Comments about ‘Dog, owner injured in Salt Lake pit bull attack’

We have been attacked 3 times in the last 2 years while walking our dog. All 3 have been pit bulls and different dogs. All the attacks have been unprovoked and sudden without a bark, growl or any warning. The last was in their driveway playing with their 2 small children. The minute it seen us it attacked like a mad dog. We both walk with a cane and bent our canes trying to get the dog to get off of ours. Finally the owner came out and started screaming at us like it was our fault. We are considering carrying a taser for safety. As it is my wife refuses to go for a walk now.

In a dog fight people need to use thier better judgement and stay calm, use something besides a body part to break up the fight or they are just asking for an injury. The person should not allow thier chihuaha around any larger dog because chihahuas are very agressive and a larger dog can eat them when provoked. A pointer would be to throw water on the dogs, put a blanket or jacket on them or use a stick to pry them apart. Another pointer do not try to fight a powerful dog you are bound to lose, and dogs do not respond well to violence, screaming or nervous energy. Also if it is a decision between a persons personal safety and that of a dog it is best to protect yourself and not handle a dog fight if you do not know how to stay calm. No dogs should be left unattended, that doesn't mean just pit bulls, it is not safe for people or dogs. I think people need to re-evaluate how they react to animals and don't be ignorant. especially if you work in animal control.

The key word in your story is UNATTENDED.
Breed Bans only impact responsible owners who don`t allow their dogs to roam around unattended.

If this was an unattended dog of ANY other Breed* or type this story wouldn`t even be in the Paper.

'pit bull' sells!
There are 3 distinct Breeds called pit bulls and over 20 Breeds commonly mistaken by the public and called 'pit bulls' by the media.

Either report ALL incidents of dog on dog aggression or NONE!

Also be a little more responsible with your reporting.
NO DOG locks their jaws.
Google Dr Lehr Brisbin
This is a myth and has been debunked!

This is really getting tiresome.
This is not a dog issue at all.
This is an irresponsible owner issue but hey 'pit bulls' pulls in the hits from the google alerts and that`s what it`s all about.

"We often chuckle, even though it not a joking matter, but what would animal services do without pit bulls? They account for the majority of our calls."

What a sad, sad thing to say. America's ignorance about pit bull breeds has gone too far.

Any dog attack is an unfortunate event. However, it is not fair to specifically target a breed as the reason for dog attacks.

Bill, I'm sure your attacks were scary. However, when you say "pit bulls and different dogs" does that mean you were unaware of the breed? An unattended and unleashed dog can be dangerous, especially if either your dog or the unsupervised one is making "threats" toward the other dog. There are rarely times when animals attack unprovoked or without warning. It is very important to understand your dog's and other dogs' body language. Supervision would also have prevented the attack. And tasing an animal is not the answer. Noelle's pointers were very helpful and accurate.

Better consider banning parents before you start looking at ANY dogs as a problem.

Google National Canine Research Council

[quote]Utah
Are Dogs A Real Danger?
An Overview of Fatal Dog Attacks
...
Over the past 43 years (1965 - present) there have been three (3) fatal dog attacks in Utah, or approximately one (1) fatality every 14 years.
...
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:

In 2005, ten (10) Utah children died as the result of maltreatment (abuse or neglect).

In a SINGLE YEAR, more than THREE TIMES as many Utah children died as the result of maltreatment (abuse/neglect) than the TOTAL of ALL children killed by dog attacks in Utah over the past 43 years.[/quote]

It`s getting tiresome
Enforce existing leash laws and stop with the Breed Ban nonsense and lock jaw myth already.

There is no legimate reason to own a pit bull. The only people who would be upset over a ban of pit bulls is gangsters, thugs, and drug dealers.

Pit bulls are a high risk breed. If they account for the majority of calls to animal services, and animal services are clearly people who know dogs and dog breeds, this should be all the more reason for tighter regulation of these dogs. If pit bull owners cannot show that they are responsible owners, they should not be allowed to own them.

notice that the majority of roaming dogs just happen to be pit bulls.
Pit bulls appeal to people that shouldn't even own a dog, much less such a high maintenance dog.
If you want to go on with that "owner not the breed" business, why don't the breeders vet potential buyers? You are selling high-maintenance pups to whoever has spare change in the Walmart parking lot. VET YOUR BUYERS, breeders, then you wouldn't have to wince at possible bans

My dog was attacked by a pit bull on a leash.
A few days ago some dogs were attacked by a pit bull that was wearing a muzzle, but it flew of when he started his attack.

Just ban this breed. They are dog-killing-machines. Thank you.

Yesterday I was at my daughter's house. A meter-reader entered the middle of the street heading toward the neighbor’s house.

All at once, we saw the neighbor's PITBULL come running into the middle of the street, dragging his chain with him. He was barking & growling ferociously, scaring the poor City worker to death! LUCKILY, she had some kind of stick with her, and started swinging it at him. He kept growling & barking, her only protection was THAT stick!!

My 3 grandchildren live across the street from the pitbull. It's HORRIFYING to think they could be innocently playing on their swingset, and the pitbull could break loose AGAIN and attack them!! These dogs aren't the 'good ole' family dog' ...they're FEROCIOUS beasts! They especially shouldn't be in a neighborhood where there are children or old people!

The pitbull's owners should be given TWO choices: get rid of him, or build a 6' fence. I believe those are the ONLY solutions to this problem! This dog is in an UNfenced yard, with only a doghouse & the chain, which he broke loose from. This situation is a Tragedy -ready-to happen!