From My Google Alerts- October 16, 2010

A man in Russia keeps his dog in his car instead of at his house as most normal people keep their pets. The dog is described as a “large pit bull terrier” and he lives in his owner’s old Volga car. The man says he cannot keep the dog at home. This is just so sad because no dog, especially pit bull type dogs should have to be confined to such a small space. The Russian police have stated that the man is not breaking any laws thus there is nothing they can do about the situation.

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An 11-month-old boy was bitten by the family dog, a yellow Labrador retriever named Fat Boy, in Nebraska last week. The baby, the mother, and the dog were all lying in the mother’s bed until she got up to get something. She then saw the dog bite the child, lacerating his forehead and biting his cheek. The dog will more than likely be put down; however, no breed of dog is mentioned in the article headline.

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In Hillsboro, Oregon, a man was bitten by a police search dog when they responded to a call about a possible break in at an Oregon rock museum. The man has been dubbed the “Moss Man” because he was concealed on the ground by a moss-like camouflage outfit. The “Moss Man” allegedly had secretly cut a hole in one of the building's walls days earlier and was trying to get in. Deputies who responded searched the grounds, finding a bike and a backpack.

"The K9 tracked to a wooded area and was very interested in a particular piece of ground about a half a mile away from the building," Thompson said in a release. "The dog then bit the ground that in turn cried out in pain."

The officer then realized there was a man hiding at his feet, dressed in a "ghillie" suit, Thompson said. A ghillie suit is a head-to-toe camouflage outfit used by military snipers to blend in with vegetation. The man was then arrested and is being held at the county jail.
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In Lebanon, Ohio, two women were attacked and bitten by a German shepherd dog when it approached them while walking down the street. The dog jumped on the 18-year-old woman, biting her arm. The dog turned on the mother when she came to her daughter's defense. The dog’s breed is not mentioned in the headline.
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A schnauzer was killed by a pit bull type dog last week after the pit bull attacked it for the second time in eleven days. Michael Kopynec, the 22-year-old irresponsible owner of the pit bull, was arrested Thursday and booked into East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on one count each of unlawful ownership of a dangerous dog and negligent injuring.
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Carrie Rae McKinney of San Diego will not face charges following the April incident when her 7-month-old son’s genitals were mutilated by her boyfriend’s mixed breed dog. She had left the baby unattended in his car seat on the floor when one of the dogs tore into his diaper. One week prior to this incident, her older two children were removed from the home by Child Protective Services.
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In Detroit, a pit bull was shot and killed when it bit a police officer responding to a call about gunfire between two groups of boys. Police arrived and a pit bull was released. The pit bull bit one of the police officers. That is when the officer shot and killed the dog.

  

Black Lab Attacked Girl, age 2, Over Fourth of July Weekend

Dog attacks, injures 2-year-old girl at holiday gathering in Helvetia

Published: Monday, July 05, 2010, 6:17 PM     Updated: Monday, July 05, 2010, 7:24 PM

Bear, a black Labrador, attacked a 2-year-old girl at a family gathering Sunday in Helvetia. The dog caused deep cuts to the child's neck, face, head and severed the top of her ear. She's expected to survive.

Pit bull attacks small dog: 'I thought he was dead'

by Elissa Harrington KVAL News

Originally printed at http://www.kval.com/news/96519039.html

SPRINGFIELD, Ore - A 9-pound Italian greyhound is recovering after being attacked by a pit bull at Springfield dog park.

It happened at Willamalane's Lively Park Monday evening. The park is divided in a large dog section and a small dog section.

Toshika Wilson told KVAL News she moved her dog Tiny to the large dog side so that he could have more space to run. She said her dog was standing in the middle of the park minding his own business when she saw a pit bull heading straight toward him.

"He was completely under the pit bull," Wilson says. "I don't know what went on but he was totally under it. I thought he was dead."

Tiny suffered numerous injuries including bite mark wounds to his neck, cuts on his ear, and scratches on his belly. A witness told KVAL the pit bull bit two other dogs right before Tiny, deep enough to where they drew blood.

What happened after the attack is what upsets Wilson the most. She says the pit bull's owner quickly got his dog, and left the park.

"I said, 'Give me your name and your telephone number,' and he said, 'There's no need. There's no need. Get away," Wilson said.

Wilson memorized the man's license plate and called police, but nobody would help her.

"They wouldn't take my report," she said.

One of the people she spoke with was officer Tracy Sparks, the city of Springfield's Animal Control Officer.

KVAL News asked if there's anything she can do.

"No," said Sparks. "Unfortunately in an off-leash dog park animals are allowed to roam amongst themselves, and be interactive. And the ordinances like 'dog at large' are not going to apply. Nor 'vicious dog' are going to apply."

The dog park, owned by Willamalane Parks and Recreation District, is located half in the city and half in the county. Sparks said she believes the attack happened on the city's side, "So unfortunately there's no violation of city code regarding the incident," she said.

Sparks said the city's ordinance is if a dog leaves its property and attacks another dog, they would handle the call. But since a dog park invited dogs in, people and animals enter at their own risk.

She said if there's a consistent problem with an aggressive dog, a person should contact park officials.

KVAL News contacted Mike Moskovitz, the park's Public Affairs Manager. He sent us a list of the park's rules. One of those rules states, "Dogs exhibiting aggressive behavior must be leashed and removed. Owners are responsible for the actions of their dogs."

In the statement, Moskovitz said "according to the park’s rules, it was the pit bull’s owner who was responsible for the dog’s actions. The pit bull’s owner should have leashed and removed the dog before the dog had an opportunity to attack the smaller dog. It’s unfortunate the small dog was injured. The pit bull’s owner did not follow the rules nor even stay to help with the injured dog. The issue is between the two pet owners."

Moskovitz also suggested calling police if things get out of hand. But Sparks told KVAL News there's no report that can be filed.

Wilson said she is confused where she can get help and is worried if nothing is done, something like what happened to Tiny could happen again.

"That's a dangerous dog," she said. "And if it's a dangerous dog it doesn't matter what species, it shouldn't be handled like that."

These rules are prominently posed at the dog park:

• Dogs must be licensed and current on all vaccinations. License tags must be displayed.
   
• Dogs must be leashed when entering and leaving the dog park. Dogs outside of the fenced dog park must be leashed and under control at all times.
   
• Owners must clean up after their dogs.
   
• Dogs exhibiting aggressive behavior must be leashed and removed. Owners are responsible for the actions of their dogs.
   
• Park users and dog owners assume all risks related to the dog park.
   
• Handlers must be 16 or older. No children under 16 unless accompanied by an adult.
   
• No dogs under 4 months or dogs in heat.
   
• Small Dog Area is reserved for dogs under 25 pounds.

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This is an example of why pit bulls should avoid dog parks at all possible costs. No matter how well behaved and friendly you think your pit bull is you mustn’t forget dog on dog aggression is in their blood and you never know what could trigger their aggression. Kangol’s dad, Koby, is fine with other dogs, even male, as long as they are smaller than he is; additionally, I know dogs aren’t supposed to be able to differentiate size but I question that because that is the only time he is DA. Although now that he is 9 years old, even that is starting to calm for the most part. I would never take him to a dog park though.

The pit bull owner didn’t help matters by refusing to give his name and even inquire about the little dog’s well-being. Thanks, asshole, for contributing to the negative image surrounding pit bulls and their owners; however, the pit owner was following the rules by leashing and removing his aggressive behaving dog.

OK on to the little dog, Tiny and his owner. She has a 9lb dog in the BIG DOG AREA. WTF? She needs to follow the rules as well. I highly doubt there wasn’t enough room in the small dog area. Besides, how much room does a 9lb dog need to run anyway?