This Is The Attitude I Face......

[crow_noir]

It will take time to heal. If you truly love dogs you will find a way to heal.

It has been almost 10 years since i got attacked by a 160lb trained fighting dog. I still sometimes have flashbacks.

The odd thing is after the attack it was my favorite breed that i became most fearful of. The German Shepherd. (The dog that attacked me was supposedly Rott/Irish Setter, but looked 100% Yellow Lab.) (Try and figure out the psychology behind my brain's reasoning on that one. )

I never had an ounce of fear in me before i got attacked. I didn't even fear the aggressive strays that were around. Respect for what they could do with their teeth yes; but fear, no. Now I can honestly say that i do fear dogs from time to time and even have a few panic attacks.

That is all pretty much behind me now though except for the rare occasional relapse. Those are usually over with in a few minutes.

What did I do?

Well, for I think the first few months i just let my emotions do whatever they were going to do. Besides dogs that i Knew VERY well I pretty much stayed away from other dogs. Then when i wasn't going being paralyzed any more by the mere sight of a dog I started to force myself to go up to every person/dog that i seen. Asking permission of I could pet their dog. I started going places where i know other dogs would be. When i started to be a bit more confident I joined a socialization class for dogs and even eventually went through the pound.

You know yourself best. Set the pace, but definitely work at it.

I don't suggest going to the dog park as soon as your dog recovers... that could be too much too soon. Try heading to a huge pet store first and see how both of you react.

G'luck. *HUGS*

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Glad to hear that something good came out of this tragedy.

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*edit note: Rotties are still one of my favorite breeds and i don't hold it against them for what one idiot did with his dog. (Mind you this dog left the guy's children with many wounds... He valued money more.)

Sorry if I stirred things up, but I was rather emotional yesterday. One of the people that responded was correct, I did happen across the old post and registered as a means to help deal with my pain.

I have a follow up. The Animal Control Officers were the ones that told me the dog was a Pit Bull. The dog in question was most likely bred to be aggressive. They were able to catch the dog as it came back while they were there photograghing the scene and my dogs injuries. Also several of my neighbors also came to my aid during and after the attack. Nice to know that I have such a great neighborhood. Using hoses we chased the dog off.


The Emergency Vet told me that when Animal Control Officers contacted the owner, and there was a nasty confrontation. The Animal Control Officers had to call the Police, as they were in fear of their safety.

They found a breeding situation and confiscated all of their dogs. There is a DOG GOD. I will not seek damages, as I feel justice has been done. I hope that the puppies find good homes. Our county has a strict policy regarding aggressive dogs, therefore this dog has a sad future.

My dog is recovering slowly, is on a high dosage of antibiotics and will recover. Thank God.

What can be done about the aggressive breeding of these animals? I know that it is not all dogs. I know that all dogs can bite, this was so much more than that. Thank goodness it was not a toddler, or me.

Of course I am traumatized. I love all animals, but this as really left an impact on me. To have my dog mauled, as this animal charged us from behind, is a nightmare that I cannot shake.

The Vet has urged me to take my senior back to the dog park when her injuries heal. It is something that we both used to enjoy so much.

Now it frightens me. I am so saddened by what is happening in our society.
I wish that we could control this in our cities, but I don't know how without restricting great dog owners to truly care and love their dogs.

Anyway, I am still really having a hard time dealing with this, but will not seek anything for my damages, as I hope that justice has been served.

I hope that no one else ever has this experience. I really mean that, and it makes me sad to think that someone thought that I wrote this only to "stir things up".

Sorry if that is what has occurred, but perhaps it will bring more awareness to a growing problem in out society.

Thank you all for listening and helping me heal.

[jackiesdaisy1935]

Richard you are quite right, I talked to the people when they moved in and asked them about the dogs and they said oh they are friendly, they just don't like other dogs and women, that is when we decided to build the 6 ft. fence, we had a four foot chain link fence.
They had the three pitbulls chained with a stake in the ground, water buckets spilled over, no cover from the sun, etc. etc. the pitbull was so strong he pulled the stake out and I guess kept hitting the fence until he broke a hole big enough to jump through.
After the incident they gave one pitbull to the guys father, the one who attacked to a friend and kept one. However in their behalf I will say they keep this one in the house 24/7, not very good for the dog as the only time he gets to go out is to do his
duty. I feel sorry for the dog.
My Daisy was in her doghouse and I had to run by the pitbull to get to her, luckily he was caught on his chain, I got Daisy out and she was in such pain while I was carrying her, she bit me numerous times.
I'm so thankful both dogs survived and are well today, they are our whole life, since our kids are grown, they give us a reason to get up in the morning and the last thing we hug at night.

If people like that can't afford to pay for their rent, how can they afford three pitbulls? They also have two small children. I truly feel sorry for the pitbulls, they are not at fault, those people are, for not treating them humanely, what else can one expect from people like that?
Jackie

[Cheshirekatt]

Originally posted by jackiesdaisy1935

If people like that can't afford to pay for their rent, how can they afford three pitbulls? They also have two small children. I truly feel sorry for the pitbulls, they are not at fault, those people are, for not treating them humanely, what else can one expect from people like that?
Jackie

This is a very good point. I wish people who couldn't afford to keep pets properly wouldn't have them.

Not to mention the poor kids......

Again, I'm really glad that your babies are ok.

[jackiesdaisy1935]

KayAnn, if you want to know the truth, I would have to meet him and see how it all went, I'm sure you can understand my feelings in this. I think you would have had to been there, I know how much you love Simba and I don't blame you but understand we love Perry and Daisy so very much too. I don't blame all pitbulls
I'm just very wary of them, as he was trying to get to me when I was getting Daisy out of her doghouse.
As far as FTLODs, if you read the description we only allow members who are over 18 as there is some material not suitable for young people and the Ass't Manager was just doing her job. I'm sorry.
Jackie

[primabella]

What a terrible experience I am so glad your dogs are okay. Not to take this too literally, but I can see why you tend to distance yourself from the breed.

I have never met a pitbull but in the past after hearing everything on the news, even though I was usually on the dogs side, I used to be afraid of ever meeting one. Also in school, we had this one week in French class where we read stories and discussed dogs and one of the stories was about the pitbull and how they "have it in their breed and history that they are like this and a reason they are usually the ones who 'attack' is because they have locking jaws" so I sort of believed that. PT has helped me a lot because now I know it's bad owners, and that locking jaws are a myth...I hate the way they blow things out of porportion and how I believed them. My sister once said how pitbulls are so violent and I gave her such a lecture lol I think I convinced her to think differently about them.

Cheshirekatt - How many pitties do you have? I only know of one, Wilma. (lol Flinstones again )

[Cheshirekatt]

Originally posted by primabella
Cheshirekatt - How many pitties do you have? I only know of one, Wilma. (lol Flinstones again )

Wilma is the only 'full' pit I have. Joxer is pitty/boxer and Buford isn't pitty at all.

It's funny, but the only non-pitty I own is the one that I trust the least around other dogs. But for some reason people seem to think all brindle dogs are pitty so I get that misconception a lot.

[Kfamr]

Originally posted by jackiesdaisy1935
KayAnn, if you want to know the truth, I would have to meet him and see how it all went, I'm sure you can understand my feelings in this. I think you would have had to been there, I know how much you love Simba and I don't blame you but understand we love Perry and Daisy so very much too. I don't blame all pitbulls
I'm just very wary of them, as he was trying to get to me when I was getting Daisy out of her doghouse.
As far as FTLODs, if you read the description we only allow members who are over 18 as there is some material not suitable for young people and the Ass't Manager was just doing her job. I'm sorry.
Jackie

I understand.


If it was really "For the love of dogs" and since i've been there since it has started i don't see any reason why i was banned or kids my age shouldn't be allowed.

[jackiesdaisy1935]

KayAnn, I'm really sorry, but the rules have been put in to protect young people under 18, although we know young people love their dogs as much as any older person, as I said there are some types of material that are not suitable for young people some of the times, and it's not like PetTalk, where everything is suitable for any age. I understand what you are talking about, but the msn groups are quite open and we felt it would protect people like you. There are times when we have had to ban people because of posts not being suitable even for adults. I hope you understand.
Jackie

[iceyshiver21]

To me each dog is his own. Someone says so and so has a pitbull and Im just like "Huh? your point?" unless the owner clearly has bad ownership with any dog in the past. I've never met a full pitty or even half. But I have met alot of other bad name breeds and am a proud owner of a wonderful Rotty. People look at her and give me some pretty interesting looks, but they mostly turn to smiles when they see how wonderful Dutchess is with my little two year old sister Carlee. I mean a 2 year old with a rotty really gives some people some thinkin to do.

[Kfamr]

Originally posted by jackiesdaisy1935
KayAnn, I'm really sorry, but the rules have been put in to protect young people under 18, although we know young people love their dogs as much as any older person, as I said there are some types of material that are not suitable for young people some of the times, and it's not like PetTalk, where everything is suitable for any age. I understand what you are talking about, but the msn groups are quite open and we felt it would protect people like you. There are times when we have had to ban people because of posts not being suitable even for adults. I hope you understand.
Jackie

[aly]

Katt and Kay -

There's a pit at my work who I want to take home SO BAD! Someone must've done a home cropping job on his ears because they look so bad He was locked in a crate for 3 days with no food and water before he was saved and brought to my shelter by a coworker. He's the biggest MUSHBALL! He puts his head in my arms and just goes to sleep. Awww. I just wanted to show you guys his pic:

[Cheshirekatt]

Aly,
Ooooooh! He's adorable! I love his freckles.

[mugsy]

Originally posted by RICHARD
forget the dogs, euthanize the IRRESPONSIBLE owners....

My sentiments exactly!

[Kfamr]

Awww Aly!! He looks soooo sweet! I wanna hug his big blocky head and kiss all the little spots on his nose!!

[jackiesdaisy1935]

Another example of irresponsible pet ownership, but the little girl is not here to complain. This is in the Los Angeles area.
Jackie

Neighbors say pit bull was known to be violent




Dog killed 2-year-old girl playing in yard
ASSOCIATED PRESS

June 23, 2003

LAKE ELSINORE – The pit bull that killed a 2-year-old girl at the home of her baby sitters had attacked other children in the neighborhood, residents said.

"That dog bit one of my nephews three weeks ago," said Salvador Mojica, 45, Saturday. She said the wound was not serious.

"We talked to them and they told us just to throw rocks at the dog if he came near again," Mojica said. "My brother asked me to see if the dog had rabies shots, and they said yes. That's why I didn't make a complaint."

Summer Clugston and her 1-year-old brother were left Friday at the home of a couple in the unincorporated Good Hope area while their parents worked. Summer was playing in the front yard when the dog attacked, Riverside County sheriff's Deputy Dennis Gutierrez said. She died a short time later at a nearby hospital.

The identity of the couple and Summer's parents were not immediately released.

Mojica said she called Animal Control three times last year about loose dogs in the neighborhood, but no one responded.

Riverside County Animal Control officials could not be reached for comment and did not return a telephone message.

Yami Chavez, 35, who lives across the road from the home where the attack happened, said she often had to chase dogs off her property, including the pit bull involved in the fatal mauling.

The dog that attacked Summer was destroyed after the attack, officials said Friday.

Officials are investigating the incident. No charges have been filed.