My Lhasa Apso was Attacked by a Pit Bull

[cmort666]

That's fine and dandy. You guys need to worry about yourselves. I would rather explain to an officer why I used a baton than explain why I shot the dog. But that doesn't mean I would hesitate to shoot if I had to.

In Ohio, it's legal for me to shoot the dog if it's an imminent threat to me. It's NOT legal for me to carry the baton, as far as I know, certainly not on the basis of having a Concealed HANDGUN License.

You DO realize that your "explanation" is an ADMISSION that you committed a CRIME, right?

Personally, I'll choose "explaining" (through counsel) a LAWFUL action over "explaining" (confessing to) an UNlawful action 100 out of 100 times.

 

[ColColt]

I'm more afraid of Rottweilers than Pit Bulls maybe just due to their size. I'm on the fence about Pit Bulls. I use to watch the Dog Whisperer faithfully and have seen no more laid back, stoic Pit Bulls than the one Cesar called Daddy but, from all I've read and seen on TV, most are not like him.

I have a seven year old Pembroke Welsh Corgi and would not hesitate to defend him in whatever means I had available from an attack by ANY dog. On walks, I carry a steel baton and would not hesitate in the least to crack another on the head if he came charging. The various species of canines have certain qualities ingrained in them. My boy is a herding dog but he's not like most. you can't get him to chase any form of a ball and won't even run after cats. They are all individuals just as we are and won't display all the known characteristics of their breed. You never know when those characteristics and genetics may kick in, however.

 

[CALREB]

I hadnt had a dog since I was a kid. My wife has always disliked dogs, or really just didnt like the way they behave, sniff,sniff,lick lick.We have 5 indoor cats. I love the cats , 3 of them play fetch and behave more like dogs than cats.
Imagine my shock when she said she wanted to bring a rescue dog home that was found at work. A rescue person had taken it home for 2 weeks and said it was a great dog, got along with his dogs and was great around kids etc. It was a male pitbull, about 18-24 months old, fixed.( or terrier mix) for insurance purposes since we dont really know if it purebred. I immediately said no f--------g way, it will get out of our fenced yard, tear up other dogs, might turn on us .Well in true form, a week later Dillion came home, ribby, but looking pretty healthy with a clean bill of health.
At first I was leary, man this was the strongest dog I had ever handled, he literally could almost pull me around at 235. Plus he might turn on me at any minute.
Fast forward a year later,man this is the best dog ever, he is playful and needs energy burned off playing, but he hardly barks, loves all other dogs that come around,(we still never let him off leash when we walk him outside our property, and best of all he absolutely loves the wife and I.
Several months ago ,some salesman moron, ignoring all the dont enter,beware dog, keep out signs, followed my wifes vehicle through the gate and walked up on her. I was by the barn, and saw Dillion fly out of the garage, that dog has no protective type training. He stopped about 5 ft in front of my wife between her and the guy, tail up hair on end all 80 lbs rippling and growled ,I thought it was a lion in the yard. Wife walked up grabbed his collar and told the guy to back out of the yard. Which he did pronto. Closed the gate and Dillion sat and yawned at the guy. I gave him a burger that night.
Anyway love my dog, idiot owners that allow the aggresive behavior in public or walk off lease shoud be penalized.
I will say thatI wouldnt hesitate to shoot any dog that started to attack, chow,pit, beagle, well maybe not a beagle.But after seeing usless arms after an attack dogs of all breeds are dangerous. My .02.
We put up alot of signs and keep the gate locked

 

[DonDee]

I've hesitated to tell this story but to show the incredible tenacity of a good pit I guess I'll go ahead. Also to illustrate the danger if one goes bad on you.

I'm the guy who posted at the top of this page about having had 5 pits in the past. The toughest one by far was a little 45 lb. female I mistakenly adopted as a rescue and did my best to rehab her with love and a good home. After a couple of years she was doing fairly well but there was just something about her. You just never quite trusted her, so I thought it best that she be made an inside dog so we could keep a watch on her.

On one particularly fateful day one of our cats shot into the house unobserved as someone was coming in. The ensuing carnage was something not to be believed. But the worst part of the deal was that it tripped some sort of mechanism in this dog's brain and she went completely ballistic. At the point I realized that she could not be stopped there was no choice left but to shoot her. Here's the part that you will not believe. I was there and I'm the one who had to do it, and I sometimes find it hard to believe myself. Anyway, the first round of .38 Spl. +P out of a 4" barrel at pointblank range right between the eyes did not faze her. She kept coming as if she had been hit with a BB. Now she might have dropped shortly after, but she showed no sign of so doing so and it took another similar round to stop her.

I only sadly and embarrassedly tell this to illustrate how relentless these dogs can be. They should never be taken lightly.

 

[Chuck1217]

One thing we all need to keep in mind, whether we carry pepper-spray, a stick, a knife- sometimes the owners are just as big a jerk as the attacking dog. Spray or beat their dog, to get it off yours, may result in the owner attacking you. Depending on your situation it might be good to be armed enough for both possibilities. We have a fenced yard so our dogs don't get walked, but they, too, are members of our family and harming them would be a mistake if either of us is near. Glad the OPs and others dogs are well- as for pits, I try not to discriminate, but as said before, with all the stories about pits attacking, it's hard NOT to have a little prejudice when I see one coming. I know folks who have pits they love, and swear would never hurt anyone- but then again we have the story here & there like"he's never done that before". I pray we are all prepared, and if it happens, we react properly. Another situation where as Ayoob says, we should consider, even practice, for as many possible events as we can.

 

[Kanewpadle]

In Ohio, it's legal for me to shoot the dog if it's an imminent threat to me. It's NOT legal for me to carry the baton, as far as I know, certainly not on the basis of having a Concealed HANDGUN License.

You DO realize that your "explanation" is an ADMISSION that you committed a CRIME, right?

Personally, I'll choose "explaining" (through counsel) a LAWFUL action over "explaining" (confessing to) an UNlawful action 100 out of 100 times.

Take a hint. I DON'T CARE!!

What I do is my business. Mind your own.

If I save my dog, whatever happens to me doesn't matter. If what I do doesn't meet your approval, tough. Get over it.

This thread isn't about me anyway. So can we move on?

 

[StatesRightist]

Take a hint. I DON'T CARE!!

What I do is my business. Mind your own.

If I save my dog, whatever happens to me doesn't matter. If what I do doesn't meet your approval, tough. Get over it.

This thread isn't about me anyway. So can we move on?

You've hit the nail on the head, we each do what we think is best. People should take in both sides of the issue, but in the end YOU chose and live with the consequences. Others thoughts won't matter then.

 

[joespapa]

I've hesitated to tell this story but to show the incredible tenacity of a good pit I guess I'll go ahead. Also to illustrate the danger if one goes bad on you.

I'm the guy who posted at the top of this page about having had 5 pits in the past. The toughest one by far was a little 45 lb. female I mistakenly adopted as a rescue and did my best to rehab her with love and a good home. After a couple of years she was doing fairly well but there was just something about her. You just never quite trusted her, so I thought it best that she be made an inside dog so we could keep a watch on her.

On one particularly fateful day one of our cats shot into the house unobserved as someone was coming in. The ensuing carnage was something not to be believed. But the worst part of the deal was that it tripped some sort of mechanism in this dog's brain and she went completely ballistic. At the point I realized that she could not be stopped there was no choice left but to shoot her. Here's the part that you will not believe. I was there and I'm the one who had to do it, and I sometimes find it hard to believe myself. Anyway, the first round of .38 Spl. +P out of a 4" barrel at pointblank range right between the eyes did not faze her. She kept coming as if she had been hit with a BB. Now she might have dropped shortly after, but she showed no sign of so doing so and it took another similar round to stop her.

I only sadly and embarrassedly tell this to illustrate how relentless these dogs can be. They should never be taken lightly.

I will never understand why the need to own this type of animal exists?

 

[jlrhiner]

Only had one contact with a pit bull, and it was many years ago. A close friend had a mixed breed that was poisoned when it was a pup. The chemicals messed up his brain, and he was forever a puppy. Elton was @ 6-8 years old, and had a comfortable life. He loved everybody and everybody loved him. My friend would secure an inside door and and had a doggy door so Elton could come and go as he pleased. A pit bull got into the yard (it was fenced and gates were padlocked) and followed Elton into the house. He killed Elton in my friends kitchen. Blood and gore were slung up to the ceiling.

Every time I hear someone talk about how loving a pit bull is, I think about cleaning that kitchen because my friend (who was a Nam Vet and former Marine, holder of the Silver Star and 2 Purple Hearts) couldn't.

As you can tell, I'm not a big fan of pit bulls.

 

[cmort666]

I know folks who have pits they love, and swear would never hurt anyone- but then again we have the story here & there like"he's never done that before".

People say the same sorts of things about their CHILDREN when they rob, rape or murder somebody or get shot trying to do so. The fantasy worlds that people create around their dangerous animals... or relatives, have no relevance to your right to peacefully go about your business in public.

 

[DonDee]

I will never understand why the need to own this type of animal exists?

Here in America beyond the basics needed for survival,i.e., food, shelter, etc. "need" rarely has anything to do with the things we tend to acquire.

I often hear gun grabbers ask "who needs an assault rifle"?

Well, probably nobody.

Who needs 20 different J-frames?

Nobody.

It's what we want, not what we need that counts.

Individuals just have to assume personal responsibility for bad choices if they make them.

 

[muvywriter]

Son has pit pup

If I get bitten AT ALL, or even have a reasonable fear that I WILL get bitten, the dog gets shot.

Dog owners have a legal DUTY to control their animals. I don't have ANY duty to get bitten AT ALL.

I like dogs... just not enough to get bitten through no action of my own. I'm not going to get maimed or lose my ability to work (and live indoors) to protect the dangerous animal of a negligent owner.

My son just back from Afghanistan has bought himself a 7-week old male Pit Bull puppy. Having heard negative comments about this breed for most of my life I've been reluctant to accept his choice as being either positive or rational, and that's been pretty much justified at least to some degree. My two Jack Russells, a 9-year old male and a yearling female, have generally gotten along with the pit, but when it comes to feeding time, the pit's inner-nature comes to the front and he is very aggressive with both dogs, allowing them near the food bowl only after he is finished. I took such exception to this behavior that the pit is now kept at a different residence. The owner-engendered lore concerning this breed is, in my opinion, almost laughably misleading, ascribing to them traits that I have never noticed in any specimen with which I have become acquainted. The truth of the matter is quickly discovered by perusing dozens or hundreds of lurid headlines relative to pits found in news media around the world. The fact as shown by a long history is that this breed can be a ticking time-bomb waiting to explode. To ignore such fact is to leave any pit's owner with substantial legal exposure and very often a prejudiced jury who will usually find in the plaintiff's favor. Not to mention the terrible memories of your own dog having caused serious injury or even death to another dog or human being.

 

[cmort666]

My son just back from Afghanistan has bought himself a 7-week old male Pit Bull puppy. Having heard negative comments about this breed for most of my life I've been reluctant to accept his choice as being either positive or rational, and that's been pretty much justified at least to some degree.

I like dogs but don't own one, as I previously couldn't afford to, and live in a small, cramped apartment that wouldn't be appropriate for any dog I'd want to own.

That being said, I base my comments on the individual actions of a particular dog, not the breed in general, although some breeds have EARNED particular reputations to a large degree.

When I was in college, the guy up the hall from me in the dorm had a large black lab named "Grover". For whatever reason, he thought it was a good idea to give the dog LSD. (At the time, it was also a fad there to give people acid without telling them.)

The acid caused Grover to have a Jeckyl and Hyde personality. One moment, he'd walk up to you, sniff your hand and walk away. The next, he'd try to kill you. He chased several people (myself included) in my dorm and the one behind it.

Then Grover chased the wrong guy. His latest victim had been mauled by a dog as a child and while he didn't have a problem with the "dorm" dog "Nubbs", a dobermann mix, he was REALLY afraid of aggressive dogs. Grover chased him into the dorm, whereupon he went to his room and equipped himself with a .36 Navy replica, a cavalry saber, and a replica .58 Zouave rifled musket (with bayonet). He then went out looking for Grover, who was exceedingly lucky not to be found.

The rest of us called the police who directed us to the Fulton, MO Animal Control Department. Animal Control showed up in the form of a lone female, armed with... a length of clothesline to tie through Grover's collar and be used to drag him back to her truck. We warned her that that was probably an ill-advised course of action, which she naturally ignored. She quickly found Grover, who sniffed her, walked away, then walked back and tried to kill her.

Concurrently, we went to the Dean of Student Life, who told the owner to get the dog off of campus IMMEDIATELY or face suspension and expulsion. Likewise we told the owner that if it went after any of us again, we'd put Grover down ourselves and that if he interfered, HIS future wouldn't be too promising either. We didn't see Grover after that, although strangely, a dog dish full of water periodically made an appearance by the owner's door.

I simply have no patience or respect for people who:

1. mistreat animals.
2. allow their animals to run loose and endanger third parties.

If your dog endangers me, I'm going to eliminate the threat. If you react inappropriately to that, the law addresses that contingency as well.

 

[cmort666]

Not to mention the terrible memories of your own dog having caused serious injury or even death to another dog or human being.

Let's be honest, people like that generally have the span of memory of a goldfish and the conscience to match.

They think ONLY of themselves, and view that animal as an extension of themselves. They couldn't care less what happens to YOU, since you OBVIOUSLY "provoked" their aggressive dog that was running around unrestrained and unsupervised. Besides, he'd NEVER do what you and frequently DOZENS of witnesses SAW him do.

By and large, they're the same people, who if you shoot their teenager while he's trying to rob you at gunpoint, will attribute to YOU the ENTIRE responsibility for the "tragedy" by not letting junior rob, rape or murder you without resistance.

 

[Stu Honea]

The meanest looking Doberman I have ever seen belonged to a former neighbor,but she was a sweetheart and a gentle giant.Like someone else said,it's more the owners fault usually than the fault of the breed when they turn bad.

 

[DeadWhiteGoose]

Certain breeds are bred for certain reasons. If entire cities outlaw a breed (pitbulls in miami), insurance companies won't insure the owner of that breed or you find hundreds of horror stories about a particular breed than it's probably a lot the breed, a little the owner. Plenty of different types of people own snakes. That doesnt keep them from eating your kitten.

 

[wheelgun28]

wow some folks really believe the stories about pit bulls. Do you folks think all gun owners are bad people, the same folks say so...

Some pit bulls are in bred crazy unstable dogs, its true. Some are loving pets that are quite protective of their packs. Its also true that most have some level of dog aggression. Also when they play, they play rough, they bite each other, not ripping off flesh but good nips.

Spanky from the Our Gang had a pit bull, he didnt chew up any of the kids?

Owning a dog like this comes with a responsibility, just as a firearm, a car and lots of other things in life.

I cannot believe the folks on this forum would support a breed specific ban. Its no different that any of the stupid assault weapon bans, or reduced magazine limits. Freedom for some and not for others, I suppose.


Last point, shoot my dog, I shoot you, you will be dead before the dog hits the ground. It goes like this, officer that cazy man shot my dog then pointed the gun at me...

Yes I do own what you folks would call a pit bull, I have had her since she was four to five weeks old, tiny little thing. Shes going on thirteen years now and is starting to show her age. Do I let here roam freely, no. Shes in our one acre yard with an invisible fence, never went through. She will run up to here point barking, then slams on the brakes and stops before the buzzing of the collar. Mostly at other dogs or the deer last week it was the wild turkeys.

When she was younger we'd go socialize with other dogs, she be free. The other owners were ok with some rough housing. She could knock other dogs down off their feet really quick. She has a way to trip them and give a hip check, over they go. She could run really fast, very fast. One day someone had a rescue gray hound she couldnt get it but really tried. She got so frustrated she started to make a yelping whoof as she ran. The gray hound people loved it gave their dog a great run.

Sorry, I dont have stories for attacking animals. In fact she gentle with small animals, just wants to sniff them. Our terrier/begal mix kills everything it can find, mice, squirrels, moles, chipmunks, rabbits...

 

[cshoff]

<snip>....Last point, shoot my dog, I shoot you, you will be dead before the dog hits the ground. It goes like this, officer that cazy man shot my dog then pointed the gun at me...
....<snip>

I don't recall anyone here, at any time, stating they would shoot a dog unprovoked. Rather, it was you who came to this thread and said you would shoot a human being simply for defending themselves against your dog.

Comments like the one you made above are exactly why some people call for background checks and mental health checks for folks who want to purchase/possess/carry a firearm.

 

[cmort666]

Last point, shoot my dog, I shoot you, you will be dead before the dog hits the ground. It goes like this, officer that cazy man shot my dog then pointed the gun at me...

If your dog attacks me, I'm going to shoot it. If you make yourself an immediate credible threat to my life and limb, I'll deal with you as appropriate.

I neither trespass nor provoke other peoples animals when in public places.

You have a DUTY to control and confine your animals. If you do so, they should have no OPPORTUNITY to bite anyone.

If on the other hand, you neither confine nor control them and they become a threat, anyone threatened by them has a right to protect themselves.

If your dog attacks me and I shoot it, and you attempt to murder me and survive, I'll make sure you're too broke to pay attention... AFTER you get out of prison.

 

[wheelgun28]

What do you consider aggression? Barking, charging looking meanly?

If the dog runs toward you with its hackle up barking, fire away?

Whats the line in the sand? being bit?

When is it OK to shoot someones pet?

Secondly in order to interact with my pets, you are either in on my property or somehow feel its OK to reach in 20' from the road.

Is 20' to close,

shoot'em now or wait till we go home


As far as protecting my pets, I dont see it all so different that protecting your children, we just dont shoot them when they misbehave.


I need a backround check, but you want to shoot my dog, while trespassing or 20' away and use my house as a back stop.

Exactly who needs a metal health exam?

Think its easy to shoot a dog, your more likely to shoot yourself in the leg or foot.

Dont believe me google it

I don't recall anyone here, at any time, stating they would shoot a dog unprovoked. Rather, it was you who came to this thread and said you would shoot a human being simply for defending themselves against your dog.

Comments like the one you made above are exactly why some people call for background checks and mental health checks for folks who want to purchase/possess/carry a firearm.