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 »
Strong as Scalpel? A red nosed pit bull is shown hanging from tree branches. The title of the video might be in Czech, "Something Strong Scalpel" (ostra as scalpel). The UK reported that 240 trees were destroyed by pit bull type dogs last year in their parks, as well as swings in children's playgrounds. Merrick Cockell, Leader of Kensington and Chelsea Council, asks pointed questions on his blog.
Between climbing trees, hanging from trees and destroying trees, pit bulls seem to have a unique relationship to trees.
Not So Amusing The Spanish speaking video titled, "This is My Dog, Amused" shows a sidewalk game with a pit bull. Two men try to hold a belt taunt as the pit bull bites and clamps down. This is not a game one plays with a cocker spaniel or likely any other breed. The activity serves to further increase the pit bull's already enormously strong jaws. A similar image is depicted in the famous Sports Illustrated article from 1987.
Video: Isis Krieger, 6-Years Old, Killed by the Family Pit Bull
Isis Krieger, 6-Years Old Anchorage, AK - DogsBite.org has created a tribute video for Isis Krieger. There was only one photo that we found online of little Isis. We did what we could with the limited materials that we had. It is our hope that a family member or friend will find this video. Perhaps they can supply us with more photos and insight into her life and we can make a better one.
Tanner Joshua Monk's Funeral Tanner Joshua Monk was killed by two pit bulls on May 18th on the road outside of his house. The owners of the pit bulls, his next door neighbors, were arrested and charged with second degree felony. Tanner was buried in a closed casket on May 22nd, 2008. His aunt has created a collection of YouTube videos as a tribute to his life. There were many flowers at Tanner's funeral...and people...and photographs of Tanner.
Spring Poling: How to Increase a Pit Bull's Jaw Strength
Meet Ghetto Star DogsBite.org - This video depicts a pit bull in the act of "spring poling" (also known as "swing flying"), which is an activity used to strengthen a pit bull's already exceedingly strong jaws. Breeders, dogfighters and your basic pit bull owner encourage their dog to hold on as long as possible during the activity. Please watch the whole video and consider a child's arm, face or neck.
Video: Two Pit Bulls Attack and Kill Horse in Kingsport
Kingsport, TN - In November 2007, two pit bulls attacked and killed Lisa Gilreath's horse named Scarlette. The pit bulls attacked the horse in its stall and the ensuing battle spread across the pasture. By the time Lisa's father-in-law arrived with a gun, Scarlette was already down. She said the pit bulls "ripped her horse to shreds." When the deputy arrived, the pit bull owner gave him permission to shoot and kill both dogs.
In the video, Gilreath words cut straight to the chase: "The seriousness of having dogs like pit bull terriers, they are bred to do exactly what they did last night. No matter how sweet and innocent they may look, at other times...we were out here Thanksgiving feeding the horses and my children were leaning over the fence petting the dogs. Yet, given circumstances or opportunity, they can do exactly what they did last night."
Scarlette was valued at $3,500. The dog owners, John C. Smith and Ray Ward, were cited into Hawkins County Sessions Court for allowing dogs to run at large.
Cleveland Dog Warden Busy Picking Up Noncompliant Pit Bulls
Following a Dog Warden for a Day Cleveland, OH - The State of Ohio labels pit bulls as "vicious" and requires pit bull owners to carry $100,000 in liability insurance, securely constrain the dog when on-property and to use a chain-link leash when off-property. Many Ohio cities add to the state restrictions such as Toledo, which limits each household to one pit bull and Cincinnati, which bans new pit bulls.
The City of Cleveland also adds to state restrictions by requiring pit bull owners to secure the dog in a 6 foot pen with a roof, microchip or tattoo the animal, wear a muzzle when off-property and limits ownership to people 18 years and older. Unfortunately for pit bulls, many of their owners do not abide by the rules. Authorities then confiscate the dogs and often euthanize them.
If pit bull owners followed the law, hundreds of pit bulls would not be impounded and killed.
The article states that last year, the city euthanized 1,335 pit bulls. So far this year, 737 have been put down. The video, created by Lonnie Timmons III for the Cleveland Plain Dealer newspaper, depicts a day in the life of a Cleveland dog warden. He says, "You gotta be cautious with a pit, because if it comes at you and he locks his jaws on you, he's not letting go..."
Raw Footage After an Arrest Tulsa, OK - In a stunning view of what happens after a multiple arrest, a woman named Marlene and her brother, Anthony, are shown in the custody of the Tulsa Police Department. The woman was pepper sprayed during the arrest and her pit bull was shot. Officers say that Anthony released the animal on the police as they were arresting Marlene. The length is about 5 minutes; the subject matter is disturbing.
Marelen, was charged with assault and battery of a police officer. Anthony was charged with obstruction, resisting arrest and harboring a vicious animal. It is unclear when the video was taken as is the outcome to the charges.
Aurburn, CA - Back in April, we reported that a pit bull attacked a horse in a state park near Auburn. The attack sent the 77-year old rider toppling to the ground and her horse Dancing Dandi into a frenzied flight. The pit bull owner made no attempt to stop the attack then fled the scene and town. We'd like you to meet Odette Parker and her horse Dancing Dandi.
By late May, a regional grassroots effort to locate the pit bull owner kicked in. "Wanted" posters went up from Reno, Nevada to Stockton, California in pet stores and veterinarian offices. The reward for information was elevated to $4,700. As of July 29th, to our knowledge, there is still no word on the fugitive pit bull owner or the offending dog.
In a recent blog post, it was reported that a pit bull was contained in a 9-foot chain link fence with a concrete base in the Leflore County Humane Society. The dog climbed out of the pen and escaped. The escape shows just how hard it is to constrain pit bull type dogs. You be the judge when you watch this pit bull scale a tree. This same video also depicts how pit bulls don't let go...
Video: Pit Bull Attacks Herd of Horses in Harford County
Harford County, MD - Back in May, we brought you the story of a pit bull that ransacked a herd of 8 horses at a Forest Hill farm injuring three. One horse was euthanized due to its injuries; a second horse may have been put down as well. Two full-grown men, one yielding a steel pipe and the other a pitchfork, managed to stop the attack. Now we bring the story to you in video.
Prior to the attack, the pit bull owner had been cited for letting his dog run loose. The dog was returned to its owner. Then the pit bull "got away" again, this time costing horse lives and the horse owner over $8,000 in damages. After the horse attacks, the pit bull was euthanized. The dog owner was left with 5 pit bull puppies, who in one year's time will be raring to go!
2008 Fatality: Video Tribute to Tanner Joshua Monk
Breckenridge, TX - Tanner Joshua Monk was buried after church services on May 22nd, 2008 at the Breckenridge Cemetery. A family member created a wonderful video tribute to Tanner's life. Once your tears start to flow, we promise they will not stop.
DogsBite.org, and all of our readers, send the Monk family and the Breckenridge and Abilene communities our most profound sympathy. We are doing everything that we can to prevent future tragedies just like this.
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In this ground-breaking and sometimes controversial book, Alexandra Semyonova explodes the 100 most common myths about dogs, their nature, their behavior and how to treat them.
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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