Kirk Pedersen
- BC Local News
Kirk joined Black Press in January of 2008 and is the web editor in the new media division.
Man bites (back) at dog
Posted
by Kirk Pedersen - BC Local News -
May 08, 2008 10:09AM
An 11-year-old boy was attacked in North Surrey by a vicious dog May 5, suffering severe injuries to his arms, legs and head.
The dog was struck repeatedly with a bat by a passerby who was finally able to free the boy from the jaws of the dog.
This morning, as I was driving to work, a teaser off the top of a radio talk show was whether or not pit bulls should be banned in the province.
As a dog owner for 20 years, I laughed at such a sweeping generalization.
What exactly is a pit bull?
Typically, in the media, it could be any breed of dog belonging to the 'bully' family, including, but not limited to: the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier and Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
Other dogs that fall under this umbrella can include: the American Bulldog, Bull Terrier and Bullmastiff, or any mix (known in the breeding community as a 'Heinz 57') of these breeds.
A quick eyeballing of the dogs in question reveals (to me) that they look like American Pit Bull Terriers, possibly a cross.
What frustrates me is that people in this profession pluck and strum a nerve just by mentioning the words 'pit bull' - whipping the public into a frenzy.
For animals, behaviour is learned. In domesticated dogs (like a pit bull), if they are treated poorly (left outside all day, not fed in proper intervals, not properly socialized), they will treat others poorly.
In this way, dogs are like people. No one dog is inherently more violent than the next, and this includes dogs defined as pit bulls.
When I was eight, I was bitten by a 'pit bull,' and it hurt. The dog got excited as I was running around in the backyard of a friend's house and began to chase me. He nicked me on the leg.
The dogs have been banned in Ontario and Winnipeg.
While I feel awful for the boy who was mauled by the dog, the lion's share of blame belongs to irresponsible owners who let their dogs run free on a school playground in the middle of the day.
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COMMENTS
I think these dogs are victims too, I cring when I see them walking with so called "owners", wondering what their fate will be. Banning them is wrong, banning such people from having animals at all is right.
Posted by: Dianne Hathaway
Date: May-09-2008
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I am not a dog owner but I love all dogs in general. I would have to say there are no bad dogs just their behavior and unless the dog is homeless with nobody to take responsibility it would rightfully be the full responsibility of their said owners.
Posted by: Cynthia Da Costa
Date: May-09-2008
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dogs are unpredictable for various reasons. I believe if given proper care and continuous unconditional love that you will truly be rewarded therefore those around you as well.
Posted by: Cindi Da Costa
Date: May-09-2008
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I agree with this Kirk as my last foreman had pit bulls with puppies and his dogs were the gentlest dogs that I have ever met. The rage against pit bulls is uncalled for and jail time for the owners of dogs should be implemented in such cases. As I was filling my truck up with gas a number of years ago this fellow stopped and saw my dog in my truck and came over opened the door and told me if you want your dog mean to do this, he then started to beat my dog around and between myself and my dog I don't think he will ever try that again. People are morons when it comes to pets and we should be punishing them instead of the dogs. You may get the odd dog who is vicious but mostly they all seem want to please their owners if given enough attention.
Posted by: Ralph
Date: May-09-2008
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I am a dog owner, Also love all dogs in general. I can say there are bad dogs and their behavior can be violent unless the dog has nobody to take responsibility for the dog's behavior,then who's responsibility is it if the animal bites anyone? Who's their Owners The Townships?
Posted by: Community Plus 1
Date: May-09-2008
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I am a dog owner, Also love all dogs in general. I can say there are bad dogs and their behavior can be violent unless the dog has nobody to take responsibility for the dog's behavior,then who's responsibility is it if the animal bites anyone? Who's their Owners The Townships?
Posted by: Community Plus 1
Date: May-09-2008
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Even dogs who have been loved can still bite if they have a dominant character. Some of these dogs can be trained to behave and some cannot. Most people do not understand this nor know what to look for when they choose a dog. People should choose dogs for city environments that will do the least harm should they bite. Since it is unlikely everyone will educate themselves before buying a dog a city bylaw may be in order to restrict breeds known to be potentially aggressive and strongly damaging.
Posted by: Diane Matier
Date: May-09-2008
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I am a dog lover have (2) dogs of my own, (1) being a black lab.. I train it love it and it loves us back. When was the last time a Black lab was in teh newspaper for killing or mauling someone?? Lets follow Winnipeg and Ontario and ban the pitbull before my children get hurt...
Posted by: Jody
Date: May-09-2008
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I am not a dog owner but i have been in the past...We all know whether our dogs can betrusted or not.I have friends who have dogs that have bitten in the past yet they still refuse to muzzle them...even when out in public.shameful behaviour...
Posted by: teri richardson
Date: May-10-2008
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I find it very interesting that there has been quite a few recent attacks by non pit bulls in the lower mainland, one resulting in the death of a young child in Maple Ridge and not once has a breed ban been mentioned unless a pit bull is involved. I am a responsible "pit bull" owner and have been for over 15 years and faithfully stand by my breed of choice. Where we would never support any sort of breed specific legislation, we would back tougher laws that punish irresponsble owners of all breeds as a deterant to irresponsible behaviour which results in such incidents as the situation with Sean. We back the families pursuit of justice in this situation and are thankful to them for putting the blame where it belongs, on the owners, not the breed.
Posted by: Zoe
Date: May-11-2008
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Pit Bulls ARE Pitt Bulls. They were bread to fight. They are more aggressive than some other breeds. They are very defensive of their "family" and their territory, much more than some other breeds. Upbringing is however very important. If their basic aggressive tendencies are encouraged they will be very dangerouse to other dogs and to people--particularly children. They are not however "superdogs"
I once can across a frantic lady and her dog which was being attacked by a pitt bull male--I kicked it in the throat--it let go and ran off. I don't recommend that everyone try that--but it can be done.
Posted by: D. R. Williamson
Date: May-13-2008
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