A true story about my friend and her Amer. Staff

borzoimom · 05-24-2007, 08:17 AM

True story of a friends pit bull

I am really not looking for a debate- I just wanted to share something with you as its now finally resolved. I just want people to read and consider- . The reason in my posting this is in the last paragraph so please read the WHOLE story. Again- I am not looking for a debate, and I will have the moderator delete the thread if this is too upsetting..

I have friend I have known for about 25 years. One of the top skilled trainers in a several county area. She had worked with problems dogs, advanced obedience, search and rescue, even therapy dog work. She wanted to get a american staffshire to " prove" that the breed could be a wonderful companion, excellent obedience and show dog etc. She got a pup from one of the top breeders in the us- highly successful pedigree- ie " TOP of the Line". Not in bred etc- with excellent lines.
Being a skilled trainer- she started working with the pup very early, and spayed her at 6 months old. The dog was a obedience GENIUS! Going easily from one title to another. She tried to put the dog into our therapy group but was told because of the breed type, she could not qualify. Meanwhile the dog continued to be the most amazing working, top scoring dogs I have ever seen. ( keep in mind- I am not easily impressed because I have also used my shepherds in high competition status- but this dog was amazing..)

She lived in town, had a fenced in yard- always went outside with the dog, but the dog never EVER showed any sign of aggression. The dog was use to people walking past the house, with their dogs, their kids etc, and well known in the area for being a friendly dog. The dog loved people walking by as my friend had trained her to accept this routine.

One day she was out in the yard- gardening with the dog laying in the grass, when a older lady, and her spayed female that walked infront of the house daily- never shown either dog as aggressive or with problems. Both excellent dogs. For reasons that escape any understanding- my friends dog- took off- jumped the fence, and attacked this dog. As the lady tried to get the dog off, my friend as well flying to the fence to stop it, the dog attacked the woman.. Even my friend, the lady and two people passing by had a hard time getting my friends " highly trained" - a dog that had never EVER shown a single sign of aggression- they all had a hard time getting my friends dog to stop the attack.
Finally they did- the my friends dog was taken into custody. The ladys dog to the vets, the lady to the hospital - and in this transport, went into cardiac arrest..

Five people were bitten in this attack- the ladys dog could not be saved..
Later in the afternoon- after knowledge of the ladys cardiac arrest became known to the police- my friend was arrested for "reckless endangerment, and attempted murder etc.". With one of the best top lawyers, he convinced the judge in the bail hearing to do a necropsy on the dog argueing this was so out of character for the dog- the dog must have been sick. ( she wasnt....not a thing showed up to explain this sudden attack..) . At the time the county did not have a "pitt ban", but the charges were steaming from mostly the lady having a heart attack because of this situation, and although she recovered, my friend was held without bail pending investigation, and later sentenced. ( the exact total charges are unknown to me..) My friend went into deep depression, had to be placed on suicide watch, and served her sentence.

Meanwhile- because she was in jail, she couldnt work- lost her house to foreclosure, then the ladies family filed a law suit. Although she always had liability insurance on her dogs (as well as I do too..) it was not enough to cover the damages of everything from the hospital bill for the lady, pain and suffering, neglegence- ( the court and insurance company said a 4 foot high fence was inadequate and being a trainer- she should have known her dog was too big and should have had a higher fence or at least a anti jump harness, even the value of the dog that died because of the attack, and the vets bills in an attempt to save the dog.. etc etc etc..
The result- although now out of jail, she has lost her home, her wages will probably be taxed for her entire life, and she is still in such a state of depression- and vows to never EVER have another dog ( any dog) again after being so active in dogs almost her whole adult life..

** MY POINT in this whole thing is this- people dismiss breed traits and believe they have altered the inheirent breed type traits . Just like a sighthound can never have a 100 percent reliable recall against a chase, this type of dog was used to fight in a " pitt". Although my friend had taken every single precaution with high training, and socializing- she is beating her self up for not thinking for a second to have a anti jump harness on her dog whenever off the lead.. You cant turn off breed traits. Does that mean you should not own a certain of dog? OF COURSE NOT- it just means to never under estimate the bred in instinct "its in there". Just like I know my dogs may not come on my recall ( I am a licensed certified trainer by the way) and bolt in a chase- TAKING PRECAUTIONS - thinking " outside the box of what else you can do and heading breed standards and clubs advice- are things owners need to think about..

Again- this is not a 'breed bashing"... Its the point of understanding the breed traits. ..
I love my dogs, and care for them probably better than I care for myself. Loving pets, the perfect breed for me- but I always know and take seriously the precautions to not only protect them- but my life as well as far as liability as well..
I honestly never thought for a second something like that could have happened with my friend as skilled as she was... Not for a second...

Ginny01OT · 05-24-2007, 09:18 AM

Thank you for sharing that, it is a sad, sad story and your points are well taken.

borzoimom · 05-24-2007, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ginny01OT

Thank you for sharing that, it is a sad, sad story and your points are well taken.

Thank you..

Curbside Prophet · 05-24-2007, 09:33 AM

Did she have a staffie or an APBT? Was this story reported in any papers? It sounds almost difficult for me to fathom, and it's very saddening.

Snowshoe · 05-24-2007, 09:41 AM

Yeah, how sad for the lady.

Accidents happen to anyone and everyone. Your friend shouldn't give up on all dogs.

Any breed can be vicious. I know of one notable keeshond who is very dog aggressive, and this dog is a show dog.

Sometimes, animals just snap.

I will say that an AmStaff can do more damage then almost any other breed that I can think of. That's one thing about a bully breed. Sure, chihuahuas can be just as aggressive, but I've never known of anyone dying (of whatever cause) in a chihuahua attack.

borzoimom · 05-24-2007, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curbside Prophet

Did she have a staffie or an APBT? Was this story reported in any papers? It sounds almost difficult for me to fathom, and it's very saddening.

Yes it was but its archived now as they put the breed in banned. Its was a American Staffordshire Terrier . When you read anything about a sighthound they list their precautions, any working breed same thing- if the AM.st. and APBT would make a selection of suggestions what they consider proper ownership incluidng as stated anti jump harness in the yard even if you are in attendace but the dog is off the leash- even that would have prevented this possibly.
I realize right her now her decission to never own another dog seems odd, but this situation was just so extreme and I think she is still in some sort of shock- understandable to a point.. I even carry extra liability with my dogs because a few years back another borzoi member when their dog bolted and got hit by a car, and the car struck a tree as well, the owner of the dog was sued for neglegance and "dog running at large..". Law suits are getting out of hand, and since the "pitt types" are banned in alot of countys in the US, if you can get insurance, its sky high.. Even if you do not live in a banned area.. The insurance companies concern is that one day, your county will put these laws into affect. Thats why I attend alot of anti banning hearings. And speak on behalf of STOPPING the bans. What happens is that if they get a few breeds though, then later its easier to grandfather the law and other ones.. The sad thing is to me- not at ONE SINGLE hearing are the breed clubs there to represent their own breed! So when at the hearings and personal qualifications or not = when you asked by the moderators or judge " well do you own one?" whats the answer??.. "uh no but"... - now that looks pretty stupid..

peace36 · 05-24-2007, 09:43 AM

That is so sad. It must be hard for you to watch your friend go through this.

You have a very good point about the breeds traits. It makes sense to me.

How old what the dog when it attacked?

borzoimom · 05-24-2007, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowshoe

Yeah, how sad for the lady.

Accidents happen to anyone and everyone. Your friend shouldn't give up on all dogs.

Any breed can be vicious. I know of one notable keeshond who is very dog aggressive, and this dog is a show dog.

Sometimes, animals just snap.

I will say that an AmStaff can do more damage then almost any other breed that I can think of. That's one thing about a bully breed. Sure, chihuahuas can be just as aggressive, but I've never known of anyone dying (of whatever cause) in a chihuahua attack.

I agree but repeatedly in her trail it was brought up that this breed has been banned in other places..

peace36 · 05-24-2007, 09:51 AM

I can understand why your friend says she never wants another dog. She needs time to work through this emotionally horrible ordeal. Maybe when the time is right a dog will be part of the therapy she needs to heal.

borzoimom · 05-24-2007, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peace36

That is so sad. It must be hard for you to watch your friend go through this.

You have a very good point about the breeds traits. It makes sense to me.

How old what the dog when it attacked?

About 4 and half years old. ( little over..)

Quote:

Originally Posted by peace36

I can understand why your friend says she never wants another dog. She needs time to work through this emotionally horrible ordeal. Maybe when the time is right a dog will be part of the therapy she needs to heal.

I hope so too and hope you are right. Everytime she talks to me she just cries..

skunkstripe · 05-24-2007, 10:36 AM

That is truly awful!
Did they do a necropsy to rule out medical reasons?

http://www.k9aggression.com/Aggressi...al_issues.html

borzoimom · 05-24-2007, 10:38 AM

Yes they did- on the insistance of her lawyer that the dog NEVER showed aggression before- something must be wrong. A brain shunt, kidney problems ( retains toxins in the body and brain) etc etc etc. It was even sent to a lab outside the county to the best in the tri state area- NOTHING ..

Jen D · 05-24-2007, 10:49 AM

It has most likley been asked already but how long has it been since that incident? That is so sad, I know owning Bully breeds myself and I always stay right on top of them just like your friend. When they are outside I am with them so I have to say this is a great thing for me to hear becasue I also trust my dogs. So this is a great wake up call to remember their backround when it comes to the breed. I just wish there was something your friend knew that set the dog off. I hope with her experience she will in the future get another dog she sounded like a great trainer.

borzoimom · 05-24-2007, 10:50 AM

About a year and half ago. .. She got out in january. Took a while for the investigation etc to be done then the trail then sentence.

Jen D · 05-24-2007, 10:54 AM

Is she doing any better after getting out? There isn't to much that gets me upset but I am ready to cry over this one.

sillylilykitty · 05-24-2007, 11:40 AM

That is so sad. I will have to remember that when I do get my dog. Never forget what they were bred for, its their natural instincts.

Im glad Shar Pei's were not bred for fighting, but for guarding.

Snowshoe · 05-24-2007, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sillylilykitty

That is so sad. I will have to remember that when I do get my dog. Never forget what they were bred for, its their natural instincts.

Im glad Shar Pei's were not bred for fighting, but for guarding.

Actually Silly, Shar Peis have been used for dog fighting.

borzoimom · 05-24-2007, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jen D

Is she doing any better after getting out? There isn't to much that gets me upset but I am ready to cry over this one.

I am too. We have an exciting event taking place with galina, and I do not have the heart to share it with her.
Now in all my classes, any breed that had the function to guard I recommend a anti jump harness for the yard.

Now I have to comment. Thank you all so much for being so poliet and considerate of my friends feelings and mine. Thank you!

Jen D · 05-24-2007, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by borzoimom

I am too. We have an exciting event taking place with galina, and I do not have the heart to share it with her.
Now in all my classes, any breed that had the function to guard I recommend a anti jump harness for the yard.

Now I have to comment. Thank you all so much for being so poliet and considerate of my friends feelings and mine. Thank you!

That is a great idea!

sillylilykitty · 05-24-2007, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowshoe

Actually Silly, Shar Peis have been used for dog fighting.

Yeah, and thats probably why people think they are fighting dogs. And they can be a little DA sometimes, depends on the individual dog, but still I would be watching over them very well.

They were originally bred for guarding in China. But im sure some people have used them for dog fighting, actually I know 2 dogs that would fight but are the sweetest dogs with people.

But those 2 dogs if were taken away from the farm, and all the dogs there (their pack), wouldnt fight with dogs they met outside. Doesnt mean they wouldnt attack, just not fight any dog that walks down the street.

Yeah, im not good with words, hope you understand.