E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS
/
Eleasha Gall, director of behavior and training at Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles, interacts with Tux, a one-year-old Pit bull, in an effort to promote behavior to avoid dog bites.
Dog bites cost insurance companies about $479 million in 2011, accounting for an increasingly large chunk of payouts under homeowner’s liability policies, according to a recent study.
While there was a slight decline in the number of dog bite claims, the price tag per case has risen 54 percent since 2003 — to an average of $29,400 in 2011 — making up more than one-third of total liability claims paid out by homeowners, according to the Insurance Information Institute, which conducted the study.
"These increases can be attributed to increased medical costs as well as the size of settlements, judgments and jury awards given to plaintiffs, which have risen well above the rate of inflation in recent years," the institute said in a release.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs each year and about 800,000 of them seek medical attention. Of those injured, 386,000 require treatment in an emergency room and 16 die, according to the CDC.
Kevin M. Phillips, a Beverly Hills based attorney who specializes in representing dog bite victims around the country, told msnbc.com that studies suggest that the popularity of pit bulls in the United States are likely a contributing factor in the rising cost of claims paid out by insurance companies.
"Attacks by pit bulls are associated with higher morbidity rates, higher hospital charges, and a higher risk of death than are attacks by other breeds of dogs," concluded a study published in the Annals of Surgery in April 2011.
In some places, the law now provides different consideration for dog breeds like pit bulls, said Phillips. For instance, in Maryland, pit bulls are now deemed inherently dangerous, unlike most other breeds, said Phillips.
"If you own a pit bull and the pit bull hurts someone, no one has to prove it’s dangerous. It is presumed to be so," he said.
Traditionally, a homeowner liability policy covers dog bites, but some insurance companies are modifying how they write policies.
A CDC report on dogs involved in fatal human attacks between 1979 and 1998 — which the center specifies is not intended for policy making decisions — is nevertheless used as a guide for some insurers, according to a report in the Des Moines Register. At the top of that list are pit bulls, Rottweilers, German shepherds, huskies, Alaskan malamutes, Doberman pinschers and chow chows.
"Insurance companies started experimenting with cutting out the coverage for dog bites. Homeowners have got to confirm they have the coverage," said Phillips.
For some breeds of dogs associated with attacks, you may actually need a special canine liability insurance, he said. Without it, a serious dog attack can run up medical bills and compensation worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in costs to the pet owner.
"If your dog bites a child on the face, which is where a dog bites a child, it can wipe you out," he added.
More content from msnbc.com and NBC News:
- Arrest over disappearance of Calif. teen Sierra LaMar; cops suspect murder
- Man survives plunge over Niagara Falls
- Video: RFK Jr. absent from estranged wife's memorial
- Obama to tornado-ravaged Joplin: 'You've grown up quickly'
- Former Rutgers student gets 30 days in webcam spying case
- 3 workers killed by explosion at abandoned oil well in Arkansas
Leave a Comment:
Ah yes!! PitBulls again. All you pit bull owners out there can keep on defending your vicious animals all you want. But the insurance companies are catching on. It won't be long now!
Pit pull have been proven over and over that they are naturally violent. Rather the little @!$%#s people keep buying are like the small poodles, chiwawa, etc which are proven to be more violent. Just they don't cause as much damage so they don't get a bad rap.
In this case, a dog's bite is worse .. than its bark, I guess.
edit, pit pulls ****are not****
Tell that to the mail carrier in my municipality who lost a testicle to a pack of Chihuahuas. He explained to us that he's never been bitten by a pit, but now he's lost a nut to a Chihuahua.
Trust me, in his book the Chihuahua is now a 'vicious' breed!
Let me tell yall something I own 2 pitbulls who have never bit anyone and are NOT aggressive dogs. They are the most loyal and loving dogs I have ever known. My neice can get in my pitbulls face and he will just lay there and lick her! I have been attacked by a lab when I was little and they are suppose to be the best family dog! Its not the dogs fault here its the owners! Quit hating on the breed start hating the ignorant owners who make them aggressive!
dogs can be vicious, but still no match ... against lawyers (in a lawsuit)!
Andy - same old blah,blah,blah. Make sure your insurance premiums are paid. I know a doctor who does face transplants BTW.
Exactly. More people are killed by vicious dogs than by sharks, bears and mountain lions combined. The owners should be held criminally responsible for whatever damage their dogs do. If their dog attacks someone, they should be charged with assault. If their dog kills someone, they should be charged with 2nd degree murder or at very least manslaughter.
Part of dog ownership is responsibility. No question. You're clearly a bitter person, however
Well really this can go two ways..My dog did bite someone who entered our backyard without permission..he sued for the bite..my dog died two months later..the bite victim was HIV positive..I sued him back!
Boy howdy, Amanda ....
You must have one short mail carrier. Granted Chihuahuas can be aggressive, but the highest my grnadmother's ever got on one of us kids aggravating it was the ankle.
The best solution is to kill all pitbulls. They are a vicious breed that will attack even their owners without provocation.
ANDY-3921209.......you said:
Does the word "anecdotal" mean anything to you?
The insurance companies will be basing their policies on meaningful data rather than your anecdote. That is why rational folks will soon find it too expensive to own vicious breeds. That will not be a day too soon.
So you would eliminate several breeds with a single swipe, then?
I have raised a pitbull, 3 german shepherds and a labrador. The pitbull was by far the most docile of all those dogs. They have a bad reputation because when they do bite they lock on and dont let go. But it really comes down to how that dog was raised. Many gangbangers, etc by pitbulls and do not know how to care for them. The fact that many people own them, and many people do not know how to raise them is going to lead to problems. Recently we took my Shiloh Shepherd to the vet, and the vet said it is not the big dogs they worry about. It is the little ones that do the most biting.
Are you telling me that it's all the same to you whether you're mauled by a 120 lb. Presa Canario or a 4 lb. Yorkshire Terrier?
A rational person will recognize that it has nothing to do about bite frequency and everything to do with damage inflicted when the dog DOES bite. I'd be much happier being attacked in an alley by a few Dachshunds than a few Pit Bulls, and I'm pretty sure you would to.
And about the "it's all how they were raised" argument. Whether I'm a good or bad owner, my Border Collie will still chase moving things... my Beagle will still try to track everything. What's so hard to understand that a dog bred virtually ONLY for dog fighting from 1850-2012 will want to attack? It's not like fighting is way in the past. To this day, the only people breeding pit bulls are the ones using them for fighting. The ones people buy in the paper or adopt from shelters are no more than 1-2 generations removed from a 150 year history of being bred to attack and kill.
Pit bulls (and Presa Carnios - or as I call them, Pit Bulls on steroids) have a "bite and shake" instinct. They have BOTH been BRED to fight. When a "bully breed" (pit Bulls, Bulldogs, AMERICAN Mastiffs {a bull dog/Mastiff cross} etc) bites it's instinct is to then shake. This results in massive injury for each bite. Chows are just unstable emotionally (one owned by my aunt bit the face and ear of my nephew). Rotties are actually a better adjusted dog than any of the Bully breeds ... they are just large and have a large bite radius - they also are one of the dogs (along with German Shepherds) who are known to be "trained" for "guard dogs" and the training methods invariably are to tease, torment and abuse the dog until it is HUMAN aggressive.
I would never own a "toy" breed either. They are plagued by insecurity and feel threatened by EVERYTHING bigger than they are (and EVERYTHING above the size of a rat is bigger than they are). They tend to snap at everything. I would NEVER let one of those "overgrown rats" or "cats with an identity crisis" into my home. Pretty much anything smaller than a Keeshound is NOT A REAL DOG in my book.
I personally have a 20 month old Mastiff puppy. She is a cross between the English (85%) and Cane Corso (Italian - not to be confused with Presa Carnio) Mastiffs and is a member of a developing breed. She is L A Z Y and rarely even barks. In fact, her bark is essentially the offense for giant breeds like Mastiffs, Great Danes (German Mastiff), Saint Bernards (Alpine Mastiff) and other gentle giants. The giant breeds were bred to WATCH and WARN, not ATTACK. We had a carbon monoxide leak in our house due to incompletely burned cinders in an ash can over the winter and she greeted the Fire Department personnel who entered the house while my son and I were in the ER by wagging her tail and kissing them. (Some guard dog!). Her only "weapon" is her TAIL OF DOOM which is heavy, muscular and will give you a bruise if she wags it hard enough and hits you with it. That and her loud, deep WOOF! But since the people posting here on this forum are all human instead of foxes, deer, squirrels, bunnies, coyotes or birds, you're likely not to even hear her bark. I did forget the other "deadly weapon" in the arsenal for Giant breeds - SLOBBER. But the type of Mastiff my puppy is has been bred to have a "dry" mouth so she only slobbers when she's begging or right after she's been drinking from her water dish.
In the near future all Americans will be told exactly how to live thier by insurance companies. We will be told what to consume, how much to exercise what pets we can have ect. My insurance guy comes over every year to snoop around, but always in the interest of being on my side. They never want to pay for any damages, if they do they make sure to raise your rates to make up the difference. When my insurance agent suggested we have the spy gear installed in our car I almost fell off my chair. Could they be any more invasive??? Of course it's all in the interest of saving me money. Insurance comapanies and the fact that no one takes personal responsibility for thier actions will destroy this country.
I think statistics are going to end up winning this argument. Let's assume that all of those 16 fatalities were caused by pitbulls. That's 16 dogs that were vicious killing machines... vs. upwards of 5 million that are not.... If you're going to claim that a breed is inherently vicious and all members should be destroyed... I would expect a bit higher that 16 fatalities for 5 million animals.
Also, fun fact time.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-news/scientists-calculate-odd-ways-to-die-282884
Snakes kill 25,000 people a year.
Dogs are mean. I don't trust them. They kill many people each year.
..barking up the wrong..dog?
people are mean. I don't trust them. They kill many people each year.
we need to stop blaming the animal and blame the owner, breeder and/or trainer. I've had German Shepherds for 22 years, greatest animal ever!!! I'd trust a strange dog before trusting a strange human anyday.
A lot of people die each year from being shot. A lot of people die from being hit by a car. People die from being struck by lightning. People die from being bitten by snakes. People die from being bitten by spiders.
Let's not trust those either.
Amanda -
Stop already with the false equivalencies. We understand your position. Your comment about not trusting guns, snakes, or spiders doesn't even make sense. People have to drive and yes it's dangerous. What's your point??? What does this have to do with people owning pitbulls?? I read you chihuahua comment. Again - false equivalency. You've manage to cite ONE freak incident (which may be urban legend). You can't compare small dog bites with pit bulls. Stop it already. Statistics are statistics and pit bulls are dangerous and yes I've lived with one and he was the fattest, laziest, friendliest dog. His name was Drowser because he would fall asleep just climbing the stairs. I still think with all the breeds of dog available there is no excuse to own a pitbull.
She makes a lot of sense. It is you who are blinded by your fear. Sorry the dog bit you and you're forever traumatized but why spread your fear unnecessarily?
If a chihuahua could bite a guys testicle and cause enough damage to have to have it removed, I feel sorry for him, because he must not have had a lot of testicle to begin with.
Sammy, correlation neither implies nor equals causation no matter what some may believe. I'm very sorry you were hurt, but instances such as yours tend to be the rare exception as cited in this study.
eb125 is right Sammy. All kidding aside, you have serious issues that are only going to erode you. Seek help for your problem
TJamesW- I'm not afraid anymore. I love dogs. No, she doesn't make sense. It's a bunch of false equivalencies. Do you understand basic logic?? Did you even read what I wrote? Probably not. You just insist on continuing to use ad hominen attacks to question the courage of people who question the necessity of owning a pitbull when they're are hundreds of other breeds and those of us who recognize that a dog isn't a human. Again, you're a jerk.
Oh Sammy. I fear for your neighbors. And you are berating all dogs and dog owners, not just pits. Clearly you still harbor a lot of emotional damage and that's unfortunate. I wonder how many dogs you've harmed
I wouldn't need (or even try to make) an excuse for something like this. Glad you're not a polititian.
eb125 - you're confused. We're not talking correlation and causation. I think you mean my anecdotal evidence is weak inductive reasoning. Which may be except for the STATISTICS. Sorry. Statistics sayspitbulls, based on population numbers and number of attacks and insurance claims, are way more dangerous than other breeds. Fact. Yeah it's still relatively rare, but I think it's frequently enough to warrant special insurance. There were, what, 3 stories in the news just in the last couple of weeks? Something like that. At least 2 anyways.
TJamesW - where did I berate all dogs and dog owners? How can you post such garbage?? What a blanket statement. I've stated several times I have owned dogs, lived with a pitbull, and my girlfriend's roommate has a huge rottweiller that I love. But as someone who has been on the other side of the fence as well, I can tell you some people are way too cavalier about their dogs. They anthropomorphize them and forget about the dangers.
It's your fear talking, Sammy
Not the stats? Did you even read the article? Beh. You're hopeless. You're not even attempting to defend your comments anymore. The fun is gone.
Also I don't appreciate the slander that I've intentionally hurt dogs. That just again proves you are indeed, a jerk.
Peace out.
Sammy, several times you have generalized all dogs and all dog owners in what is now a highly anticipated spew of ignorance. Like a little kid, really. I'm sorry some dog bit you as you've told us so many times. Bad things happen to all of us at some point. This bad experience has seriously tainted your perspective. Some people feel that way about other animals or even unseen hazards like germs. Some degree of caution is warranted when you leave the house. You harbor a clearly unreasonable fear and it's a shame you can't find more relief than this.
Sammy, what is your native language?
Where oh were have I generalized dogs and dog owners in what is now a hightly anticipated spew of ingonrance. You'rs still miles off base. I was upset at your flippant comment about -
a) people having so called "unfounded fears". You're no position to a call anyones fears unfounded. You don't know their life story.
b) How those fears mean nothing to you. To me that basically you don't give a @!$%# about the feelings of someone who has been a tramautic dog attack. It's completely dismissive, rude, and arroganta and cold.
I would lik you to point, directly where I disparaged all dogs and their owners. I have repeatedly stated that I love dogs, have lived with dogs included both a pitbull and a rottweiller just fine. I had a VERY JUSTIFIED fear because being serverly mauled a small child. I didn't even remember and yet I would get panic attacks and feel genuinely fear. THat's unreasonable. Having a psychosomatic reaction to a vicious dog attack. I'm the one being unreasonable??? ARe you for @!$%#ing real??? and yes, I have fully gotten over it. It's idiots like you just blithely dismiss other peoples negative stories as "harbouring unreasonable fear". You're in no position to judge that without facts.
What psychosomatic fear would you have developed if you visciously attacked at age two?? You wouldn't have development some unconscious reactions to large dogs not on leashes?? Is that what you are claiming?? That you would have escaped from a similar situation and not had some unconscious fears come into play?? That's seriously what you are saying. Nonsense. You'd hade to work through the same fears I did as 2 year old who got viciously mauled. And then you got the audicty to call that fear unreasonable. What an arrogant jackass you are. I overcame that to have many loving relationships with dogs, including rotties, and a pitbull.
The thing that pissed me was your blanket statement that all fears were unfounded and even bothering to learn about or acknowledge some off the incidends people went through. You just insisted fears were unfounded and you coudl care less. Total shirking of responsibilities and shift of blame to the victim.
Sammy -Quite the opposite, I'm not confused at all. Your position suggests that pitbulls cause attacks - being a pitbull, not just any dog, is what causes attacks. Not true. Remember, this study cites REPORTED dog attacks, not attacks as a whole. I'm sure that the unreported dog attacks are from more non-pitbulls than pitbulls. Your argument is based on the premise that pitbulls cause dog attacks, when they simply are correlated in this one study which this article specifically states is not 100% accurate - no study ever is. Again correlation is not causation.
While I am sorry you were attacked as a child, feelings are not relevant when it comes to studies such as these. You are manipulating the "facts" in order to suit your argument and that's not right. Your generalizations are categorically incorrect and based on ONE study which says it is not 100% accurate.
And please, never claim that I am the one who is confused. You clearly are the confused, defensive one. Re read until you understand.
There are tons of statistics that show that pitbulls DISPORPORTIONATLY make up the numbers of reported maulings, maimings, a
2003
8
Pit bull-type (4) (50%)
2004
8
3 Pit bull-type one Pit bull/Labrador Retriever mix (4) (50%)
2005
29
Pit Bull (12) (39%)
Rottweiler (6) (21%)
2006
29
Pit Bull (12) (40%)
Rottweiler (9) (31%)
2007
34
Pit Bull (15) (41%)
Rottweiler (4) (12%)
2008
23
Pit Bull (11) (43%)
Husky (3) (13%)
2009
30
Pit Bull (11) (32%)
Rottweiler (4) (13%)
2010
32
Pit Bull (18) (53%)
Rottweiler (4)
nd death by dogs. It's fact. Statistical fact.
The breeds most likely to kill
In recent years, the dogs responsible for the bulk of the homicides are pit bulls and Rottweilers:
"Studies indicate that pit bull-type dogs were involved in approximately a third of human DBRF (i.e., dog bite related fatalities) reported during the 12-year period from 1981 through1992, and Rottweilers were responsible for about half of human DBRF reported during the 4 years from 1993 through 1996....[T]he data indicate that Rottweilers and pit bull-type dogs accounted for 67% of human DBRF in the United States between 1997 and 1998. It is extremely unlikely that they accounted for anywhere near 60% of dogs in the United States during that same period and, thus, there appears to be a breed-specific problem with fatalities." (Sacks JJ, Sinclair L, Gilchrist J, Golab GC, Lockwood R. Breeds of dogs involved in fatal human attacks in the United States between 1979 and 1998. JAVMA 2000;217:836-840.)
The Clifton study of attacks from 1982 through 2006 produced similar results. According to Clifton study, pit bulls, Rottweilers, Presa Canarios and their mixes were responsible for 65% of the canine homicides that occurred during a period of 24 years in the USA. (Clifton, Dog attack deaths and maimings, U.S. & Canada, September 1982 to November 13, 2006; click here to read it.)
You know what?? There is a ton of information out there that supports what I say. I'm not going to waste time linking every study. The facts are on my side, not yours.
What the @!$%# are you talking about causation and correlation? A dog causes a bite. There's not a mysterious third entity that's causing this.
I like your made up statement that you use as an argument
Hilarious. You're sure. Well that's good enough for me.
Peace out
Mike, a lot of people have unfounded fears about a lot of things. Your fear is just an example. Some people are afraid of spiders, or cats or snakes. Doesn't mean anything to the rest of us
Until you get viciously attacked by a dog like I did and get 30 stitches in your head and almost lose an eye you ignorant, ignorant moron.
Lots of bad things can happen when you leave the house Sammy. Your isolated incident is sufficient for you to remove dogs from the planet, which is clearly extreme. You should have a more balanced view.
What kind of dog?
I love dogs you moron. I've owned dogs and even rented a room from a lady with a pitbull. That doesn't mean you aren't an ignorant jerk. Got it?? Your total confused on what I am commenting on. I am commenting on the fact that you are an ignoramus. OK??
Sammy, such hostility. I'm so sorry you were traumatized so thoroughly. You should seek professional help. Seriously, with that outlook you're a liability
No, it's the fact that you are being such a condescending prick to people who don't agree with you by implying that are cowards or mentally unstable. That makes you a jerk.
I never said anything about removing dogs. Quit putting words in my mouth. I love dogs. I love all animals. I've spent time in the Costa Rican jungle doing biological research. I've lived with a pitbull and my girlfriend's roomate had a huge rottweiller that I love. Doesn't mean dogs aren't animals and can't be dangerous. That's what we are talking about.
The article is about homeowner's insurance based on breed and surprise surprise, the statistics back up the insurance companies.
If you read back through the posts, it is you, Sammy, who have used the most consistently foul language. You have emotional issues,and should seek help before you hurt someone.
TJamesW -
So what if I use foul language?? Your still the one who is implying people are cowards and mentally unstable. That makes you a jerk. You started it. Seriously you did. You posted that other peoples concerns mean nothing to you. That makes you selfish and arrogant. You also said the fears were unfounded. I pointed out that they are not. You don't what's happened to people. Then you proceeded with every post to condescend and say how sorry you were I was afraid and spreading fear, which was a) a lie and b) incredibly prickish. Instead, you should've apologized and said," You're right, it was very insenstive for me to say I have zero regard for other people's concerns". But, hey, maybe you don't. Don't apologize if that's the way you feel but don't think your not gonna get backlash for having such an arrogant attitude.
Seek help Sammy
That's all you got for a comeback?? It's not me proudly proclaiming a sociopathic mindset.
I don't think I called you a sociopath, but if the shoe fits.
How lovely of the ambulance chaser quoted in the article to bring up pit bulls in an article that SHOULD be able inflation and cost of bites, regardless of breed. Thanks a lot.
Alot of other dogs were brought up in the article.
"At the top of that list are pit bulls, Rottweilers, German shepherds, huskies, Alaskan malamutes, Doberman pinschers and chow chows"
I had a chow chow/shepard mix. He was the sweetest dog I have ever had. He was a biter, though. It was more like a nip on the ankle but his jaws and teeth were so big that his nip would leave a hole in the skin.
He never bit me or my daughters or my grandaughter but if you were a male, keep your distance. He never attacked anyone or anything. Just a warning nip. He would nip then back away. Saw him get into a fight with a pit bull. All he did was put his jaws around the dogs neck to hold him down.
I am lucky, though, because that mix of dog could have been dangerous. He was so big, I know he could have killed someone if it was in him. Now, I would never own a breed of dog like him without getting proper training. I never trained my dog, it was just in him to not attack but protect.
Livestock at large are also extremely costly to Insurance Companies when taken to Court. Usually settled out of Court with agreements not to discusss the amounts. Why? Because the payouts are huge.
That same ambulance chaser will also sue you if you bite someone's dog.;=p
Shoot the dogs and bankrupt the owners. Justice served!! It is open season on dogs that come on my property.
don't know what state you live in, but in my state, you shoot my dogs and i'll will sue you, and win, hope you enjoy living under a bridge somewhere
Maybe I could encourage gpotts on to my land, where I'll stand my ground
Your dogs come on my property, I shoot and no jury in the world will convict. For you TJames, I would just slap you around a little.
You're sillier than I though gpotts. A bit more primative also.
I am not really violent to people, but your silly "stand my ground" comment sent me over edge for a second. Dogs revert to primal instincts when provoked, not their fault, but will not take ANY chance with my family.
You seem to know a lot about primal instincts. It's our avbility to rationalize and control this that sets (the rest of) us apart from animals.
Stormclouds...
What state? I think he was refering to a dog coming onto "his" property, which he would have the right to defend himself if needed.
Why would the owner ever find the dog that was trespassing? Shovels?
it all comes down to being a responsible owner and getting your dog trained, proud owner of 3 dobies and my insurance company was going to either raise my rates or drop me, however since all 3 have been through obdience schools and protection certifications they finally reconized that we are responsible and kept the rates at our normal level..
can some breeds be dangerous, absoloutly but what is more dangerous is an owner that doenst take the time to train thier dog, and not put them in a situation where there only defense is to bite
gpotts how long have you lived in fear like this? Tragic.
no fear... just hate irresponsible pet owners. If your dog is off leash, on my property, poses any bite threat to my family.......the end. Plus, I do not like people that think animals are property!!!
Pretty obvious it's fear based. Nothing to be ashamed about. First we were talking about you shooting any old dog, now you've defined it as only if there's a threat to your family. Clearly you're the type that would shoot anything. As I said, primitive
animals are not property, they are family.....and God help anyone that harms my 'family' in anyway. So, Gppots you're not the only one with property and guns...take it down a notch, if a dog is on your property maybe it's lost, hurt and scared .......
TJames -
Your such an ignorant jerk. When I was two I was viciously attacked by a neighbour's german sherpard, 30 stitches in the head, almost lost an eye. I don't even remember the attack but grew up with great fear around large dogs. My cousins also had a vicious dog they insisted was fine if they were around until it bolted right past my uncle to attack the neighbours 4 year old. Smashed her to the concrete where she split her head wide open. Luckily she landed on her face so the dog couldn't rip it off. They had to move out of the neighbourhood because they were hated.
Your comment mocking someone else and derisively suggesting they are cowardly and weak is pathetic. GPotts is rights. Never trust a strange dog.
Sammy, really sorry you have bad dog stories. See how you spread fear efficiently now? I appreciate your posts Shep
@ Shep, Sorry but you're wrong. In the eyes of the LAW dogs and cats are property and treated as such.
TJamesW - I am posting on the fact that you are an arrogant jerk. Forget dogs. I love animals and dogs. I've owned dogs and and even live with a pitbull You're just a smug @!$%#.
See how touchy you are? Seriously, you're a walking time bomb. Seek help before I read about you on MSNBC and post my lovely recollections about your intelligent posts.
TJ, You sound like a typical Red Neck that has no respect for the view of others and just like to blow smoke. At one point in my younger life, I helped raise German Shepards and in a field in Western Germany, we had 31 Shepards from the same beautiful dog Duchess. Most of them were totally viscous toward each other and had to be separately although alone with humans they were OK but that doesn't mean that they wouldn't attack a child. You seem to be the arrogant walking time bomb. Republican?
TJ, Red Necks should only be allowed a dozen comments as long as they are coherent and respectful, and Bubba, yours are not! Have you ever raised dogs Bubba? I know you didn't raise kids!
What would Atticus do? Rabid or simply aggressive, if it poses a threat to your family or property (livestock or pets) take the raiding beast out of commission.
80% of dog bites are caused by people invading the dogs space, teasing them, or being ignorant of the dogs warning signs that it is either afraid or aggravated and not to approach, ears down, tail down and teeth exposed are visible signs of a dog about to react to your actions by biting. being someone who has been around dogs all his life, i can tell you first hand..dogs are not inherently viscious, they either are afraid, annoyed or have been trained to attack. learn how to deal with them, how to approach them, and most issues will be avoided
I already know how to deal with them....
Maybe your forhead protrudes a bit far? Hairy knuckles dragging when walking?
I believe I also read that a vast majority of dog bites occur with unfixed males who are outside dogs (that is, those that don't get a lot of positive human interaction).
storm, are you aware that in the majority of Pit Bull attacks there ARE no warning signs? No head down, no teeth exposed, ears not "down", tail up and WAGGING? Pit Bulls literally can attack with no notice or warning given. I never approach a Pit without asking the owner if it is "ok". I NEVER approach a Chow - those dogs are just unstable.
I am very "dog savvy", was raised with a German Shepherd/Doby mix (among other dogs) and used to work in an Emergency Vet Hospital. It's not always the person who was attacked who is the cause. In cases of dogs like Pit Bulls and Presa Carnios, it's usually NOT the human's fault.
TJ, Maybe your Butt protrudes a bit too far as you sound like a total A$$H@Le! A Republiclone... I'll Bet!
Cat, And you are totally right! Several European countries, like Germany, will no longer let Pit Bulls into their countries. And it's really a shame because, much like humans, there are the meanies and the goodies. My oldest son has two beautiful Pit Bulls who are wonderful and a real pleasure to be with as all they seem to want is human warmth and love.
Sounds to me like Bubba TJ is an angry Pit Bull unto himself. Hope he doesn't work around me, because at 6'4 1/2 190lbs and a retired combat veteran, I'd train him to sit in a day!
Treat your dog as if it were a gun with four legs. The owners are responsible the majority of times that dogs attack. Control your animals and have them trained well and most of the problem disappears.
Working, I'm sorry, but I have to totally disagree. I have had loving dogs since I was a child and always treated them as if they were a part of my life. The little ones and big ones, although they had their own beds (inside) always had the opportunity to sleep between my wife and I, when the bedroom door was open. I might be wrong, but I would say that you once find love between your dogs and your family, let your conscience be your guide. Having been around almost 80 years, loving dogs, I've had no problems!
"If your dog bites a child on the face, which is where a dog bites a child, it can wipe you out," he added.
The worst part about this, is that it's always the childs fault. My dog has never bitten anyone, but he has become nervous around certain children before. Probably something to do with them throwing rocks at him and tugging on his ears.
Always let the dog sniff your fingers first like you are giving it a treat and don't suddenly bring your handdown ontop of the dogs head(They think you are going to hit them) and watch the fur behind the dogs neck and forward of the tail. Don't let toddlers near a dog unattended and last a small dog is not always safe for small children(kids play rough)
@!$%# you Matt. @!$%# you. I was a kid who got attacked doing NOTHING. So again, @!$%# you. Ignorant @!$%#. Also my cousins dog bolted right past my uncle and out their front door to attack the neighbours four year old. Knocked her face down into the concrete and split her head wide open. Luckily she landed on her face because the dog was trying to get at it.
Bull.... it's the childs fault!!!! It's the DOGs fault!
You don't understand dogs Ed, and that's why people like you get hurt
My dog bit me cause he was sleeping and I got in his face trying to play with him. I must have spooked him and he lashed out. We still have him and he's never done anything remotely like that since. And yeah I think in many cases the kid has done something to provoke the dog. They get pulled on and the kids take their toys/bones/food. These are the only things dogs "own" so they are very protective of them. I'd never leave my dogs alone with small children and they are generally complete angels around kids. And I was always taught to offer a fist to the dog to smell so they can't bite off a finger! And I also think kids are that level so they are typically in the dog's face, which is the last place you need to be with a strange dog.
Exactly. Parents not watching kids is part of the issue. Different dogs behave differently. I have never let my kids near a strange dog.
I think TJamesW is meaner than gpott. He's trying to show himself reasonable but in fact he just uses adhominem terms to attack other's personality. Very mean and childish.
Sorry you'd rather support a guy that enjoys shooting peoples companions
Then keep your companion on your property and you'll have no problems...........
If my child wandered into your yard, you shoot him, too I gather. Animals and kids wander and if that's reason enough to shoot them then it's clearly you who are the bigger social threat
Well if your that irresponsible with your child also then it explains alot about you. My animals don't wander and neither should yours and yes I will protect my family by any means necessary.
A wandering dog isn't a threat, and a child that wanders off my back yard and on to yours doesn't define poor parenting. Your extreme viewpoints are a bit troubling, however. Own many guns, do you?
TJames, the more you try to ignore reality, the less your opinion is becoming persuasive. It's true wandering dogs might be threat especially to kids, seniors or somebody who don't have strength enough to overwhelm mid - large sized dogs. You need to admit it. Don't be too defensive to people who blame off leashed dogs and their owners.
Yes, it's quite extreme to kill any wandering dog just because it trespasses over my backyard but what if it's a large sized pitbull or doberman that is unleashed and approaching to my kids? I have no gun im my home but would bring whatever to stand against it with. I can say if I have a gun, of course I'll get it to shoot the dog as a self defense.
Off leashed dog that is mid or large sized must be treated as a potentially harmful beast. That's why our law forbids you letting your dog off leashed in anywhere except your home and dog park.
you are fear mongering.
You are delusional, if your animal decides to attack me or my animals on my property it will be put down end of story. Rather than take responsibilty for you and yours, you want to blame everyone else.........Typical Liberal Tard.
Feedpump, I can give you credit for not attacking TJames, as he loves to attack others. This one demented jerk who finds solace in his own being as he probably loves himself more than his own family.
Can anyone imagine having to listen to a guy like TJ for more than 10 minutes? Sounds like Romney!
Feed em some of those tainted dog biscuits from China!
All of the death and injury by Pit Bulls or other dog breeds can never match the horror, death, and destruction caused by the republican party and that incompetent G.W. Bush. Just think about that for a while.
ah yes! Pit bulls again. Once again the breed suffers because so many PIT BULL OWNERS are irresponsible dog owners - probably irresponsible parents as well. This is unfortunate for the responsible pit bull owners, as well as responsible owners of other large breeds, who actually take the time to train and socialize their dogs. It is the OWNERS, stupid - NOT the Breed !!
Did you read the article?
Your arguement is illogical. If it weren't the breed, than the most popularly owned dogs Labs, beagles and Goldens would be the top maulers. All suffer from neglectful ownes but most breeds overcome human ignorance and manage to get along just fine without mauling people.Mortality, Maiming and Mauling by Vicious Dogs, Annals of Surgery, April 2011, is a study of dog injuries in hospitals covering the last 15 years. This study was conducted by PhD's and they found that you have a more than 2500 times higher chance of dying if attacked by a pitbull instead of a Lab. They also found that pitbulls cause the highest hospital charges, and the most permanent disability, dismemberment, disfigurement and death. In fact it was found that a person loses a body part to a pitbull attack every 4-5 days now. Excuses for pitbulls are just that: excuses. It is not the owners. In fact it is family owned and loved pitbulls suddenly going beserk that are responsible for todays maulings. You can't see the DNA inside your dog any more than you can see a cancer gene, but when that fighting gene in a pitbull is triggered it often shocks the pitbull owners as they can turn after years of nonviolent behavior. If you want to gamble, go to a casino. Awesome multipart radio show on pitbulls:
and please TRAIN YOUR CHILDREN about the appropriate way to act around dogs. If your child does not know how to treat the dog, separate the child and the dog or monitor the child's every movement around the dog. Dogs are NOT for climbing, ear pulling, tail pulling, testicle pulling - you get the picture !?? It is NOT cute and it is NOT appropriate.
Why should we have to TRAIN OUR CHILDREN to act around your dogs? Why don't you train yourself to be responsible and not buy a dog in the first place (unless you live in a very secluded rural area)?
Because as a responsible parent you should make your kids aware of all sorts of potential environmental threats. Like cars in the road. The answer isn't to stop using cars around your kids.
Cars are a necessity, dogs are not. I'd like to shoot professional grade fireworks off in my backyard, but don't because it's illegal because it's dangerous. Should be the same concept with dogs.
There are a lot of environmental hazards outside Dizzy. People should train their kids about them. Pretty simple.
Why wouldn't any sane person educate their children how to deal with this? people are going to have dogs. most children who see a dog or puppy will want to pet it, plain and simple. make things safer for you, your kid, the animal and the owner and just teach your children how to act. it's no one else's job and you don't want a kid learning the hard way.
EazyDzzz - It would be in the best interest of your children to train them to either stay away from unknown dogs completely or know some basic rules when around them. You can't rely on others to train their dogs on how to be around people or children, so the responsibility of teaching your kids reverts back to you whether you like it or not. Its called parenting, because people will always have dogs and illegal fireworks to shoot off.
Thanks for the voice of reason
Words of wisdom eb125
I can "presume" quite a bit about the owner also.
If someone comes onto my property, I expect my dogs to bite them. That's the point in having big dogs. I don't understand how all these random dog attacks happen. Oh, that's right, the people who should never breed are also irresponsible dog owners. Like their children, I suppose their dogs run rampant in the neighborhood.
My neighbors just got a Pit Bull. Can anyone recommend a good way to kill it? Maybe some kind of poison? Really need to protect my family. Thank you in advance.
Do you typically pre-kill anything that could statistically pose a threat?
Well if the government won't do it's duty and completely ban the creatures, then citizens must take drastic measures to protect our communities. Not one more innocent child, jogger or elderly person needs to be maimed and/or killed by these thing.
I'm going to assume you're just trolling for comments. Stay off their property and tell your children not to bang on the fence or otherwise incite the dog and you'll be just fine.
People kill a lot more children, joggers and elderly than dogs do. What master plan do you have for these menacing people? Get rid of people too?
I'm sorry that you will be passing clearly extreme fear to your kids. That's how people learn to fear.
Lead poisoning is the method of choice by most.
JustMe, I think you're right about the trolls looking to stir things up.
troll
How does one go about giving the Pit Bull lead poisoning? I was thinking about stuffing a hot dog full of rat poison and hiding it in their yard. Eventually the dog will sniff it out and consume it.
Trolling for a reaction still, Dizzy? Do the Earth a favor and try the hot dog before you throw it into your neighbor's yard
Why don't you tell one of your "children" to shoot one of your "professional grade fireworks" at it.
Wait, because none of those things exist.
Lol the idiotic dog owners are getting mad.
Anyways, if any reasonable people out there have a good way to get rid of this Pit Bull, while minimizing the chances of getting caught, please share your tactics. You may be saving a life by doing so ;)
P.S. I'm not doing this only for the safety of my own family, but for the safety of everyone in the neighborhood.
Dizzy, I have concluded that you don't really believe this nonesense you spout, but in fact are simply a troll looking to elicit a reaction for fun.
Bingo, TJames.....Dizzy is nothing but a troll and Klondike is right there with them.
I own a German Shepherd Dog, one of the listed "dangerous" breeds. My dog is not neutered and there is no fear of him siring a litter of pups and also no fear of him biting anyone. I am a responsible owner and my dog has never been and never will be out of my control. He is well trained, well behaved and never out the door without me on the other end of a lead. It's up to the owner of the dog to take responsibility, no matter the breed, period!
I have also been bitten by a Pit and I didn't blame the dog. I was doing work at a customer's house and they were supposed to be away with their dogs. They called but I never got their message and when I walked in the door I was met by their male. He bit me on the leg and that was it. He didn't maul me, he didn't keep biting, he bit once and backed off. He was doing his job! I blamed the owner for not containing him when they hadn't reached me to let me know they would be leaving later than expected. Until they actually spoke to me (they left a message that I didn't get until it was too late), they should have had the dog safely locked away. I will also never again walk into a house without knocking, even if nobody is supposed to be there. I blamed myself, I blamed the owners, I didn't blame the dog.
reasonable and thoughtful reply. I applaud you
Still waiting for the "oh my pit would never do that, he's a loving, gentle blah blah blah blah".
This is sound proof that Pitt Bulls are a dangerous breed, and should be eliminated.
We need breed bans now.
What breeds would you ban, Mechanical? The ones with teeth?
Oh Geez Mech, now that is just plain BS.......
BS is right. Amazing fear that some people develop.
I love how this article uses a report from the CDC that specifically stated not to use it for the purpose the article is using it for.
The report is a list of lethal dog bites. Is it surprising that it is filled with large breeds? How many lethal bites has a tea-cup chihuahua produced? So is it really a shocker that Pit bulls top the list? Not because they are inherently aggressive, but because they are trained to be this way. I wonder how many of these lethal bites occurred around areas known for dog fitting? How many were from intruders breaking and entering a home? The report leaves out these details.
What were pit bulls bred to do? Some have been selectively bred for their fighting prowess. This is the very definition of "inherently aggressive." A dog that isn't aggressive is unlikely to be a great fighter. The problem is both the inherent or potential aggressiveness and training, not just one or the other. Ignore either at your own peril.
Nahzuul, you have very little knowledge of breeding and even less of what makes a dog "inherently aggressive". A dog that is trainable is likely to be a great fighter and these dogs were bred to be NON-aggressive to humans. Any dog that showed aggression to a human was immediately put down. Breeding the dogs to fight dogs does not make them aggressive, that's achieved in training and can be trained in any breed. The indiscriminate breeding is the problem, along with irresponsible owners.
I also don't buy the "get a rescue at all costs and never buy from a breeder" BS! The rescues are predominantly mixed breeds and because of irresponsibility, Pits are the most cross-bred. Blame the rescues that will not put down dogs that should have never been adopted in the first place. If you purchase a dog from a reputable breeder, you can test the temperament of the parents, see the conditions where they have been raised from birth, the cleanliness, the care they've received, the way they've been treated.
Abused dogs will carry internal scars, even if "rehabilitated" and all it takes is a trigger.
Because of idiotic people allowing dogs to breed for a myriad of idiotic reasons, the responsible people within the same breed end up suffering, as does the breed itself. I've known some bad ass dogs in my time and I would never be okay with breed specific laws, they're as idiotic as the people pushing them. People who know nothing about dogs should have lap dogs and leave the big dogs to people who know how to handle them. Prosecute the people, but don't punish the breed!
This is a great post