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Bad Owner
My Cairn Terrier was killed by a Weimaraner. Any breed that's been used for hunting will prey on small dogs, because they don't recognize them as dogs, or maybe they just think they are annoying. I was pet sitting and I saw the pack of large dogs surround my Lab and back her up against the garage door. They took turns jumping in and beating her up. I ran outside yelling and the little dog rushed out when I opened the screen door. The little dog (her name was Maddy), started barking at the big dog and he just reached down and picked her up and ran off with her. She was moaning and squealing. I got the pooper scooper and chased him with it and when I'd get close to him, he just move away. When she was dead, he left her body in the driveway. His owbner said he was her "wussiest" dog and wouldn't do that. She didn't even offer to pay the $15 fee I had to pay the humane society to dispose of her. Pitbull owners aren't the only a$$holes around, there are just more of them because pitbulls are a popular breed. I've seen many small dogs frightened by big dogs at the dog park, and the owners just stand there like idiots. Small dogs don't belong with big dogs. Has anyone taken a look at the picture of the pit that Michael Vick used for fighting? He is a lot more vicious than any pit bull. Few people say anything about his running around loose.— May 31, 2010 11:52 p.m.
There were so many questions I had about this scene that only a picture can capture its entirety.
Can't stop laughin'.— May 24, 2010 10:35 p.m.
One Way Or Another....
Where were "special needs" for Amber and Chelsea? Mrs. King works for my dematologist and I've heard she hasn't been back to work since her daughter disappeared. I wouldn't bring this up if I saw her, but I appreciated her comments about holding Gardner's mom accountable for her son's crimes. My 21-year-old daughter was living a couple blocks away from Gardner's home on Matinal when he was stocking the neighborhood. She used to go out walking, even after dark, although I begged her not to. I just had a feeling something what about to happen, maybe because of Amber's disappearance. If my daughter hadn't moved out of state in September, she could have easily been in Chelsea's place. I do think Kathy Osborne should be held accountable for letting her son stalk the neighborhood. She knew he was a predator and if not for enabling him, he wouldn't have been there, but unfortunately, in someone else's neighborhood.— May 22, 2010 4:51 p.m.
Mavis Bilbray Clute died today
I, for one, appreciate the efforts of Brian Bilbray and his mother should have died proud to have him as a son. After reading an article about her life, I am sure I would have found her inspring if I had been lucky enough to know her. Because I live in Escondido, I know that you CAN tell what an illegal immigrant looks like, but out of respect for Nan, I won't post it here.— May 17, 2010 1:54 p.m.
Nothing normal about Normal Heights
The reason we hear about more pit bull attacks is because there are more pit bulls/mixes than any other breed. They make up seventy percent of all dogs in America's shelters, so there must be many, many more in homes. German Shepherds and Dobermains had the same bad rap in the 60s. They were considered dangerous dogs. Any time a breed gets popular, the breeding runs amok and then you've got agrressive dogs. The reason I chose my pit bulls, is because they had no fight in them. When they got uneasy, Nancy turned her back (avoidance...the four types of reactions are fight, flight, avoidance and submission) and Gus just doesn't care about anything but treats and having fun. I agree with Anti. That woman's kids should be taken away. She has no business risking the lives of her children just because she wants dogs. She has no common sense. One thing that makes all breeds risky is that they are good at sizing themselves up against others. If you are 60-pounds with razor sharp teeth and know it, what's to keep you from going for that yummy sandwich in that little kid's hand, even if you have to hurt him to get it? It makes perfect sense in the dog world. A chihuahua knows he can get his a$$ kicked and probably wouldn't go there. However, a few months ago, I did read a story in the paper ago a pack of chihuahuas launching an attack on someone. The shelter workers I know, tend to love the pit bull breed for their eagerness to please, but were a bit worried about my bringing them home to my other dogs. I recently sent a picture of all of us together to reassure them. None of them are status seekers and have no fight. I don't allow them to wrestle or play to hard so that fighting gene won't come to the surface. When confronted by a dog, turning your back sends a message that "I can't handle this." Turning sideways says, "come on over," and facing them says, "stay away." Keep your body language fluid. Pit bulls bite the same way and for the same reasons as anyother breed. They latch on when they wrestle and when something looks like a bull's nose. I'd try to cut off their breathing, like maybe choking them by twisting their collars, because they have a high tolerance for pain.— May 16, 2010 6:10 p.m.
Nothing normal about Normal Heights
I do agree that upgrading the image of pit bull owners will help the breed. Cuudlefish is far off base in the above comment. Temperament testing and a good home do predict whether a dog will attack and kill--the problem is that not that many people are capable of figuring it out. I trust my pit bulls around all kids and adults, but not small animals. I open their jaws and pull out foil or paper. I shove pills down theeir throats and they never flinch. My other dogs are nervous (you never see nervous pitbulls) and make me nervous around other people. Pit bulls are the most beloved breed to those who aren't afraid of them because they were originally bred to be sweet and eager to please around people so they could be handled well in the pits, but aggressive with other dogs. Food and mating issues tend to start fights in any breed and must be supervised. But some pit bulls like Gus, haven't a mean bone in their body. They are great dogs and they should be around, but the ignorant stuff mentioned above isn't necessary. Pit Bulls latch on when they see something they preceive to be a bull's nose since they were used to hold bulls for slaughter. They don't just suddenly lash out, there are 8 types of aggression that cause them to attack. No need for a break stick. If at a dog Park, carry Q-tip swabs and stick them up the nose of the dog that latches on. Can't continue to latch on if you have to open your mouth to breath. There a great pet if you know what you're doing.— May 13, 2010 10:16 p.m.
Nothing normal about Normal Heights
Pitbulldad is one of the reasons pit bulls have a bad rap. They are defensive to a fault and have tunnel vision when it comes to seeing what pit bulls are all about. They won't even acknowledge the risk. Yes, some pit bulls are dangerous. There are plenty of pit bulls at the shelter that I would not bring home. They challenge me, the leader, let alone other people and dogs. My two pit bulls will only kill you by loving you to death, but because there is such irresponsible backyard breeding and defensive owners, when these dogs are capable of chewing up aluminum cans as if they're plastic--people at the dog park nearly faint when we walk in. Many of them are dog aggressive and you only need to work at a shelter to find that out. If pit bull owners don't respect what some of the breed do and, responsible pit bull owners like me are going to continue to be looked at as if we're ignorant and own dangerous dogs without acknowledging it.— May 13, 2010 7:44 p.m.
Twelve Reasons to Support Arizona's Illegal Immigration Law
Who wants to deport anyone based on their ethnic heritage? The only people with anything to worry about are the criminals. Law enforcement, particularly in Arizona,has bigger things to go than to go around tossing average people in jail simply because of the color of their skin--they want people who are breaking the law! And if those people reeking havoc on our society are hispanic, then so be it. Why should they get a free pass to break our laws simply because they are hispanic?— May 13, 2010 9:26 a.m.
Acme K9 Services: It's not always like on t.v.
I'd be interested in knowing what his history with aggression is and what you mean by "became frustrated." On t.v., the trainers make it seem as though they snapped their fingers and solved the problem which, of course, is not always the case.— May 12, 2010 9:22 p.m.
Nothing normal about Normal Heights
As I've posted previously, I've worked with more than 500 pit bulls and own two. There are plenty of them I wouldn't want to have around, but not all of them are bad. My dogs are victims of pit bull prejudice every day and they are great dogs. The problem is that the general public doesn't know what to look for in terms of whether a dog is good or bad. I know that those of us who have been around them in shelters for years, tend to cringe when we see one on the loose. I do think that pit bull owners should be required to have their dogs temperament tested at their own expense. They should wear orange tags to give the public some assurance of safety--he's one of the good ones, guys. I think owners of strong breeds shopuld be held to a higher standard of care than other owners because of the potential damage they can inflict. Pit bull owners should pay a heavy fine if their dogs run at large--it's only fair.— May 12, 2010 6:04 p.m.