Grandmother mauled to death by family's pit bulls

AP ^ | 12-10 | AP

[ambrose]

GARFIELD, N.J. -- An 80-year-old woman was mauled to death by two pit bull dogs that she had known since they were puppies, Bergen County authorities said Tuesday.

Wounds caused by claws or teeth covered more than 80 percent of Julia Mazziotto's body, and the medical examiner found she had also suffered a broken right wrist, county Prosecutor John L. Molinelli said.

Blood soaked her clothing and was spattered on the walls and floor of her apartment, he said.

[daylate-dollarshort]

Now you didn't know she was in heat until that day...sure.

Bitches show sign 10 days to two weeks prior to acceptance of breeding. You did say you owned "dogs all of your life", right? But whether you knew a week in advance or an hour in advance o the unintended breeding, it's obvious that you knew prior to the dastardly act.

"My %#$@ neighbors pit bull broke into my 7000 dollar fence we put up to protect our pure bred golden retriever and I'm not positive but he could have gotten her. I don't need puppies, I'm moving right around the time they'll be due. Any help appreciated."

It's clear that you didn't witness the coupling but the first thing you apparently thought of was "...he could have gotten her". It's clear enough that you knew prior to turning your dog loose, unattended and unobserved.

Life long dog owner and you were unaware that dogs dig holes under fences? Especially when the dog is after a bitch in heat?? Hmmmmmm.

I'm happy that now you accept responsibility, that's progress. Before, you were bemoaning the fact that if you sued your nieghbors for the unwanted breeding you wouldn't get much- remember?

"You could'nt [sic] sue my neighbors for the price of a cup of coffee. They are complete pond scum."

Finally, you are unaware of wolves cross-breeding with dogs in Alaska??? Or, are you unaware of wolves in Alaska??? Never heard of it? Right. Not so long ago the Anchorage papers reported a wolf attack on an eight year old and another where an infant was dragged off. You are an observant one, aren't you?? When I was at Elmendorf, there were frequent warnings about "dogs in heat" attracting wolves and the necessity to take suitable precautions. This is not only true of Alaska, but in any area that there are wolf populations.

Seems you didn't learn much during your "lifetime of dog ownership", certainly not enough to have any credibility on the virtues or lack thereof, of Pitbulls.

[knak]

Get a life and off my ass. You are a jerk. You shouldn't be allowed to talk to people. You have put words in my mouth that other posters stated that were only comments back to them and not you. I never said I wanted to sue them, someone else said I should.

You ass-u-me to know all about Alaska and me and my family and my neighbors and my yard and my upbringing and my personality and have attacked at will all of them. YOU SIR are an ass! I am not surprised YOU own pits. I stated previously that 2 thats two of my three dogs turned out to be mean. NOT ALL.

I noticed my dog was in heat AFTER I noticed the pit was in my yard and had dug a hole.

It is MY problem to deal with my dog.

I bet most people who have had dogs all their life don't know everything about them. I didn't turn my dog loose, she was in a fenced yard. THEIR dog is the loose one. Why can't they keep their dog in it's yard???? Oh, I forgot, I'm the irresponsible one here.

[keri]

Nature vs. Nurture, huh? Well, volumes will continue to be written on that topic. At any rate this: Exactly. Bred to kill. In other words, it is instinct is flat wrong.

Those are your words, which in no way resembles these: Althought it is a courageous and persistent fighter if provoked, and needs frim, kind training to control this instinct...

Leaving aside how the word "instinct" is defined, how does the above statement help you with your "bred to kill" nonsense?

Thanks for the website address. (They did have some lovely things to say about pitbulls.) From your website: "Their natural aggresive tendencies are toward other dogs and animals, not people. However if they are properly socialized they will not even be aggressive with them. These are truly quality companions for quality owners! The American Pit Bull Terrier is a good-natured, amusing, extremely loyal and affectionate family pet, which is good with children and adults. Almost always obedient, it is always eager to please its master. It is extremely courageous and and an intelligent guard dog that is full of vitality."

They had more nice things to say, and none of it supports your view:-)

If you want the history and facts about the APBT, visit the "dogmen" website.

"Developed from the Bull and Terrier types of yesteryear, the American Pit Bull Terrier comes from an indisputable history of pit-fighting. (which everyone knows) The breed's tenacity and accompanying strength are unmatched in the canine world. As rich and captivating as the breed's history is, the pitbull's future is more worthy of commentary. Some proponents of the breed argue that this breed is the original bulldog of the past. Old prints and woodcarvings show reason to believe this. They show dogs that look exactly like the breed today, doing things the dog is still capable of doing. The APBT, as registered by the UKC, is an individual breed of dog and does not refer to just any ill-bred, mindless warrior-type mongrel.

People who chose to train these dogs to fight are chiefly responsible for the banning and witch-hunting that has been sweeping the U.S. The media, however, should not go unmentioned, for it is also responsible for escalating isolated incidences in a relentless and attention-getting way.In a lot of cases when the media is reporting about a Pit Bull attacking, it is indeed not even a Pit Bull at all, but a mixed breed of some sort, or another bull breed all together.

Which pitbulls do the ignorant want banned or "expunged" from the face of the earth??

[dtel]

You shouldn't waste too much time on these morons, there is nothing you can say or show them that will alter their misconceptions about these dogs.
They are scared of them and expect everyone else to be also.

BTW, all of you pit bashers,
My six month old male has not killed one of my other animals or attacked me, will keep you updated.

[Snowy]

Nature vs. Nurture, huh? Well, volumes will continue to be written on that topic. At any rate this: Exactly. Bred to kill. In other words, it is instinct is flat wrong.

So, are you saying when people breed these dogs to kill other dogs, it doesn't mean "bred to kill"?

Sorry if I got your hackles up. I just think that these dogs are more dangerous than other dogs. If you don't agree, well then, we'll agree to disagree. If you rant and rave at me I can assure you that it won't change my mind.

[muleskinner]

Which pitbulls do the ignorant want banned or "expunged" from the face of the earth??

(ignoring your "ignorant" invective for the moment)

All Pit Bulls. No more breeding. Let them go the way of the dinosaur.

"Developed from the Bull and Terrier types of yesteryear, ...

The "Bull type" was a bulldog, decended from mastiffs. The "terrier type" was the White English terrier, which was exterminated in England in the 1800's because of it's manic, unpredictable behavior.

Those genes and instincts are carried on in APBT's.

Fine, put'em to good use and drop'em over Bagdad.

[dtel]

The White English terrier is extinct because it was made extinct by public decree when it was decided that this dog, a notorious biter,was a menace to society. Imagine how bad this dog must have been! Unlike breeds such as the boxer and other dogs bred down from the ferocious bull mastiff, and turned into gentle creatures that act like dogs should act - man's best friend - the White English terrier was a lost cause. Unfortunately, the legacy of this dog's bad genes thrives in the blood line and psyche of the American pit bull.

Here is a portrait of the evil White English Terrier in question, to have been such a ferocious dog it has its bloodlines in many of the more socially acceptable dogs of these times, Rat Terrier and Jack Russell Terrier being just two. (Google is your friend)

He is flanked by Black and Tan Manchester Terriers, this portrait is circa 1870 or so.

[dtel]

From here; http://www.sheepieshop.com/dogdays/whippet.html

"The Whippet was developed in England as a result of the crossing of the Italian Greyhound, the Manchester Terrier, the Bedlington Terrier and the Old English White Terrier. The dogs are very sedate and make excellent companions."

Do you have any links supporting why they were exterminated?
They seem to show up in some pretty docile dogs. In the portrait above it doesn't look particularly menacing and I can't find the exact reason for their demise.
I do know all white dogs are more prone to deafness and blindness and I wonder if this might have had something to do with its extinction.

[muleskinner]

I see some out of work artist had nothing better to do.

As a historical document, it's interesting.

[Harley109]

"Fine, put'em to good use and drop'em over Bagdad."

Saddam-mizing these pit bulls? I guess if good gene go bad this is a good place to send them.

First beat them about the head and shoulders with clothing full of the Iraqi leader's scent so their bad moods have a useful focus upon landing.

[muleskinner]

As to links on why the White English Terrier was proclaimed a public nusance and made extinct...no. My first post was from an article written years ago, and no source material was ref'd. Now I'm curious.

[keri]

The dogs *were* bred for gameness. They weren't "bred to kill". There is a difference, but I won't waste any more time trying to explain.

No need to apologize; my hackles aren't up and I didn't mean to rant or rave. If I came across that way I'm sorry.

I just think these dogs are more dangerous than other dogs.

We will agree to disagree.

[dtel]

After looking at many, many pages concerning the different breeds descended from the White English Terrier, I'm beginning to think the banning and forced extermination may be an urban legend.
Update if you find any truth to the rumors. Please

[keri]

You won't get what you want by banning pitbulls, or letting the pitbull breed die.

Ignorance is okay; stupidity isn't.

[keri]

Thanks. You are right, of course.

Enjoy your pup.

[Coto]

Only the little crunchy ones.....

[ambrose]

I have a pitbull and his name is Mohammed. He is a dog of peace.

A bump for your pitbull, Mohammed... the dog of peace.

[kanawa]

They were never bred to kill. In their past they were trained to fight. But at the same time they were bred to be docile to people. The handlers in this shameful practice needed to be able to enter the pit and seperate the dogs. Any dog who turned on it's master was put down.

All dogs have an instinct to kill, after all, they are descended from wolves.

Those that are bred to kill, are a much bigger problem than those that are not bred to kill. It's simple logic
Your argument is based on false premises therefore your conclusion is invalid. It's simple logic.
That being said owners of pits and related breeds have a special responsiblity to properly train and care for their dogs because potentially they can do more damage than some squeaky-toy ankle-biter.