Another Pit Bull death. There just no defense of them.

[CoolBreeze]

3-day-old boy killed by family pit bull

Mother lays baby in crib to answer phone and dog enters room..... by The Associated Press

RIO, W.Va. (AP) -- A 3-day-old boy has died after being attacked by his family's pit bull in the Hardy County community of Rio, about 20 miles west of Moorefield.

Sheriff's Deputy Melody Burrows says the baby's mother had placed him in a crib and went to answer the telephone. The pit bull then entered the baby's room along with a German shepherd. As the mother tried to get the dogs out, the pit bull grabbed the infant.

The mother choked the pit bull, but it wouldn't release the child until another person cornered both dogs and pushed them through an open window.

Police haven't identified the family.

Both dogs were euthanized.

See my Pit Bull page here: http://www.mywvhome.com/pitbull.html

[fearpeddler]

expect to hear more of these stories in the future thanks to all the anti-tethering efforts in charleston and huntington...

[cgarison]

I have a pitbull in Philly (rescue puppy) and he is a very sweet dog. First, I do not trust him alone in the room with a person under the age of 18 due to the fact that his play can turn violent quickly. Second, I make sure he knows I am alpha in the house and even though he may be able to bite harder than me, I can still over power him and enforce the rules in the house. Third, I made sure that while he was young, new to the house, and impressionable that he knew that I would not tolerate him taking food or other items that do not belong to him. Finally, when out of the house and the pitbull is on the leash, I do not let the dog think that I am spooked, nervous, or in any way uncomfortable because he then becomes aggressive and assumes the alpha role. (Learned a lesson with a friend walking the dog.)

Pitbulls are dogs that must be controlled and led at all times. Really simple and low maintenance animals as long as you keep them in the role of beta. If you are not willing to assume the alpha role in the relationship with a pitbull, then don't get this breed because they can become nuisance dogs quickly.

And my dog loves me and anyone in the room around me. He has only got excited with one visitor and I reacted appropriately and crated the dog as punishment and that problem has not happened again. It is all about being in control.

[fearpeddler]

sadly not everyone assumes proper responsibilities with dangerous property though

[Lester]

KYJ: You do realize you just called him a "very sweet dog" and then provided a whole thread of why he shouldn't be a domestic pet?

Props to you for maintaining responsible behavior with your animal, but that is not a pet. As a matter of fact, the DOD would euthanize an attack dog that exhibited many of those behaviors.

[cgarison]

KYJ: You do realize you just called him a "very sweet dog" and then provided a whole thread of why he shouldn't be a domestic pet?

Sorry, I would be the same with any dog regardless of breed. Dogs are pack animals that look for the leadership of an alpha. My Pitbull is no more dangerous than my best friends' German Shepherd, Labrador Retrievers, Boxers, and Rottweilers. In fact, my Pitbull has not bitten a person since he belonged to me (over 3 years.) I cannot say the same for my friends' dogs of which all have bitten someone in the last year.

Who has the worst pet? Me for having a dog that trusts my judgment as alpha to relax and lick visitors to my place instead of biting them or the casual dog owner that does not maintain that alpha relationship and the dog bites people as they come near the property? I take dog ownership as a serious responsibility esp. being in the city. Chance (my rotten Pity) can be a lovable loyal companion, but he could also be a vicious a beast. I am proud that he is not the latter esp when I walk through the door and he runs to get my approval and petting when I walk through the door.

And you assume "control" means being mean to the dog. Far from the truth. Control means making sure to pay attention to the animal every day and doing exercises where he responds to a command and receives a reward as positive reinforcement. Regardless of the situation, when I say "sit" Chance is sitting. When I say lay down or point to the ground, he is laying and relaxed. I do it while outside as well as in the house. I also taught Chance how to sing as well when he hears a siren or a whistle so he is not at the window barking. Except for the 1 incident that required crating in June, I have not had to do any corrective action with Chance in the last 2 years. That is on hell of a track record.

Props to you for maintaining responsible behavior with your animal, but that is not a pet. As a matter of fact, the DOD would euthanize an attack dog that exhibited many of those behaviors.

No. The DoD starts first by training people on how to handle dogs. Then they would not have to worry about the dog getting out of control because the handler has been trained to maintain control. Not the best example in this case.

[AmpedNow]

I would just get a cat.

[The People's DJ]

Everyone should get one of these.

[Lester]

And you assume "control" means being mean to the dog. Far from the truth.

I did? Where?

No. The DoD starts first by training people on how to handle dogs. Then they would not have to worry about the dog getting out of control because the handler has been trained to maintain control. Not the best example in this case.

You're right, however, your initial post implies erratic, irrational, and dangerous behavior. I can give you the names of two dogs that were put down for that during my active duty time... Your follow-up post takes the edge of the initial post, but the behavior you described is not the behavior of most "German Shepherd, Labrador Retrievers, Boxers, and Rottweiler's".

Again, I commend your responsibility... however, Newfoundlands are bred to swim and pull boats, Pittbulls were bred to fight... in pitts. It is what it is.

PDJ: I'd love too, but the bastards at Sony stopped making them!

[The People's DJ]

PDJ: I'd love too, but the bastards at Sony stopped making them!

Yeah I know. Thats why I'm looking at Ebay. Shit maybe if I can find one it might work my PS3. Hmmm...