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 »
Flashback: Emma-Leigh Chambers-Allen Attacked by a Pit Bull
Emma-Leigh Chambers-Allen Los Chavez, NM - On June 6, 2004, Emma-Leigh Chambers-Allen was severely mauled by her neighbor's pit bull. At the time of the attack, Emma was 5-years old. A family friend created a website to share Emma's story and images of her serious injuries. The pit bull broke Emma's jaw in three places, broke her nose, tore out teeth and severed part of her tongue. She received over 200 stitches to her face and lost 66% of her blood in the attack. The website author writes:
"Emma's surgery expenses will cost over 700,000.00 that her mothers monthly salary of about 900.00 will have to cover plus, she must pay for about 800.00 in monthly bills and other stuff and that only leaves about 100.00, and, guess where that goes. Gas, clothing, ect. And that leaves about 0.00 for surgery expenses. if you would like to help you can pray or donate."
Six months after the attack, Emma's parents, Tamara Allen Chambers and Chris Allen, filed a lawsuit against the dog's owner and Valencia County. According to the lawsuit, Chris Allen was inside his ex-wife's home when he was called outside by a child yelling. He found the pit bull standing over his daughter with its jaws locked onto her neck and throat. Allen struck the dog three times with a piece of cement then ran with his daughter to a nearby fire station for help.
The lawsuit claimed that at the time of the mauling, a county ordinance was in place that makes it illegal to keep or harbor a vicious animal. Prior to the attack, numerous complaints had been made to the county's animal control department concerning the animal's vicious behavior -- including that "someday, Shelton's pit bull would attack a child." The lawsuit also targeted the Sheriff's Department as a neglectful party for failing to investigate complaints about the dog.
One year after the attack, Gov. Bill Richardson signed into law new dangerous dog legislation (SB 432). The bill allows felony charges to be applied to owners of dogs deemed "dangerous" or "potentially dangerous" that seriously injure or kill a person or an animal. (The key is that the law applies to "potentially dangerous," dogs, which have not yet committed a serious mauling.) In the instance of a human attack, 3rd degree felony charges apply and for animals, 4th degree.
Dangerous Dog Act C. An owner of a dangerous or potentially dangerous dog that causes serious injury or death to a domestic animal, without provocation, is guilty of a fourth degree felony and shall be sentenced in accordance with the provisions of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978. D. An owner of a dangerous or potentially dangerous dog that causes serious injury to a human being, without provocation, is guilty of a third degree felony and shall be sentenced in accordance with the provisions of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978.
The law was designed to remove "arbitrary" animal control department decisions by setting forth statewide procedures in the handling of "potentially dangerous" and "dangerous" dogs. Unsurprisingly, the American Kennel Club (AKC) and regional "Mauling" Fanciers opposed the law, demonstrating for the "nth" time that such groups do not support "Punishing the Deed" as widely claimed. Hopefully, New Mexico prosecutors have convicted offenders under this law.
July 2005 AKC Newsletter "Under SB 432, felony charges can be applied to owners of dogs that are deemed dangerous or potentially dangerous that kill or maim another animal or person. New Mexico fanciers opposed SB 432 because although it does not target certain breeds, its vague definitions and the broad authority it grants animal control officers may leave dog owners vulnerable to prosecution."
NOTE: After creating this post, DogsBite.org was alerted to the fact that the Valencia County Commission issued a proclamation declaring October 4, 2008 as "Pit Bull Day," to bring greater appreciation of the breed. The County Clerk's office has verified this. A "Pit Bull Rumble" event was hosted by the Valencia County Animal Shelter on this day as well. We hope to track down new information regarding the lawsuit filed by Emma-Leigh's parents against the county.
Due to the older nature of this story and potential non-access to related articles, we've placed the Emma-Leigh Chambers-Allen story into one PDF file (Download Emma's story) for easier accessibility.
by Anonymous7/18/2009 11:01 AM | Flag as abusive "Prior to the attack, numerous complaints had been made to the county's animal control department concerning the animal's vicious behavior -- including that "someday, Shelton's pit bull would attack a child." The lawsuit also targeted the Sheriff's Department as a neglectful party for failing to investigate complaints about the dog."
We keep seeing this, and this needs to stop.
The failure of local authorities.
How can these animal control officers, sheriff, and the rest do nothing aboiut these dangerous dogs?
We all need to get proactive. We need to make sure that we don't have pit bull nutters/no kill nutters/breeders as animal control officers or "citizens advisory committees" to animal control. These groups are a danger to public safety. They PROTECT dangerous dogs, not the community.
And we need to make sure that complaints are acted upon. If they earn a salry from the taxpayers, they have to do their job.
ZERO TOLERANCE for dangerous dogs!
by Anonymous7/18/2009 2:10 PM | Flag as abusive AKC is all about the bucks! They believe they can do whatever they want, include abuse dogs for profit (their puppy mill registration business) or have breeder dogs killing people.
To be very blunt, AKC breeders are lobbying WITH game dog type breeders to oppose any and all legislation.
What AKC also does do proactively is get one of their breeders to manipulate a legislator to try to pass fake dangerous dog legislation. Legislation that protects dangerous dogs, gives them chances, gives them excused attacks, lets them get shifted to other areas, wipes records, and more.
The AKC calls them dangerous dog laws, but they are completely fake and HELP dangerous dogs hurt more people and animals.
An example is in Massachusetts where AKC pit bull breeder and NAIA member Holly Stump has gotten Representative Brad Hill of Ipswich to try to push one of these fake dangerous dog laws that help dangerous dogs.
Holly Stump belongs to this group http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=National_Animal_Interest_Alliance
by Anonymous7/18/2009 8:13 PM | Flag as abusive Apparently they didn't learn much!
The Valencia County Commission declared October 4th as “Pit Bull Day” in recognition of the work that had been done on behalf of educating the public about this misunderstood breed, and helping the animals. The day was used to crush cars, make friends, and raise monies for the shelter! http://pitbullmonstertruck.com/charles-benns-2009-monster-jam-humanitarian-of-the-year/
by Anonymous7/18/2009 8:17 PM | Flag as abusive I'd love to see a law named after a breeder who was incarcerated after pumping out defective maulers.
by bitbypit7/19/2009 1:26 PM | Flag as abusive We will make some phone calls regarding Valencia County declaring October 4, 2008, "Pit Bull Day." It must be noted that across the country through the month of October, many pit bull advocacy groups hold events to honor pit bulls. These groups also attempted to create a single day nationwide (October 25), in which multiple U.S. cities honored pit bulls. We addressed this last year on October 25, 2008 with the DogsBite.org Video of Attack Victims.
DogsBite.org Video of Attack Victims http://www.dogsbite.org/blog/2008/10/dog-bite-victims-group-releases-video.html
Pit Bull Awareness Day 2008 http://www.blessthebullys.com/npbad.html
by Anonymous7/22/2009 3:48 AM | Flag as abusive These "Dog and Pony Show" advocacy events in lieu of proper breeding and breed stewardship don't improve public safety.
Truly, it is time to breed away from explosive Animal/Human aggression, then get back to us after a couple of decades. With pyscopathic Dogmen and Drug Dealers controlling pit bull breeding standards it will never happen.
by Anonymous2/10/2010 8:35 PM | Flag as abusive It looks like Valencia County Animal control is up to same old same old. We have made numerous phone and written complaints about a pit bill climbing our fence and terrorizing us in our own backyard. One of their Officers even referred to it as a "dangerous dog" and felt threatened by it yet the dog is still around and scaring us and a few of our neighboors - a pregnant woman and an older gentlemen. They both made official complaints about those incidents. We are so frustrated, nervous and scared to be in our own backyard and to even talk short walks. THis dog is bred and her pups are sold right there is broad day light in their own driveway. I checked with the Animal Control three times since 2007 and each time no license was issued to breed or to sell puppies. She is worse when she has pups she is even more aggressive. Any information will be helpful. Thank you.
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