In the 3-year period from 2006 to 2008, pit bull type dogs killed 52 Americans and accounted for 59% of all fatal attacks. Combined, pit bulls and rottweilers accounted for 73% of these deaths. | More »
Zupf: Justin Cutrer's Story and the Help-Justin Website
Daunting Medical Bills Polk County, FL - On December 11, 2008, 6-year-old Justin Cutrer was attacked by two pit bulls while playing in his front yard. His father told reporters, "I was worried he was going to die on us because his head was so badly torn apart that it just looked like they had crushed his skull." Justin was flown to Tampa General Hospital where doctors had to partially reattach his ear, close bite wounds on his back and thigh and sew large tears in his scalp with many stitches.
YouTube artist Zupf created a powerful video about Justin Cutrer and warns viewers about the unpredictable nature of a pit bull.
Help-Justin Website The family created a website (www.help-justin.com) that tells Justin's unforgettable story through photos and text. The website states beneath an image showing Justin's stitched up scalp, "This description is very graphic and disturbing...but this is the reality." Justin's parents want to share his story in the hope that it may save another family from suffering his same tragedy. They also emphasize that the pit bulls were the neighbor's "family pets."
"They had never attacked anyone before and Justin had even played with these dogs in the past. THE DOGS WERE FAMILIAR WITH JUSTIN. This was not an attack of a stranger attempting to enter their yard. The dogs escaped their enclosure and crossed the street to attack a child that they knew! Please, please think twice before needlessly exposing any child to this kind of danger. It only takes a few seconds for pit bulls to inflict this kind of damage. And it only takes ONE TIME! Justin will have to endure many more medical procedures, therapy and surgeries. His long road to recovery is only beginning. The medical bills will be astronomical. Even with health insurance, the deductibles and co-pays will be impossible to afford."
According to the January news article, the pit bull owners were not charged.
Justin Cutrer Fund The family asks that funds be donated to the Help-Justin PayPal account. All donations will go toward Justin's medical expenses, which are substantial.
by Anonymous6/02/2009 11:24 AM | Flag as abusive I'm sure "responsible pit owners" will be flocking to help cover this child's medical bills, right? Isn't that what responsible owners do? Wouldn't that be in line with being good breed ambassadors and all the other rubbish they spout?
No, instead they'll sit back and self-righteously throw the pit owners under the bus, accuse the child of provoking the attack, and feel smug that their dogs haven't attacked anyone...
...yet.
by Don6/02/2009 11:43 AM | Flag as abusive Florida law sucks. Basically, if you have a "Bad Dog" sign posted and you have no knowledge of dog's propensity to attack, you get the one free bite.
I visited Florida in October and was amazed at the frequency of attacks. Cape Coral, Tampa and Orlando all have very bad pit bull attacks on children. Florida lawmakers need to wake up to their pit bull problem and protect the innocent men, women and children who are being attacked by this extremely strong, determined canine gladiator!
by Anonymous6/02/2009 3:05 PM | Flag as abusive SO how long will Florida citizens help the vicious dog breeders and owners by sacrificing their own children with the one free bite?
by Anonymous6/02/2009 3:21 PM | Flag as abusive Way to go Pit Breeders!
by bitbypit6/02/2009 5:15 PM | Flag as abusive Florida is not a One Bite Free state: http://www.dogbitelaw.com/PAGES/legal_ri.htm#One-Bite%20states
Florida is a strict liability state: http://www.dogbitelaw.com/PAGES/Florida.html
However, this does not mean that the first bite is not "free" per say, as many dogs are returned to their owner after the first bite, even after a very serious attack. The use of the word "free," (One Bite Free States) typically means that there is no LIABILITY until after the first bite.
Florida state law classifies a dog as "dangerous" after a qualifying attack (see 767.11 definitions). Once the dog is classified as "dangerous," the owner must 1.) Properly "secure" his dog 2.) Post warning signs 3.) Chip or tattoo the animal. 4.) Muzzle when off property http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=Ch0767/ch0767.htm
[Violators are guilty of a "noncriminal infraction," punishable by a fine not exceeding $500]
Bay County, Florida law example: http://www.dogsbite.org/blog/2009/03/pit-bull-attacks-toddler-while-being.html
Lake County, Florida law example: http://www.dogsbite.org/blog/2009/03/animal-control-this-is-not-just-bite.html
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DogsBite.org is a national dog bite victims' group dedicated to reducing serious dog attacks. Through our work, we hope to protect both people and pets from future attacks.
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