Pit bull saves family, injured in process, now has no home

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.care2.com/causes/animal-welfare/blog/hero-dog-now-homeless/

This story is not copyrighted and may be shared.




It's every parent's nightmare. Waking up to an early morning blazing fire in your home and realizing it is not a dream. Your precious children are sleeping in their beds. Dazed and panic-stricken, you call for your kids in a desperate attempt to get them to safety.

That's what happened to Darryl Steen this past October. But if it weren't for his pit bull puppy Diamond awakening him from a sound sleep with her barking – an unusual behavior for the dog even during normal circumstances – Steen and his daughters, Sierra and Darahne, would have surely perished in the blaze.

Quick Thinking

Steen was able to drop his nine-year-old daughter out of a second story window to safety, unharmed. His sixteen-year-old daughter, hearing her dad call, ran to his room and tried to protect herself by getting under the mattress. She suffered smoke inhalation and some burns over seven percent of her body. As it was, Steen and Diamond suffered burns that still require treatment.

Steen has third degree burns on his hand, arm, back and feet. Diamond also suffered burns over 30 percent of her body, which caused nerve damage to one leg. Check out a photo of Diamond's injuries.

The reason Diamond sustained such bad burns was because she was protecting Steen’s older daughter by lying on top of the mattress until firefighters arrived and rescued them both. Diamond would not desert her family.

Recovery

Steen and his daughter spent several weeks recovering in the hospital. While the family lost all their worldly possessions, Steen told me in an interview "I don't care. All that matters is I have my family. We are all alive and well." He went on to say "All the things we lost in the fire…'oh, well.' I don’t care. All three of my girls are alive."

For her heroic efforts, Diamond was a finalist in the HSUS Fourth Annual Dogs of Valor Awards and although she didn't win, she is a hero just the same.

Breed Discrimination

The problem Steen and his family are facing is trying to find a landlord who will rent to Steen and Diamond. Because she is a pit bull, at least 20 potential landlords have refused to rent to the Steen family.

Diamond is adored for her unconditional love and loyalty to her family. She is temporarily staying with Steen's sister until they can find a pit bull-friendly landlord. The Steens will not give Diamond away just to find an apartment to live in. He is adamant on that point. "We wouldn't be here if it weren't for Diamond," Steen said in a video news interview. So they will not leave Diamond behind.

Diamond's situation is ironic. Here is a verified hero who loves her family and literally saved their lives. But because she was born a pit bull, society discriminates against her without even giving her a chance.

Diamond is a super-friendly 14-month-old gal who rarely barks and loves to interact with both humans and other animals. She will have permanent scarring from her injuries.

Fear of pit bulls is based in ignorance. Just like humans, canines deserve to be judged as individuals based on their behavior and character - not how they look.

How You Can Help

If anyone knows of animal-friendly rentals available in the Hayward, California area, why not suggest the Steens as potential tenants? Mr. Steen said he would be happy to receive any referrals for pit bull-friendly housing. He prefers to be reached on his phone [phone] but can also be reached at his email address [e-mail].

How about it, Care2 members – does anyone know of some pit bull-friendly rentals in Hayward, California?

Related Stories

Pit Bulls Have Better Temperament than Average Dog

Fixing the Pit Bull Problem by Embracing the Breed

Paralyzed Pit Bull Mix Inspires Others

Read more: animal welfare, pit bulls, breed discrimination, hero dog, hayward ca, homeless hero dog, dog saves family from fire, darryl steen

[flvegan]

1. Breed discrimination is for weak-minded fools.

Good luck to the hero Diamond and his family. Good doggie.

[Egnever]

3. Yes because dogs have never been bred for a purpose

Theres no such thing as desirable traits being bred for specifically. Oh those weak minded breeders how silly of them!
:sarcasm:

[flvegan]

5. I'm not seeing

what you said having anything to do with breed discrimination.

[KurtNYC]

7. You're right. Many breeds are named for what they were bred for

retrieving, fighting, herding sheep, etc.

But some want to deny anecdotal data that disagrees with their position while embracing even smaller amounts of anecdotal data that agrees with it.

[flvegan]

9. You mentioned data.

Care to share?

[uppityperson]

13. Just like humans, canines deserve to be judged as individuals based on their behavior and character

Glad to see you recognize this, almost took you for one who prejudges pits.

[KurtNYC]

16. I have 2 dogs and we walk in a small city 4 times a day

I let my dogs tell which energy they are attracted to and which they perceive as aggressive. They are very tuned to energy and scent (dogs can smell aggression, fear. etc.) They have 2 pitbull friends that they love, a third pitbull owner will not approach and says his dog is not ready. And I read dog energy and body language fairly well. I don't have an issue with specific breeds but I do with specific dogs.

But dogs can be, and have been bred for certain traits. Physical traits like size, strength, stamina, and scenting, but also behaviors like hunting, fetching, leading the blind and herding. Michael Vick spend millions breeding dogs for fighting. He selected dogs which were good at it and bred them with other dogs which were aggressive with high stamina, high pain threshold, strong jaw, and strong bite. I wouldn't expect a million dollar Australian Sheepdog to be lousy at herding and I wouldn't expect Vick's dogs to be poor at fighting. Selective breeding is effective.

[Omaha Steve]

17. Flvegan has always stood up for the pit bull breed and I do respect his opinions

Anytime I have an animal abused, hunted, etc. post he is there with intelligent comments. He loves animals more than most. I consider him part of my circle here on the DU. I have posted several stories of pit bull (or other breeds being called pits) attacks on people. So he and I don't see eye to eye on pits. After Omaha had several unprovoked dog attacks with serious injuries to children and adults, Omaha passed a dangerous dog (pit bull) ordinance. It requires an insurance bond and verification twice a year etc. I applauded it. He disagreed. No tantrums. No name calling. Respect for each other. I wish all differences of opinion on the DU could be like that.

One post he and I agreed on about animal abusers was locked. I've only had a few posts locked that I can remember.

In this case, I'm glad Diamond was there. Under the circumstances, land lords should allow Diamond a home with the family she shows so much love for.

[uppityperson]

19. Indeed. I've stood with Flyvegan on the breed-specific bans and am appreciate of him

(him? how odd that I've considered Flyv female, am surprised again to find him a him, again).

That post was for the other poster, am glad to see others who decry breed specific legislation.

[flvegan]

24. Im a hm?

Yeah, I am. I like the name Flyvegan. Seriously.

[LaurenG]

35. Flyvegan - we adore you. lol

In truth you rock - hard! :loveya:

[uppityperson]

39. I try to not put gender on people, find I typically assume others are similar to me

which does annoy me, the assumption. I first read your name as Flyve-gan and tried to figure it out and then it struck me what it is, how to divide it up otherwise and make sense. Ah my assumptions. I like your name also, it stands out to me amongst all the other names here since I also focus on the icons not the names. Yours is one of the few I remember from the name.

kicking again for more exposure to a good OMGPITBULL.

[TygrBright]

41. I'm visualizing you in a leotard with "VEGAN!" and a big cape.... n/t

[flvegan]

45. It's like you're

PEEKING IN MY WINDOWS RIGHT NOW!!! OMG!!!

:rofl:

[Omaha Steve]

25. It wasn't aimed at you

Sorry if you got hit with friendly fire.

[flvegan]

23. We're kin, Steve.

Nothing will change that. Thanks for the kudos, brother.

[freshwest]

42. For you, Diamond and all those who can see beyond the skin...

:hi:

And

:thumbsup:

[TBF]

29. I agree, Flvegan. We just got another Lab -

he's a year old and obviously wasn't socialized as well as he could've been by his first family. He's great with my kids, but he's timid when meeting new folks and sometimes barks. We're working with a trainer to build positive experiences and he seems to respond well so I think he'll be ok. It's just a slower process when they're older.

In 2010 in Omaha, guess which dog topped the bite list? http://www.examiner.com/dogs-in-national/what-dog-topped-the-bite-list-omaha-2010?fb_comment=31108311

Granted, many people own this breed - it would be a better story if it were done by percentage. But still.

[polmaven]

31. Umm...

that is HEROINE Diamond and HER family, thank you very much!

[ej510]

2. Hopefully someone takes in this dog.

[sasha031]

4. just posted it over at twitter, hopefully this will get traction

what an amazing story.

[derby378]

6. My brother and his wife have a pit bull

She is one of the sweetest dogs I have ever seen. The bigotry of the landlords in the OP is just ridiculous.

[Raine]

8. My friends had a Pitbull was the biggest one I've ever seen and the sweetest

the only danger from her was that she would lick you to death. One time when she greeted me she knocked me down then got on top of me and licked my face and licked and licked. The owners had to to finally removed her so I could get up but she was so sweet. I loved that dog so much, unfortunately she's gone now but I'll never forget that sweeheart. :loveya:

[KurtNYC]

10. 30% of insurance claims for property owner are dog related

Dogs bite nearly five million Americans every year, children are the victims of the most serious attacks, and the annual losses equal approximately $1 Billion

Some big insurers, including Allstate and Farmers Insurance Group, won't cover homes in some states if residents own certain breeds. Others exclude some breeds from liability coverage, or charge extra for it. The so-called vicious-breed lists include German shepherds, Akitas and Siberian huskies, along with Alaskan Malamutes, Chow Chows, Doberman Pinschers, American pit bull terriers and their cousins. (M.P. McQueen, "Snarling at Insurers," Wall Street Journal, July 18, 2006.)

[derby378]

14. If that's the case, they lose my business

Pit bulls are a lot like guns known by some as "assault weapons." They give some people the willies just because of how they look, so there's a lot of prejudice that is stoked against them, but really, they're still dogs, and they just need caring humans to love them and provide for them.

[bettyellen]

28. asault weapons " just need caring humans to love them" LOL

[derby378]

40. ...

:rofl:

I realize how that probably looked. "I loves mah gun - loves mah gun!"

[TygrBright]

43. Malamutes?? Siberians? Seriously!??

Hard to imagine breeds LESS vicious or LESS likely to attack humans. (Of course, they may regard smaller mammals as potential meals, but a little socialization and training will help with that.)

Northern breeds like Mals and Siberians were bred to interact positively with humans for centuries, and generally have virtually no "guard dog" type traits. But some individuals may, if physically or emotionally stressed, exhibit situational aggression.

In any case, NO breed can be universally characterized, and even the traits we sometimes associate with aggression will not necessarily manifest as "dangerous" unless the humans involved--breeder, owner, trainer--are either negligent or sociopathic (and in neither case should such individuals be allowed responsibility for ANY dog, much less a large breed.

The problem is almost always with the human, not with the animal.

wearily,
Bright

[uppityperson]

11. k&r for Diamond

[JanMichael]

12. just posted it on one the Victory Dog's FB page :)

I am friends with two of Michael Vick's Ex-dogs....(yes, they have their own FB pages :) )

I think this story needs to go "viral."

[Cass]

15. Many home insurance policies won't issue a policy when there's a pit bull. They can also drop

a policy because of it. I would guess this is the reason the family is having such a hard time. Its not necessarily that the landlords are being jerks out of breed bigotry but their insurance policies won't allow it and their hands are tied.

IIRC, its not just pit bulls either - I can't remember all the red flag breeds at the moment but there are more than just pit bulls.

I hope the family finds a home that will allow Diamond. She's such a sweet dog.

[hlthe2b]

18. Having unsuccessfully fought such bans in Denver for years...

I share the frustration. What a wonderful dog who wants only to live with their family. I hope someone will help.

[tblue37]

20. I have known so many sweet, funny, adorable pit bulls. nt

[Luminous Animal]

21. I am friends with 2 women who do pit bull rescue. For 15 years, neither one has been unscucessful

at rescuing a pit bull who has been branded incorrigible.

[Kadie]

38. Here is a story about a man that wants to start a pit bull rescue

Dog rescue inspires Spring City man to save pitbulls

Published: Thursday, March 24, 2011

A grateful dog owner whose pitbull was rescued from the raging waters of the Schuylkill River last weekend has been inspired to return the favor and rescue homeless pitbulls from a deadly fate of euthanasia in overburdened shelters.

Benjamin Russell, of Spring City, had resigned himself to the possibility that his dog, Vickie, was dead after being swept away in the raging Schuylkill River on March 7. Russell said he was walking home with his dog on the Schuylkill River Trail after visiting the Turkey Hill in town when the incident occurred that resulted in the temporary loss of his dog.

snip...
Russell said he went to the SPCA that week looking for his dog, hoping that she had escaped the river’s flow. When he went into the area where all the dogs are kept, he said his heart broke again. “I didn’t realize the enormous amount of animals in the SPCA shelter,” said Russell. What disturbed him even more was the high number of pitbulls that were abandoned.

“I didn’t see my dog, but I saw all the other dogs with the ‘Please take me’ face,” said Russell. “I haven’t shed tears in 10 years and it made me cry. Pitbulls are the hardest dogs to adopt out because of the bad reputation they have.”

more...
http://montgomerynews.com/articles/2011/03/24/springford_reporter_valley_item/news/doc4d88abca1f405552284440.txt

[uppityperson]

22. kick for the night crew

[xchrom]

26. recommend

[a la izquierda]

27. What a bittersweet story...

my husband runs a kennel, and there are dogs whose owners tell us: "Don't put this dog with anyone but its brother/sister dog." Sometimes those are pit bulls. Other times the dog is just a plain old dog. We had a pit in the other day and he was the biggest sweetie in the world.

I had a landlord once who made me introduce my dogs to her because that's how she did it. My boxer/English bulldog mix snoozed while she pet him, only waking to lick her hands, and my sheltie was the one who barked and jumped. I think that's how landlords should do it (though I do acknowledge it's impractical at times). That way, the landlord can see how the owners handle the dog. It is a two way street, a person's responsibility and a dog's behavior.

[TBF]

30. Thanks for the story Steve -

Michael Mountain, one of the founders of Best Friends Animal Society, has started a new movement to rehabilitate the PitBull name. Here is a link for anyone who might be interested: http://stubbydog.org/

[CBGLuthier]

32. Pit Bull is NO replacement for a good smoke detector

A billion plus man hours of smoke detector usage and nobody has been savaged yet.

[mistertrickster]

37. That's a good point. If they were renting, a smoke detector is mandatory. nt

[NeedleCast]

33. We Recently Rescued a Pit Bull and Are Learning All About This

It's crazy. Our pit is about as loving a dog as you could imagine. We have trained her with professionals and although she still needs to spend time working with us (we've had her for two months) she has been a quick learner and really tries to please us. Like most young terriers, she wants to play and have attention all the time and when she's not running around the house playing with toys all she wants to do is curl up on the couch with us.

Anytime we have her out in public though, you get "the look" from the soccer mommies and daddies at the park. You hear the comments "that's a pit bull, keep it away from us!" Sad. When we take her out in public we keep her attached to a harnass to make sure she cant get free because, while the worst she would do is run up to someone and roll over their feet looking to have her belly rubbed, it just takes one complaint and she becomes a "vicious dog."

[LaurenG]

34. Poor family - I wouldn't give up my dog either.

I hope someone with a brain and a heart will allow them to rent.

[mistertrickster]

36. That pit bull has some weimaraner blood in her. Look at the coat.

Also, the shape of the top of the head is distinctly weim.

[glinda]

44. Human interest story. They need to have local TV pick this up.

[BrklynLiberal]

46. Ignorance can be so destructive...........breed discrimination is a perfect example of that.