We haven't had a pit bull thread in a long time

[Jim Shugart]

Well, Jim Shugart is here, for goodness sake - How're ya doin' friend?

I response to Caj question - I think is both; sweet, lovable to their masters, but watch out!!!

Pete

Thanks, Pete. I never went away, just been busy with my work, etc.

I wasn't gonna get involved in this, but here goes. . .

I posted this on another forum:

About 15 years ago, I got home from work at about 0700. I took my 10YO 20lb German Shepherd mix for a walk, as usual. As we rounded a corner, a Pit Bull clamped down on her face with one fang over her left eye and the other one in her throat.

I stuck my index fingers into the Pit Bull's mouth to immobilize him and chewed up his ear while the owner was pulling on his hind legs. The dog turned loose but chomped down on my fingers. All of this took about 5-10 seconds.

The owner was very apologetic. I told him to just pay the vet bills and promise to control his dog in the future and we could just forget about it.

I took my dog to the vet: There was no serious damage.

I then took myself to the ER (at the hospital where I work). Unfortunately, It was at change-of-shifts and I didn't get very good treatment. The injuries to my fingers didn't appear to be too bad. They didn't call in a hand specialist and didn't even get any xrays. The right finger had tendon damage (there's a very narrow window when this can be effectively treated) and it will not fully extend now. The left finger had the bone crushed. It developed osteomyletis. They inserted a catheter and I gave myself IV antibiotics daily for six weeks. They wanted me to come in for this but I convinced them that I could do it myself (I'm a pharmacist). The antibiotics didn't work and I had to have surgery to remove part of the bone. All of this took about two months.

About a year after this, I got a call from the guy:

Him: Hey, Jim. I thought we were straight about the dog bite thing.
Me: Yeah. So, what's up?
Him: I just got a bill from ********** Hospital for $12,000. Are they serious?
Me: Count on it. I've got no control over them or their insurance carriers.
Him: So *** do I do?
Me: Move to Canada. Grow a beard. Talk with a French accent. I don't know.

My dog lived another seven years. I think of it as an honor to have had the opportunity to show her how much I loved her. (Of course, she didn't know. When we got back from the vet, she wanted to finish her walk.

)

I don't always carry when I leave the house, unless I've got my dog with me. If an unleashed dog approaches, I tell the owner to "Control it, NOW". An unleashed pit bull = one dead pooch. No warning.

- Jim

 

[jframe]

I've had some experiences being around them, and in ALL of them, I felt the need to be wary. Some of these were before pits got a rap against them by the media and public. They are intimidating animals, and they KNOW they are intimidating. That being said, I don't like them, and none of them seem to like me, although I am a dog man. I own two, a Shih Tzu, and a Yorkie, and I love them unconditionally. I think pit bulls are a beautiful breed and handsome to look at and admire from afar, but then so are mountain lions. This breed did not get it's reputation for nothing.

 

[Mickey D]

I don't think the animals should be banned, but I think the owners ought to bear the full criminal and monetary costs associated with the misbehavior of their "pet."

Not your typical Raider's fan, huh?

 

[wheeler10k]

who ya kiddin

the stats more than bear out one fact-pitts and rottties acount for tha overwhelming majority of deaths by dog-not even close-say what you will, i have been menaced ( i am 6' 3" 290 pounds in my own back yard by pitts. I have a 9 year little gal old and there are pitt mixes in my hood-not comfortable with the situation-at all.
Great owners do not an instinct nullify.

 

[unclefish]

It's not the breed; It's the owners. If you were taught to fight from birth; you would'nt know any different. Not just anyone can own a pit bull. You must know how to get control of your dog.

 

[DougDubya1970]

Neglect and lack of teaching the pit bull its place in the pecking order account for the "negligent discharges" of pit bulls in otherwise good neighborhoods.

A pit bull owner definitely has to follow the concept of being the alpha of the family. Once that's done, the pit will take its cues from the owner. If the pit doesn't have the right socialization, then it assumes that the world it's in is out to get it, and the dog retaliates with its natural defensive mechanisms.

It's a creature that doesn't have the same language mechanisms that we do, and is not the same species as we are. Behaviors which parents would understand of children (a shrill scream, a soft slap, then running away giggling) is something that an animal (albeit an relatively intelligent one) would likely understand, or in a play experience, the pit doesn't realize its strength compared to humans. When puppies play fight, it looks more ferocious than it really is, and they play in proportion to their strength level. When that comes down to children, or small dogs assuming that a pit bull is a threat to their territory, that becomes a problem only because the pit is so strong for its size, that even a play bite breaks skin. Considering that pit bulls have comparative jaw strength to a hyena and can splinter big soup bones with ease, if the pit bulls were actually going into attack mode, we'd be looking at dismemberment.

As for a Yorkie inciting a pit bull, you haven't seen many small dogs confronted by animals multiple times their size. I had a toy poodle who was less than a fifth the size of the next door neighbor's (abused and neglected and downright mean) collie. When that dog came out and started in on Duchess, she was ready to throw down, and only a seven foot-tall chain link fence kept the blood from flying. It's a territory thing if the dog has not been socialized to other dogs, and the littlest dog assumes that it's a Cane Corso raised on a diet of Kryptonite and Steve Rogers' super soldier serum against bigger animals.

BTW - looking at that Cane Corso - it's love at first sight. Wow.

 

[sw282]

My Dad told me about a pit bull he had as a kid. He said the dog would catch a brick in his mouth like a stick. Daddy said Rick died from snake bite. They were poor and this was in the early 1920s. Rick was used mostly for chasing hogs.

 

[peyton]

This caught my attention, it was posted on CNN today

Pit bull attack victim begins road to recovery | abcactionnews.com

Pit bull attack victim begins road to recovery
Reported by: Chad Cookler
Email: [email protected]
Contributor: Keith Baker
Last Update: 9/18 8:27 pm

ST. PETERSBURG, FL -- A St. Petersburg man shot and killed a pit bull that attacked and critically injured his neighbor Thursday afternoon.

Investigators say Patricia Thiel walked into the backyard of her home at 2012 Bonita Way and was attacked by Jake, an 80 lb. pit bull owned by another man who lives in the same home.

As she cried out for help, a neighbor looked over the privacy fence surrounding the yard. Jake charged the fence, causing the neighbor to retreat, police say.

That neighbor ran door to door, eventually finding Joseph Wharton, who lives several doors down. Wharton got his 9mm handgun and fired three shots at the animal, hitting it twice and killing it.

"It was a scary scream. A scream "somebody help me! Help me!"" said neighbor Jackie Williams, who called 911 for help while Wharton went back in his home for his pistol.

"Even if she hadn't scooted over, I would've taken the shot. 'Because you were scared for her life?' Yes. She was going to die." said Wharton.

Williams said, "And blood everywhere. I thought "oh my God! oh my God!" I got in my car and went to the country club and got Rob (the dog's owner)."

Thiel, whose left arm was shredded with the bone exposed, was taken to Bayfront Medical Center. She also suffered injuries to her head, neck, right shoulder and right arm.

She was later transferred to Tampa General Hospital.

Robert Jacks, who neighbors say is Thiel's boyfriend, owns Jake and two other pit bulls. The other two dogs did not join in the attack, but jumped the fence afterwards.

Thiel remains in critical condition, but is expected to survive.

Williams said quick action by neighbors undoubtedly saved Thiel's life. "She's really lucky," Williams said.

 

[Duke426]

Not your typical Raider's fan, huh?

That is the understatement of the year!

 

[Larrymcc1]

I can not change anyone's preconceived opinion's of a particular subject, especially The Pitbull Terrier. However, a person withan open mind, might be surprised how gentle the breed is. It depends on the integrity of the individual human of how the dog is trained and treated.

 

[onebadscrambler]

As for a Yorkie inciting a pit bull, you haven't seen many small dogs confronted by animals multiple times their size. I had a toy poodle who was less than a fifth the size of the next door neighbor's (abused and neglected and downright mean) collie. When that dog came out and started in on Duchess, she was ready to throw down, and only a seven foot-tall chain link fence kept the blood from flying. It's a territory thing if the dog has not been socialized to other dogs, and the littlest dog assumes that it's a Cane Corso raised on a diet of Kryptonite and Steve Rogers' super soldier serum against bigger animals.

I knew my dog and it's habits. It would lie on it's back when the other neighbor's dogs would get close to it. The only area it acted fierce were in the confines of my home.
I stated that I WILL NOT GIVE THE BREED A SECOND CHANCE. Translate it how you will.

 

[DougDubya1970]

onebadscrambler - THAT was information I didn't have. Your Yorkie actually performed the "I'm not a threat" behavior, a totally submissive approach that goes all the way back to wolf packs. Your Yorkie was very well socialized to other animals and it knew what it was doing, and I have little explanation for what the pit bull did.

Thank you for clarifying that your Yorkie, rest his little doggie soul, did NOT suffer from Napoleonic syndrome.

 

[AboutTimeCaneCorso]

'About Time's Causing Chaos' Cane Corso Italiano

This guy eats pit bulls for breakfast.

What in the wild world of sports is THAT

'That' is 'About Time's Causing Chaos'.
She is one of the best dogs we have bred, with the type of presence that makes folks sit up and take notice. Consiquently, her photo from our website is one of the most often used on the web as an example of the breed.

Chaos is an Italian Mastiff, known as a Cane Corso Italiano. I found our photo being used on this forum/thread, so thought I'd drop in to say Hi and share a bit more information about the breed.

We welcome you to browse our ever-growing website ( About Time Cane Corso ) to learn more about our dogs and the Cane Corso breed. You will find we have taken the time to provide a wealth of photos, information, and resources to help you better get to know and learn about these amazing dogs.

Laura & Richard
About Time Cane Corso
www.AboutTimeCaneCorso.com

 

[DeathGrip]

HaHa the evel dog's breeder has spoken.Love it and welcome to the forum.I'll check out your site as most here will do.Let me say this for all...we love dogs here and love your famous picture.What a stunning dog.My neighbor has one and I aint worried a bit about him.Good people and good breeders make good dogs.

D.G.

 

[AboutTimeCaneCorso]

Cane Corso photos

HaHa the evel dog's breeder has spoken.Love it and welcome to the forum.I'll check out your site as most here will do.Let me say this for all...we love dogs here and love your famous picture.What a stunning dog.My neighbor has one and I aint worried a bit about him.Good people and good breeders make good dogs.

D.G.

Hi D.G., and thanks for the welcome and the compliments!
I have heard so many comments about that photo of Chaos, everything from evil, wow, what it is, to she looks like a panther. She really is an awesome dog - and for as intense as she looks in that picture, she is a sweetheart that loves to hang out with us, and be a pillow for my 18 month old daughter to fall asleep on.

You are right that it is the people that make the dogs. A breeder who breeds carefully with a stable temperament in mind, and an owner that raises and socialized the dog properly. Sadly enough, most 'bad dogs' are nothing more than unlucky enough to have ended up with bad owners.

Here's a couple more photos of our dogs being their usual loveable selves.

 

[Grog]

My only run in with a pitbull was when man almost let his loose on me when I did security work in the Myrtle Beach area.


After a few verbal commands (and a 4506 aimed at the dogs face), he decided to put the dog up so I could take care of work.

 

[DeathGrip]

D.G.

 

[charlie sherrill]

I just tried to make a post and obviously used some words I wasn't supposed to use. Basically what I tried to say was that I heard on the news this morning that in my state (Miss.) two pit bulls recently ate through the diaper of a two month old boy and that surgeons were unable to save his reproductive organs. The child will be placed somewhere while the mother and baby daddy are being investigated. These are beautiful animals but I've seen too much to want them and several other breeds around my granddaughters.

 

[DeathGrip]

Charlie,No doubt inbred like some from the trailer park you write about so often.I understand that you have been bitten lately but all of the local police know my dogs and love them.Smart move on my part wouldn't you think?BTW I have a Giant Schnauzer and he is a great dog on either side of the fence.But I'm not saying one should help himself to the yard W/O anouncement.That's what the sign is for.

D.G.

 

[Kanewpadle]

I hate em!

My first experience with a pitbull was almost 40 years ago. A neighbors pit attacked and killed our family dog. A long haired dachsund for pete sake! I picked this dog out of a litter and brought it home. I named it. Loved it. And took care of it. I still have the image in my head after looking down at my dead little dog. He never had a chance. Only gratification I got was when my dad brought his Ruger Blackhawk 44 and shot the pit in the head. Since that day I hated every single one I saw.

Since then I have had many, too many dealings with them both at work and at home. They chased me, my wife. and our daughter. I have seen them attack at random and unproked. Like a switch was turned on and they suddenly turned mean.

I have had to draw my gun on two occasions. And yes because of pitbulls.

I will never like them. Trust them or turn my back on them. Most useless breed of dog there is.

Had a coworker that owned a pit. He say's the dog is nice and won't bite. But everytime anyone went to the guys house, it was all he could do to keep the dog from attacking.

Almost, not all but most of the people that I see with pits own them because they think it's cool or make them look tough. Kind of a status thing I guess.

Now before you pit lovers get upset remember this my opinion and my experience with them. I understand that any dog can go bad. I personally think that the pit is more likely to do so.