Deseret News | Girl, mom injured in pit-bull attack

Reader comments
Girl, mom injured in pit-bull attack

michael vick | 1:03 a.m. June 6, 2009

weren't some of michael vick's dogs sent out here to utah?

Wow | 5:53 a.m. June 6, 2009

I'm glad no one was killed and I agree, the dog should be put to sleep and make sure the owner pays for all the medical care of the two victims.

Matt | 7:19 a.m. June 6, 2009

What a terrible thing to happen. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Ban pit bulls.

Comments continue below

susan | 7:26 a.m. June 6, 2009

let's see . . . $25,000 for each child in the zone of danger, at least $300,000 for the injured child and $300,000 + for the injuries sustained by the adult. I hope the dog owner has good homeowner's insurance.

Put it to sleep | 7:44 a.m. June 6, 2009

If that was my daughter I would have put the dog to sleep with my shotgun.

Ban The Breed | 7:57 a.m. June 6, 2009

A pit bull, which has never previously been violent, makes a svage attack on a highly vulnerable child or older person. The storyline is all too common.

There are so many other, more docile breeds that people can choose for pets.

Utah Doc | 8:14 a.m. June 6, 2009

Every other month we hear of a senseless violent attack by one of these animals... and then we hear all of the vacuous sentiment about how they can be trained to be gentle.

Pit-bulls should be banned from our communities. They are NOT like other breeds.

Outrageous! | 8:23 a.m. June 6, 2009

We need stiffer penalties for these crimes. When are our lawmakers going to outlaw these animals?

Henry | 9:00 a.m. June 6, 2009

After destroying the dog, make the owners legally responsible in a very significant way. They knew this was a dangerous dog and they should be held liable. Let it be a lesson to all vicious dog owners.

Laura | 9:15 a.m. June 6, 2009

I agree, ban the breed. It is unfortunate though, i have met many loving pit bulls, but its those few unstable ones that makes me never allow my kids near one. I also feel bad for the dogs owner, I am sure that they prob loved the dog very much and are feeling devestated over its actions.

geedub | 9:49 a.m. June 6, 2009

All pit bulls should be spayed or neutered. No one should be allowed to breed pit bulls. The breed should be forced into extinction. Only criminals, gangbanger, and gangbanger-want-to-bes own pit bulls.

TheHailstorm | 9:50 a.m. June 6, 2009

A good hickory baseball bat should be able to read him a good night story. Whatever the Humane Society says every pit bull has been inbred with a dangerous attitude.Just as horses have the tendency to buck and kick a pit bull is one animal that is not needed on this earth. I could care less what breeders say they should be put down for the overall good. I come need pit bull and I gave a golf driver handy to knock his head out to the next fairway. Get rid of these menaces, without reservations. Ant attack should be worth more money than the owner can afford and thus discourage anyone from breeding these critters, That and they are the ugliest dogs on the planet !

territalks | 9:50 a.m. June 6, 2009

the only stories that make the news are ones like these!ever seen a headline reading "pit bull plays with kids...goes to sleep"? of corse not.every breed is capable of violence but you don't see national news when "lassie" bites the neighbors kid.kudos to the mom that bailed in to save the 4 year old! that takes heart!!!but lets quit banning everything that is potentialy unsafe and go back to common sense. accidents happen, they shouldn't but they do..thats why they call them accidents!

Attack victim | 9:54 a.m. June 6, 2009

Kill the dog and charge the owner with attempted murder. I was attacked by a dog as a child, I love dogs but I hate being around aggressive ones. This should never happen to innocent people.

Adam | 10:32 a.m. June 6, 2009

To the hailstorm, I'm pretty sure a charpae or a bulldog are the ugliest dogs on the planent. Lets take a vote

Re; territalks | 10:49 a.m. June 6, 2009

So,how many pit bulls do you own?

A questions for the ages... | 11:35 a.m. June 6, 2009

Which is dumber and more violent: The Pit Bull, a dog that was bred for hundreds of years to senselessly attack, or the pit bull owner, the suburbanite who finds it necessary to keep such an animal in a domestic environment for no reason other than to harass its neighbors....

I do know one thing: no matter how ugly the pit bulls are, the owners are always a good deal uglier.

No One of Consequence | 2:44 p.m. June 6, 2009

Why do we have dogs in residential areas anyway? If they aren't biting they're barking. We get no peace day or night from the neighbors' barking dogs. The houses are too close together in many neighborhoods. Dogs are for the country, not the city.

Yeah Right | 6:51 p.m. June 6, 2009

Actually, there's no such thing as a ninety pound pit bull. But facts don't stop newspapers from reporting nonsense and the public from believing it.

90 lbs ??? | 8:16 p.m. June 6, 2009

A Presa Canario could be that big and easily mistaken for a pit bull.

auntie | 3:09 p.m. June 7, 2009

Dear "Yeah Right": The victim was my niece, and you should really check your facts before you go spouting off your ignorant mouth. If you knew anything about pitbulls, then you would know that they can reach over 100lbs - and that's pure muscle. These dogs should be illegal.

Solution | 6:09 p.m. June 7, 2009

Here's an idea... Require owners of pit bulls to carry homeowners insurance of at least $500,000. I would bet that most owners of pit bulls are either renters or live in lower income housing. Hence, they couldn't afford the high insurance and couldn't own pit bulls. Heaven forbid that a child is attacked, but, $500,000 would be a good start for the damages.

Heather | 9:43 p.m. June 8, 2009

I can tell there are a lot of ignorant non-pitbull owners on here...maybe the dog was abused or maybe there is more to the story..I see that there is always news of pitbulls attacking but when a dog like Lassie or a Golden Retriever attacks- do you ever hear of that...of course not! It's the owner that is responsible for the way the dog will turn out...and breed! Don't be so ignorant and quick to judge...

Jammy | 7:48 p.m. June 10, 2009

My family rescued a pit-bull from a shelter 11 years ago. In that time, she has been a sweet and loving pet who has never bitten anyone. Just as we should not stereotype people, we should not make blanket statements or talk of banning entire breeds.

On a related note, all parents, whether they own pets or not, need to teach their children basic dog safety.

Bryan | 9:04 a.m. June 11, 2009

There are SO MANY misconceptions.
1. Pit Bulls weigh between 35-65 pounds. (this dog was 90lbs) Not a Pit Bull.

I HIGHLY suggest and recommend you visit my YouTube Page. Username "FUZupf" there, I have hundreds of other breeds that have attacked and have even killed!
Pits are not the only ones that attack.
Close minded, conservative, ignorant,brainwashed people that can't even understand and comprehend the truth when it slaps you in the face

friend of sammy | 2:43 p.m. June 12, 2009

sammy was a gentle giant. never hurt anyone beore this. it is unfortuante for all of you haters out there to put down such a wonderful breed. my sypmathy goes out the mom and little girl who were hurt. everyone should take note and have some respect and sympathy for my friend who put his best friend to sleep. he is a responsible dog owner and wasnt even home at the time of the incident. what mad sammy snap no one will know. RIP Sammy everyone out here on the east coast is missing you.

Dave | 1:48 p.m. June 17, 2009

Tonya is a hero !!!!!!! and I hope the dogs owner has good insurace to at least cover thier medical bills !!!

Chris | 2:49 p.m. July 30, 2009

From the UKC standard of the American Pit Bull Terrier:

Desirable weight for a mature male in good condition is between 35 and 60 pounds. Desirable weight for a mature female in good condition is between 30 and 50 pounds.

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