When will people learn Pit Bulls are not evil?

Denise · 04-16-2004, 01:34 PM

I was infuriated when I read the following article about a Pit Bull that was found on an expressway in Chicago. The State Trooper's statement "It's not like it's a Chihuahua or anything where you could give it a nice kick," Mollo said. "Pit bulls are kind of scary", is repulsive and ignorant. Only a coward would kick a dog let alone be intimidated by a breed of dog that has nothing but negative stigma attached to it based on what human beings have done to the breed. I emailed the editor on the Chicago Tribune and expressed my outrage at the State Trooper's ignorant statement.

Traffic on the inbound Eisenhower Expressway was particularly gnarly during Thursday morning's rush hour, and the reason had four legs.

A female pit bull was wandering along the left shoulder of Interstate Highway 290 around 8: 30 a.m., causing traffic to back up nearly 5 miles west of Des Plaines Avenue in Forest Park, said State Police Trooper Angelo Mollo.

When troopers arrived, they closed a short section of the left lane to keep the animal on the shoulder.

"It's not like it's a Chihuahua or anything where you could give it a nice kick," Mollo said. "Pit bulls are kind of scary."

Lori Crites of Roselle, a production specialist for Boston Consulting Group, was crawling along in her Nissan 240 SX on her way to work when she rolled up to the scene about 9:15 a.m.

"I was expecting to see a four-car pileup," she said. "Instead, I get up there and there's a dog lying on the shoulder, just hanging out, looking like she was enjoying the beautiful day."

Unlike many of her fellow motorists perhaps, Crites chuckled as she passed. "I had to laugh," said Crites, even though her 45-minute commute was doubled Thursday morning.

Concerned that they were dealing with a beast of unknown temperament and pathology, troopers called ABC Humane Wildlife Rescue and Relocation in Arlington Heights. Garon Fyffe, director, and Vito Brancato, manager, rushed to the scene.

"She was lying down and looked completely exhausted," Fyffe said, "like she was just about ready to give up on life. The dog did not appear to be vicious."

Fyffe and Brancato used a "snare pole capture stick," a contraption with a loop at one end that they lowered over the dog's head and gently tightened. They also sedated her and headed for the March Animal Hospital in Arlington Heights.

"She's scraped up a bit, but doesn't appear to have any serious injuries," Dr. Mindy March, hospital owner, said of the pit bull, which is brown with white trim, unspayed, between 5 and 10 years old and about 45 pounds. Her body is unscarred and her teeth intact, suggesting she is not a fighting dog. No one had called to claim ownership of her.

"It looks like she's going to be a nice dog," March said, "but it's still too early to tell."

The dog will remain in the hospital for 10 days to be sure she is not infected with rabies, said March, adding that if she is, she would be euthanized.

If she goes unclaimed, March will try to find a new owner for the animal, which now has a new name taken from a former first lady.

"She was found on the Eisenhower, right?" March said, "but we can't call her Ike because she's a female. So, it's Mamie."

Courtesy of The Chicago Tribune

kingsborochins · 04-16-2004, 01:50 PM

The only things I have ever heard about Pitbulls has been negative. The media plays up every negative event so much that it is all you hear about them. You never hear about the Pitbull who saved someone's life. You only hear about the vicious attacks, the throats ripped out, and the fights.

Denise, I never heard a good thing about them until you mentioned it in several posts. I am terrified of them just because of the media. Sad, isn't it?

Christy · 04-16-2004, 02:15 PM

See Jason is connvinced pit bulls are bad, he also thinks all cats are evil (okay so he's weird lol). I personally think its the dog itself not the breed.

I have to say at least they will rehome her, I know i watch that Animal Cops type show and in Michigan they are killed without hope, I know in Ohio they have to be muzzled when out in public, pretty soon every dog but little ones will be banned.

suzoo · 04-16-2004, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Fyffe and Brancato used a "snare pole capture stick," a contraption with a loop at one end that they lowered over the dog's head and gently tightened. They also sedated her and headed for the March Animal Hospital in Arlington Heights.

If she appeared friendly, it wasn't neccessary to sedate the poor girl... she was already tired! Believe me, policemen haven't a clue about animals... in my opinion, they should go through an animal behavior course as part of their police training.. how many dogs (not just pitbulls) are shot because the officer got startled or 'thought' the dog was lunging at them...
I'm glad the dog will be given a chance at a new home if her owner doesn't come forward...
Denise.. as well as writing the newspaper, I'd be calling or writing the police dept and expressing my concerns about the officers attitude...

Quote:

"It's not like it's a Chihuahua or anything where you could give it a nice kick,"

That comment is disgusting! If a police officer is making a comment to the media, you'd think he would at least 'try' to appear professional even if he makes innappropriate comments with his fellow cops...

Lixx · 04-16-2004, 09:33 PM

Quote:

"It's not like it's a Chihuahua or anything where you could give it a nice kick,"

Kick it? What the hell is that supposed to achieve? What a discusting individual

Carla · 04-17-2004, 01:14 PM

It's retarded the way people are scared of this breed for nothing. An idiot human can make ANY dog mean. Pitbulls are loving and loyal-only vicious when they are MADE that way. I hope no one decides to start fighting poodles, I wouldn't want people panicking everytime they see some old lady walking her little poodle Poopsy.

Oh, and as a side note, the Memphis pound will PTS any pitbull or dog that appears to be a pitbull mix. When I went to get my mutt from the pound, there was a whole row of pitbulls/mixes waiting to be PTS. It was really sad, there was some that looked scared, and some that looked friendly, and some others were just vicious

pandaxian · 04-17-2004, 01:34 PM

have you seen this story on yahoo news? I just thought it was appropriate (i saw it posted elsewhere) for this topic. I personally love and adore pit bulls and i think it's the responsibilty of the owner to teach them not to be aggresive. The same goes in my opinion for ANY dog. Pit bulls may be a little more aggresive genetically, but all it takes is one loving home and some gentle but firm discipline on the no-no's to make one sweet, friendly pet.

I get pretty angry seeing the animal rescue shows where they'll 'rescue' a pit bull, even a friendly and tame one, just to put it to sleep. They don't even give them the chance

I feel so helpless about that, that some states will do this to animals, openly discriminate like that.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp.../fatal_mauling

Quote:

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - An 8-year-old boy was mauled to death by his father's four pit bulls, and prosecutors were considering charges against the father ranging from child neglect to murder.

Roddie Philip Dumas Jr. was attacked in the fenced-in yard of his father's home Friday. Neighbors and a postal worker who heard the boy's screams rushed to the scene.

The boy's father, Roddie Philip Dumas Sr., 29, and his girlfriend, were inside the house but did not come outside until the dogs had already severely injured the boy, officials said.

Lixx · 04-17-2004, 07:29 PM

How awful!!!! Children should never be unsupervised with pets, especially 4 large dogs!!! What stupid parents!!!!

suzoo · 04-17-2004, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Pitbulls are loving and loyal-only vicious when they are MADE that way.

I disagree... a dogs 'true' temperment can be determined when they are as young as 2 months old... some are just born 'bad'! I see this everyday... you can have a litter of puppies (none were ever abused) and sometimes one (or two) are 'hard wired' to be aggressive... its in their genes

suzoo · 04-17-2004, 07:36 PM

I should have also said that this goes for ALL dogs.. I didn't mean strictly pitbulls...