My blog readers comment about his/her experience with their Pit Bull.

I enjoyed reading your comment and appreciate you sharing it. 

You know, as I continue to search the Internet, I'm stunned at the lame, tired excuses I keep hearing from pit bull advocates. I am the former pit bull owner from above that had to put the dog down, and this is our pit bull story.

My husband and I were young, healthy, didn't have kids yet, and both grew up with lots of family pets, and lots of dogs. We were finally in a home where we could have a dog, and we couldn't wait to get one. We were (and still are) committed to reducing the stray population, and supporting local animal shelters, and neither of us felt the need to insist on a purebred dog--for the purpose of a family pet, we felt a mixed breed was great.

And here is one thing that pit bull advocates have on their side--pit bull puppies are cute! They really are! With their kinda smooshy noses and their little triangle ears, they can totally grab a dog lover's heart at a glance. The pit bull mix puppy that we adopted did that to us, I know. Plus, she was that gorgeous brindle color that pits and bulldogs and some of those related dogs share. We talked to our vet about the temperament issue, and got the same, tired, "It's how you treat them," line that I've heard so often since.

So when reasonably kind, educated, animal- loving people hear that, you know what we think? We think, "Well, gee, obviously we have no intentions of training this dog to fight, nor are we going to abuse it in any way, including the fact that we do not intend to keep this dog on a chain. We plan on getting it spayed, appropriately vaccinated and wormed, and we will commit to exercising it every day." And we lived in the wide open spaces of high desert country in New Mexico, so we weren't in a highly populated area, although, we of course did have neighbors with children and dogs. "We will make a concerted effort to obedience train this dog, and we will socialize it with other people and dogs." And we did.

Now, the next time some pit bull fancier says that it's irresponsible, stupid, cruel, yada yada yada owners that are responsible for attacks, I am here to say that I believe that lots of those owners are well-intentioned suckers just like we were. Seduced by a pretty face and platitudes, we had no idea what we were bringing into our house.

The year we owned Maddie was insane. We introduced her to new adults and children all the time, and we were never sure how she would react to an individual. Sometimes she was just widdle puddle of doggy wuv who licked and wiggled when she met people, and sometimes she would just LOOK at someone and give this terrific WOOF!! (And it was one loud, scary-ass bark) and we knew we had to be uber careful. The same thing happened with dogs. Some she could and did play with for hours, and some we knew she would've swallowed whole if we'd let her.

I believe that because she was a mixed breed that was quite obviously crossed with something far away from the pit bull gene pool, we got a lot more advanced warning of aggression than a lot of owners get. The day she got loose, did NOT come back when called, and proceeded to chase a very pregnant neighbor down the street until she ran and shut herself into the house, was the last day we owned her. It scared the shit out of me. As soon as I got hold of Maddie and got back to my house with her, I had screaming death threats on my answering machine from the pregnant lady's husband. And who could blame the man? Maddie was put to sleep after that, and yes, it broke my heart, but I'd rather have my heart broken at losing a dog, than be haunted by the memories of someone getting severely hurt because of my stubborn pride.

I know this is long and rambling, but I hoped that it might make some reasonable people think before wading into this mess by adopting one of these pups.

Vicki Croke on the recent Bulldog attack in Massachusetts

Come on Vicki -- You don't have to beat around the bush to try not to hurt the Pitty peeps feelings!
Why is she talking about Rotties when the attack was by a Bulldog?
A young Massachusetts boy is hospitalized after he was attacked by a pet who then turned on its owner. Police say they had no choice but to put the dog down.

Family members say 38-year-old Karen O'Leary was babysitting for her neighbor's son and her own five year old daughter inside her Helen Street home in Lakeville, Massachusetts Wednesday afternoon. The family says the kids were playing with O'Leary's one-year-old American Bulldog when the dog lunged for little Lex Lizotte.
Lex's dad Kevin says the dog tore chunks of flesh from Lex's cheek and bit his neck, head, ear and hands.
Vicki Croke, an animal expert, and host of The Secret Life of Animals on NECN, joins Chet Curtis to provide some insight on the case.

Smooshy wooshy Pit Bull owner needs advice.

Browsing the internet this morning I ran across this snippet on  a website. It's a Pit Bull owner asking for advice.  It's scary to think how many clueless people there are out there, but it tickles me to see how naive and just plain stupid people can be.   I used to be that person and I am so glad I woke up so I don't look as dumb as this one. 

I have a 7yr old red nose chocolate brindle.I've had her since she was 1hr old.She was the runt she was only 9grms when born.She was bottle fed and thinks she's a human.She's really spoiled rotten.She's(Boo Boo) the love of my life. From the moment she came into our lives she's had cats.She's always loved her babies.In most of the pictures I've taken of her thru the yrs there's usually a cat with her playing,sleeping,or just cuddling.It started 2 weeks ago she attack a 6 month kitten(Zac). She broke his Jaw and punctured his eye I had to have him put to sleep.He was a sickly kitten but he loved Boo Boo he'd rub on her & I never knew there was a problem.Since then she's went after 3 more of our cats.2 of them are getting up in yrs ones 16yrs & one is 14.Thank God someone has been around to holler at her before she does any harm.I just don't understand why.I make her go to our room and go to her bed for discipline.I hope someone can help me understand why & maybe how I can stop it.Shes a loving wonderful pet so WHY?

http://www.zimbio.com/Pitbull/articles/7JVhWf9CDPx/Pitbull+sudden+start+wanting+attack+cats

Lakeville Bulldog Attack Seriously Injures Boy, Woman

Police Shot Dog 9 Times To Stop Attack ―  Two people, including a 5-year-old boy, were seriously injured in a dog attack in Lakeville Wednesday afternoon. It took nine gunshots to stop the dog's attack.
It happened just after 4:15 p.m. at 4 Helen Street while a woman was babysitting her neighbor. Police say Karen Bruno O'Leary, 38, was babysitting the boy and her one-year-old, 110 pound American bulldog went after him.


She stepped in and the dog started to attack her.

O'Leary's 5-year-old daughter called 911, and when police officers arrived at the house, the dog was still attached to O'Leary's arm.

An officer was able to distract the dog away from the woman and other workers got O'Leary out of the home.

The officer shot the dog three times, but then it started paying attention to the crews that were working on its owner. Another officer fired six more shots killing the dog.

The boy had run out of the home before emergency crews arrived.

The woman was able to tell emergency workers about the boy, and they found him a short ways from the house with severe facial wounds.

The 5-year-old boy was first taken to Morton Hospital, and then transferred by MedFlight to Boston Children's Hospital.

O'Leary was taken by MedFlight to Beth Israel Hospital. Wednesday night hospital officials said she was in good condition.

According to authorities, there are no previous reports involving the dog.

Am I the only one that sees a mauling in the near future?

Pay attention to the condition of these dogs, they sound like ex Pit fighters to me.
Kelly NUTTER (ironically that is her real name) anxiously awaits the day when they will go to their new home... WTF?

Pacific Junction, IA - It's a story you saw first on Action3news. It was in May that we brought you the story of 27 pit bulls rescued off a rural Mills county property. Sadly, some had to be put to sleep. Those that survived are in the care of Loess Hills Humane Society in Pacific Junction, Iowa. They look defenseless. As they sit in their large wire cages, they eagerly await the arrival of that special someone that will take them to a loving home.


It has been more than a month since their rescue. Kelly Nutter with the Loess Hills Humane Society tells Action 3 News that many of the dogs are extremely loving. She continues a daily observation of those she is still helping. "Right now we are still in custody of most of the pit bulls. I have sent a few out to foster, the ones that need more detailed medical help," she says. Those in foster homes will receive the care they need by foster parents who will pay the costs associated with their medical care. It's a special part of the rehab that Nutter says is essential.

Some of the dogs are missing their teeth. Many have raw skin exposed as a result of harsh conditions and prolonged sitting.

Since their rescue, many of the dogs have improved leaps and bounds over where their original condition over a month ago. Nutter believes with a little love, training, and fostering these pit bulls will be ready for adoption soon. Giggles, one male pit bulls has absolutely no teeth. Nutter believes the previous owner may have had them filed down or they could have fallen out. His face begs for love. He licks every time you say his name. While scared of his surroundings, Nutter tells me that he's like that at first and in time he'll adjust. As for the other dogs, "They probably have a couple more months. The optimal thing to do with these dogs is to get them in good foster homes," Nutter says.

After some TLC, they'll be ready to embark on their last journey to what Nutter calls their "forever homes."

San Bernardino County Pit Bulls will need to be spayed/neutered

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (KABC) -- An ordinance was passed Tuesday for all pit bulls in San Bernardino County to be spayed or neutered.
City officials worked with the county's Animal Care and Control Division to create the ordinance. Authorities say the objective of the ordinance is to reduce the overpopulation of pit bulls in San Bernardino County, to encourage responsible pet ownership and to reduce the number of violent pit bull attacks.


"In the past five years, four people in San Bernardino County have been killed by this breed, and just this year there have been seven attacks by pit bulls. No other breed has viciously attacked or killed anyone in that time," said First District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt.

The new rule requires all pit bulls and pit bull-type dogs older than 4 months to be spayed or neutered. Also, all such dogs used for breeding will be required to be licensed.


State law prohibits any breed of dog from being deemed potentially dangerous or vicious, but the law allows local agencies to enact breed-specific programs for spaying and neutering to control over-population.

Owners or pit bulls will be required to spay or neuter their dogs within 30 days of the new rule's implementation.


Animal Care and Control will help pet owners comply with the ordinance by offering education and vouchers to those who are eligible.

Pit bulls or pit bull-type dogs represent about 20 percent of all dogs that are admitted to animal shelters. They are also one of the top three breeds impounded at county shelters and the most frequent to be euthanized.

For more information or to access San Bernardino County Animal Care and Control services call 1-800-472-5609.

Hinds County Pit Bulls will have to register

Hinds County residents who own pit bulls, hybrid wolf dogs and exotic animals must obtain a permit from the Sheriff's Department and hold insurance under changes approved Monday to the animal control ordinance.
Hinds County supervisors voted 4-0 for the changes.

If the owner does not meet the requirements and the animal attacks someone or is deemed vicious, the owner will be penalized. Penalties range from a $1,000 fine and 60 days in jail for a first offense to a $3,000 fine and 120 days in jail for a third or subsequent offense.

The amended ordinance also bans tethering dogs for long periods and transporting them unrestrained in the back of open truck beds or trailers. Violators will face a $100 fine for a first offense to a $1,000 fine and 90 days in jail for a third or subsequent offense.

"The first couple of months may be hard on everybody, but they'll get it," said Maj. Teresa Gardner, head of animal control in Hinds County. "Our goal isn't to write tickets because then we'll end up going to court all the time. We just want people to follow the law and take care of their animals."

The amended ordinance will go into effect in July. Thirty percent of all animal ordinance fines will be set aside to pay for the upkeep of the county's animal control shelter on the penal farm campus.

The previous ordinance was less strict on ownership requirements and penalties, District 5 Supervisor George Smith said.

"I hope these penalties will be enforced and give some fear," he said.

Smith's district includes the town of Terry, where 5-year-old Anataisa Bingham was mauled and killed by a dog in February. The attack helped spur the changes to the ordinance.

No charges have been filed in the case. Sheriff's Department investigators say it is still under investigation. The case has stalled because DNA samples taken from a dog suspected of the attack did not prove it killed the girl, and law enforcement officials say the girl's family has not been cooperative with investigators.

Sheriff Malcolm McMillin said his department is working with the Hinds County district attorney's office to determine what to do next.

In March, two proposed pit bull bans in Jackson failed to pass the City Council after opposition from the city's animal control chief and several dog owners.

Smith said he encountered residents of his district who are supporters of pit bulls and oppose any restrictions.

"I tell them to check the record. They could be peaceful with this individual at this moment, but they're subject to attack at any given time," he said.

Hinds County residents who own pit bulls, hybrid wolf dogs and exotic animals must obtain a permit from the Sheriff's Department and hold insurance under changes approved Monday to the animal control ordinance.

Hinds County's ordinance does not ban any breed.
(dang, too bad)

Gardner said owners will receive warnings before being cited.

"Say we get a call that someone has 10 dogs tied out on their property. We'll go out and give them a copy of the ordinance and warn them about it. They'll have five to 10 days to take care of the problem, and then we'll go out and check on it. If they haven't corrected the problem, we'll take their dogs and fine them," she said.

Deaths from Pit Bulls in Hinds County
http://www.wapt.com/news/22793251/detail.html
http://www.wapt.com/news/16961102/detail.html

Thank you Jackson, for keeping your citizens safe! Finally, it seems to be catching on!