Monthly Archives: August 2008

Triggers: What Prompts a Pit Bull to Attack?

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DogsBite.org - We've placed together a list of pit bull attack triggers, routine activities that launch a pit bull into a full-fledged attack. Due to selective breeding for the purposes of dogfighting1 -- pit bulls were artificially selected to attack unpredictably, to "hold on and shake,"2 and to hide warning signals before an attack -- the pit bull breed often demonstrates "hair trigger" arousal. Pit bull owners often try to blame these mundane activities on explosive p… [Read full blog post]

Top Dog Experts Fooled and Surprised by Pit Bulls

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Expert Randall Lockwood DogsBite.org - In a recent post, we talked about dog expert Randall Lockwood, Senior Vice President to the ASPCA, being a fooled by a pit bull. In a 2004 training video, he said that selective breeding has taken the "wolf" out of pit bulls. They ignore signals that non fighting dogs heed, and they fail to show intention. He then remarks about his own "surprise" experience with a pit bull. Fighting dogs lie all the time. I experienced it first hand when I was… [Read full blog post]

08/20-26/08 Pit Bulls Shot By Police

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#241: Hope Mills Considers Ban After Shooting 08/20/08 | Hope Mills, NC Summary: After a police officer had to shoot a pit bull, Hope Mills is considering banning vicious dogs. The pit bull hopped its fence then tried to attack the officer, so he shot it. #242: Second Pit Bull Killed in Glynn County 08/21/08 | Glynn County, GA Summary: A police officer shot and killed a pit bull marking the second time in less than two months a separate officer had to do the same. In this instance, th… [Read full blog post]

Comment: Pro-Pit Mantra, 'Cocker Spaniels Bite More Than Pit Bulls'

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A reader at DogsBite.org recently commented on the often used pit bull advocate mantra: "But cocker spaniels bite more often than pit bulls!" We've all heard the mantra, the question is, what does it mean and what does it reveal about genetics, breeding, cocker spaniels and pit bulls? It reveals that "cocker rage" was primarily a result of indiscriminate breeding practices. Unlike pit bulls, however, spaniels were never bred for aggression or dogfighting. Given the volum… [Read full blog post]

Blue Eyes Euthanized, Constroversy Still Swells In Mississippi

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Tony Evans Jr., 3-years old, was killed by his neighbor's chained pit bull. Pit Bull Owner Blames Dog Jackson, MS - It took officials one month to euthanize Blue Eyes. On July 22nd, Tony Evans Jr. was killed by the dog after he wandered into the dog's area. The chained pit bull clamped down on his neck, drug him into his dog house and killed him. The owner of the dog, Shannon Reason, recently said he only wishes the dog could have been killed sooner. "All I've been saying is kill that do… [Read full blog post]

Fort Hood, Texas U.S. Army Base Passes New Pit Bull Restriction

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Fort Hood, TX - A reader of DogsBite.org has brought to our attention that Fort Hood, a U.S. Army post, has recently passed a new pit bull law. The regulation prohibits new pit bulls and their crosses from living on base housing. It requires existing pit bulls to be registered with the Fort Hood Veterinary Clinic (FHVC) by 10 July 8. If the dog has not been registered by this time, it will be subject to removal. Military law supercedes state law, so Fort Hood is not bound by the State o… [Read full blog post]

Defendant Diane Cockrell Pleads No Contest in Double Fatal Dog Mauling in Livingston County

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Diane Cockrell, whose dogs killed two people, tears up at sentencing hearing. Dog Owner Sentenced UPDATE 09/18/08: The owner of the dogs that mauled to death two people last year, Cheryl Harper, 56, and Edward Gierlach, 91, has been sentenced. Diane Cockrell, 52 Iosco Township, was ordered to serve a minimum of 3 1/2 years to a maximum of 15 years in prison for allowing her American bulldogs-mixes to run free and kill two people in rural Iosco Township in 2007. The MLive Michiga… [Read full blog post]

08/12-19/08 Pit Bulls Shot By Police

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#227: Loose Pit Bull Shot in Fremont 08/12/08 | Fremont, CA Summary: A stun-gun malfunction prompted police to fatally shoot a pit bull-mix that had gotten loose. Officers shot the dog after it acted aggressively toward people walking along the street, then turned on the officers who were trying to corral it. Pit bulls killed: 1 #229: Two Pit Bulls Shot Dead 08/13/08 | Sacramento, CA Summary: Two pit bulls are dead and their owners are behind bars after authorities tried to cat… [Read full blog post]