Another Rottweiler attack .. msg

[Lisi]

http://www.khou.com/news/STORY.eb2e4....1f13857f.html

Nine-Year-Old Boy Is Mauled By Neighbor's Dogs
"I don't believe in a child or an adult being attacked by a dog. Even if it's my dog"

01/09/2002

By George Smith / 11 News


Click to watch video


A nine-year-old boy is recovering in the hospital after two rottweilers in his neighborhood attacked him.


Dogs Attack Boy Waiting For School Bus

It happened just after 6:30 Wednesday morning in the 24,000 block of Jumping Jay Lane in Northwest Harris County.


Nine-year-old Michael Martinez was just outside his home waiting for a school bus when the dogs attacked.


Michael's stepmother, Rose Martinez described his condition: "His whole face was covered in blood. They said he lost a lot of blood."


The boy's stepmother watched in horror as a neighbor was forced to grab a shotgun and fire at the dogs.


"One dog, he turned around and he came at me and that's when I shot that one. Then the other one, he jumped back and then he went back at that boy. And I screamed at him. And then he finally turned off and come towards me and I shot him," explained neighbor Trent Watson.


LifeFlight rushed the boy to Memorial Hermann Hospital. He has severe injuries to his head and legs.


The dogs belonged to one of the boy's neighbors, a friend of the family. They apparently escaped from the back yard. But the boy often played with the dogs.


Rose Martinez said, "Pets the dogs. And they're licking him and kissing him. They've never had any confrontations like this before."


Neighbors say it's common for dogs in the area to run loose.


"You can almost find dogs running around on every other street at times," said another neighbor, Sam Cervantes.


Even the woman who owns the dogs thinks they may have to be put to sleep. Wanda Hall said, "I don't believe in a child or an adult being attacked by a dog. Even if it's my dog."


The boy is still at the hospital. But he's out of surgery and listed in fair condition.


As for the dogs, both survived the shooting. They're being held by animal control for 10 days and checked for rabies. And then authorities will decide what to do after that.


In the city of Houston last year there were more than 2,800 dog attacks. There were just under 1,000 in the unincorporated part of Harris County.


Animal control says that dogs with owners are more likely to attack than stray dogs, because dogs with homes tend to be more territorial.


Spaying and neutering make an animal less aggressive.


There are some things you can do to avoid becoming a victim of a dog attack:

Before petting a dog, let it see and sniff you.
If a dog does threaten you, avoid eye contact and remain motionless until it leaves.
A dog's natural instinct is to chase, so don't run past a strange dog.

To learn more just click on to Stay Bite Free.

[Lisi]

Please cross post to anyone and everyone...


A little background, there was an incident in Houston where two or three Rottweilers (they still do not have a correct count yet) attacked a little boy. Here is the link to the story www.khou.com I am on a list where they were discussing the incident and have given them the following information (the last paragraph of this post). Any help with this idiot DJ would be most appreciated!

DJ says: "Roped up dogs, no tags, readily available shotguns and ammo with people eager to use them... I can only imagine what kind of neighborhood
and people we're dealing with here. "


Actually, it is a fairly nice neighborhood, it is only 2 miles from me (I have adopted dogs in that neighborhood) and *I* also would have shot any dog (s) (regardless of breed) that were attacking any human if that was the only quick available option.

Bottom line is....this is another breed specific incident that, because of lack of responsibility on the owners part, the breed will suffer horribly. : ( And, another child will suffer.

BTW, there is a radio station here in Houston that has a DJ/leases the station that loves to slam Pit Bulls and Rotts whenever there is an incident. He publicly states that even responsibily owned pit bulls and rotts need to die as they are a danger to society. He has also stated on the air that if he finds a pit bull or rott living in his neighborhood, they just simply dissapear...

He is on a well known talk station and most of his listeners agree with him. We have responded to him before with multiple emails, faxes and calls and even got the ADOA involved (this was about 23 months ago). He had stopped his speeches but with today's event he is at it again and with a vengeance.

This time I am getting the ADOA, WAF and RPOA involved but he needs to be flooded with emails and faxes and calls from responsible owners.

His name is Dan Patrick, AM station 700KSEV, 281-588-4800, fax 832-358-9556 and the number to get on the air during his show 281-558-5738, his "show" hours 4-6 pm., central time. Email addy is patrick@ksevradio.com The website for the station is http://www.ksevradio.com/ This is his bio and pic: AM700 KSEV - The Voice - Dan Patrick

On today's show he is saying that Rottweilers have no place in society and that even well cared and contained Rottweilers need to be banned. He again said, that "if he ever finds one living in his neighborhood, it won't be there for long as it will just disappear one day".

This is how BSL starts....


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

This DJ needs a lesson in RESPONSIBLE dog ownership *sigh*.



Lisi

[Lisi]

to send - what do you guys think of this .....




Dear Sir

I am responding to the outcry that has erupted from the sad attack on the nine year old boy in Harris County. This is NOT a breed issue but a HUMAN issue. This is indeed a sad situation for all concerned, but I have some concerns about what is being said.

You publicly state "that even responsibly owned pit bulls and rotts need to die as they are a danger to society". You have also stated on the air that "if you find a pit bull or rott living in his neighborhood, they just simply disappear". It is this narrow mindedness that colored people had to deal with 20 yrs ago - you are a racist, who has no real idea of what you are talking about.

It is assumed because these dogs had owners that these were family pets. These may have been pets in the basic definition, but they were not family pets. Family pets are owned by responsible owners who ensure that every member of the household can control them. Family pets are owned by responsible owners who teach their dogs how to behave, take them to obedience classes and teach them to be part of the family. They are loved and treated with respect, but taught their place in the pack. Family pets are registered and have up-to-date vaccinations, and for their own safety as well as the general public's they are securely confined.

These dogs were pets, but they were not part of the family. They were not trained. They were not taught to respect those in the household, and, obviously, the members of the household were not taught to control them. They were not taught the "chain of command," or pack order. They were not taught to be family pets. They were just pets -- a piece of property that looks good in the yard.

Dogs are dogs, not humans. Dog owners need to educate themselves about pack mentality. Two or more dogs make up a pack, regardless of breed. People expect or believe that dogs understand man’s law. Dogs do not have morals, nor do they have the emotions or reasoning of man. They live by pack law. Dogs do not see people as a superior being because they walk on two legs. Each person is judged on his or her own ability, power, leadership merits. According to pack law, when a member of a pack oversteps his or her authority, it is up to the pack to correct that member.

This child was waiting for a bus he was an innocent victim. The responsibility of this attack lays solely with the owners - they have a large breed dog, who when not trained and socialized correctly has the ability to inflict massive wounds, while smaller dogs attack more often, because of their size, the damage inflicted is naturally not as severe. These dogs since they were allowed to wander, saw this child as being a threat on their territory. As this boy (in the dog's mind) invaded 'their' territory he overstepped his 'pack' line and the members of the pack saw an opportunity to knock him down to the bottom of the pack. The boy was attacked because she broke pack law. The dogs were shot at and will be probably be killed because they broke man’s law. Neither understood how their actions were wrong. I believe any dog that attacks like this should be put to sleep, however I also believe that owners need to take initial responsibility.

Breeders also bear some blame for such attacks. Too many so-called breeders are irresponsible. They are what is commonly referred to as backyard breeders who breed not for the betterment of the breed, but for money, and to have some "cute" puppies around. Responsible breeders can produce a dog that fulfills the standard of that breed, with a reliable temperament and sound health.

Bad breeding does lead to bad dogs, contrary to the notion that there are no bad dogs, only bad owners. There are bad dogs of all breeds out there, thanks to greedy and kennel-blind breeders who sell to unfit owners. To find a responsible breeder, a prospective owner must plan (a dog can be in a person's life for more than 15 years) and research the breeder. AKC papers in this day and age mean nothing, Puppy millers and backyard breeders have made sure of this through falsification of such papers. Therefore, false papers are hardly extraordinary. AKC papers are just like a drivers license: Somebody can hold one, but that doesn’t make him or her a responsible driver, just as AKC papers do not make a dog of sound temperament or of sound health.

Animal rescue groups take more time testing temperament and looking for a responsible owner than many breeders do. Sadly, in too many cases, it’s show me the money, and I’ll give you the dog. Are these breeders available two years down the road when the owner has problems or questions? Are they there to mentor the new owners and help them get the best from the dog, to allow the dog and family to live harmoniously? Prospective dog owners should steer clear of breeders uninterested in after-sale service.

Beyond breeders' responsibilities, however, lie owners' responsibilities. If all dogs just roamed free, do you think they would abide by people's :laws? Highly unlikely! Dogs, having been domesticated by people, rely on people to ensure they fit in with human society. There are no exceptions. People are responsible for their dogs' actions.

If this was a 9-year-old child who attacked another person, the child would be locked up and rehabilitated. People would blame this action on a bad childhood. But whom do people blame when a dog bites someone? The dog! It is never a person's fault. It is time for owners to take responsibility for their dogs' actions (and not just by putting them down), but by training, by making sure that strong prey drive dogs are separated when being exercised. Owners must not let pack mentality take over.

Negligent owners should face repercussions. The owner of any dog not in a working mode (personal protection) that attacks a person should be banned from owning a dog for five years. After all, if incorrigible drunken drivers lose their license, shouldn't an irresponsible dog owner lose the privilege of ownership? Having one large dog (or any dog) presents problems. Having multiple dogs is very dangerous for even the experienced dog owner. Dog owners have an obligation to ensure the safety of the animal and the safety of those around them. Those who own dogs that are not friendly to other people should confine them to a crate when visitors come for the safety of all.

Those who would say the Rottweiler breed in particular is a threat to people's safety are missing the point. There is cause for concern, but the breed's critics are trying to pass the blame. From the blame throwers out there, one might conclude that evil Rottweilers have been breeding in the wild and then invading towns to attack people. But the blame for bad breeding resides ultimately with people (irresponsible breeders) who give no thought to the future of the puppies, only the cash in their pockets.

Many people speak of breed bans, but they don't work. In France, for example, animal exploiters are now using monkeys in fights because all the "fighting" dogs have been banned. What will work is for lawmakers to force owners to train their dogs, with harsh penalties such as large fines for not complying.

People who dump their dogs also cause huge problems. If the general public knew the true numbers of dogs being put to sleep in shelters across the country, they would be outraged. Not only are older dogs being put down, but so are puppies, at a cost of millions of tax dollars. Animal Control and Humane Societies deserve praise. Their jobs are not pleasant ones, many tears are shed, as they take in more and more dogs dumped by people like just another bit of trash. Many of the millions of animals waiting to die rather horrible deaths in shelters are not psychotic animals being put down to keep mankind safe. Often, they are murdered just because the animal no longer fits a person's lifestyle. When people drop dogs off at shelters, they should have to go with the workers to choose which animal is to die to make room for the animal they are dumping.

Dogs are not disposable. They need to be loved for life. Impulse buys from pet stores (supplied by puppy mills in many cases) and impulse buys from backyard breeders are just the tip of the iceberg. Breeders need to be responsible. If a dog is not competing in AKC events that required it to be intack, it does not need to remain intact. Any irresponsible breeding, accidental or on purpose, is not helping the canine species.

Some may take comfort in thinking that "inferior" dogs bring death upon themselves, but a human hand led the dog down the path to destruction. Dog may be man’s best friend, but, to man's great shame, man is not dog’s best friend.



Lisa D'Hondt
Copyright 2002

[~Robin~]

GREAT letter, Lisi! Very well-written, clear and concise. The only thing I'd suggest is maybe to change the wording from "coloured people" to "people of colour" -- that's the acceptable common parlance right now. Other than that, super letter. Good for you.

[LORHEL]

Well spoken Lisi, I will also send them a letter tonite when I get home.... the DJ is going way over the line in his "crusade" against our breed and he needs to be stopped.

[2rotties2luv]

Lisi, that is a well-thought-out and well-composed letter that you wrote! I would suggest one small change, though. In paragraph 12, the one that begins "Negligent owners.....", I would not use the word "dangerous" in this sentence:

"Having multiple dogs is very dangerous for even the experienced dog owner."

I would instead state it this way:

"Having multiple dogs is a very big responsibility for even the experienced dog owner."

Since his message is that all "dangerous" breeds should be banned and/or killed, I think you might want to stay away from the word "dangerous" when speaking of what a responsible owner SHOULD do.

Other than that, it's a great letter - lets hope he takes the time to actually read it......

[RottQueen]

Lisi:

Great letter but horrible situation and public address by the DJ.

I would eliminate the sentence about People of Color completely or modify it so it's more accurate. Because racism existed more than 20 years ago and unfortunately it's still present. Actually, it wasn't a racist statement it was more of a prejudice remark.

You could also get your point across by stating that the DJ is prejudice against the breed of rotts & pitts . . . . .

[MybabyZeus]

The boy was attacked because she broke pack law.she

Lisi,

Great letter! Just thought I'd point out this sentence to you in case you didn't notice it.

Thank you for all you do for this breed:)

[KattOK]

Great letter Lisi. I wrote the guy tonight and this is what I wrote:

Hi. :) I'm the owner of a nice, friendly, black and tan dog named Holly. Holly just passed the AKC Canine Good Citizen test. The items she had to perform are as follows:
Test Item 1: Accepting a friendly stranger
Test Item 2: Sitting politely for petting
Test Item 3: Appearance and grooming
Test Item 4: Out for a walk (walking on a loose lead)
Test Item 5: Walking through a crowd
Test Item 6: Sit and down on command - staying in place
Test Item 7: Coming when called
Test Item 8: Reaction to another dog
Test Item 9: Reaction to distraction
Test Item 10: Supervised separation
If you would like to see a detailed explanation of each item, check out http://www.akc.org/love/cgc/testprocedures.cfm

As you can tell from the above list, she's gone through several training courses. Right now I'm getting her ready to take the Pet Therapy test so she can go out and visit people at nursing homes, hospitals, psychiatric facilities, and others to brighten the their day. As you probably know, research indicates interaction with animals helps lower people's stress level and in turn lower their blood pressure.

I guess you can tell from the picture, Holly is a rottweiler. She's not a fierce animal. She's well behaved when I'm around and as a responsible dog owner, she's not running loose in the streets. She's behind a 6 foot privacy fence, but most of the time she's in the house.

People that let their dogs roam free (be it, terrier, collie, great dane, rottweiler, etc) should be the ones punished. For one thing, they're putting their dog's life in jeopardy because it doesn't understand traffic signals. Also, if the dog feels threatened, it's going to try to defend itself.


This is the pic I attached ..... oooh mean looking huh??
http://community.webshots.com/storag...cvIsXio_ph.jpg


PLEASE!! The forums only allow image photo's in our Chit Chat Corner and in Rescue when it is to help place a Rottweiler. You may give a URL though, as I have done with the above photo. I would appreciate it if members honored our guideline. Thank you.

Justice

[German Vanegas]

Excellent letter. There was another Rottweiler attack reported the night before, in which a 12 year old boy was riding his scooter in the street and, allegedly, the daughter of the owner of a Rottweiler told the dog: Get him!... and the dog attacked the boy :(

The very next day, the media reported one more attack. This time it was the 3 Rottweilers mentioned by Lisi. Two days in a row, irresponsible dog owners gave us, responsible dog owners, a painful "black eye" :(

[KattOK]

Ooops, sorry Justice. I wasn't thinking. :(

[ILoveRotts]

I totally disagree with this sentence:


"Having multiple dogs is very dangerous for even the experienced dog owner."


It is not true! I have 4 of the most loving, gentle, trained, and socialized Rottweilers. They are not dangerous alone or together. We are complimented all of the time on the behavior of our "pack". Even at the Vets. They almost always go every where together. 1 is a Certified Therapy dog and 3 have their CGC. We will get the 4th one's CGC this summer. She was too young last year. The key thing is that our "pack" knows who the Alphas are and that is my husband and me.

Although your letter had good points and it's great that you speak out, please don't hurt those of us who love the breed so much that we can't stop rescueing in the process.