Lakefront jogger critically injured by pit bulls: 'They wouldn't let the man go'

[marmar]

from the Chicago Tribune:



A 62-year-old man was critically injured this morning after he was attacked by what police described as two adult pit bull terriers while jogging along the lakefront in the South Shore neighborhood.

"They just wouldn't let the man go," said Stanley Lee, 35, who came to the victim's aid, trying to beat the dogs off with a baseball bat. The dogs didn't cease their attack until police shot them, he said.

The attack happened about 6 a.m. along a path in Rainbow Beach Park, 7715 S. South Shore Dr., police said.

The man was bitten by the two dogs over his entire body, including his legs, arms and face, police said. One of the dogs was chocolate brown and the other was white with dark spots, police said. ...............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-jogger-critically-injured-in-attack-by-2-pit-bulls-on-lakefront-20120102,0,2942591.story

[undeterred]

1. That must have been terrifying.

[freshwest]

25. And agonizing.

[baldguy]

2. Innaccurate headline.

Should be "Lakefront jogger critically injured by stray dogs", since there's no evidence that they were actually Pit Bulls.

[marmar]

4. ........

Cherie Travis, commissioner of Chicago Animal Care and Control, said the two dogs were adult male dogs that were not neutered and weighed about 70 pounds each. She confirmed that the dogs were pit bulls and were large even for the breed.

[baldguy]

12. They couldn't find the owner, they probably have no papers

And I'm sure the police or Animal Control didn't pay for any genetic tests on the dogs. They were identified as "Pit Bulls" because they bit someone, not because of their actual breed.

Travis also said this:

She said the way owners treat dogs are the main factor for dog attacks, not the breeds. She said pit bulls are popular dogs in the Chicago area as people get them for family pets, security and unfortunately for fighting.

"The problem with the breed is not that they are bad dogs, the problem with the breed is people get them and don't socialize them and don't take them for training and they're strong dogs," she said. "The reality is we need to hold people responsible that if you get a dog, you are responsible for everything that happens."

Why didn't the OP show that?

[marmar]

20. Copyright rules......You know that whole thing about not using more than 4 graphs from a story.....

[baldguy]

22. So, edit the truth out in favor of the hype?

[marmar]

24. What are you talking about? I used the first four paragraphs of the story with a link to the rest...

It's not that complicated.

[Greybnk48]

37. I agree they get a bad rap. We grew up with a Pit Bull that looked

just like the RCA dog Nipper (we named him Nipper) and a lot like Petey on Our Gang. They were popular because of these two pop icons in the late 40's and early 50's (we got ours at a pet store in '52).

As Cesar Milan says the "bad dog" changes every so many years. It the past it was the German Shepard, then the Doberman, then the Rottweiler and then the Pit Bull. It's the owner, not the dog (in most cases).

[Scuba]

81. +1

[obamanut2012]

83. Those would be HUGE for pit bulls

They are either not PBs, or are a mixed breed.

[Yooperman]

5. Did you read the article... they comfirmed the dead dogs were Pit Bulls... Large Pit Bulls.

[undeterred]

7. The dogs were NOT NEUTERED.

Cherie Travis, commissioner of Chicago Animal Care and Control, said the two dogs were adult male dogs that were not neutered and weighed about 70 pounds each. She confirmed that the dogs were pit bulls and were large even for the breed.

[RebelOne]

29. 70 pounds is not large for the breed.

I owned a pit bull that was 93 pounds, and he was an absolu†e sweetheart and he was not neutered. I am not speaking in defense of the breed, but I have owned 2 that were wonderful dogs. Just I have also owned 2 Rottweilers that were the sweetest dogs you would ever meet. But I do agree that the breeding of pit bull terriers should be outlawed, mainly because of the irresponsible owners.

[undeterred]

6. "he was attacked by what police described as two adult pit bull terriers"

Police description is not acceptable to you?

[johnaries]

39. "Police Description" is always suspect at DU.

Police are human. Which means they can lie just like any other human.

This is not a comment against Police in general, just a recognition that they are Human with Human faults.

[freshwest]

27. That's not what the link said, though...

[Yooperman]

3. There needs to be restrictions on this breed....

And b4 all the Pit Bull owners blast me for that title... please read the 10 myths about Pit Bulls found at dogsbite.org

http://www.dogsbite.org/dangerous-dogs-pit-bull-myths.php

I am a life long dog owner... owning Mini Dachshunds to Retrievers...I love dogs...with that said... it takes a special person to own a Pit Bull and learn to handle them effectively for the sake of the owners and innocent others that could be attacked.

The owners of these two dogs (if known) should be prosecuted.

YM

[Doremus]

8. If you're referring to PBs previously owned by asshats and now in need of rehabilitation, then yes.

It takes a special person to handle them effectively for their sake and others'.

However, a PB puppy or adult raised in a normal, loving home has no more need of a "special person to handle them" than any other large breed. Moreover, I would add that PBs are no more apt to need rehab than any other breed except for the fact that they are the breed du jour for asshats.

[Yooperman]

11. I respectively disagree...

Read the 10 myths about the breed. They show with extensive research...this breed is not like other breeds...sorry.

[baldguy]

15. Your link is to a lawyer's website devoted to stirring up hype againt one particular breed

So he can fleece people with nuisance lawsuits.

And pretty much everything there has been debunked:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=8092540

[stufl]

26. They are not like other breeds...they are much stronger

...but I walk dogs as a volunteer for the Humane Lleague and my favorite breed is the Pit Bull. If treated properly you will not find a more loving animal. I've reached into the mouth of one large male to pull out a tennis ball caught on his incisors.

Females are really nice and smaller. Unfortunately they ALL have enlarged teats because they were bred and bred and bred and then let loose on the streets.

Guys in the neighborhood buy them because of their reputation. When they find that Pit Bulls are really wusses, they release them into the streets.

They are strong....the muscles in their hind legs ripple, so everyone believes they are fighting dogs. It takes a lot of training to make a Pit Bull attack.

[Doremus]

53. Bull puckey.

This decade it's pits.
Last decade it was rotties.
Decade previous was mastiffs.
Previous it was dobermans and shepherds.

Breeds du jour are -never- like other breeds.

[bluestate10]

41. The dog is a killer breed. There should be restrictions on their breeding. nt

[Doremus]

55. I've never read a more ridiculous reply.

A moronic declaration such as yours deserves a moronic reply.

Don't say I never gave you anything. :p

[adigal]

62. I do dog rescue and have dealt with a lot of pitbulls

They are calmer and sweeter than many Golden Retrievers, who are inbred. The only dog who has bitten my kids is a Golden. The only dog who has bitten me is a Yorkie. Your comment is ignorant.

[snooper2]

79. PB is not an acronym for "Pitbull", it is already reserved for Peanut Butter

Please refrain from making acronyms willy nilly just pulling them out of the sky or ass.

The official Global Acronym Committee has been notified and more than likely for this offense, you will only receive a warning.





But, don't let it happen again

[Cleita]

9. My interactions with pit bulls have been friendly.

I wonder if these dogs were raised for fighting, which is why they wouldn't stop the attack even when being beaten with a baseball bat.

[undeterred]

13. They were non-neutered males free to roam the lakefront at 6am

when people are jogging by the lake. This man might lose his leg or worse. The owners have already lost their dogs, and they are going to be liable for this man's injuries.

[Cleita]

16. Oh I think people who let their dogs run loose certainly should be liable for whatever they do.

Not only pit bulls but other dogs will bite unexpectedly. We had an incident where a neighbor's German Shepherd bit a neighbor who tried to chase it out of his yard where it was peeing on his plants. This is why there are laws about unleashed dogs. Not only that, loose dogs tend to pack and they can be dangerous as a pack.

[Yooperman]

19. I agree....

Not ALL individual Pit Bulls are mean.... but if you read the 10 Myths about PBs... and some of the comments from experts in the field... you can see this breed is not like other breeds.

Yes there will always be exceptions.... I once knew a person that had a wolf/husky mix male... he was the most docile dog I have ever been around. Yet... for the most part the owners got lucky.... other half bred wolf mixes have been very aggressive and could not be trusted... I feel this is the case with PB.

With that said.... I once had a Golden Retriever/Lab mix... kids could climb all over him... pull his tail... pull on his ears... anything... he would just take it all and never show aggression.

One day my 3 year old nephew walked up to him while he was sleeping and pulled his ear... he awoke startled and bite my nephew on the face. I know it was not intentional..but it taught me a valuable lesson... if my gentle dog could ever bite someone.. ANY dog can... PB are only 6% of the dog population and have over 50% of the reported dog bites. That stat tells it all.

Thanks for your comment...

YM

[adigal]

63. Pitbulls are the "nanny" dogs in England.

They are 99% sweet and friendly.

[XemaSab]

73. You have a link for that?

[johnaries]

40. Oh, PUH-leeze!

If you were a dog-owner, you would know better.

Think before you go making accusations like that on a public forum.

[applegrove]

42. +100

[valerief]

52. Amen! nt

[flvegan]

59. dogsbite.org

Jesus, does anyone around here have original thoughts anymore?

[nadine_mn]

65. I counter your biased website with my own

http://www.pitbulllovers.com/pit-bulls-ten-things-you-should-know.html

[HillWilliam]

71. I agree in principal

There should be restrictions on many different breeds; not just the large, powerful ones. Not everyone is ready for the strong, aloof, very intelligent Kuvasz or Akbash. Not everyone is ready for border collie intelligence and high energy. BC's need lots of room and a job to do; otherwise they can be destructive even though they're kinda ittybitty. I have BC's and several larger dogs including a cattledog, but I have lots of room for them to expend their energies and they all have jobs to do. Even my rescue Weimaraner/Rottie mix has a job; she's the gentlest, most well-socialized creature who believes everybody loves her and visits just to fawn over and pet her.

That's not to mention that I keep them in some manner of training each and every day.

People who thing a dog is a dog is a dog have no business with a dog. They are intelligent, sensitive creatures; very dependent on our guidance. I think it's a crime when people get a dog then put it out in the yard and never pay attention to it. There's a recipe for disaster -- how would you, anybody, feel if you were staked out in a yard and never had the company you need to stay sane?

It burns my arse like a three-foot flame to hear of the inevitable results an irresponsible owner produces. It's needless and wasteful. To take a creature and make it insane through ignorance or design ought to be a crime.

[seabeyond]

10. my father experienced that at 71. i cannot get beyond the mad, of what he experienced.

and how it still has physical repercussions 8 months later.

i cannot tell you, how angry i am.

[Cleita]

18. I hope you have taken the owners to court

for damages. It's the only way some people learn to look after their pets.

[seabeyond]

23. i was going after the man. my father was being manly, shrugging his shoulders, letting it go.

i found out a good week after. when i talked to my father he wanted me to let it go. i told him i couldnt.

the owners got rid of the dog, during that time. taking him to a ranch out in the middle of nowhere in az.

the owners feel guilt. my father told me this christmas they gave him a card with a hundred dollars. which is a joke. father paid for the hospital bill and refused to let the owners pick it up. but it works for me that the owners feel guilt. they should.

[greytdemocrat]

14. I love dogs

And have 2 Greyhounds but I would never get a Pit Bull.

I just don't trust the breed.

[rhett o rick]

17. It's the f'n owners that are nuts. I hope the dogs owners go to prison for a long, long time. nm

[undeterred]

30. I am careful around pit bulls but greyhounds usually aren't friendly to other dogs...

The truth is, there is a lot to know about dogs and dog breeds. Once I know that a particular dog that may be an aggressive breed is well socialized, I'm fine with it.

But there is no way to know a dog you see coming after you is harmless, so you have to be wary.

I didn't know my own dog was half malamute until I had his DNA tested at age 2... and I didn't know a thing about malamutes. So imagine how many owners don't even know what breeds are in their mixed breed dogs.

[greytdemocrat]

47. You do have to be careful

My greys get "attacked" by mini-dachshunds several times a week on walks. LOL!!! The ankle biters can be annoying.

[AngryAmish]

68. Greyhounds are hunting dogs and can be mean

I know nothing about your dogs (they may be the sweetest on earth) but many people think greyhounds are only for racing. Well for most of the breeds history they were bred for coursing. My father used to breed greyhounds for coursing back in Ireland. They would get two dogs and let them go in a field with a hare in it. First dog to get the hare wins. There was gambling involved.

Anyway they have to be aggressive to do coursing. They were not pets and not treated as such.

[Warren DeMontague]

21. he must have provoked snookums and bosco.

stop picking on the harmless fur babies!!!

[MissB]

28. According to my calendar,

Olive Garden is up next, not pit bulls.

[lpbk2713]

54. I believe you are right.

We started off the new year with North vs South. What's after OG, death penalty or prison rape?

[XemaSab]

74. Smoking

n/t

[EX500rider]

82. No, no,no....Hiroshima is next.... n/t

[TwilightGardener]

31. My elderly neighbors' adult son moved back in with them recently--he has two

unneutered male pits. They run into our yard pretty frequently. Right before Christmas they came over to pee on our shrubs, so my husband went outside to chase them away...and they just stood there and stared at him. Wouldn't leave until the owner called them. I really dislike these dogs--getting afraid to go outside and do yard work.

[Xicano]

32. Dog attack bites off man's nose

But not by a Pit Bull. By a Great Dane.

Mr McQuiggin, a former teacher, of Hambleton Avenue, Chester-le-Street, said: “I didn’t have time to move my head away or protect my face.

It was absolutely horrendous and the pain was excruciating, like being hit with a sledgehammer.

“The whole end of my nose was removed from my face.

We don’t know what happened to it.

“Thank God it was not a young child or a paper boy or girl they would have had no chance. It would have killed them.”


http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/local/chesterlestreet/8426312.Horror_as_Great_Dane_bites_off_courier___s_nose/

German shepherd attacks N.L. girl.

A nine-year-old Corner Brook, N.L., girl was hospitalized Saturday after she was attacked by a German shepherd.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2009/08/03/dog-attack-803.html

In other words. Its not just Pit Bulls. Its just that some people seem to have a fixation on singling out Pit Bulls and I think that's a shame.

[ronnie624]

46. The whole purpose of selective breeding

is to heighten specific characteristics in a given breed. For pit bulls and their offshoots, those qualities are strength, aggression and persistence, which is why they account for 56% of dog attacks in the U.S., even though they represent only 6% of the dog population. Once they attack, they rarely stop of their own volition. If the dog featured in your first link had been a pit bull or a related variant, the man would have probably lost more than his nose.

[XemaSab]

33. I'm sure this article is unwarranted speculation

and the man actually fell off a ladder.

[BootinUp]

34. These dogs were probably abused. nt

[Peregrine Took]

44. +1

[johnaries]

35. Great. Despite all SCIENTIFIC evidence to the contrary

we still have people posting anti-Pit Bull threads.
I suppose you believe in Creationsim, as well.
Same justification.

Some people refuse to believe facts.

[marmar]

36. Jeezus, it's a news story in the Chicago Tribune.

"I suppose you believe in Creationsim, as well. "

What the flying f**k? ....... Do you read conspiracies into every post that mentions a pit bull?

[johnaries]

43. No, just the ones posted on DU

that try to perpetrate myths, just like the posts that try to support Creationsim on other discussion boards.

Do you not see the similarities? Then I propose that it is your own lack of vision preventing you from seeing it.

[marmar]

49. "Then I propose that it is your own lack of vision preventing you from seeing it. "

Maybe someone else knows what the f**k you're talking about, because I don't have a clue. ......

"Lack of vision?" -

[Quantess]

66. Yes, what are you talking about? This is a scientific topic, now?

Have scientists done research on pit bulls vs. other dogs? Sounds interesting! Let's see the link.

[XemaSab]

76. Here's a link:

http://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/images/dogbreeds-a.pdf

[Quantess]

77. Thanks!

[Warren DeMontague]

38. I don't give a shit what the breed is. Hold owners 100% criminally culpable

for whatever their dogs do. Your dog kills someone? You should be charged with murder.

"Oh, but MY sweet poochy wouldn't hurt anyone", that's great. If you're so sure that you're willing to risk a life sentence in Joliet, bully for you.

[Peregrine Took]

45. +1

[Nye Bevan]

48. There are plenty of dog breeds that don't attack people and rip them to shreds.

Why does anyone need pit bulls?

[valerief]

51. I'm terrified to take walks because of those beasts. nt

[valerief]

50. Civilized countries ban pit bulls. The breed is WAY too aggessive. It's like having a pet mountain

lion.

[Doremus]

56. Wow, cool. How long did you have your pet mountain lion? And did you own the PB before or after?

I assume you have first hand experience after making such confident comparisons?

More info, please!

[flvegan]

58. Back it up, pit bull hater.

[nadine_mn]

64. That is a crap statement - its the owners not the breed

you raise and train a dog to bite and it will - can be a poodle or a pit bull.

Originally pit bulls were used as nanny dogs to small children because they were so gentle and Pit Bulls score an 83.4% passing rate with the American Temperament Test Society.

[Nye Bevan]

67. Got a link to where a poodle attacked a jogger, ripped him to shreds and killed him? (nt)

[nadine_mn]

72. not your exact scenario - but here

http://niagara-gazette.com/local/x947033962/Elderly-man-attacked-by-poodles


and you might want to educate yourself


http://www.dogcentral.info/worlds-aggressive-dog-breeds/

[Nye Bevan]

75. "Deputies could not tell whether it was a bite or a scratch".

Not my exact scenario, indeed.

[nadine_mn]

78. I guess I don't understand your issue

A small dog can be more aggressive than a large dog, but a large dog can do more damage just by the nature of its size. So should all large breeds be banned?

I have a german shepherd dog - the GSD breed has a higher bite force than pit bulls. So should all german shepherds be banned? That would be a huge disadvantage to police forces and people who use GSD as therapy and rescue dogs.


Are you arguing that pit bulls have an inherent aggressive temperment? That is a myth that has been debunked time and time again. In temperment tests, the breed tests higher (better temperment) than many other breeds.

The problem is the owner - this is something that is the consistent factor time and time again in EVERY single pit bull attack.

A well trained and well loved pit bull (just like any other dog) will not "rip a jogger to shreds".

You find a case where someone has been attacked by a pit bull that was raised and trained well instead of abused or let to run loose.

You won't.


Of course a large dog will do more damage when it attacks - and if it has been trained to attack or abused then its even more dangerous, no matter what the breed.

[Stinky The Clown]

60. Some breeds are to be feared

My post title is pure sarcasm. The story told in my link is of a shih tzu who bit off a woman's nose. Why was that news? Think about it. Because of the perceived absurdity of a shih tzu attacking a human.



http://www.pups-seeking-homes.com/blog/home/entry/shih_tzu_bites_off_womans

Similarly, stories of pit bull attacks tend to get greater play than stories of other dog biting incidents.

Please stop perpetuating the stereotypes.

[Nye Bevan]

61. Got any stories where a Shih Tzu ripped someone to shreds and killed them?

Didn't think so.

[undeterred]

70. No, they just poop in the house.

[Blue_Tires]

69. so why does the owner just get off with a ticket??

if he can't control his animals in public he should bear the bulk of legal responsibility...

[FarCenter]

80. Dogs should never be unconfined or off leash

"Meanwhile, residents near Rainbow Beach Park were wondering why two pit bulls had been in the park off-leash.

Darlene Henderson, who was out walking her two small dogs in the hours after the attack, said she often sees dogs unattended or off their leashes."

Time for the residents to distribute some ground glass hamburgers.