Pit Bull News

"American Pitbull," by Marc Joseph

2006-02-17T16:02:00.000-06:00

Mainstream media coverage of Pit Bull dogs and the people involved with them is commonly negative and oversimplified so as to focus on dog related violence on humans (including many breeds), and other criminal activity, sometimes drug and gang related. Public opinion in the United States and Europe has been uniformly shaped by this portrayal.
American Pitbull is a photographic exploration into the culture of American Pit Bull dogs and their people, presenting an alternative view of the controversial world revolving around a uniquely American breed of dog and the human beings that live for them.

Read more. . .

Westminster's winner is deemed dangerous in some areas

2006-02-17T15:58:00.000-06:00

Rufus cuddled up beside the couch, ready for a good nap. Belly full from his favorite steak dinner and tuckered out from a romp around the house, he put down the head that has become the signature of dogdom in America.

Read more. . .

Detroit weighs tough pit bull restrictions

2006-01-21T21:19:00.000-06:00

The Detroit City Council is proposing a ban on pit bulls that could place a host of costly restrictions on owners, require those visiting the city with the dogs to get a permit and force any puppies older than 8 weeks to be taken out of the city or put to death.

Read more. . .

Pit Bulls in the City

2006-01-09T19:47:00.000-06:00

“Pit bulls are different; they’re like wild animals,” says Alan Beck, director for the Center for the Human Animal Bond at Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine, West Lafayette, IN. “They’re not suited for an urban environment. I believe we should open our eyes and take a realistic approach to pit bulls.”

Those who condemn pit bulls and call for breed bans targeting these dogs tend to be members of the general population, or most often, it seems, politicians. Beck isn’t calling for breed bans – he stops just short of that resulting from research yet to be published. Still, it’s exceedingly rare for an animal expert to vilify pit, and few would doubt Beck’s credentials.

Read more. . .

Officer Shoots Police Dog To Death During Attack

2005-12-22T15:10:00.000-06:00

Even police trained German Shepards attack. . .

An officer shot a police dog to death Tuesday when it attacked him as authorities searched for a burglary suspect, police said.

Police surrounded a home on Sims Road after the owner reported that someone broke in and stole two handguns. The nearby Ivy Drive Elementary School was locked down for several hours during the search for the suspect.

Officer Greg Blackinton sent police dog, Bosco (not shown), a German shepherd, into the house to look for the suspected thieves. Police said the dog then ran out of the house and bit Officer Brian Aleia on the leg. When the dog attacked Aleia a second time, the officer shot the dog with a shotgun, police said.

Read more. . .

Jury finds woman guilty of involuntary manslaughter in pit bull attack

2005-12-22T15:05:00.000-06:00

A jury Thursday found a pit bull owner guilty of involuntary manslaughter for allowing her dogs to run loose and kill an 82-year-old woman.

Deanna Large, 37, sat quietly as the verdict was read, while the family of victim Dorothy Sullivan quietly wept.

Read more. . .

American pit bull attacks boy

2005-12-22T15:03:00.000-06:00

A three-year-old boy has been flown to hospital in Melbourne after being mauled by a dog in Victoria's Latrobe Valley.

The toddler was with his father in a neighbour's house in Yallourn North yesterday afternoon when the american pit bull terrier attacked.

Read more. . .

Opinion: Officials right to look at ways to prevent pit bull attacks

2005-12-22T14:59:00.000-06:00

We share the outrage expressed last week by Lincoln County Attorney John Hackley concerning the dangers of pit bulls.

At a Lincoln Fiscal Court meeting, Hackley and members of the court heard from a Lincoln County woman whose son was jerked off his bike and severely bitten by a pit bull. The boy's injuries required 50 stitches, and the attack left him emotionally traumatized as well, his mother told the court.

Read more. . .

The PBRC Katrina Fund

2005-10-12T15:47:00.000-05:00

Please take the time to read about the plight of dogs in New Orleans and other places hit by Katrina. As well as donate if you can!

Related Story

Pit Bull Hotel Rejected

2005-10-12T15:13:00.000-05:00

The Saunders County Board of Supervisors has rejected a request from a rural resident who wanted to build a luxury shelter for pit bulls rescued from hurricane-stricken areas.

David Hibler, who owns three pit bulls, wanted to build on his property a $35,000 shelter for 24 animals.

But his neighbors, the county Planning Commission and now the Board of Supervisors prevailed against the idea.

Read more. . .

People Speak Against Pit Bull Ban

2005-10-12T15:10:00.000-05:00

Twelve Bentonville dogs have given the pit bull breed a bad reputation here.

Those 12 pit bulls are on a list of 16 canines who found themselves on Bentonville's dangerous status list, meaning they have injured a person or animal, attacking without provocation. The other four on the list, compiled since 2003, include a German shepherd, a Shar-Pei, a heeler and two boxers.

Read more. . .

Man abused pit bull pup, cops say

2005-10-05T17:02:00.000-05:00

It was bad enough that a pit bull puppy was kicked, stomped and dragged by its owner through part of Port Jervis, police said.

Things only got worse when the puppy was hit by a car while still on its leash.

Read more. . .

Pet or Threat?

2005-10-04T22:19:00.000-05:00

You have seen the news reports on pit bull attacks, and with an estimated 60,000 in the city of Chicago, one is bound to cross your path. Some people call the dogs loving, family pets; others describe them as vicious and lethal. Nationwide, a debate over pit bull restrictions rages on, and in the Chicago area, people are battling over whether to ban pit bulls.

Read more and watch video. . .

(Read Proposed Ban)

This segment begins by not being too slanted. But there is a much larger proportion of interview by the pro-ban people than the ones defending the breed. . .as usual. Even the title of the story is sensationalized.

Pit bull ban panned

2005-10-03T15:15:00.000-05:00

A proposed city ordinance to ban pit bulls from city events and facilities may find itself barking up the wrong tree after a strong negative response from the City Council and local dog trainers.

Read more. . .

Pit bull owners say their dogs are a "misunderstood breed"

2005-10-03T15:13:00.000-05:00

Pit bulls aren't bad dogs. They just get a bad rap.
That was the message from pit bull expert Mary Harwelik at the Friends of Sleepy Hollow's sixth annual Celebration of Animals on Sunday at Leland Avenue Park.

The nonprofit group was hoping to dispel some of the myths of what they call "The Misunderstood Breed" at the afternoon event, which was attended by more than 30 dogs and their owners, and featured animal blessings by Catholic, Presbyterian and Hindu priests and an American Indian shaman.

Read more. . .

Aurora closer to pit-bull limits

2005-09-27T16:10:00.000-05:00

The council votes to officially weigh rules to ban new pit bulls in the city, require an annual licensing fee of $600 for existing dogs, and require owners to have $100,000 in liability insurance.

Read more. . .

Prince George's Councilman Wants Pit Bull Ban Repealed

2005-09-25T15:18:00.000-05:00

One Prince George's County councilman has proposed lifting the county's pit bull ban, which he calls ineffective and expensive.

The ban was imposed in 1996 after a series of pit bull attacks and complaints about dogfighting and wandering dogs.

"Public policy should make sense," said Councilman Thomas R. Hendershot. "It shouldn't be overly expensive, and it ought to be fair. The pit bull ban is none of the above."

Read more. . .

Pit bull owners to launch legal challenge against ban

2005-08-25T15:09:00.000-05:00

On the eve of a law that will ban pit bulls, Ontario breeders are fighting back. They will launch a legal challenge Monday which claims the ban violates breeders' constitutional rights.

Read more. . .

Pit bull a banned breed now

2005-08-02T11:42:00.000-05:00

It is now illegal to own a pit bull in Denver, Colorado. A state law went into effect in December, 2004, and owners of pit bulls were given notice in order to give them an opportunity to make a decision regarding ownership of their dog - either get rid of the dog or move out of Denver.

Read more. . .

Outraged pit bull backers decry Commerce City plan

2005-08-02T11:40:00.000-05:00

Scores of pit bull supporters waving signs that said, "Ban the deed, not the breed," and displayed pictures of their pets showed up at the city's recreation center Monday night to protest a proposed pit bull ordinance.

Read more. . .

Pit bull recovering after being set afire

2005-07-25T11:45:00.000-05:00

A young pit bull is recovering at a San Francisco animal hospital after someone set it ablaze Sunday in Bayview-Hunters Point.
Deb Campbell, a spokeswoman for the city’s Animal Care and Control agency, said animal control officers responded to an emergency call shortly after 5 p.m. and found the female dog suffering from burns. The dog had put out the flames — in the process igniting a small grass fire — by running away from her tormenter.

Read more. . .

Research on Pit Bull Dangers

2005-07-22T15:19:00.000-05:00

-- Just how dangerous are pit bulls?

The American Temperament Testing Society evaluated 122 dog breeds and found that the American Staffordshire Terrier, a type of pit bull banned in Denver, passed 83.3 percent of the time, just behind the golden retriever (83.6 percent).

The American Canine Foundation calculated rates of human dog-bite fatalities by breed and found that pit bulls bite at a lower rate than many other dogs. The Doberman pinscher was found to bite 10 times as often as a pit bull.

Read more. . .

Pit bull foe joins fight for city ban

2005-07-22T15:17:00.000-05:00

Calling pit bulls a severe threat to public safety in cities across America, Denver Assistant City Attorney Kory Nelson has made it a personal crusade to help other communities thinking of banning the dog breed.

Read more. . .

Pit bull owners forced to give up pets or move

2005-07-22T15:15:00.000-05:00

Dog wardens will be at some residents' doors prepared to take away pit bulls, which have become a banned breed in this city.
But pit bull owners will have time to find other homes for their beloved pets outside the city.

Read more. . .

Springville tightens pit bull ordinance

2005-07-22T15:14:00.000-05:00

Jamie Nelson is one of three Springville residents who owns a pit bull.

She knows this because Springville requires all pit bull owners to register their dogs, saying because the dogs are naturally dangerous, the city needs to keep a closer watch on them.

Read more. . .

Pit bull owner? Ludlow just not for you

2005-07-16T13:39:00.000-05:00

No pit bulls allowed.
That's the new law here, unanimously passed by City Council on Thursday.

It means anyone in the city who owns the dogs will have to get rid of them. It includes mixed breeds whose physical characteristics are predominantly those of a pit bull.

Read more. . .

Proposed pit bull ban in Davenport

2005-07-16T13:37:00.000-05:00

Davenport leaders are considering a law which would ban pit bulls and related breeds.

Supporters of the ban say it's the best way to put a stop to recent pit bull attacks.

Read more. . .

Leighton takes teeth out of pit bull ordinance

2005-07-13T21:51:00.000-05:00

The mayor pulled a proposed ordinance to ban pit bulls from city council's agenda Tuesday. The decision was hailed by pit bull owners, dog club representatives and other opponents.

Read more. . .

Rottweiler, pit bull ban delayed

2005-07-13T21:49:00.000-05:00

He had never bitten a soul, his owner said.

Even so, neighbors had complained the dog was aggressive and dangerous. But Madison resident Bonnie Johnson insists that before he died a few weeks ago, her ailing pit bull had never bitten anyone.

Read more. . .

Pit Bull Who Attacked Owner Had Bite History

2005-07-13T21:47:00.000-05:00

An Erwin man said he was bitten by the same pit bull who attacked its owner Friday in Angier.

Read more. . .

Pit bull attack reported by boy is false, police say

2005-07-11T15:23:00.000-05:00

A pit bull attack reported in Green Bay on Wednesday was false, police said Thursday.

A boy reported being bitten by a pit bull Wednesday in the 1400 block of West Mason Street, but he was actually bitten a German Shepherd when the boy entered an acquaintance’s fenced yard in the 1100 block of Day Street on the city’s east side, according to the Green Bay Police Department.

The boy falsified the report to protect the acquaintance, police said. The dog’s owner told the Green Bay Press-Gazette the boy had been warned to stay out of the yard.

The boy has been cited for making a false report.

Source: Green Bay Press

Irresponsibility fuels tragedy, pit bull advocates argue

2005-07-11T15:20:00.000-05:00

The pit bull attacks seem to just keep coming, jarring nerves and leaving Bay Area residents with searing images. . .

Read more. . .

Pit bull fans weary of bad rap

2005-07-10T17:11:00.000-05:00

Meet Betty, a 5-year-old American pit bull terrier with a penchant for licking and a talent for winning dog shows.
Betty, her offspring Kitty and a related pit bull named Thor belong to Vallejo breeder Stephanie Davis, who loves her dogs and is tired of the negative attention the breed receives.

Read more. . .

Aurora (Colorado) considers pit bull ban

2005-07-07T13:59:00.000-05:00

The City of Aurora (Colorado) is taking its first step toward banning pit bulls. A City Council committee on Wednesday unanimously asked its staff to write an ordinance that would prohibit Aurora residents from owning the breed within city limits.

Read more. . .

Please take the time to get in touch with the Mayor and City Council to educate them on BSL issues! As well as the truth about bully breeds!

Denver pit bull ban draws dog lovers' ire

2005-07-06T12:45:00.000-05:00

Within the last month, more than 200 pit bulls have been plucked from the municipal animal shelter and euthanized as the city cracks down on the sometimes-dangerous breed. That has sparked a petition drive to overturn the pit bull ban and fueled a sort of canine underground railroad in which dog lovers secretly ferry the outlawed animals out of town.

Read more. . .

JCC police take sickly pit bull from a back yard

2005-07-03T12:17:00.000-05:00

James City police seized a malnourished pit bull Thursday night from a back yard outside an Old Colonial Road home near where two other dogs were found cut earlier this week.

Read more. . .

Pit bull fans lobby hard against limits

2005-07-03T12:15:00.000-05:00

Almost everyone is outraged by the recent spate of pit bull attacks on children. Doing something about them is harder, because the only thing more tenacious than a pit bull is the lobby supporting them.

Read more. . .

Pit Bull Alerts Owner to House Fire

2005-06-30T18:10:00.000-05:00

A type of dog that usually takes the heat in news headlines has become a hero for, literally, standing up to the heat. A pet Pit Bull, named Stormy, alerted her owner to a fire that broke out in the family's home early Wednesday. Kevin Cavanaugh, Sr., said, somehow, the dog broke out of a metal cage and ran into his bedroom, barking.

Read more. . .

It's nice to see at least ONE good story about Pit Bulls in the media lately!

Pit bull owners plead for their pets

2005-06-30T18:06:00.000-05:00

Allison Rowe was entertained by some playful Labrador puppies recently as she waited in the lobby of the Montgomery Humane Society hoping for good news.

Read more. . .

Pit bull death sentence condemned

2005-06-30T18:04:00.000-05:00

The RSPCA has expressed shock over a decision to sentence a pit bull terrier to die because of its owner's actions.

Read more. . .

Police to decide fate of pit bull involved in attack

2005-06-29T15:35:00.000-05:00

The fate of a pit bull involved in the deliberate mauling of a tethered wild hog could depend on the outcome of a Titusville police department investigation, animal control officials said today.

The pit bull was captured late Monday after police were tipped to what investigators said was a report of animal torture by three Titusville men accompanied by two children.

Read more. . .

Pit bull attacks spur debate

2005-06-29T15:03:00.000-05:00

Are pit bulls really vicious by nature? Or is it the way their owners ``nurture'' them that makes them the leading breed for fatal dog bites?

As lawmakers and police respond to a string of pit bull bites in the Bay Area, dog lovers are wondering whether violent canines are conceived or created.

Read more. . .

Another pit bull attack sign of ‘a numbers game'

2005-06-29T14:55:00.000-05:00

Another pit bull attack in The City this week heightened already tense nerves, but animal experts said the seeming increase in maulings does not necessarily spell a trend.

Read more. . .

Mayor Seeks Support On Pit Bull Bill

2005-06-29T14:53:00.000-05:00

State Senator Jackie Speier and San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom are hoping lawmakers will support a proposed bill on regulating dangerous dogs.

Read more. . .

Boycott PETA and Tell Ingrid Newkirk Why!

2005-06-28T01:24:00.000-05:00

I have read a few accounts as well as an article by Ingrid Newkirk, the president of the people for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) concerning pit bulls. Frankly I have to say I am disgusted that the head of an organization with such a name could be so biased ands contradictory to what her organization stands for. She refers to pit bulls as "weapons" and a host of other biased things in her article. I guess PETA only cares about certain animals. . .

It appears from her article she has emotional issues caused by her negative encounter with a bad dog that happened to be a pit bull. She states:

I have scars on my leg and arm from my own encounter with a pit. Many are loving and will kiss on sight, but many are unpredictable.

It appears that many animal activists are "unpredictable" too.

Read her article and be sure to leave a comment!

Drop her an email and share your thoughts: IngridNewKirk@peta.org

Another rebuttal to her article worth reading HERE

Catching Animal Fighting

2005-06-28T01:21:00.000-05:00

They raise roosters and pitbulls, teach them to attack, then make millions from those who gamble on the bloody sport of animal fighting.

And Sioux Falls officials say they're seeing signs the fights may be happening in the city.

In 2003, Sioux Falls authorities uncovered a cockfighting ring and arrested three people for abusing roosters. Now, animal control investigators say the problem is pitbulls. They're looking into dogfighting throughout Sioux Falls. Animal control teamed up with police to learn from a national expert how to stop the illegal sport.

They're taught to attack and bred to kill. For animals forced into fighting, the battle only ends when a dog or rooster can no longer continue.

Sakach says, "These are among the fastest growing crimes in America today."

Read more. . .

Taking Vicious Dogs off Toledo Streets

2005-06-28T01:00:00.001-05:00

The Toledo Police Department and Lucas County Dog Warden are teaming up and putting the bite on pit bulls running loose on city streets.

Read more. . .

The mere title of the article then the references only to pit bulls shows the slant on this article. To their credit they do cover both sides to a degree.

Neighbor is charged in killing of pit bull

2005-06-27T20:43:00.000-05:00

Sonja Robinson's pit bull collapsed at her feet, yelping in pain, she said yesterday. His fur was covered in blood and a deep gash sliced across his chest, she said. Horrified, she realized that the dog had been slashed with a knife.

The Fall River woman hugged the dying animal to her chest. ''My dog was stabbed! Who would do this?" she said yesterday.

Read more. . .

Pit bull threat, time to get clear

2005-06-27T20:38:00.000-05:00

As sure as the sun rises in the east, somewhere in our vast state another person will be bitten, chased -- and possibly mauled -- by a pit bull dog before the month is over.

Read more. . .

This is another example of media grandstanding of ignorance. You can contact the author of this article, Chip Johnson, to share your opinion via his email chjohnson@sfchronicle.com

Anchorage teen recovering from dog attack

2005-06-25T12:15:00.000-05:00

This is an example of the many articles on dog attacks that do not involve bully breeds.

As the animal ran into the intersection of Birch and O’Malley roads, forcing cars to dodge around it, Miranda couldn’t watch anymore. She jumped out of her car and approached the dog -- a 120-pound Akita with a harness on, clean and calm.

Read more. . .

Animal Welfare Groups Criticize Pit Bull Proposal

2005-06-25T12:04:00.000-05:00

The mauling of one of his young constituents by a pit bull terrier was all Paul Wesselhoft needed to propose restricting ownership of the dogs in Oklahoma.

But animal welfare groups said Wednesday Wesselhoft's plan to ultimately eliminate the dogs in the state won't make communities any safer from dangerous or vicious animals.

Read more. . .

Local policies affected by recent pit bull attacks

2005-06-25T11:58:00.000-05:00

Three pit bull attacks in northern California in the last three weeks are making an impact on animal services on the Central Coast.
Woods Animal Shelter in San Luis Obispo has a specific pitbull policy which states that at any given time, the shelter will hold no more than three pit bulls. Staff say it takes longer to adopt out pit bulls, and that the animals do not kennel well.

Read more. . .

Pit bulls in the bull’s-eye

2005-06-25T11:51:00.000-05:00

Isabelle wants a hug.
Wrinkles appear on her broad, black and white head while she waits for a sign from owner and pit bull advocate Christine Allen.

Eventually, the 55-pound dog is allowed on to the couch and Allen’s lap.

Read more. . .

San Bruno council member wants pit bull ban

2005-06-24T12:53:00.000-05:00

A San Bruno councilmember has called for a complete ban on new pit bulls in the city and a requirement for current dogs to be neutered.

Read more. . .

Injured pit bull puppy left to die

2005-06-24T12:50:00.000-05:00

A pit bull puppy dumped in front of a Colfax Street residence Wednesday night was so badly injured the county Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals opted for euthanasia, according to SPCA cruelty investigator Bev Greco.

"The dog was in horrendous condition," Greco said Thursday evening. "There was nothing we could do but put it down. ... He was so messed up. It was horrendous."

Read more. . .

Calif. lawmakers respond to pit-bull attacks

2005-06-24T12:47:00.000-05:00

California lawmakers, responding to a spate of recent attacks by pit bulls, on Thursday took up a bill that could pave the way for cities to enforce mandatory sterilization for the sometimes aggressive dog breed or to require their owners to carry insurance.

Read more. . .

Mom Charged In Fatal Pit Bull Attack On Boy

2005-06-24T12:45:00.000-05:00

A California woman has been charged with child endangerment because her 12-year-old son was fatally mauled in a pit bull attack.

Maureen Faibish has been charged in connection with the June 3 attack. Nicholas Faibish was killed by one or both of the family's dogs while his mother was running errands.

The boy was found in a bedroom, covered in blood from several wounds, including a major head injury.

One of the dogs was killed by a police officer. The other remains in animal control custody.

The woman told the San Francisco Chronicle she had been so concerned about one of the dogs that she shut her son in the basement to protect him. She said the male dog was acting possessively because the female was in heat.

Source: WMTW

San Francisco Pit Bull Adoption Standards

2005-06-22T12:30:00.000-05:00

Screening Standards for Potential Adopters of Pit Bulls. Also known as "all Pit Bull restrictions" ...

The following criterias must be met in addition to passing our regular screening process:

- It is recommended that the applicant has knowledge of the Pit Bull breed and how to care for a Pit Bull.

- Applicant must agree to a property inspection. Polaroid pictures of a potential adopter's yard may be requested for out of the county residents.

- A receipt showing enrollment in dog training classes.

- Proof that a Pit Bull can reside in applicants home -- landlord approval or proof of home ownership.

Source: CBS 5

Attacking the Pit Bull Problem in Los Angeles

2005-06-22T12:27:00.000-05:00

Twenty-six percent of the dogs at the six Los Angeles Animal Services shelters are "Pit Bulls". American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, and Staffordshire Bull are various names used to describe the breed and any mix thereof.

Read more. . .

Bill to change dog laws introduced in Senate (California)

2005-06-22T02:03:00.000-05:00

A Bay Area legislator on Tuesday introduced a bill that would allow cities and counties to enact breed-specific laws affecting dogs in the wake of a 12-year-old boy's mauling death by his family's pit bulls.

Read more. . .

Teenager mauled by pit bull cross

2005-06-22T01:58:00.000-05:00

Police shot dead a dog so intent on mauling a teenager that it tried to attack again after bystanders pried the animal off the victim.

The article goes on to state that:

People in the neighbourhood said the dog was known to be unfriendly to other animals and had been trained as a guard dog.

Read more. . .

So it seems that even a mutt with some pit bull in them is news worthy as a "pit bull attack". From the article one can deduce that the dog was trained to be mean.

Man arrested in hatchet attack on pit bull

2005-06-22T01:54:00.000-05:00

A 47-year-old man was arrested early Saturday after attacking a pit bull with a hatchet.

Read more. . .

Killer pit bull’s pups raise concerns

2005-06-20T11:25:00.000-05:00

A pit bull put to sleep last month for mauling a 2-year-old girl to death has left behind as many as 12 inbred pups -- "potential monsters," according to the victim’s grandmother.

Read more. . .

Pit bull owner faces loss of homeowner's insurance

2005-06-20T11:21:00.000-05:00

Tommy Salley, the Cordova man whose pit bull injured a neighbor's four-week old calf says he's being forced to give up the family pet or lose his homeowner's insurance.

Read more. . .

DA to announce if parents will be charged in dog mauling case

2005-06-20T11:19:00.000-05:00

A decision on whether to press charges against the parents of a 12-year-old boy killed by one or both of the family's pit bull dogs may be announced today or tomorrow, authorities say.

Read more. . .

Police shoot another pit bull

2005-06-18T13:04:00.000-05:00

DANVILLE, Va. - A Danville police officer shot and killed a pit bull on White Street on Friday afternoon after police and animal control authorities said it was behaving aggressively toward its caretaker and them.

The article goes on to say:

Police said the dog was on a 20- to 30-foot chain. . .

As well as:

Dean said the dog was thin and had no doghouse.

Which is another example of bad owners chaining up their dogs and neglecting them to the point where they become aggressive.

The article also points out that:

During a phone interview Friday afternoon, Dean stressed the importance of people properly caring for their dogs. If they don’t receive adequate care, they can become frustrated and aggressive, she said.

. . .

Dean added that not all pit bulls are dangerous, and that she did not want citizens to have that impression. She cited one recent incident in which she believes a person might have poisoned a neighbor’s pit bull.

She said anyone who is having problems with a pit bull should contact police or the humane society and not try to take the matter into their own hands.

“We can’t let this turn into a mob-type mentality where people are afraid of every pit bull,” Dean said.

Read more. . .

Pit Bulls In The City

2005-06-18T01:01:00.000-05:00

The entire province of Ontario in Canada recently approved a ban on Pit Bull Terriers. Ontario Attorney General Michael Bryant repeatedly called Pit Bulls a “ticking time bomb” and “inherently dangerous” in public statements.

Read more. . .

Not first time pit bull had bitten family members

2005-06-18T00:25:00.000-05:00

A pit bull that attacked and seriously injured its 66-year-old owner Tuesday had a history of aggression and was feared by neighbors, police said Wednesday.

Read more. . .

Yet another example of a bad dog owner. When someone knows a dog they own is aggressive tward humans they need to be responsible and take action to remedy the issue. Not keep the dog and hope it will change. . .

Denver's pit bull ban roils owners

2005-06-18T00:17:00.000-05:00

During a recent Sunday drive here, Sonya Dias had one thing on her mind: Get out of the city limits as quickly as possible without letting her cargo be seen. In the back of her Toyota RAV4, she was carrying Zena, a pit bull, whom she hoped to keep from city officials - and possible death.

Read more. . .

Pits bit by bad press

2005-06-17T12:01:00.000-05:00

It’s a tough life for pit bulls — either they’re being bred to fight, abandoned by lousy owners or judged on their pedigree and not their personality.

Last night pit bull owners gathered at the Peninsula Humane Society to learn more about their dogs and how to take care of the often challenging breed. The meeting was organized by pit bull owners at the PHS in response to negative press the breed received in the last two weeks.

Read more. . .

Trial date set for owner of pit bulls

2005-06-17T11:56:00.000-05:00

An Alamogordo woman who has been identified as the owner of three pit bulls who apparently attacked a woman Sunday evening will stand trial on charges related to the incident later this month. But it’s not the first time the woman has appeared in court because of the dogs.

Read more. . .

This is another example as with most others of a careless dog owner who should of remedied the problem of her dogs being agressive a long time ago. It is people unsuited to own any breed of dog that are the biggest problem.

Editorial: The Perpetuation of Ignorance

2005-06-17T01:00:00.000-05:00

I find it amazing that after so many years of the media cultivating a negative image for "Pit Bulls" that its amazing they are not banned everywhere. Since they tend to first splash the headlines of death and destruction. Only later following up with the true facts of the story. Long after it is on the front page for people to read and hear about. So what sticks in people's mind is the first thing. Since people rarely get past the headlines to the "back pages".

Such is the case in the sad story of the 12 year old boy killed in San Francisco June 3rd. Only now is it coming to the surface that earlier the male dog of the two had attacked the 12 year old and bitten him. Instead of the mother taking action then to remove the dog from her home. She instead evidently told her son to stay in the basement for fear of the dog attacking him again. While she went to run errands!?

Only to return home to find her son dead. Now no one can argue that this is a very tragic loss. But what sort of mother leaves her son home with a dog she knows from prior occurrence is dangerous. It does not matter the breed of the dog. If a Golden Retriever were to bite your son would you then leave him home with the dog alone?

Most sane people would be taking the dog with them to either have it put down or some other corrective action. But the other sad thing is that most people will never hear this news since it is not as catchy as the original story. Which makes me wonder about all the poor dogs mentioned in the original stories that weary owners dropped off at shelters the days following the tragedy. Would their owners have not done it if they had known these important details? I suppose many of those dogs have already been put down since most shelters do not even try to put pit bulls up for adoption. Especially in the wake of an event like this involving a pit bull in the same city.

I often think of bigotry and how it is perpetuated. Ignorance begets ignorance. There are so many myths about the dogs considered by most to be "pit bulls" it is hard to keep track of them all.

A few of my favorites:

Their jaws "lock"
Their brains get too big for their skulls and the pressure drives them crazy
They are vicious or born mean
They can hold with their front teeth and chew with the back
They attack more people than any other breed

There are many others as well. So with some being so obviously crazy it is no wonder people are blissful in their ignorance of the truth.

It is very sad that a dog that once represented this country. As pit bulls did in WWI posters. Is now demonized as a blood thirsty killer in the media. I suppose every community needs something that might live next door to be afraid of.

At least it gives them something to do. Which is sad since you have a better chance of dying or getting hurt tripping over a dog toy than you do from the dog itself.

UPDATE: Boy Killed in Dog Mauling Was Bitten Before

2005-06-17T00:50:00.000-05:00

As we had mentioned previously concerning Maureen Faibish, the mother of the 12 year old S.F. boy killed by the family's Pit Bulls new information has come to light. It turns out that the mother admitted that earlier in the day the boy was bitten by the male dog.

Before leaving to run errands on June 3, the mother encouraged the boy to stay in the basement while she was gone for fear of the dog attacking him again. When she returned home she found her son dead of multiple head wounds.

S.F. police are still considering charging Faibish with child endangerment.

Dog fight on over pit bulls

2005-06-16T13:43:00.000-05:00

Sheriff Don Horsley’s informal idea to ban pit bull adoptions and euthanize all abandoned pit bulls in the county may lead to a dog fight with the head of the Peninsula Humane Society which calls it illegal, unnecessary and never to be carried out by the agency.

Read more. . .

Mother of Boy Killed by Pit Bulls Could Face Charges

2005-06-16T13:31:00.000-05:00

The San Francisco District Attorney's Office says the mother of the boy mauled by the family's pet pit bulls could face charges ranging from child endangerment to homicide.

Maureen Faibish revealed to the San Francisco Chronicle over the weekend that she shut her son in the basement to keep him away from the dogs. If SFPD investigators turn the case over to the DA's office, officials there say they will have to review the circumstances to determine what if any charges they will file against the mother.

Meantime, forensic evidence on the dead pit bulls was in the hands of police investigators, but they haven't drawn any conclusions from it yet.

Source: CBS 5

NOTE: Boldness added by editor

Owners Offered $10 to Get Pit Bulls Fixed

2005-06-16T13:23:00.000-05:00

The Peninsula Humane Society is offering $10 to pit bull owners who bring in their dogs for free spaying or neutering.

Read more. . .

Sadly this also seems like a good way to get people to come in and give up their contact information in order to get the $10 spay/neuter. Then when the witch hunt begins for banning Pit Bulls over the actions of a few it will be easier to track the first wave of them down.

Not to say that people should not have their dogs spayed or neutered. But it does seem to smell like a ploy to get owners to come forward. . .

Darby one step closer to banning pit bulls

2005-06-16T13:17:00.000-05:00

The Darby [Idaho] Town Council voted 3-1 Tuesday night to pass the first reading of an ordinance that would ban pit bulls from the city limits.

Read more. . .

Pit bulls not No. 1 attackers

2005-06-16T13:08:00.000-05:00

In the wake of two recent dog attacks, Thurston County Animal Services has issued a report stating that bites are not inherent to specific types of dogs but generally are related to human causes such as carelessness.

"I can honestly say 100 percent of all bite cases can be traced back to ownership practices, whether because of roaming or allowing a temperamentally unsound dog at home around kids," said Diane Jessup, education officer at Animal Services, who wrote the study.

PB News Launched!!!

2005-06-16T03:26:00.000-05:00

I am pleased to announce the launch of this site as a means of sharing news and events pertaining to Pit Bulls. We will be adding news when it comes about as needed. As well as write articles on various topics surrounding Pit Bulls and owning them. This site is meant to educate people on the truth surrounding Bully breeds. This site is not intended to promote Pit Bulls. But to pass along news and factual information for the reader to draw their own conclusions from.

We look forward to helping to grow this site into a reliable news source for everything Pit Bull related!