Get to Know Some "Pit Bull" Heroes...86 of them!

We've all read the horror stories, now read the hero stories! Jeff Theman, producer of the documentary "Guilty Til Proven Innocent," and I have been keeping tabs on media reports of brave "pit bull" type dogs, and here are the stories we've found!  We'll update this list as new stories come in. Enjoy! 

(please note this is the temporary home for these stories; we will be moving the collection to our new advocacy site in the next few months!)

7/27/11 http://www.wzzm13.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=107779 - ASSAULT - Blitz saves woman from husband. (1)

7/27/11 http://www.fox28.com/Global/story.asp?S=12777922#.TjCekfrdUxM.facebook - FIRE - Thor alerts family of house fire. (2)

http://www.wane.com/dpp/news/indiana/pit-bull-saves-ind-family-from-fire - See above (not posted)

http://www.wndu.com/hometop/headlines/98083109.html - see above (not posted)

7/27/11 http://www.newson6.com/story/10397551/protective-pit-bull-wins-dog-of-valor-award?redirected=true#.TjCfAYV7hhk.facebook - ATTEMPTED ROBBERY - DBoy takes 3 bullets from intruder, saves family, wins award. (3)

http://www.news9.com/story/9494086/family-dog-takes-bullet-to-save-family?redirected=true - See above (not posted)

7/27/11 http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Diamond-the-Hero-Dog-121291194.html - FIRE - Diamond alerts family of house fire, presented award. (4)

http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2011/05/04/pit-bull-named-spcalas-hero-dog-of-the-year/ - See above...(not posted)

http://www.wbaltv.com/video/27798107/detail.html - See above...(not posted)

http://www.wlbz2.com/news/article/158379/108/Pit-bull-saves-family-from-fire-but-cant-find-new-home - See above (not posted)

http://www.ktvu.com/news/25986606/detail.html - see above...(not posted)

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/los_angeles&id=8113149 - see above (not posted)

http://www.wbir.com/news/article/162028/141/Hero-dog-now-homeless-because-shes-a-pit-bull - see above (not posted)

7/28/11 http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news%2Flocal&id=6625698 - LAW ENFORCEMENT - Elliot Ness helps Chicago (Cook County Sheriff's Office) in cadaver sniffing. (5)

http://cookcountysheriff.org/press_page/press_k9pressRelease_01_26_09.html - see above (posted press release)

7/28/11 http://www.king5.com/news/local/Pitbull-on-Patrol-88957032.html - LAW ENFORCEMENT - Neville helps Washington State Patrol in drug and bomb sniffing. (6)

7/28/11 http://www.ci.milwaukie.or.us/police/milwaukies-new-k-9-goes-prime-time - LAW ENFORCEMENT - Shaka introduced to Milwaukie, Oregon Police Department for drug sniffing (press release only). (7)

7/28/11 http://www.cbp.gov/xp/CustomsToday/2002/October/k9.xml - LAW ENFORCEMENT - Popsicle helps US Customs in drug sniffing (press release only). (8)

7/29/11 http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20090710/BREAKING/907109958 - ATTEMPTED ROBBERY - (Unnamed Pit Bull dog) saves family. (10)

7/29/11 http://www.wkbw.com/news/local/19117029.html - ASSAULT - Lily saves owner from boyfriend. (11)

7/29/11 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/regional/item_EECJdu49NXvQGyUZd3D0WP#.TjN8FFff8ic - ASSAULT - Blue saves 7 year old girl from sexual assault by Perv. (12)

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2007/07/07/2007-07-07_pit_bull_saves_girl_from_perv.html - See above (not posted).

7/29/11 http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news%2Flocal&id=6690057 - FIRE - Ace alerts family of fire. (13)

7/30/11 http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/unleashed/2008/08/pit-bull-saves.html - SAVES KITTENS - Angel saves a litter of kittens. (14)

7/30/11 http://www.katu.com/news/local/99553644.html - FIRE - Grizzly wakes family up and saves from fire. (15)

http://www.kboi2.com/news/local/99575089.html - see above (not posted)

7/30/11 http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_4095627 - SAVES BOY - Destiny saves boy from potential abducter. (16)

7/30/11 http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/24466747/detail.html - SAVES DOG - 2 unnamed Pit Bulls save Chihauhua from coyote attack. (17)

7/31/11 http://www.click2houston.com/news/11702190/detail.html - FIRE - Unnamed Pit Bull saves family of 6 from house fire. (18)

7/31/11 http://www.ksla.com/story/3538217/pit-bull-alerts-owner-to-house-fire?redirected=true - FIRE - Stormy alerts family of fire. (19)

7/31/11 http://news.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view/20100820owner_dog_was_my_hero_during_knife_attack/ - ASSAULT - Princess saves owner from boyfriend knife attack. (20)

7/31/11 http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Pit-Bull-Saves-Family-of-Five.html - FIRE - Jasmine saves family from house fire. (21)

8/1/11 http://www.wsbradio.com/news/news/pit_bull_saves_owner_from_atta/nmG5/ - ASSAULT - Unnamed Pit Bull stops boyfriend from attacking woman. (22)

8/1/11 http://youtu.be/b0dtuW_BjgU - THERAPY - Grant the library dog, listens to kids read. (23)

8/2/11 http://www.cbs12.com/video/v/73356775001/wpec-localnews - ROBBERY - Victor scares off an alleged car jacker. (24)

8/3/11 http://www.cbs12.com/video/v/73356775001/wpec-localnews - SNIFFING DOG -Layla, the peanut sniffing Pit Bull (finds peanuts for life threatening allergy). (25)

8/4/11 http://articles.nydailynews.com/2011-07-27/news/29836879_1_pit-bull-puppy-cheyenne-divine-intervention - SAVING SUICIDE - Cheyenne saves military vet from suicide. (26)

8/5/11 http://www.kktv.com/home/headlines/Dogs_Bitten_Alert_Family_to_Rattlesnake_126814898.html#.Tjy7NgRV_6s - SAVES CHILD - Layla (Pit Bull) and Jackson (GSD) alert family of rattlesnake where 3 year old son was playing. (27)

8/6/11 http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/video?id=7453902&syndicate=syndicate&section - FIRE - Baby saves owner and 2 dozen cats and dogs at humane society from fire. (28)

8/7/11 http://addins.kwwl.com/blogs/cubbietails/2010/08/pit-bull-saves-woman-and-child-from-attacker - ASSAULT - Unnamed Pit Bull saves woman and child from attacker. (29)

8/9/11 http://www.necn.com/Boston/New-England/2009/02/19/Hero-dog-saves-11-from-burning/1235087866.html - FIRE - Chaos saves 11 people from house fire. He unfortunately died in it. (30)

8/10/11 http://www.wlbt.com/story/6602471/pit-bull-emerges-hero-in-house-fire#.TkMu18sZYMU - FIRE - Pepper saves family from fire and 4 other dogs too. (31)

8/11/11 http://www.12newsnow.com/story/13181115/family-dog-saves-family-as-home-burns-to-ground?redirected=true#.TkSSKG-UfjN - FIRE - Unnamed Pit Bull saves family from mobile home fire. He and another dog dies in it. (32)

8/12/11 http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/local/pit-bulls-go-to-work-as-therapy-dogs - THERAPY - Group of therapy Pit Bulls (Luv a Bull) visit children. (33)

8/12/11 http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/category/watch-listen/video-on-demand/?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=5129010&flvUri&partnerclipid - THERAPY - Leo (former Vick dog) visits cancer patients in hospitals. (34)

http://www.11alive.com/life/pets/story.aspx?storyid=117374 - see above (posted)

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25214356/ns/health-pet_health/t/beaten-down-dog-vick-case-has-his-day/ - see above (posted)

8/13/11 http://www.rrdailyherald.com/news/pit-bull-visit-lifts-police-spirits/article_4046bece-8e1b-550e-8c1d-edb1b5f71929.html - THERAPY - Elle visits Police Officers to lift spirits. (35)

8/14/11 http://sdnews.com/bookmark/9096640/article-Rescued+Pit+Bull+Gives+Back+to+Community+as+Therapy+Dog#.TkhO39AhJIg - THERAPY - Cody, born deformed, gives back to community. (36)

8/15/11 http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=828240 - THERAPY - Ruby the therapy dog, battles cancer. She also has a book about her. (37)

8/16/11 http://www.abcactionnews.com/dpp/news/local_news/Pit-bull's-special-brand-of-therapy-in-demand - THERAPY - Jasmine spreads joy at assisted living homes. (38)

8/17/11 http://articles.philly.com/1996-08-11/news/25644395_1_muffin-pet-therapy-pit-bull - THERAPY - Muffin the therapy dog. (39)

8/18/11 http://www.wtae.com/r/18337664/detail.html#.Tk2SIpDiB7I - THERAPY - Abby (owned by one of our interviews Maria Johnston) visits assisted living homes. (40)

8/19/11 http://www2.turnto10.com/news/2010/jul/23/pit-bull-joins-police-search-and-rescue-team-ar-162259/ - SAR - Unnamed Pit Bull search and rescue dog. (41)

8/20/11 http://www2.wjbf.com/lifestyles/2008/dec/06/investigators_pit_bull_stabbed_to_death_while_defe-ar-222176/ - ASSAULT - Maximus saves owner from an attack by brother in law. He was stabbed to death in the process. (42)

8/21/11 http://www.news4jax.com/news/18837417/detail.html - ATTEMPTED ROBERRY - Man (dogs name) scares off intruders during home invasion, gets shot, loses leg. (43)

8/22/11 http://www.wtoc.com/Global/story.asp?S=2872940 - FIRE - Otis saves family from fire. (44)

8/23/11 http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news%2Flocal&id=6560000 - ATTEMPTED ROBBERY - Kola chases burgular, gets hurt. (45)

http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news%2Flocal&id=6560000 - see above (posted)

http://abcnews.go.com/US/AmazingAnimals/story?id=7587664&page=1#.TlROu9vgCfU - see above (posted)

8/24/11 http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Dog-is-best-friend-for-a-cat-in-trouble-917837.php - SAVE KITTENS - Phoebe saves a litter of kittens. (46)

8/25/11 http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/12/13/1197135649329.html - SAVES CHILD - Unnamed Pit Bull/Rottweiler mix saves boy from drowning. (47)

8/26/11 https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150313035814124 - THERAPY - Rocco the therapy dog (video is only on facebook). (48)

8/27/11 http://www.time.com/time/video/player/0,32068,671301612001_2030797,00.html - SAVES OWNER FROM SUICIDE - Cheyene helps former military vet cope with PTSD. (49)

8/28/11 http://abcnews.go.com/US/video/family-dogs-saves-girl-fox-attack-12249930#.Tlro-pN3KJ8 - SAVES GIRL FROM FOX - Abby (Pit Bull) and Callie (Bassett Hound) save human sister from fox attack. (50)

8/29/11 http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/local_news/Dog-used-in-fights-becomes-therapy-helper-at-Berea-nursing-facility - THERAPY - Gremlin visits nursing homes. (51)

8/30/11 http://www.phil-islands.com/pit-bull-terrier-dog-saves-2-women-from-deadly-cobra - SAVES WOMEN FROM COBRA - Chief saves 2 women from cobra. (52)

8/31/11 http://www.understand-a-bull.com/Articles/HeroicPitties/CocotheHeroMay05.pdf - ATTEMPTED ROBBERY/ASSAULT - Coco chases intruder out of house. (53)

9/1/11 http://montclair.patch.com/articles/thankful-for-life-and-giving-back - THERAPY - Shelby teach kids about bullying. (54)

http://news.yahoo.com/students-talk-bullying-profiling-author-joe-dwyer-20110213-070100-428.html - see above (posted)

http://www.belladogmagazine.com/book-reviews/301-shelbys-grace-shelby-an-abused-pit-bull-finds-a-purpose-to-her-life-as-a-therapy-dog-after-being-rescued-from-a-shelter - see above (posted) (Pit Bull on cover of Bella Dog)

http://finance.bnet.com/bnet/news/read?GUID=16964650 - see above (posted)

9/2/11 http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?_r=1&res=9F01E0D7163EEE3ABC4F53DFB166838A639EDE - Stubby (pdf of newspaper article). (55)

9/8/11 http://www.woio.com/story/15414604/good-boy-dog-bites-attacker-helps-owner-get-away#.Tmlainf_iYE -ASSAULT - Cash fends off attacker. (56)

http://www.fox8.com/news/wjw-dog-protects-pregnant-owner-from-attacker-elyria-txt,0,5995285.story - see above (posted)

9/10/11 http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/video?id=7915616&syndicate=syndicate&section - THERAPY - Sarge the therapy dog, also dog that inspired Elderbull name. (57)

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2011/02/03/free-spay-and-neuter-for-pit-bulls-and-pit-bull-mixes/ - see above (posted)

9/25/11 http://www.wtae.com/r/29297655/detail.html#.Tn_fGoLgm-w - SAVES ELDERLY WHO FELL DOWN - Cobain saves elderly woman who fell down hill. (58)

11/4/2011 http://www.khou.com/news/local/HFD-Pit-bull-credited-with-saving-family-from-burning-home-133231848.html - pit bull saves family from house fire (59)

11/14/2011 http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news%2Flocal&id=8430744 - pit bull saves family from deadly carbon monoxide leak (60)

April, 2011 http://bslnews.org/2011/04/11/meet-gladys-another-pit-bull-hero/ (Gladys saves baby bunnies) (61)

11/18/2011 http://www.fox23news.com/news/local/story/Pit-bull-saves-owner-from-fast-moving-fire/Ordn4wIIPEeWDqokgRrObQ.cspx?autoplay=1 (Bully Boy saves family from fire) (62)

11/23/2011 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11327/1191774-57-0.stm?cmpid=localstate.xml - Nola visits classrooms and helps children with their reading (63)

11/27/2011 http://www.whas11.com/news/local/Fire-damages-Louisville-home--134555673.html - dogs (at least one is a pit bull) alert man to a fire in his home. (64)

12/05/2011 http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/article/id/222998/ Casey a pit bull lab mix works as a therapy dog (65)

2009 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtAue-USGOc&feature=share (Rico, shot point blank to defend friends from a robber) (double check we don’t have this one) (66)

12/21/2011 http://www.fox40.com/news/headlines/ktxl-family-pitbull-helps-cops-put-car-thief-in-the-dog-house-20111220,0,1974295.story pit bull helps capture car thief  (67)

12/22/2011 http://mobile.nola.com/advnola/pm_29227/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=RLPMwpZI (pit bull foils robbery) (68)

1/17/12 http://www.wtae.com/r/30221399/detail.html (Diamond woke her owner when a fire started in his apartment) (69)

2/3/2012 http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/breaking/Search-Under-Way-for-Missing-Canton-Girl-138605279.html (little girl wanders, pit bull credited with her safe return) (70)

2/7/2012 http://www.whiotv.com/news/news/local/pit-bull-saved-my-life-dayton-woman-says/nHXMm/ (Rella the pit bull took a bullet to protect her owner in a domestic dispute; incident happened in January, reported now) (71)

2/8/2012 http://www.cbs19.tv/story/16768688/2012/02/08/web-exclusive (pit bull alerts family to fire) (72)

2/8/2012 http://www.wreg.com/news/wreg-panola-co-grandfather-believes-family-pitbull-saved-his-grandson-20120208,0,6859883.story?track=rss (Sugar the pit bull keeps two year old Colby safe and leads rescuers to him) (73)
2.10.2012 http://www.fox5vegas.com/story/16912332/las-vegas-man-grieves-for-his-canine-heroes (pit bull and Chihuahua alert owner to fire, both pets perish) (74)

3.2.2012 http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Robbers+shoot+defending+home/6240011/story.html (Rumbler, an American Staffordshire Terrier mix defends his home from a robbery)(75)

4.3.2012 http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/04/04/11016409-hero-pit-bull-takes-bullet-during-home-invasion (Kilo the "pit bull" takes a bullet to save his family during a home invasion) (76)

http://www.dogheirs.com/larne/posts/850-pitbull-and-twelve-year-old-girl-help-save-unconscious-drowning-stray (pit bull and pre-teen save a drowning dog) (77)

4.18.12 http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/04/09/3871481/robber-kills-pit-bull-as-it-defends.html#article (pit bull defends home from a burglary, loses life) (78)

5.1.12 http://guardian-messenger.whereilive.com.au/news/story/edwardstown-home-saved-by-a-star-1/ (American Staffordshire Terrier defends home from thief) (79)

5.8.12 http://now.msn.com/now/0509-dog-saves-owner.aspx (pit bull pulls her owner off a set of train tracks after the owner unexpectedly collapsed unconscious. The dog was hit by a train during her heroic efforts, but survived!) (80)

6.27.12 http://www.krem.com/home/Family-dog-shot-three-times-during-Spokane-home-invasion-160507555.html (Guardian defends his home from a robbery, incurring several gun shot wounds in the process) (81)

7.9.12 http://www.13abc.com/story/18976318/2012/07/08/family-lives-in-tent-after-storm (pit bull saves owner from falling tree during a storm) (82)

7.9.12 http://www.wlox.com/story/18985101/tales-of-pit-bull-heroism (pit bull donates blood to help other dogs in need) (83)

7.9.12 http://www.newsleader.com/article/20120722/NEWS01/307220007/One-man-s-best-friend?odyssey=nav%7Chead (Boss the pit bull saves wheelchair-bound owner from an armed robbery) (84)

7.20.12 http://www.dogheirs.com/tamara/posts/1555-loyal-pit-bull-saves-mother-and-child-from-home-invader (Ruger saves family from a home invasion!) (85)

8.10.12 http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2012/09/report_pit_bull_alerts_owner_o.html (pit bull wakes owner and saves him from a fire) (86)

Advocates Beware: some tactics are counterproductive

Being a "pit bull" advocate is like tiptoeing through an active minefield - you have to watch where you step or you're going to detonate something explosive. Ultimately, I do think we need to cut each other some slack:  What we do is incredibly precise, challenging work. Even the best advocates can't be "on" all the time.

I certainly do not believe I know everything there is to know about "pit bulls" and how to best help them. I will never stop learning about this topic. The law and our culture are living entities. They evolve, so I evolve.

I do feel, however, that the following tactics are ineffective and possibly damaging to the movement. I see these crop up all over the place and, worse, I frequently see them used as weapons by anti-pit bull groups and spokespeople, in legal forums and otherwise. I urge folks to think about these points and how they can be revamped as or substituted for more effective advocacy tools.

1. The bait and switch: I've often heard folks complain about a factual inaccuracy that the opposition has made about "pit bulls," but then seen these folks substitute their own pit bull favorable, albeit also false or unsupported fact.

e.g. poodles are actually the breed of dog that bites most commonly (really? where is the information to support that allegation? And way to piss off poodle owners, owners like me) or "pit bulls are the most bred dog in the US" (I've never seen this fact and it's impossible to maintain with any level of authority since "pit bull" isn't a breed, and the word isn't uniformly defined, and there is no database containing information on "pit bulls." In AKC and UKC registrations, Am Staffs don't even come in in the top 10). Why it is acceptable to pick apart the oppositions' facts but hold scrutiny of pro-"pit bull" facts to a different standard is beyond me.

Without reliable research or authority to support a fact, don't use it. 

2. The 'raise them well': "Raise them to be aggressive and they'll be aggressive." Well, probably not. This argument is problematic for a few reasons: (1) "Aggression" is an oft-misunderstood term. "aggressive" acts can range from a subtle movement to a bark or growl to a serious bite. All dogs aggress. Serious, violent dog-directed or human-directed "aggression" is not an adaptive trait and is no dog breed has a propensity for these behaviors; (2) This argument does not help change discriminatory policies in shelters that don't allow "pit bulls" to be adopted out, and does not encourage folks to rescue "pit bulls" either. So, untold numbers of these dogs continue dying in our shelters. Since the point is to save their lives, we should probably think about what we're saying about the dogs most in need of our help - the ones not raised in loving, responsible environments since puppyhood.

A better phrase would be something to the tune of: a dog's environment and owner management impacts a dog's behavior. 

3. The elitist: Pit bulls are the best dog ever! No, they're not. Don't get me wrong, I've met some amazing "pit bulls" via my rescue and advocacy work, but I've also met some annoying or otherwise distateful (to me) ones that I'd never want in my home. Same goes for every breed (and mixes too!) out there. Dogs are individuals and the goals of fighting breed discriminatory laws are to put them on an even playing field, not a pedestal. Pointing out that they're the "best" makes it seem as though they're different. And the reason BDL exists and is upheld is because the argument that they are different has held up in court and convinced lawmakers!)

4. The mudslinger: Picking on other breeds. My question is always: Why? Most people in the US do not own "pit bulls," even if they are incredibly popular. So why are we alienating other dog owners? BDL really is a dog issue not a "pit bull" issue, and the more non-pit bull owning folks we can get on our side, the better. It makes the movement generalizable and more credible. Plus, we don't need to bring down other breeds in order to save the "pit bull." Finally, we never know what the impact of allegations on other breeds might bring: what if someone picked up on our negative statements and then tried to ban a different breed?

5. The historian: Discussing or Debating the "history" of the "pit bull" is problematic as this topic is conentious and not set in stone, even among knowledgeable advocates. Part of the problem is that we still don't know what a "pit bull" is today, needless to say how it was defined 100-200 years ago. Allegations of Nanny Dogs and fighting dogs and working dogs fly around wildly. But, quite frankly, it doesn't matter at all what the history of the breed is. Most breeds have evolved in a totally different direction than their history indicates. Plus, it's entirely possible to change the inclinations of an animal in just a few generations, as shown in the Russian fox experiments. So, for the purpose of fighting breed discriminatory laws, history is a red herring. Leave it be, or risk alienating other advocates who have a different opinion on the "pit bull's" origins and who might otherwise have been allied with you.

Deconstructing a Dog Bite Media Report

Those of us who study dog bite incidence look for underlying patterns of human behaviors, environment, and canine characteristics that manifest themselves in every attack. And, as insinuated, these patterns do exist, although it is not yet certain that they paint a complete picture of any bite incident nor is it apparent that any one factor necessarily causes a dog to bite. 


What is clear, however, is that media reports consistently lack information necessary for researchers and viewers/readers alike to decipher the "why" element of a dog bite.  


Perhaps more harmful than the blood-and-guts stories that weave bias into these "fair and balanced" reports are the details that are left out - and there are a lot of them. Now, I understand that a reporter cannot always gather all pieces of pertinent information before the story itself becomes untimely and, consequently, obsolete. But it is possible for the reporter to indicate that the information is relevant, but missing. 


From Theory to Practice 


Below is a new story, featured yesterday, here. I do not intend, by my deconstruction, to minimize the tragedy or seriousness of events like this, because I do take them very seriously. I merely wish to point out the rich details that are reported juxtaposed with gaping factual holes left unfilled - holes that, to the average reader, go unnoticed as hypothetical information is classified as irrelevant to understanding. My comments are in red.  


LAKE MARY, Fla. -- A Seminole County family is mourning the loss of a pet after they say a pack of pit bulls [Breed ID is never a necessary or relevant piece of information in a dog bite story. Further, there are no photographs or any other indication of how "breed" identity was confirmed; thus, it should not be included as a fact in this story] attacked and killed their dog.

The scene was so chaotic that a Lake Mary police officer actually shot two of the pit bulls to death.

Authorities say three pit bulls ran loose [this IS a relevant piece of information - already we see an irresponsible owner played the principal role in this incident] and grabbed a Bedlington Terrier named Chewy. [But what the story fails to tell us is whether Chewy was off his leash or, really, anything about Chewy's location or actions immediately preceding the attack]. 

"There's a lady out here. She's being attacked by a bunch of dogs. She's screaming. There's blood. She's asking for help, but I'm not going over there," a frightened 911 caller said, too scared to leave her home.[C'mon now, really? In a side bar? This fact is irrelevant, used only to provoke emotion and sensationalize the incident; it's also inaccurate, as no woman was attacked. Thanks, media, for detracting from the solemn, serious nature of this tragedy by turning it into entertainment].

The pit bulls' owner tried to stop the attack but could not.[So, did the dogs escape their yard, were they leashed, how and why was the owner present?]

"The next door neighbor was trying to get her dog off of my dog and couldn't do it," said James Brabb, Chewy's owner.

"The three pit bulls, once they got the pack mentality going, they mauled my dog," he said. [Again, extraneous fact, and problematic because it represents that Chewy's owner possesses some sort of authoritative opinion on canine behavior, pit bull behavior in particular. This certainly is not "unbiased" reporting]. 

Two of the three pit bulls involved in the incident were shot to death by the officer responding to the scene because they got aggressive with him. The offer said he hit the dogs with a baton, but to no avail.

"As the dogs aggressively approached me, I was in fear for my safety," the officer wrote in the report.

Brabb says Chewy did hold on until his daughter came home from school.

"When Chewy heard her voice, he kind of picked his head up a little. His breathing picked up. Within a minute it had stopped. He had passed. I think he was waiting for her to say goodbye," Brabb said.

Animal services said a citation would be issued. Lake Mary police say it has answered eight complaints about the home since June. [YIKES! eight complaints! And none of these prior incidents resulted in a bite. The owner irresponsibility factor is now off the charts, and we can see the system of laws designed to protect people and their dogs has failed; Chewy should be alive, because these dogs should have been taken from their owners, and the owners heavily cited, months ago]. 

Even now, the surviving dog cannot be declared vicious.[And, should not, without proof that this dog itself was actually one of Chewy's attackers. Simply because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time is not good enough for me, especially when a dog's life is in the balance. It's also not good enough for the law in many jurisdictions, including here in WA state]. 

"Florida statutes require that the animal be involved in more than one attack before we can deem the dog dangerous," said Morgan Woodward with Seminole County Animal Services.

No one answered the door Wednesday at the home where the pit bulls lived.


What else is missing? 


Other than the missing information I indicated in red when appropriate, the following facts were not present or accounted for in this report.Simply indicating the unavailability of the information below would allow readers to recognize that the story is lacking information critical to a full understanding of the incident. 


1. Where did this incident occur (one someone's property, on the street)? 


2. Were the dogs altered?


3. Where did the dogs primarily reside (outside, inside, chained, penned)?


4. Has the owner received any other animal-related citations?


5. Had Chewy had any prior contact with these dogs? 


6. Had the dogs been involved in any prior incidents with humans or other dogs 


7. Were the dogs ill or injured at the time of the incident? 


Conclusion


Chewy's death was tragic - and more so because it could have been prevented. We must champion for stricter, breed-neutral laws that target irresponsible owners - laws that speak to the confinement, care, and living conditions of the dogs in our communities. 


We must also always remember that the information we do not know about a serious dog bite is as important as the information that we do know. Tens of millions of dogs live in the US peacefully, and without incident. We cannot hope to fully understand and thus prevent dog attacks unless we have a complete set of information concerning these incidents. 


Hold media accountable. 
Make your voice heard. 

Murders vs Maulings: what we fear does not reflect the facts

In 2010 and 2009, the most recent years for which reliable, fully-investigated information is available concerning dog bite fatalities, 33 and 31 humans respectively were fatally injured by dogs. Most of these dogs were resident dogs, socially isolated in backyards or on the end of chains; many of the fatalities involved unsupervised children left to wander outdoors or left alone inside with unfamiliar dogs. Many of the dogs had been forced to endure extreme abuse.

Sixty-four human lives is not insignificant, particularly from the perspective of the friends and family members left to pick up the pieces left after these tragedies. But it is not a large number considering the population of humans and dogs in the US (310 million and 70 million, respectively).

Thousands of years of evolution and biological fine-tuning have created a predisposition within humans to fear predator species - and that includes dogs. Media reports with gruesome details of dog attacks recognize this fear, capitalize on it, and perpetuate it. In particular, pit bull attacks will often make national news.

But what about human murder rates? Unless a murder is particularly horrific, murders often don't make the news. They certainly don't make national news. And the standard murder (for lack of a better term) does not initiate a violent emotional reaction and public outcry.

Indeed, it seems from media and citizen reactions, that there is much more to fear from the risk of a dog-bite fatality than a murder.

Of course, this is untrue. Here's a glimpse of the statistics for a few states.

State	2010 Murders	Scaled 2010 Murders*	Dog-bite fatalities (all breeds)	Dog-bite fatalities attributed to pit bull type dogs
Arizona	409	90.8	0	0
Florida	987	219.3	3	none reliably confirmed, 2 reported**
California	1809	402	7	2 (confirmed)
Texas	1249	277.6	2	none reliably confirmed, 1 reported
Washington	152	33.8	0	0

** of these two reports, one was reliably identified as not a pit bull type dog

State	2009 Murders	Scaled 2009 Murders*	Dog-bite fatalities (all breeds)	Dog-bite fatalities attributed to pit bull type dogs
Arizona	370	82.2	1	0
Florida	1034	229.7	2	0
California	1971	438	4	none reliably confirmed, 2 reported
Texas	1355	301.1	5	none reliably confirmed, 3 reported
Washington	194	43.1	0	0

*The scaled population takes into account the difference in total human vs total canine population nationally. There are approximately 4.5 times more humans than dogs in the US.

Thus, in 2009 and 2010 you were around 250 to 500 times more likely to be murdered by a fellow human than attacked and killed by a dog irrespective of breed. And, if human and dog populations were equal, you'd still be 60 to 100 times more likely to be murdered than mauled to death. Murders are rare occurrences. Dog bite fatalities are rare to the point of being statistically insignificant, particularly at the state instead of the national level. From a statistical perspective, they are purely chance occurrences.

Of the fatalities included in the chart, only four were caused by family dogs, only one of which was even debatably a pit bull type dog. So I will repeat the sentiment I will repeat until the day I die: if we treat our dogs like members of our family, they will always live up to their moniker as man's best friend. And yes, this includes our pit bulls.

Sissy, Sinister, and Sadistic: Stereotypes harm all breeds

Three different stereotypes, three different problems 

Before I rescued pit bulls, I rescued poodles. The question I heard time and time again was issued with a incredulous chuckle: "What do poodles need rescuing from, too much pampering??" Media portrayals of poodles show dogs covered in jewels and gems, immaculately groomed, and perfectly content to sit around on velvet cushions being pampered. But poodles are sporting dogs, originally bred to hunt. The Standard Poodle remains a canine athlete, with incredible levels of intelligence and an astute sensitivity that I fully appreciate.

Time and time again, I rescued poodles from owners who did not realize that a Standard Poodle is a large, active dog who will run a household if given the opportunity. Dylan routinely outperforms my pit bull fosters on hikes, bike rides, and runs. He can leap to heights over my head. Do not underestimate the athleticism of a poodle!

I have had pit bull people scoff at my boy Dylan and suggest that owning and managing a pit bull is on a totally different level than owning and managing a poodle. I do not like the suggestion and poodles are not "real dogs" and do not present challenges or require exercise or training. Because they do.  I train my foster pit bulls the same way I trained and rehabilitated Dylan: through positive reinforcement methods. 

While it would not be fair to say that poodles - or any other breed - are proportionately poisoned by cruel, violent owners or suffer abuse at a level that truly is epidemic like pit bull type dogs, they are abused and neglected and treated with indifference and they do suffer. I have seen poodles come in emaciated, so matted their gender cannot be determined, with teeth rotting from their faces. It happens, and it should not be forgotten. 

My other resident dog is Ted, a dog unfortunate enough to be born big and black. Black dogs are the last dogs to be adopted at shelters. They do not photograph well. There are certain negative stereotypes associated with black. And, for some reason, black bores people. 

We live in a culture where physical appearance is often valued first and above other more important traits. This is a significant part of why we perpetuate dog breeds. Most of us don't need a dog designed for a purpose -- we just need to fellow couch surfer or foot warmer. But we are drawn to a specific look. Very often dogs end up in rescue because that specific look came with a specific set of personality traits and behaviors very unsuited to the surrendering family. 

I urge pit bull advocates in particular to stay away from glorifying pit bulls by defaming other breeds. This is unnecessary and hypocritical. I know it is done with good intentions and because breed seems very relevant when the pit bull "breed" is singled out. But what advocates want is equality. 

All dogs have value. If we want pit bulls to be treated as equals, then we need to consistently advocate for them as equals -- by embracing and loving all dogs and shutting down all stereotypes and overgeneralized remarks. They are never acceptable, even if they don't seem overtly harmful.