Mastiff Bites Wakey's Wife

A Mastiff is sentenced to euthanization after biting Red Sox Pitcher Tim Wakefield's wife. It was the second time the dog bit. Did this Hingham panel vote in favor of euthanization because it was the second bite, or because the second victim was Tim Wakefield's wife? I've been saying I should marry a Red Sox pitcher for years, in fact, since the Bronson Arroyo years. Apparently Portsmouth requires more than two bites to come to the same conclusion. Or one bitten Red Sox wife? And, where are the Matiff apologists? This is the third noteworthy Mastiff mauling I've posted on this blog. Will the friends of Mastiffs come out in force now, claiming it has nothing to do with breeding, inbreeding, size, build, etc? It's completely the fault of the bad, negligent, reprehensible owner? Or are humans breeding dogs that no one can really manage? Or are we so in love with dogs that we find it reprehensible to think that the dog should be at home all day, instead of playing doorman at the art gallery? Of course, an art gallery is the perfect place for a giant dog to spend the day. My theories are as follows:

Inbreeding is reaching some sort of breaking point, and many many breeds of dogs are congenitally unstable;

If it's a GIANT, unstable, inbred dog, there are serious consequences;

Dog owners need to get a lot more responsible, and think about what's good for the dog, instead of what's good for the gallery;

If I married Bronson Arroyo way back then, I wouldn't be having these problems. I'm not indifferent to Jonathan Papelbon.

My proposal to the Portsmouth Town Council might look something like this:

This is an outline and a rough draft. Have at it!
Outline for dog presentation:

Dog laws in RI are inadequate:
*My story
*Cumberland Story
*Portsmouth Mastiff Story

Other towns that have Vicious Dog Provisions over and above State Provisions:
*Bristol, Warren and Newport
*Pawtucket, Providence and Central Falls
*Military bans pit bulls and vicious dogs in base housing.
*Australian Pres SPCA's comments.

Overview of Dog Fighting problem
*Stevens case in Supreme Court
*Chicago Daycare raid.
*How many dogs have been seized in last 6 months.
*Bred to fight.
*Fighting dogs is lucrative, the fights and the breeding.
*Significant financial interest to protect. Hence bad pit bull information.

Shelter problem:
*Shelters overcrowded.
*Too many dogs in general.
*Too many pit bulls.
*Potter League brings in dogs from no kill shelters
*Flaws with no kill shelters
*Problem animals get shipped across state lines into other shelters.
*Fighting dogs end up in shelters
*It's in the news that dogs seized in fighting raids get put up for adoption.
*Until breeding of all dogs is controlled, Portsmouth needs to be on guard against ill-tempered dogs from shelters.
*This includes puppy mill dogs.

Breed specific legislation:
*Portsmouth may or may not approve of BSL
*Other towns have required insurance on "vicious breeds."
*Stricter fines for dogs at large, bites, attacks for all dogs might be better.
*This is open for discussion.

Specific points I would like to see legislated.
*Possibly mandatory euthanasia after one bite. Definitely after two bites. Put the responsibility in owner's
Hands to prevent bites, period.
*Dog impounded pending any vicious dog hearing.
*Mandatory homeowner's insurance for certain dog breeds. Or all dog breeds. Renters need renter's insurance.List Town on policy so town is notified of cancellation.
*Fences and pens for dogs deemed vicious, not chains.
*$500 fine for one bite. Double if the victim is a minor.
*Does Portsmouth have a dog waste rule? While we're at it....


As a guide to writing new laws, I'm referring to:
*Warren dog laws. Ideal.
*Bristol and Newport laws.
*Model dog bite laws from dogbitelaw.com.
*Model bite statute and model irresponsible owner statute are interesting.

Australian President of RSPCA Wants APBT bred out of Australia

Following a vicious pit bull attack, where an Australian man was injured and one of his dogs killed, Dr. Wirth, the president of the Australian Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, speaks out on his thoughts on pit bulls. The story about the attack was posted on 10/19. Some quotes from the Doctor:

"They are time bombs waiting for the right circumstances."

"The American pit bull terrier is lethal because it was a breed that was developed purely for dog fighting, in other words killing the opposition."

"They should never have been allowed into the country. They are an absolute menace."

This is an excerpt from yesterday's live chat with Dr. Wirth, "

1:32	[Comment From mark] Hi Dr Wirth, are these dogs classed as "dangerous" legally and would it be at all possible to class them as weapons in some instances? It may sound dramatic,but it seems necessary sometimes.

1:33	Mark Sorry Mark, I am a vet not a lawyer. You may have a point

It speaks volumes to me that the doctor thinks Mark's question is at least worth considering. I like this exchange too:

"1:39
[Comment From Shane]
Hundreds of dogs attack other dogs and people on a daily basis - but where is the media coverage on these particular incidences? Everyone is very quick to place blame and punish the dogs - however, I would be questioning the owner as to why the dog was off leash on the street to begin with. I believe it all comes down to responsible ownership and training of the dog. Is this not correct Dr. Wirth? Everyone is acting as if Pit Bulls are the only breed ever to attack. I myself own a Neapolitan Mastiff, and am fully aware of his strength and the damage he could potentially cause, which is why he is NEVER outside off leash. Never near children, never allowed near strangers etc etc.
1:44
Shane

You have answered your comment yourself. You know exactly the potential of your dog - as I do with mine current and passed - and you are taking steps to manage it legally. You can hardly blame the media for reporting on the horrific occurrance last night. The media also reported the equally horrific ( and nearly fatal) attack by a Rottweiler on a five year old boy last week.

Click here for the whole archived live chat. I'm not saying Dr. Wirth's opinions are my own. I'm saying, hey, take a look at what someone way smarter than me, with way more information and experience, has to say. It's reason for pause, no? Why should I care what the head of the Australian RSPCA thinks? Because he's not in bed with the breeder lobbies, the AKC, the tobacco lobbies and all the other rich, powerful organizations that are buying advertising for pits, and shushing bad pit press. The people making money with pits are are corrupting the humane organizations to protect their own interests, so you don't hear honesty like this from American SPCA representatives.

You're right, any breed can attack.

This is an exceptionally well written blog post on Jack Russel Terriers, and their problems with biting. Research credit, Craven Desires. Read the whole thing.
http://terriermandotcom.blogspot.com/2009/10/pit-bull-rights-verus-pit-bull.html

Why have leash laws...

If you're going to let your leashed dog jump all over everybody? "Responsible" dog owners, whose dogs never hurt anyone, still make you deal with their dog all of the time whether you like it or not. This has really been bugging me since 9/5, seeing as my adrenaline levels rev up every time I see a dog. I hope I'll get over it, but for now, I don't want to get within 2 feet of any animal I don't know. Naturally, I'm fairly vexed at the owner of the English Bull Dog, who knows about my petition, my blog, and my whole story, who let her English Bull Dog jump on me yesterday when I was sitting on the sea wall waiting for my son to get off the bus. Would my dogsbite.org friends consider this typical pit-nutter behavior? I know many find that term offensive. But when a dog owner, who knows you were bit by a dog recently, sees you minding your own business, and sees an opportunity to prove that dogs are nice by letting her harmless pooch jump on you, there's a problem. A mental problem. Hence the term, "nutter." It's great if you trust your dog. That's how it should be. But we were all brought up being told not to trust a dog you don't know. So, dog owners, please show a little respect, and don't expect everyone you meet on the sidewalk to trust your dog as much as you do. We're not supposed to.

Recently Adopted Pit Mauls 8 Year Old Next Door

I'm onto Zupf. This is old news now. 2/2008. I think I'm just going to stick to posting stories that closely parallel mine, but with more tragic results, that happened more recently, and closer to home. I have plenty to choose from. But this one struck me because the recently-adopted pit bull just followed the command to attack the child. The owner clearly didn't have much time to train him. Did the previous owner train him to attack? Perhaps. Or is the dog naturally "high energy" and didn't need training to attack? It doesn't matter. Shelter pits are bad news.

Neighbor's pit bull mauls Fall River child

Note that the owners of the dog are not expected to be charged.