Woman Seriously Hurt In Pit Bull Attack

barrychapman · #1 (**permalink**) 08-22-2007, 01:45 PM

Woman Seriously Hurt In Pit Bull Attack

POSTED: 2:02 pm PDT August 21, 2007
UPDATED: 6:10 pm PDT August 21, 2007

GIG HARBOR, Wash. -- Two pit bulls that entered a Gig Harbor home through a pet door attacked and severely injured a woman while she slept, sheriff's deputies told KIRO 7 Eyewitness News.

The dogs may have gone into the house to attack another dog, according to animal control officers. They attacked the woman in her bed as she tried to fight off the dogs.

DISCUSS: Pit Bulls

Deputies said the woman got a gun and fired at the dogs, but the attack continued. She was eventually able to escape the house, get into her car and call 911.

According to deputies, after the pit bulls attacked the woman they went after a neighbor’s Jack Russell terrier, killing it.

“They’ve had problems over there before a couple of houses down with the dogs. It’s one of those things. We just hope Sue is OK,” neighbor Ricky Russell said.

Pierce County animal control officers were able to capture the pit bulls.

“Highly aggressive, people aggressive, animal aggressive. They attacked a Jack Russell terrier out there and they attacked the lady pretty severely,” Brian Boman, with animal control, said.

According to investigators, the dogs were determined and difficult to stop.

“We ended up having to pepper spray them an our deputies thought they might have to terminate the dogs out there, that’s how vicious they were,” Detective Ed Troyer said.

The woman is at St. Joseph's hospital and is listed in satisfactory condition, according to a hospital spokesman.

The victim is disabled. Her dog is a caretaker dog, according to a neighbor.

WVW · #2 (**permalink**) 08-22-2007, 02:22 PM

man, thats skrewed up. I love those dogs so much, but you see them in the news more and more these days. But i wonder how much its really the breed or if there's something else going on. cause as much as you hear about Pits attacking other dogs or humans, how many people have them and never have a problem. for all we know, the owners could be running dog fights (as unlikly as it is) or just beating them or the like.

I would still get one...

mpgt · #3 (**permalink**) 08-22-2007, 02:26 PM

I think it's a safe bet there's more to the story.

Ranger · #4 (**permalink**) 08-22-2007, 02:37 PM

Punish the irresponsible breed owner, not the breed or the deed. If your dogs are not in your control, whatever they do is your responsibility, regardless of the breed. Jail time is a must for the owner of these two "dogs."

Ekke · #5 (**permalink**) 08-22-2007, 02:51 PM

We have trouble not just with Pit Bulls but with other breeds like Boerbull as well that the people are back yard breeders and in breeding them to a point of no return. Yes there are some breeds that genetically is more agresive than other but in a good home and loving enviroment they seldom just loss there minds and become killers. We have Rhodisian Ridge backs that are suppose to be sooo mean. My daughter hangs on there ears and she doesn't even get a groal from them.

-KB- · #6 (**permalink**) 08-22-2007, 03:15 PM

My beau, Curtis, has a pit bull. We've already agreed that when we get our house at the first of the year, she will continue to live with his dad (where she is right now). Even though she isn't aggressive at all, I can't handle her; she is just too strong. And considering we get off work at different times, I would have to go home to her without him there to pull her off of me when she gets excited. Just to give you an idea of how strong she is, I took her out on a leash one time--the first and the last time, and she pulled me to the ground, flat on my face, when she saw a cat and ran for it. I had lovely bruises and scrapes. I told Curtis right then, "Babe, I can't live with this dog" and he said "I understand". There's been no further discussion of the subject.

We've both tried to teach her manners and she just won't learn. My dog on the other hand, I swear understands every word I say, and I don't have to tell her twice. I also trained my cousin's weimer for the hunting season when he left town for 1 and 1/2 months for his job. She was ready to get those ducks when he got back in town. So it isn't a lack of training skills.

I'm not saying all pits are like so full of energy and headstrong, but this is my experience.

echoxxash · #7 (**permalink**) 08-22-2007, 03:24 PM

I've had more problems with Chihuahuas and Poodles than Pits, Rotties, Corsos, etc.
As Ranger said, it's the OWNER. You abuse, starve, fight or even just neglect (not socializing, keeping locked up in a backyard with no contact with the outside) will create a bad and possibly dangerous dog.
And, yes, another thing with most attacks...there is a reason the dog attacked a human, they don't just wake up one day and say "Ooh, I'd love to bite that woman over there!" Taunting, throwing things, verbally abusing the dog, etc are all considered provoking and a fine reason for an untrained dog to snap.
Makes me very sad hear all the bad things about Pit Bulls. The media feeds on attacks, abuse, fights...but what they should show are the Pits that identified bodies at the WTC on 9/11, the police drug-sniffing Pit Bull that alerted to millions of dollars worth of heroin, the Pit Bull that Helen Keller had. There are SO many good examples of the breed that are just swept under the carpet because it's easy to blame one thing and not take responsiblty for the loser people that think a 80 pound, scarred, chained dog makes them look cool.

-KB- · #8 (**permalink**) 08-22-2007, 03:58 PM

I agree, a 9 times out of 10, it is a neglegent or abusive owner that turns these dogs, but that is not always the case. Noone has ever raised a hand to Zima (Curtis's pitbull) and she is pampered to the max. But no matter how much you try and teach her things, she is stubborn and refuses to learn. No matter how many times I grab her bottom jaw under her tounge for biting, she continues the behavior becuase to her its a game. We can't convince her otherwise. So, I dunno. All we can do it let her live with his dad. Don't get me wrong, Curtis can handle his dog, but I can't. And I feel that it wouldn't be fair to keep a dog that I cannot handle when he isnt home. For my own safety and for the safety of others if she were to get out. Not to mention the safety of other neighborhood animals!

And the media does that with everything, not just pitbulls. Its media. I can't stand it either.

TheBoaGuy · #9 (**permalink**) 08-22-2007, 03:58 PM

Pit Bulls get a bad rap because of morons like mike vick. People who breed dog for fighting deserve to goto jail for a long time. I am personally hoping the judge throws the book at vick to set an example to these idiots that it is illegal to fight dogs and you will goto jail for a long time. The owner of the dogs that attacked that woman should be held accountable for the actions of his dogs. Exactly why were they out of his control???? I am a proud owner of a pit bull and am a FIRM! believer that it is how you raise the dog. My pit (nala) is the nicest dog ever and even plays with our pet rat and our ferrets. Does this look like the face of a viscous killer????
nala.pg.jpg

RioBravoReptiles · #10 (**permalink**) 08-22-2007, 04:17 PM

Jeez! What a story.. savage animals enter an old woman's home and attack her.
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I have personal experience with the Pit bull dogs and others as well. I do believe Pit bulls are more liklely to attack than many other breeds and more likely to do serious injury or worse. That's my opinion based on what I've seen, not on media reports.
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HOWEVER.. I do not agree with bans on Pit bulls any more than I do on some reptiles or other animals. This is about personal responsibility of the owners, not about the dogs. The owners of those dogs should face criminal prosecution and civil liability as well.
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That's what I think.

mpgt · #11 (**permalink**) 08-22-2007, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kobi Baby

I agree, a 9 times out of 10, it is a neglegent or abusive owner that turns these dogs, but that is not always the case. Noone has ever raised a hand to Zima (Curtis's pitbull) and she is pampered to the max. But no matter how much you try and teach her things, she is stubborn and refuses to learn. No matter how many times I grab her bottom jaw under her tounge for biting, she continues the behavior becuase to her its a game. We can't convince her otherwise. So, I dunno. All we can do it let her live with his dad. Don't get me wrong, Curtis can handle his dog, but I can't. And I feel that it wouldn't be fair to keep a dog that I cannot handle when he isnt home. For my own safety and for the safety of others if she were to get out. Not to mention the safety of other neighborhood animals!
And the media does that with everything, not just pitbulls. Its media. I can't stand it either.

I think you made a good choice under the circumstances. If you decide to keep her, you should get one of Cesar Millan's books. If you've ever seen his show "The dog whisperer", you've heard "Exercise; discipline; affection". Pampering sounds like maybe she's short on discipline and boundaries. Of course only you would know that. I guess that's always the case. People on the outside can't know all the factors that contributed to the attack. The dogs obviously were unsupervised at the time though. Sad story for everyone involved.

-KB- · #12 (**permalink**) 08-22-2007, 04:26 PM

Very cute and adorable face

I am happy for you that she is a gentle dog.

And yes, many pits are lovely dogs. We just have a lot of trouble with Zima. And like I said before, it isnt a lack of training skills on my part, its simply a lack of obedience. She's like a pitbull souped up on NOS.

TheBoaGuy · #13 (**permalink**) 08-22-2007, 04:29 PM

Were you around when she was first born? Dogs need to be trained from when they are pups. Once they are over a year old its a lost cause as they have there habits both good and bad ingrained into them by then.

-KB- · #14 (**permalink**) 08-22-2007, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBoaGuy

Were you around when she was first born? Dogs need to be trained from when they are pups. Once they are over a year old its a lost cause as they have there habits both good and bad ingrained into them by then.

Nope. I didn't come into the picture until she was two.

I know that a lack of discipline as a puppy has a lot to do with it, but I've seen an old dog learn new tricks. My mom has 14 (probably more by today) dogs at her farm. People just go a drop off unwanted animals and she's got a heart the size of Texas so she cares for whatever shows up that morning. Anyway, dogs show up with absolutely no manners, and within a week they at least know how to sit and stay. Its fun to watch, at dinner time they all go to the back porch and when she says "sit" you see about 14 dogs sit simutaneously; and they stay in place until the bowls are filled and she tells them to "eat up!". So my question is, is what you're talking about more prevealent in pits than other dogs?

TheBoaGuy · #15 (**permalink**) 08-22-2007, 04:55 PM

Pit bulls are definitely a more stubborn breed. If they have had a lack of discipline when pups they tend to be more free spirited. As with any dog they are a pack animal. You have to take the role as alpha from the start if not they think they are alpha and can do what they choose.

Ursa Minor · #16 (**permalink**) 08-22-2007, 05:04 PM

I have a pitt, and he's probably the best thing to ever happen to me! I can't imagine coming home and him not being there...What those dogs did was wrong and I do totally agree, it's the owner's fault all the way. I would never have a second thought of leaving my niece and nephews with my boy.
But I guess it's true also that one can never tell what sets them off. We just had a 22month old boy attacked by the family golden retriever. The dog was like 8 years old, and no one saw what happened. The boys got to have reconstructive surgery on the face and head...really sad.
I still believe they're like children...It's all in how they're raised.

Another thing...pitts are a needy breed...they need constant attention, activity, and challenges. People should really do their homework about their animals before they get them. They need to know what they're getting into.

stalk · #17 (**permalink**) 08-22-2007, 05:10 PM

Stories like this just really hurt. Responsible snake owners and responsible pit bull owners are very much the same. A responsible owner knows any and all situations which the pet bites the owner or anyone else is the owners fault, no matter what.

Pit bulls are naturally more aggressive than other dogs. Are they the vicious man eaters the news say? NO!! But they are not as tame as most dogs. It is the owners responsibility to understand that and work with that. Dogs are not just dogs! Each breed has their own preferences and things they find enjoyable.

Would I treat a pit bull the same way as my siberians? Not a chance. They are both dogs but very different kinds of dogs.

Just like the care for a red tail is different than for a retic.

And small dog owners that don't train their dogs are just as bad. They are not as capable of inflicting as much damage but that does not excuse letting them bite and tackle people as cute.

I feel sorry for the woman who got attacked, and for the pit bulls for how they grew up. And the family who lost their dog. The owners need to pay as though they did it all themselves.

Ursa Minor · #18 (**permalink**) 08-22-2007, 05:16 PM

I wish the irresponsible owners were held more accountable...there was a pitt/chow/rottie mix of some kind that attacked a boy near here. The owner paid a leash law violation fee and rabies fine and that was it (like $2000). The dog got put down. Some of these people should do jail time.

mpgt · #19 (**permalink**) 08-22-2007, 05:33 PM

If the wind blows a tile off the roof of your house and it hits someone in the eye, is that your fault? Someone could argue that you should've inspected and secured the tile better. If your car tire blows out and you hit another car, is that your fault? Maybe, maybe not. In either instance, you might be responsible for damages, and have to compensate the injured party. That doesn't make you a criminal. Criminal negligence/guilt is another story. When something like this dog attack happens, they need to investigate all the facts to see if the owner took all reasonable precautions to prevent it. Maybe the dogs broke out of the house through a window or climbed out the chimney. Maybe they were well cared for and model citizens until this one instance. We don't know. It's up to the local authorities and maybe a jury to prove guilt.

Ursa Minor · #20 (**permalink**) 08-22-2007, 05:37 PM

I do agree MPGT. But int he story they said they've already had problems with those dogs before. I understand freak accidents. But I'm talking about the frequent offenders.

Whatever the case it's till a horrible thing to happen to any one- canine and human.

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