Features Apr 1, 2010 at 4:00 am

Because nothing can muck up a sweet Seattle spring like having your face ripped off by a dog.

As originally printed Illustrations by James Yamasaki

Comments

310
I live in NYC and there are a lot more dogs here than you might think and a huge number of them are pit bulls. I don't trust any strange dog but pit bulls are especially scary because they mostly consist of a powerful head, neck and jaws with just the right height to bite a small child's face. My son is ten now and higher off the ground but when he was little I mentally prepared myself to act defensively every time one walked by his stroller and always kept myself between him and any dog. My husband was walking with our son on 5th Avenue when a pit bull jumped up and gave him a little nip for no reason. Glad for all concerned that it wasn't me. All you people who want to argue who's fault, why or if they deserve their reputation, their purpose, breeding, how sweet they are, etcetera - please spare me. If any dog (we are talking about an animal here) tries to attack me or mine I will make a full throttle effort to neutralize and/or kill it (I've pondered prior to reading this if eye gouging would work) and seek to punish the owner to the maximum extent allowed by law. I've kicked attacking dogs on more than one occasion and been luck enough to escape injury. Now I have some other tips to make any defensive effort more effective. Thanks for doing the legwork Mr. Schmader. Hope I never have to test your information. Owning a dog means being a pack leader. If you can't or won't control a dog then don't get that sweet little puppy. Try a kitten instead.
311
I am a trainer with Bark Busters Home Dog Training and was contacted by David Schmader as a source for this story. I regret having contributed, and wrote the following letter to the editor:

Dear Mr. Frizzelle,

I am a professional dog trainer with Bark Busters Home Dog Training. I was excited when Mr. Schmader contacted me for information on dog attacks - how to prevent them and what to do in the event that one occurs. There is so much misinformation circulating, it seemed like a great opportunity to help educate the public.

The quotations attributed to me were accurate, but they were included in a way that the reader might be left with the notion that I actually agree with this article. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, no breed names were ever mentioned during the interview, neither by Mr. Schmader nor by me.

I'm proud that I've helped train many owners and their Pit Bulls. I also volunteer for a rescue group that provides foster homes and training for the many dogs who are abused and/or poorly trained.

I have often read the Stranger and found it interesting and provocative. This experience leaves me feeling deceived and frustrated. I expected better.

Sincerely,
David Wiley
Bark Busters Home Dog Training
www.barkbusters.com

312
Ive got something for you.. your a stupid ignorant douchebag. Your one of the reasons that pits have a bad rep have you ever actually seen a pitbull? I have one myself that i rescued off the street and guess what she didnt have a leash on did i mace it? No hard A i didnt becausee between the ciggarette burns and the barb wire i dnt think she could take much more. Hey did dogbite.org mention the cruel pricks that abuse these beautiful loving dogs and make them mean. Why dont you get your facts straight before you start preaching about something you have no knowledge about. My pit is loving and i have a 11 year old brother and she protective over the whole family. If anyone in here wants a dog a pit is the way to go loving and loyal till the end. By the way jackass if you knew anything about pits you would know that they are very agile and strong and standing on a car wouldnt save you DA!!!
313
This article is a joke. Don't let "yummy little kids" near a pit bull? Do you honestly think pit bulls sit around waiting for yummy little kids? Go to the site below and learn something about how this breed has become public enemy number one and it will put a new perspective on things.

People For The Ethical Treatment Of Pit Bulls
314
Funny.. I remember when Rottweilers were the main source of "aggressive breed" stories and the only thing Pit Bulls were famous for was being ugly (a sentiment I don't agree with; I think they're cute in their way).

Yes, some breeds are naturally more aggressive than others, but that doesn't mean the owners of out-of-control dogs aren't to blame, at least somewhat. Anyone who works with dogs or knows about training them will tell you that properly socializing dogs is important, particularly for more instinctively aggressive breeds. A well-trained dog knows if it attacks, there will be consequences.

Some people posting here have complained about dog owners who treat their dogs like children. I have to say, I don't think the people in question would make very good parents, as they don't seem to want to punish their "children" in order to divert them from bad behaviors.

As for the commenter who said that if you want to let your dog off-leash, move to the country... I live in the country and I really disagree with that. Dogs should never be allowed to run free, as they can terrorize livestock, pets, and humans. People do live out here, too, you know! I'm fine with dogs running free in their own yards, as long as they can't get out.

Anyway, I know all this is a little belated, but what with all the howling in the comments (pun intended) I figured a little more balanced discussion wouldn't hurt.
315
Man what a world of ignorant people we live in. all i can say is watch the dog whisperer. cesar milan is a genius.
yeah, there are a lot of idiots out there like michael vick who think dogs should be a source of entertainment. but dogs are living breathing creatures. and if anything, human or animal is abused it will turn into a violent creature.
idiots continue living in fear. i'll look for you. you'll probably be the ones running around with tin foil on your heads in 2012.
316
Just wanted to point out that pit bulls have been bred for the entirety of the breed's history to be completely human-unagressive. Traditionally when fighting dogs both handlers are in the ring with the animals, and separate them multiple times with their bare hands.

Most people don't even know what a pit bull is supposed to look like, so any aggressive mixed breed is often falsely called a pit. For example, the proportions of the animal in the pictures are inconsistent with the American pit bull, and it lacks jowls.

This is not to say that pit bull can't be aggressive, or that they're perfect little angels, but people should stop grouping any mean looking dog falsely with a specific breed and they should stop spouting nonsense without doing research.
317
I don't have a problem with dogs generally, or pit bulls specifically. I respect the space of strange dogs and go to great lengths to avoid aggressive ones, and teach my kids to do the same.

That said: If one attacks me - and I don't give a shit what breed it is - I'm gonna try my best to kill the fucker. And if it attacks my children, I'm coming after the owner next.
318
Dogsbite.org, eh? This is directly from Coleen's diary:

"Don't Believe Everything
You Think
By Colleen Lynn

"I'd Smack You, But chocolate Splatters!"

That's what the bumper sticker on the back of the truck said. I imagined a mound of chocolate several feet high and someone taking a baseball bat to it. As the crap flew to my face, I realized that my vision was incorrect. According to the bumper sticker, I was that mound of chocolate getting stuck to the driver's face.

"Who Lit the FUSE on Your Tampon?"

This sticker included a drawing of a tampon. The necessary string hung from the bottom, and it had a bright red belly, indicating that it was used. The tip of the cylinder-shape was on fire. I imagined a hand yanking a tampon out of a woman and holding it up to a match -- a terrible image, but one that I could not stop my brain from producing.

"If You Can Read This, The Bitch Jumped Out!"

This dead ringer was plastered on the cab's back window. Apparently, his bitch did not sit in the cab, but squatted in the bed of the truck and hung on to the roll bar. That's one lucky bitch -- she got away.

I had been running errands that afternoon. I was on way home when a cluster of traffic stopped me in my tracks. Defeated, I sat back and read what was in front of me: the bumper stickers on the vehicle ahead. In this moment, the trigger went off. But, unlike in my far away past, my body had no response to it.

That truck was a lifted up four-by-four, with deep treaded tires for off-road ridding. It's fat fenders looked like muscles bulging from a giant's arm. The man in the cab was thirty-something. He was agitated, and appeared to be shouting into his phone. I continued to read the stickers.

"SORRY! I don't date outside my species."

Before I started taking medication, a scenario like this would have caused a full-blown anxiety attack. The essential elements were present: an unexpected side-slam by homicidal images, and ultimately a cruel man.

Before the medication, suddenly landing behind this truck would go something like this: I would have imagined that I was sitting in the cab next to him and that my door was missing a handle. I would have imagined that he squeezed my arm and said, "Don't go trying nothing bitch, or I'll make you real sorry." I knew then that my thoughts only existed in my head, but my body did not know.

The area between my abdomen and upper thighs would have released enough sweat to drench the seat. Both of my legs would have panicked into spasms, as if I were dancing on hot lava stones. The pump inside my chest would have (miraculously), exceeded my maximum, beating upwards of 190 times a minute.

It would have been a level four attack -- five being disastrous -- because of the suddenness of the event.

After a high-level attack, Disassociation sets in. This usually lasted for about two weeks. During this time, I was incapable of looking at anyone directly. Relating conversationally to people, even my close friends, was like the disorientation of going deaf. I watched their lips move, but only heard parts of sentences, and sometimes no sentences at all. I was a mild catatonic, dressed up as myself.

My boyfriend, who lived with me, got the worst of it. I would slingshot from a stupefied state into one of aggression, especially if he approached me from behind. "fizzle YOU!" I would shriek. "Don't you EVER come up behind me without announcing yourself."

That last piece of behavior is called Generalizing, which went hand-in-hand with my periods of Disassociation. Generalizing means that you think the person next to you is the same person that caused you trauma. There are layers of Generalizing. For instance, the truck man was a stranger, an outer layer that triggered the memory of a past trauma. My boyfriend, who I have known intimately for two years, became a closer layer during these times. By taking certain actions, he too could trigger a painful memory. Generalizing is a frightening spiral to spin down.

One of the greatest fear's I have now is: What if my medication stops working? But because I am on medication, I only have this thought once, then it floats away, like I have just let go of a balloon. There doesn't seem to be a downside to taking the pills. And my boyfriend, without hesitation, says that I should keep taking them."

Sure sounds like reliable, trustworthy source, right?
319
OMG, YOU (the writer)are INSANE! I have been doing pit rescue for over 20 years and have never even been bitten. My son nearly had his ear torn off by a family pet which was a golden retriever. His second bite came from a neighbors pet black lab that was in OUR yard and put 3 puncture wounds in his hand. If this article was telling people how to defend themselves against a "black" person, people would be outraged. Breed profiling is just as wrong, Especially when you don't know jack about the breed.
320
We can sit here and joke about this but the real monster isn't the Pit Bull, it's the guy with the bare chest standing on a city street corner with his Pit Bull on a double leather lead and a spiked collar around it's neck threatening everyone in the neighborhood because he is programmed to be a bully and turn his dog into one.

That's why the Pit Bull is the current monster dog, because of the people that own them, just like the guy who just let his dog go on purpose to attack me and my aussie.

We don't admire Lassie anymore, we like blood and guts and Cujo, so I consider myself lucky, because the police didn't have to shoot this one. He only scared my dog so badly he doesn't want to go out of the house and all he did to me was smash my sunglasses, rip my clothes, tear my purse, bite my hand and gouge and smash my knee which is still swolen after a week.

How fun is that!!! Sorry there wasn't more blood, like I said, I was lucky. As long as there are monster people in this world there will always be monster dogs!
321
Did you just call my dog a nigger?
322
Hey David. Nice article. Next, how 'bout an article on "how to lynch a darkie with your bare hands"?
326
If you read nothing else, read this: The University of Pennsylvania's study found that pit bulls rated below average for aggression towards strangers, were in the BOTTOM five breeds for aggression towards owners, and they were in the top five breeds for aggression towards strange and unknown dogs but even that showed only 21% of pit bulls showing any kind of aggression toward another dog.

Incredibly disappointing, as usual, to read the responses here. The average person seems to think that selective breeding is perfect and magic rather than a crapshoot. Do you really think that dog fighters are incredibly talented geneticists, and that behavior and genetics are so simple that a breeding of two aggressive dogs creates a litter of perfect clones? Behavior is FAR more complex than appearance as far as genetics is concerned. Jean Paul Scott proved in his research to selectively breed aggression into mice that IT CANNOT BE DONE (from his book Aggression). You can alter the threshold of stimulation and cause a defensive attack but aggression in terms of an unprovoked attack CANNOT be bred for. About half of the dogs at Guide Dogs for the Blind flunk out every year, and that's with a 70 year old breeding program run by experts and puppies handled from birth to do a specific job. Do you really think that the small percentage of people breeding pit bulls to be aggressive are so incredibly talented, and that there is a magical aggression gene that is so dominant that it effects every single pit bull alive? Not that anecdotal evidence means anything, because it doesn't, but just for fun: my friend owns a Colby dog, a line that has been bred since the late 1800's for dog fighting until it was made illegal, but nonetheless it is a line of very tightly linebred dogs: the pedigree is almost entirely Colby dogs. She is 14 years old and has never shown aggression to a human or another animal, yet her bloodlines are entirely from pit bulls bred for fighting. "For every question there is an answer that is simple, easy to understand, and wrong." And just fyi - BSL has failed everywhere it's been passed. And dogsbite.org is a very obvious hate group run by a single person who (surprise, surprise) was bitten by a pit bull, Colleen Lynch cherry picks her news stories and outright lies.
327
Really? What's next? Very dissapointed. Open minds with shit pouring out.
328
As a pitbull owner I can't stand this article. I own two pit bulls and they are both registered therapy dogs and would never hurt a fly. The one thing this article doesn't discuss, is what the people were doing in the first place TO get attacked. Pits have a bad rep from dog fighting - but they do this only because their loyalty to their master is so strong, they are willing to die for them, quite literally. Secondly, most get these dogs for protection. I'm willing to bet most of these "horrible monsters" that attacked "innocent people" actually deserved it for being involved with the illegal act of dog fighting or we trespassers. Dogs RARELY act unprovoked unless your doing something on their territory they don't like.
And to say its insane that a dog can't pick up on human emotions and react, well you're an idiot. It's factually proven they can
329
grab their neck and twist. or throw it in the dumpster.

if not, stick your arm down its troath.
330
Why are the pro-attack dog brigade acting like such a bunch of thick cunts? True, the article should have said 'big aggressive dogs' instead of Pit Bulls to shut you knuckle draggers up, but the advice is necessary for people to understand what happens, what to do and what to expect in these situations...which is on an alarming rise.
331
@328, there is another reason dogs attack and that is illness or disease. Of course in that case, the family owned by the dog is in the greatest danger. This is why unexplained aggression in a dog needs to be dealt with via a speedy trip to the vet's office to figure out what's going on.
332
err..I meant the family who owns the dog...LOL
333
I've been attacked several times by dogs, some of them large. Best bet: Do NOT let them get behind you, use your legs and feet as weapons, as well as anything else you can grab (car keys, etc.) and keep your hand and arms high. Then scream like hell for help.
334
It is legal in 44 states to kill and eat dogs. Such stocky and muscular dogs as pit bulls and chows make the best eatin,' according to my father, who enjoyed two wonderful stays in Asia (Korea in 1951 and Vietnam in 1967, both of them courtesy of Uncle Sam) and became pretty familiar with Asian cuisine. There's no such thing as a bad dog.
335
this makes me so sad... as I am a pit bull owner and they are the most loving and compassionate dogs you will ever meet, they are just misunderstood and become pets to naive people that think they make great attack dogs (false)... but being that they are very high energy dogs and do like to play using their moths people get themselves hurt by getting the pit excited, and the pit thinks its a game, and they love to win so they will play till they win and thats not their fault its their owners and the dumby egging the poor pitty on. I know the stats show they are dangerous but its not the dog its their owners
336
i know how to punch a cat in the face without spilling my beer.
337
i know how to punch a cat in the face without spilling my beer.
338
this is wrong; the only way to protect yourself is learning shito-ryu karate and pluck of the dog jaw, of course beraking it's legs is important too but usually the snout comes to you before you can grab or strike the dogs legs
339
Here is another fucker giving this breed a bad name! another person that lets the media run thur thoughts!!!! just because they put it on the news doe's not mean all pit bulls attack. other breeds attack more than pit bulls! do some more reading on the breed b-4 you talk bad about it!
this breed is just miss understood!
read and understand the breed!
raise your dog right!
340
I like picture number 5. Sort of makes me chuckle.
341
You dog people are crazy as loons. Dogs are not your babies: they are animals with brains and breeding, and often (800,000 times a year in this country!) cause problems, because you let them.

We can't ban people, not even dog-owners with chips on their shoulders and disregard for their fellow human beings.

We can't ban people, but we can ban breeds. (Or, categories of breeds, you pedantic pricks).
342
choke the mother f er
343
Pit monster defenders talk about death statistics as if those are the only ones! What about attacks where the victim is able to flee or find safety or fend off?What about maimings, injuries, etc. My wife was attached by a Pit Bull just today when she was walking on a park trail (which is why I'm even on this website). The idiot owner was walking the dog in the city where leash laws apply. She was walking our playful 1-year-old Boyken Spaniel and told me the Pit would have killed our dog if it could have caught her. And the dumbass owner of the Pit? No apology, didn't even approach my wife to see if she was okay! Pitbull owners are fucking morons! These dogs are bred for killing. Period. Don't be a fucking dumbass! Get a real dog not a killer! End result, my wife called the police and they tried to find the stupid owner and her Pit Monster. No reports yet. I'm carrying my .45 next time we walk. If that happens again that fucking monster will be full of lead! "officer, I feared for my life and I emptied the clip."
344
It's funny how Colleen Lynn of Dogsbite manages to be quoted for "articles" like these.

Being a victim of a dog bite does not render one a dog bite expert. Nor is she an expert even in the remotest sense of the word when it comes to canine behavior. All she is is a person with a visceral hatred of all stocky canines, a computer, and access to internet search engines. She does not vet any of her links, she simply links to anything negative and ignores bites by other types of dogs. If you disagree with her, you are a "pit nutter" and there's a good chance she'll make your email public so that her minions can flame you with hate emails.

There isn't a single respected canine behaviorist or organization who would agree with any of the fear and misinformation she puts out as fact.

345
Why does Colleen Lynn of Dogsbite keep getting quoted as some kind of expert?

She has zero qualifications. She is not a canine behaviorist. She is one person with a visceral hatred of all stocky dogs.

She has a computer and access to Google, where she sits on her butt and types in words that will pull up negative stories about "pit bulls" which papers are all too happy to publish in order to draw traffic.

Colleen does not vet any of the links she publishes. She has "statistics" on her site such as "100% of pit bull owners are criminals" which is ludicrous. Oh, she includes traffic tickets to get to the 100%, which by her logic means 100% of any group of people you can think of are criminals. Except that traffic tickets are civil, not criminal, offenses.

Anyone who disagrees with Colleen is labeled a "pit nutter" and odds are she will make your email public so that her minions can flame you with hate emails.

There isn't a single respected/reputable canine behaviorist or organization who would agree with Colleen Lynn and she does not deserve to be quoted for any reason whatsoever.
346
The evidence is overwhelming that Pit bulls are extremely dangerous and should be exterminated from the dog kingdom, because they really are not dogs.
If attacked by a Pit bull, kick his face, he keeps attacking, pepper spray—he keeps attacking and he will, you have no chose, use a knife or gun.
As long as some people are unable or refuse to accept the fact that Pit bulls are dangerous, you will see Pit bulls on the street with no muzzle on them, so be prepared!
347
Defending yourself, whether from dogs, humans, is always worth working on. Regarding dogs, some points to consider: many fatal attacks are perpetrated by two or more animals. If you see two or more free-range dogs, avoid them and report them. Together, they are certain to be more aggressive than individual dogs. Teach children to leave strange dogs alone. Mistrust people who say their dogs don't bite. All dogs bite. The difference between dogs is the conditions under which they will bite. Carrying an umbrella can be useful, along with the mace or pepper spray.
348
Articles like this really demonstrate how completely ignorant and uneducated people are about dogs and dog behavior.

"What is considered aggressive is culturally and generationally relative. German shepherds were on the top of the list after World War II; in the 1990's Rottweilers and Dobermans were scorned; the American Staffordshire terrier (also known as the Pit Bull) is the current bete noire. Their classification has more to do with recent events and public perception than with their intrinsic nature. Recent research found that of all (dog) breeds the dachshunds were the most aggressive to both their owners and to strangers. Perhaps this is under reported because a snarling dachshund can be picked up and stashed away in a tote bag." - Inside of a Dog, Alexandra Horowitz.
349
I should have read this last week. At that time I was amoung the idiot brigade that thinks these animals are only aggresive if they are trained to be. Well I am living proof that the friendly pitbull that I have petted on many occasions can decide he is in the mood to put someone in their place. I was that person. I am a 5'11 240 pound former wrestler, boxer, Marine, and Rugby Player, and dog LOVER, who thought he would play the "dog wisperer" on the nieghbors pit bull. I guess it was my fault, I actually bent over to pick something up off of the ground. Pit bull was secured by collar and cable and was approximately 30 to 40 yards away. Picking a twig up of your lawn apparently is a pit bull trigger because he was on me in no time. This pit was raised as a puppy by my neigbor and on many occasions found his way in my yard with nothing more than a tail wag and a pat on the head, scratch of the belly. Well Saturday at 3:30 pm in my yard was not the same fucking game plan because that monster attacked me with such ferociousness that I wound up in the hospital and I faught back as hard and as best I could for the better part of a minute. To the boxers out there you know a minute seems like an eternity when your ass is getting thumped. It reminded me of the crazy dogs in the movie "I am legend". Luckily the neighbor heard the commotion and came out and pulled the bi-polar pit bull away. I did pretty good though, I just walked away with three stiches. I honestly beleive that If the neighbor did not come to the rescue, I would be dead. These dogs should be muzzelled at all times. Moral of the story, Will Smith should have brought a pit bull to the I am legend Party!
350
Thanks SO much for the article. I live in Portland, and walk everywhere. 4 years ago I was charged by a Rottweiler UNLEASHED in a school playground 5 blocks from my house. Luckily I had my little guy leashed, and that saved his life (but almost broke his neck) because I swung him so high that the Rott couldn't get him before someone got the ROTT. It's a miracle neither I nor my little dog were killed or seriously hurt. Since then I'm hyper-vigilant. I am so glad to see that my plan to get us up on a car makes sense. And now I'm getting the bear spray too. I love Caesar Milan, and understand the whole thing about "powerful breeds". Unfortunately the "powerful breed" dog owners are usually so out of it and stupid that I have to assume the dog is at the very best not trained and possibly dangerous/deadly. I would have had no idea what to do if a Pit bull, with it's "powerful jaws", got a hold of me (or my little guy), but now I do. Now I also know what to do about the rest of them... if it works for a pit, I assume it'll work for a lab! SO THANK YOU for the information and great illustrations. I feel better and won't be forgetting any of that soon!
351
Excellent article. Thanks for the tips. I personally don't give two fucks about the hows and the whys of bully breed aggression. I do care about what to do when one of them attacks me or my small dog. It's happened twice and I was able to protect us both each time. This article gave me more tools to use for the next time. And there will inevitably be a next time.
352
A pit bull killed her owner, a 7 year old little girl 4 years ago. The mom was a friend of my wifes. It was a major news event. A pit bull attacked my cousin's dog in Tucson, the dog is lucky to be alive. My friend told me today his neighbors little dog got loose, and crossed paths with a pit. Its dead now. 1 year ago I was walking my beagle and luckily I had a can of mace that the mail man gave me. Some idiot on a bicycle was riding by me and towing his running dog. His dog broke the leash and pulled him off his bike. His medium sized dog came over to my dog. It was night so I couldn't see his dog well. The man followed, and said " don't worry, my dog won't bite " Next, there was a slight growl and his dog sunk its teeth into my Beagle's neck ( my kids joy of their life is that Beagle). There was no dog fight. It was a death grip, and my Beagle had no chance. As his dog was trying to kill my dog, I screamed, " Get your dog off my dog " and he couldn't. He was a strong man, maybe in his late 20's. He could not get his dog loose from mine. Him and I watched helplessly as his dog was killing mine. I could see him struggling trying to get his dog loose. So I said , "Can I spray your dog? " I asked him a second time. He said "Yes". So I sprayed that friggen thing right in the eyes, for a long time. It still did not let go of my dog. A few minutes passed. Something happened, and it LET GO :) I immediatly grabbed my dog (still on leash) and held him in my arms, and ran 1 block at least. The killer dog was trying to get loose, and come after both of us but the owner was able to hold him. The wife of that man picked us up, and took us to the Animal Hospital. My dog was bleeding all over the inside of her nice truck. I asked what was the breed of that dog? She said Pit Bull. My Beagle was in operating room for nearly 2 hours, many, many stiches on side of neck and into the ear cartilage. Deep into his ear was the damage. The Bill was $900 Dollars and they paid it. I can not tell you how scared I was, and after seeing the damage that Pit Bull did, I can see easily how they can kill a human. I have children ages 6, 9 and 11 and I will NEVER let them walk the dog without me present and I am seriously considering getting the handgun training and carrying a firearm when walking the dog. My 12 guage is just not convenient to carry. A Pit Bull is NOT a family dog. Anyone who thinks it is , is blind to the threat.
353
Thanks so much for this article! I personally think owning a pit-bull should be illegal. Here's a few personal reasons why:

A pit-bull mauled my 8-year-old cousin as he was riding his bike down the street just a few weeks ago. The attack was completely unprovoked, and my cousin’s face is scarred for the rest of his life, it was ripped up to hamburger. He has gashes going 2 inches deep into his back, and not to mention the risk of death from infection. He almost died in the street before the owner finally came out and pulled the dog away.

Another incident occurred with a childhood friend of mine. Her family had owned this pit-bull for about 5 years, and then one day it randomly attacked her (she was only 15 at the time). It tore the left side of her cheek all the way to her ear, leaving her permanently scarred for life.

AND yet, another friend of my mom’s was a police officer who adopted a pit-bull. She also cared for it for years, then one day while feeding it, it attacked her out of no where. It mangled her left forearm to the point where it had to be amputated.

I’ve been bit by non-pit-bulls before, but it seem like when this particular breed decides to be aggressive, it’s not just a single bite, it’s a life-threatening maul. Pit-bulls are just awful.
354
Good to see someone willing to address self-defense for less usual circumstances. As usual there are those that don't like the idea of taking personal responsibility for their own well being and thus don't like the article. Not a problem as that attitude will hopefully get them out the gene pool sooner.

Regarding some of the techniques like getting on the ground are recommended for a bear encounter as there isn't much other choice. With a pit bull you're likely to get your head chewed off.

I know several people that have been attacked by pit bulls with the one fellow, having been attacked by two simultaneously, had both forearms chewed so badly he needed micro surgery to reconstruct tendons and muscles his wrists.

I walk or bicycle daily and have had on two occasions pit bulls come after me. When I walk take either my Japanese hanbo (48" heavy walking stick) or an 18" collapsible baton. I had the hanbo both time the pit bulls came after me they both backed off as I moved to the attack. I guess they could see that "you're going to look like a "pit bull Popsicle" look in my eyes.

Myself having a fair bit of background in self-defense training would personally opt for side stepping the little shit as it attacked and caving in its ribs with a well placed kick.

I had a German Shepherd attack me straight on years ago and I waited for it lunge at me. As soon as a dog is airborne they have just transitioned from formidable attacker to a furry Pinata. I side stepped and kicked the dog directly in the upper chest with a round-house kick. It hit the ground gasping and didn't get up for about 15 seconds at which point it high tailed it out of there. I would not try that defense on a pit bull as target area is too small and they're likely to latch on to your foot as you kicked.

In a knock-down pissing match where the dog has managed to get you the gouging the eyes is a good technique but I would recommend a fast strike when executing the technique otherwise the dog is likely to let go of where it's biting and to start devouring your hand.

Personally I think that the breed plain sucks as they were bred for fighting and for their powerful jaws making them very dangerous and should be outlawed. I am a big dog lover, am currently 58 and have had a dog in the family for almost all of those 58 years. I just don't find much of anything redeeming in a breed that has such a track record of causing injury and death.
355
just want to say today two decent sized pitbulls strolled up onto my property and attacked my shih tzu. had my neighbor not came out and fought them off with a broom and my little sookie not been uber fast we probably would be in the hospital(i say we because my dog is like my kid and we weren't going down with out a fight). so yea it happens but because not everyone dies who gets attacked the stat of dog attacks is low. so thank god for you and others like you who post this important info. it's always good to know just in case!
356
As someone who grew up with dogs, mostly the miniature size, I can tell you that ANY dog can be aggressive. We learned early that being on the wrong side of a miniature poodle's teeth was not good. She never bit us, but she did bite strangers who SHE thought she had to protect us against. Including my Kindergarten teacher who brought me home when I was sick one day. Toya, our dog, never escaped our yard, was always current with her vaccinations, and always licensed. And was never treated harshly.

My Brother had a dog who was half pit-bull/half shepherd. His name was Garth. He was about 6 months old when my Sister and I got him for my Brother, with his approval. They went through
training together, several times. Garth was good at obeying commands, but when it came to socialization he wasn't so good.

Any dog can be good. Any dog can be volatile. When a dog is not on its home territory, or is with more dogs, they are dangerous. Period.

I taught my kids to not go up to strange animals. Period. And I taught them to ask the owners if it was ok to approach the ones that were with their owners. And don't do it at face level. You need to start off as Alpha (pack/social standing), and stay there. You can't do that if you are at face level, or lower, to them.
357
Well, you can talk nature or nurture all you want, but the thing is, in our city, all the people have them in order to look "gangsta". We read reports all the time about kids getting mauled. It can't be that all the limited pitbull bites are happening in one town, so I question the stats. I know what I see. So many of these "gangsta" wannabees have toddlers, too.
Ziggzaggers, I am so sorry for your family, for those poor kids and adults to go through trauma like that.
358
I was attacked by a pitbull that wanted to eat my two little dogs so badly it broke its collar to reach us. It was more interested in the dogs than me, and pinned my smallest on top of my chest holding us to the ground.

I GOUGED ITS EYES. Not out, but the best I could. Learned this in a self-defense class. The thing wouldn't have stopped til we were all dead.

GO FOR THE EYES!!! And seriously, people - insurance companies won't even sell you coverage if you own a pitbull. Insurance companies have no interest in hearsay, just the numbers and facts. These dogs have LOCKING jaws and many breeders mate the most vicious pup with his own mother to make them more deranged.

These things should NOT be kept as pets!
359
My German Shepherd (on a leash) almost lost an eye to a female pitbull (no leash) at the beach. The 3 little low-life losers had no control and did NOTHING to end it. I had to drag the dogs into the surf and almost drown the damn dog before she let go--all the time being called a bitch and a cunt for hurting their dog. They ran away with their "loving" pet and left me with a $600 vet bill.

I went through another similar situation walking my dog (on a leash) near home--another pit bull (no leash) and another vet bill.

Now, years later, I have a black lab puppy and I listen to the pit lovers at the dog park talking about their blue or pink-nosed lovebugs (like they were dolphins) and how gentle they are. What they don't talk about is training them to pull on the baby swings at the park or how they have to tether them in cages so they don't scale fences or chew through the back door of the house (like my neighbor's dogs--the wind or the meter reader is always to blame for the open gate). I never heard of a "break stick" until last week (at the dog park)--the pit crowd was comparing products. Because I live in a more rural area, I carry a gun. In town, an axe should suffice.

These dogs never play with other dogs and the owners are never within 100 ft of them--usually on cell phones or hanging with the other "responsible" pit owners far away from any control zone.

I've been knocked down, for no reason, by two of these fantastic pets. I was just standing on the grass and watching other dogs playing--no dogs or people near me.
It wasn't a mistake or an accident--and neither of the owners even helped me up or asked me if I was OK (not that they were even close enough). I have a huge bruise on the back of my right leg from the last hit. This one came at me after I fell. When I asked the woman to keep her dog away she said, "Are you afraid of my dog?". I've been bumped by lots of dogs at the park, including my own, but never run down by any that weren't playing with another dog.

My own vet says to avoid pit bulls (their jaws don't lock) because they are bred to hold on and inflict maximum damage--and the owners aren't much better, IMO.

Yeah, yeah, pit bulls are only 5% of the dog population but they account for the majority of maulings and deaths--and everything but breeding seems to "provoke" them to violence. Dogs walking/barking/running/playing. People walking/yelling/running/playing/holding something. OH, and they have "NEVER shown any kind of aggression in the past", "somebody must have done something to make this happen" and "they were just being protective".

Go ahead, feel free to call me the above names. It's what I've come to expect from pit owners. I'm 60 years old and this is the first time I've ever posted on the subject. I didn't come by my opinions overnight or by reading. I used to just blame the owners but experience has taught me well.

The bright side is.. 80% of pit bull fatalities are to family members.
360
Why provide commentary on these articles and blogs, if uninformed/misinformed people are allowed to comment! Yeah, First Amendment freedoms and all.
Seriously people, check your facts! Do the world a favor.

And yes, I own a Pitbull. Or she owns me. Along with a Border Collie and a Lab/Rhodesian Ridgeback mix. Do I let her run off-leash? Nope. Same is true with our other doggies. Does she get on with our other doggies and people? Absolutely! The same is true with the Golden Retrievers and Collies we've had in our happy family.

It all seems to depend on the environment and how well is schooled and gets along.

Dogs are dogs! It's silly to think that people have all these strange fears and judgments about a particular breed.

I'll introduce you to our girl any ol' time.
361
I own a pit bull I got out of a junk yard beaten bit up and burned fed steriods you name it her old thug owner probably did it I got her when she was a year or so old she is twelve now and sleeps under the covers and loves her people to know end she has actually saved me from home intruders with out maiming them and saved me from another dog not a pit bull from lunching at my face and all she did was pin him. I always keep her on a lease why? for her safety and ya know what i found all those small little dogs off lease always want to attack her i just pick her up till the dumb owner comes trotting over to claim there dog while she enjoys a good cuddle i prefer to keep my dogs ankle in tact i would have no problem with this article if it had said dog and not had brutal cartoon pictures by the way your not getting your hand down a pits throat it may have a big mouth nut they have unusually small throats ask a vet breed specific profiling is just stupid I dont hold any grudge against the breed of dog that went for me its just that dog. I live with someone that was tore up my a dog and him and his small child love my dog once again her she is twelve plus years and all she has ever done is love her family
362
These techniques are useful against the dog and their mentally unstable owners too. When an Owner says "Oh he won't hurt you. He likes kids", insert your hand down the owner’s throat and pull their tongues out from the root. Then put the owner on a leash!! Dog Owners who attack this common sense pamphlet are bred for aggression. They need to be put down. Heel Owner Heel!
363
This is an excellent article. For all the retards that say otherwise, I suggests you mfer's read the paper once ina while. Then maybe you can understand while pitbulls should be exterminated. I am sure that the 30 number is understated. The only thing coming close to the horriffic news of a baby being brought home only to be eaten by the family pitbull, is reading about the maimed bodies of children who are attacked and live with the stigma of disfigurement for the rest of their lives.
Shame on anybody who tries to argue otherwise!
364
Lets talk about a few facts...There were over 300,ooo dog bites treated in the year that this article was writen. pit bulls made up less than 5% of those. The numbers say you are more likely to be bitten by a German Shepherd or a pomeranian. Pit bulls bites are capable of grater pounds PSI thus doing more damage. That does not establish them as inherently violent.
For everyone that has an opinion, remember this, it is your opinion. It is not based on facts. Your opinion is based on how the media relays information. If someone died in a dog attack, it is broadcasted as a dog attack. When a pit bull hurts someone, it is a pit bull attack. That is the same thing as saying a crime commited by two races of people are not the same crime.

Pit bulls are becoming more and more popular to own, but by people that should not own any breed of dog. I own 2 pit bulls and I have had several throughout my life. I socialize them from the time they are puppies. They play at the dog park with everyone else. I am a responsable dog owner. If you are someone that feels that a specific breed should be discriminated against, that makes you an ignorant person.
365
I used to be open to the idea that pit bulls could be good dogs, if they had responsible owners. Last month my sweet, gentle dog was killed (ripped to shreds) by a pit bull (the pit's owner is a dog walker/trainer). I'm now fully in the Ban Pit Bulls camp. It's like owning a pet lion. Sure they can be sweet and loving, but when they attack it's deadly.
366
Hi I have never posted here before but as someone who has been bitten by a pit bull I appreciate this blog for a couple reasons.

1) I am a pit bull advocate regardless of knowing better than most how destructive they can be. This blog does not demonize the dog itself. I like that.

2) The survivalist info presented is top notch. I like how fighting back is at the end because there are many other things you should try to do first.

When I was bitten I was also very lucky to have been near someone who could get the dog off. It had me by the are, but didnt shake, which spared me enormous pain and rehab. It apply pressure a second time "did lock its jaw".

If my friend hadnt been home it would have been straight for the eyes - so I LOL'd when I got to the end of the article.
367
The real facts, and videos regarding dog attacks can be found at, fearnodog.blogspot dot com
368
All of u are fools that do not beleive this, choking a pitbull is the only chance. When u are on top of one fighting for your life you will realize how strong this animal is. Get it on its side, put your knee in its neck, grab wind pipe with other hand and pray it is enough. Scream your head off and get others to help. Maybe you will survive. You cannot even bite through the skin with your teeth. Now that is a reality check and yes they all should be sent to an area with their owners And their children so they all have food and the stupidity ends. Short macho people need a pitbull... U will need a knife or a gun to be definate that you will survive.
369
Speaking from experience steel toed boots work great too.
370
This article is very misinformed. You got your statistics from DogBite.org? Are you kidding me??? That is the -most- biased website I have ever encountered. While -some- pitbulls might be vicious (the fault of the OWNER, NOT the dog), I would say that the vast majority of pitbulls are awesome dogs. I have three of them, two of them abused rescues, at home with my 4 month old son and I have absolutely no problems leaving my dogs alone in the room with my kid. Besides, that 56% of fatal dog bites, I bet you that most of them aren't even pitbulls. There are a good 40 different PUREBRED dog breeds commonly mistaken for a pitbull. If you had -actually- done research, you would see that pitbulls are among the lowest percentage of dogs liable to bite someone, UNLESS trained by a BAD OWNER to do so. Pitbulls were originally bred to be animal agressive, and I will not deny that yes, pitbulls are not the best dogs to have around OTHER DOGS. But they were always culled at the smallest sign of human agression and it is only recently that people have started training them and breeding them to be guard dogs and human aggressive. Pitbulls are among the WORST guard dogs in the world. My 65 lb pitbull let someone rob our apartment and didn't do a damn thing. I'm sure he just wiggled his whole body and showed the robbers where all the good stuff was. Unfortunately, pitbulls do have strong jaws and they are very determined animals, so if they do, for some reason, get aggressive, yes, they DO do a lot of damage and can really hurt someone or something. That is why I strongly advocate RESPONSIBLE PITBULL OWNERSHIP. Myself, as a pitbull owner and avid pitbull lover, carry the weight of the whole breed on my 3 dogs and I make sure that they represent the breed in only good ways. If my dogs were bad I A.) wouldn't take them out in public or B.) probably would put them down. Responsible ownership. ALSO, did you know that the number one cause of dog-related infant deaths is not, as you ignorant assholes would think, pitbulls, but is in fact chihuahuahs and pomeranians. Chew on that.
371
@ 162

Seriously, do your research. "Pitbulls weren't bred to be companion animals"

Pit fighting was a poor man's sport, thus, pitbulls were owned by poor people. Meaning this: poor people couldn't afford to house their dogs seperately from themselves. Further meaning: after the pit fight, whichever dog won came home to the family, which meant children most of the time. Meaning: if any of the pit fighting dogs showed ANY human aggression AT ALL, they were immediately put down. Pitbulls are family dogs, and I love how we as Americans forget so easily that the American Pitbull Terrier was our national symbol during WWI and WWII. Our first decorated canine officer: a pitbull. Petey from the Little Rascals: PITBULL

Quit being so fucking ignorant and buying into the media bullshit. Look up the facts before you spew that propaganda out of your mouth.
372
i own a pitbull which is family dog she is around kids all day everyday. I was raised around pits and have been raising all three of my daughters around pits,and never had a lick of problems. people jog,ride bikes,walk with and without dogs pass my house and my dog hasnt even thought of moving from my yard to attack anyone at anytime. you people who talk just to talk because of what you hear maybe you should do some exstensive research into what dogs are more likely to attack and i guarantee you would be so wrong. One more thing my neighbor was attacked by a jackrussell,now he might loose his leg, so maybe they should do away with ankle bitters to. pitbulls are not the only dogs with teeth
373
Or you could just J/O the dog till it reaches release, then wipe off, walk away.
374
Tip for the pro: Carry a pistol. I read somewhere that if you are expecting a dog attack, you can try to wrap several layers of material around your arm. Then if the dog closes in for a bite, offer your weak arm, then once the target has latched, use a blunt object in your strong hand and bust the animal's skull and neck. Not very practical though. There was a time when packs of stray dogs wandered onto my property, big dogs. Our own dogs would bark at them in the middle of the night sometimes and we had to chase them off repeatedly. One was a huge Rottweiler mix. I despatched him from seventy yards with my 30-06. As the bullet exited the body through the neck, it cut his collar off. Part of me was sorry that I had killed somebody's Fido, but hey. We had farm animals and children on the property. Don't want me to end your pets? Don't let me catch them on my property.
375
My daughter's best friend has a pit bull. We were visiting an animal rescue recently and a volunteer from the shelter was walking a male pit. My daughter was standing away from any dogs, and the pit bull (labeled by the rescue as a "pit bull") pulled away from his walker and attacked my dog.

I don't care what any pit lovers say about these dogs being oh so loving. My daughter had no contact whatsoever with that bastard. Now she's 15, has a broken hand, has missed 3 days of school so far this week, and has at least 20 puncture wounds in her hand. She can't have her hand casted yet because the flesh wounds and stitches need to come out before her hand can be casted, and the pediatric orthopedic doctor said she may need surgery.

Oh, by the way, this rescue had the dog listed as "shy", and "mild mannered".

Nobody can convince me to ever give another pit bull a chance. We were considering adopting one.

David Schmader, I wish I would've seen your article before we went to that f'ing animal rescue!
376
Lay on the ground, yea thats the best. I would like to see how Emily Keegans does that. Her fake boobs will probably get chewed off first.

Am I the only one who thinks this article is actually funny?
It is mild and hardly aggressive. Only at the last few lines he gives very barely few tips on how to actually defend yourself. I would like to know the most weak points of dogs, the eyes yes, throat -ok, something else ? And how exactly I dodge the first bite from that dog, how do I bait it with something, so I can strike first. Seriously, my dog got bitten by some friggin huskey yesterday (top 4th most dangerous dog), because it was let out to walk in the park without leash. The one walking it out leashed after the attack and released it 5min later. Next time that dog comes at mine agressively I am going to rip its anus apart and feed it to the guy who walks him out unleashed after breaking his teeth. And while he is down trying I will pay the homeless guys to rape him. I think thats the appropriate aggressiveness this article needed. So next time you walk your dangerous dog out without leash, fear me, I could be near you.
377
neighbors dog (A SHIT bull) has been jumping the fence my akita has almost killed it once and i work out of town so last night he cornered my 21 yo stepson in the car so we called the police out at 2am they arrived promptly where the owner came out after he laid on the horn lights blazing she apologized and said her 4 yo daughter mustve left the door open "hes not aggressive any way" He stated how hes been out there for a half hour watching him yump in and out of the yard she has already been warned and received 600 dollars in citations

cop told me do what i have to do if it happens again and it will.
378
Chances taken, now awakened. After walking my leashed schnauzer rurally for over a year with only a few pit bull "close calls" I stopped to answer a neighbor's question today. Twenty yards behind him I saw his 2 pit bulls drop their heads and charge full speed towards me, DW and little Rambo. I had time to look on the ground for a stick or other weapon no luck. Within two seconds they surrounded us lunging and biting at our dog. Had they wanted to attack us we were easy prey. I grabbed the dog and jumped into a ditch rolling from side pivoting with my neck bent against the ditch praying they would not grab it. Between DW's frantic walking stick blocks "she was afraid to hit the pits" for fear that they would attack her, and my ditchdive we saved our dogs life. I escaped with a sprained wrist and lots of soreness. Now I will get a carry permit and a stungun. There is no time to prepare when these "loving creatures" go primal and just hope you can grab the weapon. If you miss the pit you might get lucky and get the owner!
379
Pitbullmam, make sure to post here when your pit bull kills your child. Thanks.
380
The thing is Pit Bulls have that huge locking jaw technique going on. Other dogs bite, Pit Bulls maul and lock those huge jaws on it's victim.

Was just attacked by one today. A so called sweet Pit Bull( by his very young owner and friends). Kept in the yard of an Ice Cream Shop where Children are encouraged to have parties on the deck, just a few feet from this lovely animal.

We were just walking down the street at 2:30 in the afternoon. Two women with two small dogs on leashes in the middle of town, out comes this Pit barreling twd. us on a mission. I pulled my dog up out of it's way and he grabbed my friends dog and proceeded to maul it.

Two adults were pounding and kicking it and did not seem to phase it.

My friend pushed her hand in it's mouth just enuf to release her dog. Her dog ran, since she had the Pit's collar it couldn't run.

The Pit owner finally came out and was so nonchalant I couldn't believe he was it's owner.

Her dog was taken to vet, wind pipe issues and very,very close to jugular, vet said she would have bleed out if my friend had not, so bravely stuck her hand in it's mouth.

My friend went to the emergency for her bitten hand.

Owner has no insurance of any kind, said his dog was a good dog, had never been aggressive and basically said good luck getting blood out of a turnip!

This is a very scary breed of dog. Usually owned by the wrong people.

Those of you who think this is so funny, maybe you'll get your turn in the ring with one.
381
I used to be pretty neutral on this, until last night, when my dog was viciously attacked by a pit bull in front of SCCC. The owner took off before the police got there, and now I have a dog who just made it out of surgery, several thousand dollars in vet bills and a newfound hatred for this breed.
382
This is ridiculous i own a pit bull and she is the sweetest dog in the world i have been attacked by 3 dogs in my life and none of which was a pit bull quit hating on the breed that's as bad as someone being raciest get your facts together and do something better with your time then sit here and discriminate on a helpless animal who cannot defend themselves. Are you to big of a coward to start a fight with someone who can actually defend themselves? SERIOUSLY HAVE SOME RESPECT AND GROW UP!!!!
383
Yes, we all know that pitbulls can be sweet little darling who wouldn't hurt flies.

That being said, the number of idiotic people out there is astounding. The odds of a pitbull actually being owned and trained by a competent master is pretty slim.

Knowing that, if I saw a pitbull barrelling down on me, I would not hesitate to kick it in the head as hard as I could.

It's not my responsibility to hope that you've trained your pitbull properly. It's up to you as an owner to train it not to act aggressive.
384
The best thing about these comments is all the faggot hipsters saying how they'd shove their hands down a dogs throat and "rip out their insides". Hahahaha. Ok, Stallone, I'd pay to see that. In actuality you'd probably just shit your hipster pants and die, hopefully anyway. Fuck this article, I'd kill one of you motherfuckers before my dog would. I've worked with pit bulls specifically for 15 years and have been bit 1 time and that's an ACTUAL fact. People in this country need to stop being fucking pussies, grow up. "oooohh, a pit bull looked at my shitty kid, I'm going to go into defense mode". I'm willing to bet NO ONE who's posted here has been but by a pit bull, an ACTUAL pit bull, not some ghetto bred mixed breed that they're calling a "pit bull". Do some research on what a pit bull actually is before you spout off nonsense. I bet 9 out of 10 of you assholes couldn't pick a real pit bull out of a line up.
385
As far as Pitbull goes I think it outta be one strike your out policy, but the problem is many times the pitbull marauds through a neighborhood
maiming and killing other dogs and cats and is long gone before you react or does it when you are not home, my labradors have been attacked a few times in last 25 years, but I was there and I had
2 - 6 labs to gang up on the killer and run him
off. A 30-06 or 45 auto are not overkill to defeat these demons, shoot em in the guts to make
sure you do not shoot your own dog than they can
go home dragging their entrails in the same way they disembowel other dogs, than they can expire on their owners property.
386
A reasonably powerful man can actually subdue a pitbull more easily than you might think. The most important thing obviously is just to try and keep it from getting a good jawlock on your arm.

About 3 years ago I was attacked by a pitbull. It was winter so I had a pretty heavy coat on, and I saw him approaching so I quickly wrapped it around my left arm and when he jumped at me I held that out as bait.

When he latched onto it, I just pinned him down so I could control his body. So with the heavy jacket around the arm I was able to wrestle my arm out, used it to pin down the throat, and blasted him in the skull about 10 or 15 times as hard as I could until he didn't know what was happening, then got the fuck out of there before he was able to recover.

It still hurt my arm pretty badly and left some good marks, I was feeling that for a week afterwards. Those fuckers have insanely powerful jaw muscles! It really surprised me how good the grip is.

It took 20 or 30 seconds of working it just to get that arm free, and I think it would have been impossible if i didn't have the jacket on it. I am a pretty big guy too, I'm 6'2" and weigh about 250 pounds.

I was also surprised at how much punishment to the head it was able to take before he stopped going at me. I was in full-blown adrenaline mode, so I was throwing some very powerful punches at him. It's like it's skull was made out of iron!

I hope I have some mace or something on me if it ever happens again, becuase I don't EVER want to screw with giving one my arm again!! That seriously sucked.
387
Oh, and I also want to add that my sister owns a pitbull, and hers is easily one of the most friendly dogs I've ever known. He is very cool, and I love him to death.

It really does come down to how the pitbull is raised.
388
its 4.00am . and i am just laughing my tits of.Execllent.5 Star.i nearly choked on my cigarette smoke.Brilliant,i love u man.
389
Attacked by a pit bull recently but I carry a folder (7" knife) while jogging. Stuck it in its face and MOST importantly, I did NOT retreat! I actually slowly took a step toward the dog. It either became afraid or confused. Either way, I did not get bit. It was a standoff for a bit, but that piece of crap was full speed kill mode until it was about to swallow a very sharp blade. Didn't even have time to be scared. Just allowed muscle memory to kick in from training.

I hate pit bulls. They are not even dogs. Dogs are cool. Pit bulls are critters. Need to be shot.
390
First off i would like to say iam more than qualified to comment on this iam a animal control officer in nj for over a decade and animal cruelty officer for 9 years.I have personally dealt with around 2000 of the breed fact alot of times i show up to a scene to here pitbull attack when the dog is that off another breed.Fact even the loose scared up pit in pittsburgh won the hearts of the people when it saved a 10 year old boy thats was drowning in swirling under tides the judge overturned the law and allowed a cop to keep him as a pet.The pit that got shot in long island in the head yet still chased and fought an intruder do we say lets get rid of human beings because one is bad no i just think the haters generally hate themselves so why not get ignorant and blame the pits for mike vick that seems logicial in this forum.I believe the haters are kinda just that haters none off them has the experience that i do and there facts are distorted really its people that teach them to be well mannered or not and people should be held accontable for a dogs actions in all states any dog.Iam tired off going to ascene and once i say its not a pure pitbull the news truck leaves its bad enough people breed them to fight train them to do it then they simple kill the animal when it loses a fight then the media beats the breed and the horrible owner that wants tough dog to boost the ego then you haters with ignorant statements show up most disturbing thing ive wittnessed in a while.The only thing that needs to be killed here is ignorance.First if you carry an umbrella fase it down pointed at ground this will scare the hell out of any dog or raccon fox wolf you name it.This way dog runs away no ones hurt to tell anyone to attempt to gauge a dogs eyes out is wishfull thinking and very dangerous you could end up getting someone killed.I can honestly say you should stand still if the dog attacks try to keep the dog as far away as possible standing still yell do not and i repeat do not ever one on one attempt to wrestle the dog any man can get a artery severed and bleed out cant beilieve self preservation is a must the umbrella works and its legal.Bad owners the press in most cases and know the haters i just wanna take this time to say god bless the pitbull for man never seems to judge himself as harshly really people there are good people and bad people each case is different whats with the ignoranse of it if you wanna hate hate yourselves and Mike Vick thank god most people dont believe this crap putting hate on a breed thats had to much already get a life losers.
391
I almost got attacked by a pitbull who charged at me today. I wasn't sure what to do, but I stood still and yelled loud. He retreated. So tonight I decided to google some ideas for fending off dogs and found this article. For those of you who thought the article was ridiculous, please realize that are people in the world who need information such as this in order to protect themselves and prevent tragedies.
392
I was unaware of the rising incidences of pit bull attacks until it hit home. Our 10 month old Yorkie was playing in his yard and I went outside to run with him in the yard but he didn't come to me like he always did. There were 2 pit bulls that jumped the fence and extinguished his loving life out of him with so much force his eyeballs were out of the socket. I ran to get a yard tool to dispose of this evil that entered my domain. The dogs started to walk toward the fence and hop back to the shit hole they came from. I grabbed my cell phone and took pictures as I followed them home. I called the police and as I arrived at the owner's garage where they all live in, including the dog owner, 2 kids and 3 pit bull mixes he overheard my call and started to put his dog in the car to leave. I instructed the owner that there was no way in hell he was going to leave here and the police showed up in minutes. The owner cried and said his dog never hurt anybody to which I replied "go look in my yard and see what the "f" he did to my puppy. He did not have the testicles to go see what a mess his beloved dog created in my yard. The police only found blood on one of the dogs so off to dead dog land he went. We have a new puppy and a s load of defensive tools around the house to prevent any further attacks from these rogue and unchained menaces in the neighborhood.
393
I live in Chicago and wish I had read this post before this weekend. I was out walking my Shih-Tzu and my Yorkie Poo this past Sunday as I normally do every evening. There was a car parked on the street with its windows rolled down. Two guys in the front seat and an unrestrained Pitbull in the back. The dog jumped out the window and came running toward me. I was able to pick up and save my Shih-Tzu but couldn't get to my Yorkie in time. The Pitbull bit through him and broke his back and with his intestines hanging out left me standing there watching over his throbbing body as he took his last breath. I don't wish for anyone to ever have to witness such a gruesome sight. Fact is every dog can have a bad day, fact is when most dogs bite the attack isn't deadly, fact is when a Pitbull bites he doesn't let go and the injuries are always series if not fatal. If you wish to educate yourself more about Pitbulls read this link: http://www.dogsbite.org/dangerous-dogs-p….

394
Not all dogs are bad! The pits have gotten their much undeserved bad rap due to dumb and irresponsible people. I always say dogs need to be leashed and when not leashed - supervised at all times! If everyone was responsible about their pets, especially those who have pit bulls and other BSL targeted breeds, the world would be a perfect place! There are some fricken people who should be banned from having a pet for the safety of the general public and other animals! are you aware dot net
395
Ok I'm reading this article because a pit bull and another dog swarmed me with my small leashed dog this morning. They kept leaping up on me and snapping and trying to knock me down. I would have fought instead of just twisting around but my hands were not free from trying to protect my pet dog. I'm not hating on the dogs. No such thing as a bad dog. I'm angry that the owner lets his dogs behave this way and ignores them. But I did need to know what to do if I ever encounter them again and they are more aggressive.
396
Go to a fucking adba pit show and you will see that there is nothing wrong with pit bulls. I own 11 of the and I have never had one growl at or bit someone because I raise them right. Some of them even get along so well I can have 5 of my most dog friendly ones play at the same time. It is so ignorant and idiotic for someone to say that these dogs should be banned. It is not their fault it is on the owner 100%. If the government ever tried to ban my dogs I'm sure whoever said pits were like semiauto rifles wouldn't want to come to my house because I could gladly show them the difference after my dogs are done licking them to submission.
397
The founder of DOGSBITE.ORG is a BIASED, GENOCIDAL FRAUD whose sole purpose in life is to KILL ALL PIT BULL BREED DOGS - it is her sole INCOME SOURCE (NON-PROFIT DONATIONS FROM DUPES). She PROFITS from people fearing pit bulls, so she posts EXAGGERATIONS, LIES, anything to get people to send her money - which goes to herself for research, NEVER to victims. To use any information from that source makes one appear a hapless dupe.

http://www.pitbulletinlegalnews.com/pro-…

http://www.whoiscolleenlynn.com/1/post/2…

http://junkscience11949.blogspot.com/
398
The founder of DOGSBITE.ORG is a BIASED, GENOCIDAL FRAUD whose sole purpose in life is to KILL ALL PIT BULL BREED DOGS - it is her sole INCOME SOURCE (NON-PROFIT DONATIONS FROM DUPES). She PROFITS from people fearing pit bulls, so she posts EXAGGERATIONS, LIES, anything to get people to send her money - which goes to herself for research, NEVER to victims. To use any information from that source makes one appear a hapless dupe.

http://www.pitbulletinlegalnews.com/pro-…

http://www.whoiscolleenlynn.com/1/post/2…

http://junkscience11949.blogspot.com/
399
your a dick and fyi maybe you should do those things TO THE PEOPLE WHO OWN THAT DOG , SINCE HE DIDN'T GET TO THAT POINT OF ATTACKING YOU WITH OUT BEING TAUGHT OR ABUSED TO DO SO...
I HOPE YOUR CAR CRASHES
400
In general, most people own or raise dogs like part of their family for their emotional needs or enjoyment . If you people would learn to treat your actual (human) family with love and humility and not divorce almost every man/woman you marry, then probably you wouldn't have to get a dog either unless you are into hobbies like hunting. If you own an aggressive breed of dog, keep it on a leash or train it well and it "probably" wont get poisoned or shot dead during the night.
401
I stopped dead in my tracks and the dog still violently approached. I called orders and it refused to obey. There was no where to run. When the dog was in range I gave it a quick strong left hook to its nose. Yet the dog stopped in mid air because of his rope. The dog was inches from getting his cute doggy face smashed in. So I did a foghorn leghorn impersonation and said awe shut up.
402
http://thetruthaboutpitbulls.blogspot.co…

403
I had brought a american pittbull terrier from a friend like 5 yrs ago and he was 6 months when i got him ....so my kids took to him i knew he was abused but he was very excellent as long it was no play fighting and stuff in my house....my kids knew that but 1yr ago today my little cousin came in the house screaming cause he saw him in the house.....i already knew he was going to flip out because he hated screaming and loud noises because he would black out ..this time he was about to attack my 2 yr old cousin ....he was like 130 lbs and his head was 28 ins around so he would of gobbled him up ...i grab him by his choker just in time he only caught his pants thank god so instead of me puttinghim in the bathroom so he can calm down because of his anger issues i was just holding him and trying to calm him in front of him....why did i do that because 10 mins of that he turn around and grab my arm...so i have never been biting by a dog before or him so i panicked and grab a knife and stab him in the jawbone....when i did that it was too late to think about why he had grab me because i was choking him his eyes where red and when he grab me he didnt try to tear my arm off he was just telling me to get off of him.....so when i stab him he just looked at me like im so sorry and why did u do that to me......from that moment i had realize what i have done and so did he .....i didnt know if he would of grab me again so i had hurry up and put him in the garage....now i feel like crap knowing that i wasnt there when they put him down...i has been im sorri two years since the incident today and i truly miss him so much....im just mad at the people that had him before i did they turn him into the hulk....he was my best friend he was my everything.....he would know i was coming home when i was 3 blocks away and wait for me at the door .....r.i.p. gorilla you will be missed
404
this is sick and repulsive. the fact this is geared towards pits shows you know nothing about the breed and just base this off of the media's fucked up perception.
405
All the people talking that bull on here, are retarded and ignorant. I've owned plenty of pitbulls, and they are one of the most loyal dogs I've ever owned. This is why I curently own 3 of them now; if you beat the crap out of your pitbull. What makes you think its not going to want to eat your ass someday? As for kids they are amazing with them that is if you train them to be usually they won't even pay attention to kids. Then again if you beat your dog, he won't be adapted to kids ruff play. So any ruff play can be taken as abuse to the dogs eye. So ofcourse its going to bite the kids its common sence. I let my pitbulls go around anyone, I have never had a bad experience, and my oldest 4 year old pitbull cuco has won over 15 dog show trophies. Note: These dogs are very athletic and have an amazing amount of energy if you run past them they will chase you, if you play with them they will play back, and some of them love to play ruff like my little ones but that's something that a nice firm NO will stop, when the dog stops praise him is that simple. Never try to fight a pit bull idiots because you will loose. Give your pitbull plenty of exercise, love, training, and exercise plus lots of treats when dog does good deeds. After all a tired pitbull is a happy pitbull this doesn't just apply to pitbulls but also to other dogs. Thank you for readin/.
406
The art pisses me off. All pitbulls. The opening pisses me off. That is NOT "fact." Contrary to this opinionated post, the author clearly spells an anti-pit bias. I'm not saying they don't attack, but the media portrays that any attack involving a medium-sized short hair dog is a pitbull. I can show you a hundred pictures of 30+ dog breeds, just one picture or even ten of them of pitbulls, and I can guarantee you wouldn't get them right. Ignorance hurts more than pits when raised the right way. Just because drug dealers have them and horrible people use them for dog fighting doesn't make the breed bad. This is essentially racism, in Canine form. Talking like that about the entire breed can piss off a lot of pit owners and breeders, and as far as I'm concerned if you talked out of your ass about my dog that you've never met around me, it's not my dog that will attack you. I have raised, owned and trained pitbulls all my life. All of which were GREAT with kids, GREAT with other dogs, and only one of them chased cats. To play with them! The key is to raise them right, and start when they are young. No matter what breed, a puppy is like play-doh. You can turn them into what you want them to be earlier on, and after you leave them how they are that's what they will be, you won't change them. In the 70's, they blamed the doberman. In the 80's, they blamed the Shepherds. In the 90's, they blamed the Rottweiler. Post 2000 it seems, they blame the pitbull. They meaning ill-informed or uninformed people like yourself. When will anyone blame the humans? The owners who feed them gunpowder to keep them angry? Run them on treadmills and train them to kill? The news networks also call attacks "pitbull" for ratings. Sounds more appealing and vicious-more attention-grabbing than lab attack or dalmatian attack. You anti-pitbull types need to learn a few things. The term "Pit-Bull" is becoming used to openly. It actually was used to describe the American Pitbull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, (Where the APBT was bred from after coming from England to America.) Google Image search an American Bully. The common moron will mistake THEM for a Pitbull. These are NOT pitbulls. A purebred Pitbull Terrier is not very intimidating at all. Regardless, I'll leave any Anti-pitbull or Pro-BSL jerkoffs with this-The human mind is like a parachute; it works a lot better when it's open.
407
The artwork is funny!Kill the wolves and the nutters who own/treat them otherwise.
408
"When Pit Bulls are outlawed, only dipshit wannabe thugs looking for any excuse to start shit in public will have pitbulls."
So-law makes not much difference then?

Best defense against pitbull is still M4 w 5.56 NATO, for skull penetration at close range.
409
I was mauled by a family pit bull in the owners living room, in front of them. The dog lunged up, without warning, and tore into my face. I spent 3 hours having my lips reconstructed back together, months of fighting to have my medical bills paid and the undaunting fear of all dogs. Before this happened to me I was a dog person and was never afraid of dogs. I quickly realized that there is a whole subculture of people who are utterly obsessed with dogs. They treat these animals like human beings and as a result underestimate the true nature and instincts they possess. Before the attack, I was acting very calm and tendor to this dog. I didn't provoke him, act aggressively or foolishly around him. Pit bulls are known to not show any signs of agitation brides they attack. If the dog growled, I would have back off. Not only have I lost trust in animals because of this attack, I lost trust in animal owners. This dog "nipped" 4 other people before I was attacked, however the humans around him didn't heed warnings. My advice to dog owners, both pit bull and otherwise, is to treat your animal like an animal. They are not people and should not be given same privileges. Those people who posted negative comments should be ashamed of themselves. You probably like dogs more then people anyway. Therapy might help!
410
@391 I totally agree with you. I am a teacher, and was on duty at school making sure the elementary kids got on their daycare vans. The kids stay in the building while I stand outside alone. While I was outside waiting, I saw 2 pit bulls wiggle out of their back fence and charge across the field toward me. Although I wasn't sure what to do, I knew that running was the wrong thing, (I wouldn't have made it anyway) I found a thin metal strip to stave them off, (they were aggressive) but with no one around to help, if they had attacked that would have been no defense. I also have Googled how to defend from dog attacks this weekend. And although a lot of the posters seem uptight about the methods, if it comes down to defending myself, or the kids that I am in charge of, against someone's loose dog... the dog loses.
411
You Suck! Horrible representation of your staff, waste of words and utter disappointment all around. Way to support animal absuse - Jerks!
412
All I can say is that this writer and his supporters are just factual proof that there is an issue with pure stupidity and ignorance, and how easy it is to brainwash the brainless. If ya'll want to ban Pit Bulls, then black people need banned for their violence, hispanics for their crimes, etc. For every Pit killed in the name of fear and ignorance, a black and hispanic goes down too. Get my drift dumbasses? If you try these techniques on my Pit Bulls, you won't succeed, they will only stand back and think you are crazy, then want to lick you.......so come on over, my door is always open.

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