Rottweiler kills 3 yr old in KY

[Michele Baxter]

It was with a sad heart that I listened to the account on our local news station about a 3 year old child who was killed by a rottweiler yesterday. From all accounts these are the details:
a 3 yr. old child was allowed unsupervised outside the home while under the care of a young girl. The child was found mauled to death and a rottweiler was blamed for the fatality. I would assume the police had conclusive evidence that it was indeed the rottweiler that caused the death, because the dog was shot in the head by the police. There were reports of several loose dogs in the area. This is a very rural area of the state where the incident occured.
The poor child has paid with his life and the dog with his, and the owners (whomever that would be) will be free to own another, they might pay a small fine, and that it the true crime in all of this.
There is a local radio talk show here on wvlk 590 AM with host Sue Wylie. It has been an absolute outcry by this particular host to ban all rottweilers, dobermans, and pit bulls. I would encourage members to write in to Sue and let her know that the answer is not to ban specific breeds, but to hold owners responsible. Her email is sue@mis.net . The station's website is: www.wvlkam.com

And to think I was feeling so positive about the breed just an hour earlier when I watched the show on Animal Planet's "Breed All About It". This show was wonderful PR for our breed.
It makes me really sad. I pray for the poor child and it's family. I pray that stupid, ignorant people will no longer be allowed to own dogs. I pray that PEOPLE learn to accept the responsibility that comes with owning a dog (of any breed) this means training, socializing, and selecting for quality and temperment.

[ March 07, 2001: Message edited by: Hawk ]

[Maggiesmom]

I did e-mail this lady as you requested. This is a topic that just gets my blood to boil. I have a 7 yr old Rottie, she taught my grandson how to walk He used her for a pillow and as long as he was there Maggie would not get up. Rotties are kind gentle creatures.

[WorkinDogz]

:( Here's my email to the station. Damn irresponsible dog owners anyway! WAKE THE HELL UP PEOPLE and start protecting our CHILDREN AND OUR BREED.
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Sue,

My heart is heavy as I write this. I don't know the family who's baby boy is now dead at the hands of a Rottweiler. I don't even live in the State of KY. I am a Mother of 6 precious souls however; (including 2 sets of twins) and the loss of a child is unimaginable to me.

I am also a Certified Veterinary Technician, owner/trainer of 4 dogs (including a Rottweiler who is currently in training for Search and Rescue) and to hear of a member of MY BREED inflicting harm on anyone makes not only my blood boil but my defenses rise because I "just know" that someone with little or no knowledge of dogs, K9 Behavior or Rottweilers is going to suggest the "solution" is to ban a breed.

Very sad. Blame the deed. Hold the offending animal AND their irresponsible owner 100% RESPONSIBLE. Blaming the BREED is misguided, unfair and truly unacceptable in this society.

Please reevaluate your "ban the breed" position. Learn about this breed. Do research. Contact Veterinarian, Behaviorists, trainers. Find out what makes a good DOG (not Rottweiler....not Pit Bull....ANY DOG) a Canine Good Citizen and credit to society.

You have a very powerful medium at your disposal; your job. Please use your position responsibly.

Thank you in advance for taking the time to read this.

[LORHEL]

Great letter Workin Dogz :) Sorry I got the wrong area. Thanks for the update. Again, a sad situation. My thoughts are with you all. :(

[LORHEL]

I looked at the story. It happened in Lexington, in a small suburb/rural area. I also emailed the station ( I hope it goes through alright) telling them I was very sorry to hear of the accident, but also that the dog is not all to blame. It sounds like the owners just got him for protection after a few break in attempts, and it doesn't sound like anyone spends any time with him, and thus he has probably become agressive being left alone. It said the authorities were trying to determine whether another dog, a boxer, that belonged to a neighbor was also involved. However, it does not appear that he was shot, only the rott. I hope they knew for sure what they were doing, it would be a shame if it wasn't his fault. It is a sad situation with no positive outcome. It also mentioned several other dogs running loose around the area. I hope the e-mail I sent gets to the station, in support of our breed. Although they won't change the feelings they have, at least we can be heard. :)

[Michele Baxter]

LORHEL thanks for the support. One correction though. The incident happened in Whitley County which is very rural in south/eastern KY not in Lexington. I live in Lexington and this is where the news story is being reported from. I just read the update this morning about the Boxer possibly being involved. I hope that we don't end up with breed specific bans as the outcome.

[LucyJ]

I just sent an email as well. Hope she decides to get educated rather than make judgements based on fear and emotions and pass them on in such a powerful medium. What an awful thing to happen. :(

[Me n Diamond]

Fantastic letter! Couldn't have wrote it better myself, WorkinDogz!!!

I tried to send my email, but I'm getting an error message about mailbox exceeding storage.

I'll keep trying.

[Judy Chrusch]

Michele, I sent my letter. What a tragedy, boy, between this and all the child shootings
what is this world coming too. I'm so saddened by this and most of all this didn't have to happen if only dog owners took responsibility for their actions. Having certain dogs is like having a loaded gun, people should treat it as such. I'm very upset by this because once again it was our breed and their fault instead of the owner. So So sad!!!

Judy

[rottmommie]

I SENT MINE!

[myrotti2002]

I sent mine too....this is sad is it that hard to realize if they ban rotti's then they will only move on to another breed?

[ March 09, 2001: Message edited by: myrotti2002 ]

[Anja Bear]

I sent one also.

[LotARotts]

I sent my email also!!

I am very sad to hear about the death of that little boy!!!

But it really Makes me angry that they don't blaim the owners always the dog!! So many Stupid People with the Rottweiler and so Many Breeders who just care about Cold Hard Cash Not their Puppies ERR. I wish people would research before getting a Rottie or any other breed.. Keep sending those emails I sure don't want anymore deaths nor do I want this Great Breed Banned!!! As I am sure you all agree...
LotARotts

[Troy]

I sent my E-mail today.

[AngelBunny]

Dreadful, dreadful incident. Too ghastly for words. The poor child.

I too emailed Sue. The gist of my comments was that efforts of people who push for banned-breed legislation are misdirected; the problem is the people who own the dogs. Until owners are held accountable for the actions of their dogs, these types of incidents will continue--with breeds of dogs that haven't been banned.