Rottweiler fatally mauls toddler (Snow Hill, N.C.)

[Rene Allegrini]

Is anyone else seeing a pattern here? First it was one horrible story after the other of Pit Bulls mauling and killing feeding the media frenzy; and now, it is one Rottweiler after the other killing and mauling. This type of reporting only serves to bring about more breed bans this time directed specifically at our breed.

This is just so horrible.

Dog fatally mauls toddler

October 04,2006
KATIE MARSHALL
STAFF WRITER

SNOW HILL — A 2-year-old boy was fatally mauled by a Rottweiler on Tuesday afternoon on Hillendale Drive.

Greene County Sheriff Lemmie Smith said Julius Graham was staying at his grandparent’s house when he wandered off and the dog attacked him.

“It looked like the dog dug a hole under the fence and got out,” he said.

The child was taken to Lenoir Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Smith said several calls came in reporting the incident and officers arrived on scene within four minutes of the first phone call.

“They found the grandmother sitting with the child,” Smith said.

Officers shot the Rottweiler, killing it, after it started acting vicious towards them.

The owners of the Rottweiler, identified as Katona and Johnny Ormond, are out of town on a cruise. A family member of the couple was notified of the incident.

Linda Sewall, director of Greene County’s health department said there is a dangerous dog ordinance making it “unlawful for any owner to maintain or harbor unconfined or unrestrained any dangerous dog or potentially dangerous dog, however, the ordinance is not breed specific.

“This dog was not identified as a problem dog,” she said.

The ordinance states dangerous dogs are supposed to be in a secure enclosure with a plainly visible sign noting a dangerous dog is on the premises.

Sewall said there is also a leash law in place for the whole county.

Smith said the case is being turned over to the district attorney to see if any charges will be filed against the owners of the dog.

The Kinston Free Press

[twomanydogs]

This is awful. Oh my why was a 2 year old wandering..Lots of danger out in the world for a lone baby.

[observer]

I assume no one was actually staying at the house with the dog while the owners were "on a cruise". A dog left unattended, and a child who managed to wander off., as they certainly can at that age if not watched closely. Another terrible tragedy.

[MissMary]

This is so upsetting. How does a 2 year old wander off!!

[TR Young]

"The owners were out of town on a cruise...."
I am thinking that if this dog was left in the care of someone, whoever that 'someone' is has the onus of responsibility and they failed.
Why can't people see the pattern here?? Every one of these attacks are due to human negligence!! How the hell do we make people responsible owners??

[observer]

You've got me there, TR. I'm willing to bet this dog was just left out back and someone was coming by to feed/water him (maybe) and that's it.

I'm getting less and less optimistic about changing the attitudes of dog owners like this.

[MissMary]

Originally Posted by TR Young

"The owners were out of town on a cruise...."
Why can't people see the pattern here?? Every one of these attacks are due to human negligence!! How the hell do we make people responsible owners??

I agree and what about getting people to be responsible with children.

[TR Young]

Originally Posted by MissMary

I agree and what about getting people to be responsible with children.

You are so right, MissMary. The point that I am trying to make, however, is that children are not the ones who are going to face BSL, the dogs are. I greive so deeply for the grandmother for having to see her grandchild killed... I greive for the parents of the child. Do not mistake that at all. My problem is that responsible owners like us are going to have to suffer because of <insert colorful adjective here> owners who leave their dogs unattended for whatever reason instead of kenneling them or leaving them with a responsible person in their own absence.

[MissMary]

TR I sure agree with you on your point and I also greive for the child and her family and I don't want to come across as cold but I also feel blame should go to the grandmother for letting a 2 year old wander off as well as to the dog owner for leaveing their dog unattended. And it is the child, the breed and us who pay for their actions.

[TR Young]

Originally Posted by observer

I'm getting less and less optimistic about changing the attitudes of dog owners like this.

I've been at that stage for a LONG time, my friend. Here's my take on it, if you haven't seen one of my posts on it before;
Those of us who are responsible owners will continue to be responsible. There is no mistaking that. We will always train our dogs, socialize our dogs, and basically do everything in our power to be sure that our dogs are pillars of the K9 community. That being said, we are going to be facing BSL before we know it. Let me say that I am AGAINST any legislation. HOWEVER, if there does have to be legislation, then legislate that owners of 'dangerous breed' dogs be required to take their dogs to "X" number of obedience classes within a certain time period (and show proof of doing so), that they have adequate kenneling capability when not at home, etc... Personally, I would have NO trouble with providing all that information in leiu of never being able to own a Rottweiler again.
We have to be lisenced to drive vehicles, which in the wrong or untrained hands can become devices of murder, so why not dogs? I think it would weed out the responsible owners from the irresponsible ones.
Let me underline this again by saying that I don't want ANY legislation, but if it comes down to it, we will have to fight for something along these lines.

[spoiledbabies3]

Originally Posted by TR Young

My problem is that responsible owners like us are going to have to suffer because of <insert colorful adjective here> owners who leave their dogs unattended for whatever reason instead of kenneling them or leaving them with a responsible person in their own absence.

Because they are TOO CHEAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I DO feel sorry for the grandmother...but I've got to ask myself...WHY IN THE WORLD WAS A 2 YEAR OLD WANDERING AROUND???????????? I mean society is always ready to BLAME the rottie (in this case an irresponsible owner)...but what about the adult that leaves the child unattended, are they NOT responsible? This child was left in her responsible care and she failed at it. I do understand she is the grandmother and she is hurting over this but you cannot under any circumstances turn your back on a toddler...and since she was a grandmother, she has children, therefore, she knew this (but I guess forgot it?)...Soapbox, sorry... I sit with my grandson and granted he is a newborn, but I NEVER LEAVE HIM UNATTENDED and I have 3 rotties inside my house!!! In fact, they all have grown quite accustomed to him and meet him at the door when he arrives...then each takes a turn at kissing/licking his foot (stern NO if attempt for anything else)...it took lots of patience, practice and care on my part, but I wanted them to both (rottie and grandson) accept, enjoy and respect each other. He will be raised accordingly...rottie toys do not belong to him, and his toys do not belong to rotties, etc. Even my 10 1/2 yo old man thinks it's okay when the baby comes over! In fact, I have to be VERY careful when I get up after rocking him, because I have 3 little faces peering at me and watching my every move (and 3 rotties that I must step past because they are relaxing next to the rocking chair...hehe... ).

[spoiledbabies3]

Originally Posted by TR Young

Those of us who are responsible owners will continue to be responsible. There is no mistaking that. We will always train our dogs, socialize our dogs, and basically do everything in our power to be sure that our dogs are pillars of the K9 community. That being said, we are going to be facing BSL before we know it. Let me say that I am AGAINST any legislation. HOWEVER, if there does have to be legislation, then legislate that owners of 'dangerous breed' dogs be required to take their dogs to "X" number of obedience classes within a certain time period (and show proof of doing so), that they have adequate kenneling capability when not at home, etc... Personally, I would have NO trouble with providing all that information in leiu of never being able to own a Rottweiler again.
We have to be lisenced to drive vehicles, which in the wrong or untrained hands can become devices of murder, so why not dogs? I think it would weed out the responsible owners from the irresponsible ones.
Let me underline this again by saying that I don't want ANY legislation, but if it comes down to it, we will have to fight for something along these lines.

Unfortunately though...I still think there will be those that have UNLICENSED dogs...just like there are many of those that drive UNLICENSED...so in theory this is a GREAT idea, but I think that in reality it would still backfire to some extent.

[Gunsey'sMom]

I too agree with 'why was the child wandering?'

It boggles the mind to think someone went on vacation and left a dog in their yard!!!!! How stupid can you be!!! I hope this animal was seized at least from these people.

Smith said the case is being turned over to the district attorney to see if any charges will be filed against the owners of the dog.

That is the problem right there!!! Charges should automatically be filed!!! You would think wouldnt you? These people own this dog, the dog was not attended, and attacked a child causing physical harm. That is breaking the law as far a I am concerned. It was also breaking the leash law and they should be fined as well, and made to pay the fee if the aniaml is ultiamtely destroyed.

If people are made to take .....the R word---Responsiblility! for thier actions, then maybe they will start shaping up!! It is alsmost as if the law stops in its tracks when it comes to these terrible stories. You never here of charges filed or cases being followed through, just a big media frenzy. So the parties that keep on losing are the victims of these attacks and the dogs that will continue to fall in to the hands of these morons!!

[mannos]

if this wasnt on there property there wouldnt be any problems. but (as far as i know) the british "dangerous dog act" protects dogs, and owners if the attack happens on the dog's owners property. obviously this law is so that criminals cant sue owners if they are bitten by a dog protecting its land, but like every other law, it isnt fool proof. so even if it does go to court there is a chance that they could avoid prison via this technicality.
although, i think the loss of there baby will pretty much haunt them for the rest of there lives. so its not as if there getting off scot free

[MissMary]

Officers shot the Rottweiler, killing it, after it started acting vicious towards them.