It's Not Why Pit Bulls Attack, It's Why Any Dog May Attack


November 27, 2010 • • • •

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I listed several common and generally believed myths about Pit Bulls in a previous blog post.

This dog attack story is not atypical, this is the story of a Pit Bulll who bit two people on Saturday, November 20 in Spartanburg, NC and then latched on to a
man’s arm. And local animal care and control refused to come. A deputy ended up shooting the dog, according to an incident report.

The Pit Bulll chased the women back into their car, and the dog’s owner
dragged the dog into the yard. But when the women got out of the
car, the dog bit one of them on the arm. When the owner went to restrain the dog, the dog bit him on the face. The man laid on top of the dog until police arrived.

At that point, the deputy said he called dispatch and asked for animal control to respond, but they refused. So, the deputy shot the dog.

Local animal control concedes they should have responded. It’s unclear whether this dog was the subject of previous complaints – but odds are, yes the dog was.

We know when there is a serious dog attack (according to the American Veterinary Medical Association, Centers for Disease Control and others) that any of the following or several of the following criteria are likely true….The breed or mix is absolutely irrelevant, however.

We know dog bites (from any kind of dog) are actually rare events, and that even fluffy dogs may bite.

* A complaint has been made (often repeatedly) to local officials often without action being taken. 

* Owners should have been warned by the dog’s previous behavior, but unwilling to heed warnings (in denial) or don’t understand. In many cases, neighbors, friends, dog trainers, veterinarians and/or even local authorities warn them. 

* The dog is an unaltered male (PLEASE NOTE – in-tact males are NOT inherently more dangerous, but they do seek to roam to find a hot babe. If they get away, without supervision, some dogs are unpredictable).

* No matter where you live, likely there are leash laws – disobeying the law, allowing dogs to continually get out from fenced places or to roam is a factor common (as mentioned a certain per cent of these dogs intact. Are more irresponsible owners also likely to leave their dogs in-tact?). Also, of course, roaming is dangerous for the dogs.

* The use of dogs who are trained TO attack; dogs may even be used as a dangerous weapon.

(several Facebook friends pointed out the North Carolina story, and asked me to post)