning comforting her and cleaning up the most vile smelling vomit you can imagine. On Sunday I started her on Pedialyte every half hour by syringe, and Satin Balls, small portions every two hours.

There's more of Sadie's story at the link...

(BRB with another story & picture of severe abuse against pit bulls that I'd like your comment on)

[Peace4EarthNow]

PETUNIA

Petunia's face was doused with what we believe was battery acid. Deemed "unadoptable" by the rescue group she was originally taken in by, Lorene Haythorn of Pit Bull Rescue of NJ took Pet took over and began the rehabilitation process. Short months later, with a healed (but scarred) face, and some new manners, Pet joined a family where she became the best friend of a little boy

[ColdWater]

Since you like to comment about violence by pit bulls (no one here has ever denied there are bad seeds in EVERY single breed out there), I'd love to hear what you have to say about severe abuse AGAINST pit bulls:

Since you don't know what is sarcasm and what is not, I will not bother responding to your post.

[Peace4EarthNow]

Your comment on this one, ColdWater??

Exactly one year ago last week, on a riverbank in Pittsburgh PA, a 10 month old APBT/AmStaff pup was found, barely clinging to life after losing a fight and being tied out to die by her former owner. She was starving, dehydrated, and badly injured. Fate intervened, and this pup was found in the nick of time. The shelter decided this pup, unlike many of her breed they had picked up before her, deserved a much needed second chance at life. Within days this abused, injured pup was tugging at heartstrings across the country as her story circulated the internet. It was printed in a nationally read newspaper column, and she got her own website thanks to Jacqui Crews. This sweet pup was named Blossom, and she began to flourish with love and attention, and good food and medical care.

To my surprise, donations began flowing in from all over the country to help pay for Blossom's food and medical care! I was overwhelmed with the scope of the concern for this one little dog, who had been discarded like trash just a short time ago! As spring turned into summer, Blossom began to look like a different dog - happy and healthy, and barely showing any physical signs of her former near-death experience. Her personality is fantastic - a testament to the stability of this breed. She adores people and thrived on any little token of affection- a fresh blanket in her kennel made her prance around happily, and a pig ear would practically put her in heaven!!!

(More of Blossom's story can be found at http://realpitbull.com/abuse.html

[ColdWater]

Nice. You find some photos of mistreated dogs to counter my photos of children killed by dogs. Do you equate them as equal?

[ColdWater]

Your comment on this one, ColdWater??

Why should I comment. You didn't comment on my photos of dead children from dog attacks.

[Peace4EarthNow]

Huh, commenting on the whole truth about violence TO pit bulls, and not just from, scares you I guess...

BTW, since you directed me to a source about the bad seeds of pit bulls, could you now return the favor & google "Pit Bull heroes", then get back to me? Thanks!!

[Dr.Zoidberg]

Impossible.

Bullys are all evil monsters who should all be destroyed.

Just ask the freepers who have bought into the bully hate hysteria, they will tell you so.

[ColdWater]

Huh, commenting on the whole truth about violence TO pit bulls, and not just from, scares you I guess...

I wonder just how much honesty you have shown by commenting on the whole truth about violence from pit bulls and not just to pit bulls?

Now we have you equating these two as equals. Imagine trying to compare the death of a child as equal to mistreatment of a dog.

[Peace4EarthNow]

<< Your comment on this one, ColdWater??

Why should I comment. You didn't comment on my photos of dead children from dog attacks. >>

I HAVE commented on that in other threads, but I shall comment again....it truly is a HUGE tragedy when any person is attacked and/or hurt by ANY breed of dog out there. No one should have to suffer that kind of pain or injury. Prayers should very much be offered up for them. THAT truly is my feeling about that...

OK, I have commented about my honest feeling about your pictures...waiting for yours now on mine. Thanks...

[ColdWater]

OK, I have commented about my honest feeling about your pictures...waiting for yours now on mine. Thanks...

Of course you omitted any mention of 'dead' or 'killed' ....

[Peace4EarthNow]

You posted that as I was typing out my response to that question...it is directly above this one.

Now will you comment about your honest feelings about the pictures & stories I have posted?

[Peace4EarthNow]

Yes, I do absolutely agree that anyone who is KILLED by a dog (ANY dog), that is also an extreme tragedy as well...not only for that person, but for the family as well. Prayers are very much offered up for them as well.

So now that I have amended it to include all aspects of how much of a tragedy that can be, NOW will you post how you honestly feel about my pictures?

[A Strict Constructionist]

If the PB is attacking, I say shoot straight, but don’t assume all are bad because of a few.

[ColdWater]

Yes, I do absolutely agree that anyone who is KILLED by a dog (ANY dog), that is also an extreme tragedy as well...not only for that person, but for the family as well. Prayers are very much offered up for them as well. So now that I have amended it to include all aspects of how much of a tragedy that can be, NOW will you post how you honestly feel about my pictures?

I am saddened when I see any mistreatment of any living animal but it does not equate to the killing of a child. I also see that you are still skirting away from the fact that some breeds are more deadly than others so you are NOT truley commenting on my posts.

[ColdWater]

If the PB is attacking, I say shoot straight, but don’t assume all are bad because of a few.

Ok. But don't assume (and insinuate) that all who discuss violent dog behavior are haters and anti-gunners. Thanks.

[WackySam]

I’ve never met a chow that liked me. No idea why, but that breed has it in for me. They scare me - my condolences.

Chows almost always bond with only one person and will usually tolerate that persons family. All bets are off for anyone else.

[Peace4EarthNow]

I can see you also are very much skirting away from the fact that there are pit bull HEROES out there also...

Regardless, I have made every single attempt to answer your questions satisfactorily, but you are still not satisfied, and likely never will be.

I DO appreciate that in your first 12 words of your 2nd paragraph, you essentially commented on my pictures, which is what I was asking you to do, so thank you.

Thank you again for your response, I hope you appreciate my many responses back to you.

Have a good day, ColdWater...

:-)

[kanawa]

“Your sympathy should go out to this poor boy that no longer smiles ...”

...and your blame should go to the irresponsible numbskull the poor lad
had as a father...

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1882501/posts

[kanawa]

btw...the final update I added to that story...

The dog had bitten people on 7 previous occassions.
The dog had previously bitten the victim on the lip .
The dog had been chained by a 3-4 ft. tether in the basement for 17 hours
with no food, water or opportunity to relieve itself .