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Monday, June 2, 2008


Vicious Dogs and Their Owners Have More Rights Than Our Children

The Question is Why?
Boca Raton, FL - In a story that points out the ridiculousness of existing dogs laws -- laws that do not address the rise in dangerous dog ownership -- Nicholas Lopes was attacked by a leashed pit bull moments after the dog nipped his sister. The 5-year old boy now has 40 stitches to the face. Instead of being automatically euthanized, the dog will receive a statewide "dangerous" classification.
Labeling this dog as "dangerous" will not prevent a future victim from being created. The pit bull was leashed during the attack.
The attack came as Lopes' neighbor Henk Schiffer was walking Jobie, whom he was dog sitting, along with his own dog. The 3-year-old girl, Mia, ran up to Jobie, who snipped at her. She escaped with a slight injury. Her father, Nelson Lopes, was with Nicholas and ran up to Schiffer, asking him if the dog had its shots. That's when Jobie struck again, this time taking Nicholas to the ground.

Animal control said neither Schiffer nor the pit bull owner, Howard Visnick, faced criminal charges. The dangerous classification would mean Jobie would have to be sterilized, implanted with a microchip and walked with a muzzle. Visnick would also have to put up warnings about his dog around his home. If Jobie attacks again, then it is euthanized and the owner is charged with a misdemeanor.
Why do vicious dogs and their owners have more rights than our children? Why do these dogs get second and third chances to attack?
Pit bulls and pit bull mixes account for nearly a third of reported dog bites in both Broward and Palm Beach counties.

Related articles:
05/08/08: Florida State Proposal to Allow Dangerous Dog Ban Stirs Debate
04/16/08: Pit Bull Attacks 75-Year Old Woman Retrieving Mail
04/15/08: 9-Year Old Palm Beach Girl Speaks Out About Pit Bull Attack
04/13/08: Orlando Mayor Receives Award and Praise for Stopping Pit Bull Attack

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5 comments:

Anonymous Anonymous  |  6/02/2008 10:00 AM  |  Flag  
This dog was off property and bit two humans...and it had to be kicked off the second victim! Yet, the dumbass AC "professional" is equating it with a fear nip from a Maltese.

This beast is viable public safety threat which needs the blue needle.

The public needs to demand better safety performance from these public servants.

Anonymous Anonymous  |  6/02/2008 10:00 AM  |  Flag  
This dog was off property and bit two humans...and it had to be kicked off the second victim! Yet, the dumbass AC "professional" is equating it with a fear nip from a Maltese.

This beast is viable public safety threat which needs the blue needle.

The public needs to demand better safety performance from these public servants.

Anonymous Anonymous  |  6/02/2008 7:40 PM  |  Flag  
Read the comments section to the article...witnesses claim the girl did not run up to the dog, but asked permission to pet him first. When she was bitten, the father came over to ask if the dog had its shots; the son was standing behind him, when the dog just launched at him.

During the attack on the boy, the "friend" of the pit bull owner, in charge of the dog, did not lift a finger to help get the dog off the boy or stop the attack. How typical is that of the type of individuals who own or care for these dogs!

Anonymous Anonymous  |  6/02/2008 10:17 PM  |  Flag  
Thank you anonymous for pointing that out, Schiffer did nothing! How can you expect to control an aggressive 50lb dog, and a second w/o a leash when you're on a bike?? We all know now, you can't!!We now know all he was concerned about was getting the dog out of there after it attacked two children. They say if the dog attacks a second time that's it.... well he already has TWO victims, how many more do we need?? The next victim may not have help close by. My prayers are with the entire family, and disgust for the owner/sitter

Anonymous Anonymous  |  6/03/2008 4:41 AM  |  Flag  
It is clearly time for a bite severity rating system for use by AC departments...All bites are not the same.

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