In Memory of Darla Napora
Darla Napora, 32-years old, and her unborn child were killed by her beloved pit bull.
DogsBite.org - Two years ago today, Darla Napora was mauled to death by one of her two pet pit bulls in her Pacifica home. At the time of the attack, she was 32-years old and reportedly in her sixth month of pregnancy. Her father's letter about her death was first published on July 2nd by the Pit Bull Attack Facebook page. Doug Robinson reflects in his letter how this was the most exciting time of her life and that her baby shower was only one month away when she died.
"Two lives ended BECAUSE of a pit bull," he states in his letter.
Robinson also writes that he could "only imagine the shock and horror" that she felt. "She honestly believed in the pit bull." Robinson has always had dogs and has "never trusted a pit bull." The tragic loss of his daughter and her unborn child runs even deeper for him knowing that both deaths were preventable. Darla is always in his heart, "I think of her every day," he writes. He still has all of her pictures, voice and text messages, emails and her phone number in his phone.
August 11th will always be a very painful day for Robinson.
By Doug RobinsonI have tried not to say anything but, every time there is a pit bull attack Darla’s name comes up. People commenting about whom they think she was and what happened to explain away the simple fact that a pit bull killed her. HER PIT BULL KILLED HER.
People have said “She was white trash and that she must have abused her dog.” or “She fell off a ladder and the dog didn’t attack -- it only was trying to awaken her.” and “Her husband trained the dog to attack Darla.” I also heard she left Yakima because they outlawed pit bulls. In reality, Darla had been living in the Bay Area several years before she decided she had the time and the room to have pets.
Prior to her marriage, Darla adopted a female pit bull and became a member of a local pit bull group that advocated against the bad rap that they always fell into. Darla exercised, trained and loved her dog while providing a good home.
After marriage, Darla’s husband wanted a male pit bull and one was rescued. This pit bull was larger than average and for some reason, they chose not to neuter. Darla’s husband came home for lunch and found Darla dead, her neck torn open and the male standing over her. Darla’s dog was in the corner of another room. Cowering and had urinated on the floor. This was the end of Darla’s life and she was pregnant with her first baby. Two lives ended BECAUSE of a pit bull.
I became Darla’s Dad when she was about four years old. She played basketball and soccer in school. It was a joy watching her grow up and become an adult. When she turned 18, she asked me to formally adopt her and I did.
Darla was raised around horses, cattle and pigs as well as dogs and cats. Darla always treated animals with dignity, respect and love. Everyone loved Darla. She was a genuine good person through and through.
Darla was so happy when she called to tell me she was going to have my grand baby. She sent me sonogram images and audio from the baby’s heartbeat. Yes, I still have all of the pictures and audio plus her texts, emails and her phone number in my phone.
Darla’s baby shower was 1 month away when she died. She was planning on flying up to Seattle for it. I had just sent her a crib. Darla was 32 years old; she took her time and planned everything. This was the most exciting time in her life. We, as a family were just as excited.
I can only imagine the shock and horror that she felt. She honestly believed in the pit bull. I have always had dogs. I have 3 now. I have never trusted a pit bull. I know why.
Darla is always in my heart. I think of her every day. I am deeply, deeply saddened by this tragedy. It seems almost worse because it was preventable. My mind goes down the “what if” path very often.
I love Darla and I miss her.
-Doug Robinson
View the DogsBite.org Google Map: California Fatal Pit Bull Maulings.Related articles:
08/15/11: 2011 Dog Bite Fatality: Pregnant Pacifica Woman Killed by Family Pit Bull
This heartbreak is the cost of the lie repeated over and over that these animals are just like any other dog.
She sounded like a good person who bought into the entire hype, too bad she had to pay with her life and the life of her child. This story alone should be a big wake up call. However pit bull advocates and owners are not the realistic type. I still meet pit nuts in person who swear that every attack can be wrote off as someone doing something wrong and some other thing to blame it on.
This letter is so horribly sad. If Darla had been told the truth about pit bulls – that while some pit bulls never become aggressive, others will launch a deadly attack no matter how well they are raised – she could have made an honest and informed choice.
Instead she was lied to.
These lies forced a man whose daughter CHOSE him to be her father, who listened to his gut, and who knew those lies for what they were, to have to watch helplessly as Darla let herself get led down the garden path.
And then he had to watch as lies were told about his daughter to protect pit bulls. So horribly sad.
49 more Americans have been killed by Pit Bulls since Ms. Napora and her baby died…But the big pit bull money machine keep rolling!
Speaking of the big pit bull money machine…
http://www.aspcapro.org/blog/2013/08/07/they-want-em-they-really-do
Anyone still donating to the ASPCA? If so, why?
Thanks for sharing this letter, Doug Robinson. People have to become informed. Dogsbite.org is the place to get the truth.
Collectively, I believe we are having an influence on the conventional wisdom in this country. People are starting to undertand that pit bulls are "inherently dangerous".
-Don, Omaha
So terribly tragic, and totally preventable. If Darla and her husband had chosen to own beagles, or poodles, or Golden Retrievers instead of pit bulls, she and her child would be alive today. But she was a victim of pit bull advocacy, which assures kind hearted animal lovers that as long as you raise a dog from puppyhood and treat it with love, it will never display aggressive behavior. Darla bought into the BadRap propaganda, that pit bulls are no different than Golden Retrievers, or labs, or poodles…..and she paid a terrible price.
I would like to know where the killer dog came from. Mr. Robinson suggests that this dog was "rescued" in his letter. What organization adopted out this ticking time bomb to this young couple? It's time that the public knows which rescue groups are placing dangerous dogs into our communities.
I also think that whoever was responsible for placing this dog with Darla and her husband is responsible for her death. I hope Darla's family considers a wrongful death suit against the rescue group or breeder that put this canine psychopath in their home. If not, consider letting the public know where the dog came from, so that other families can avoid these zealots.
"It's time that the public knows which rescue groups are placing dangerous dogs into our communities."
Easy. All of them. At least any that will deal in pit bulls… I mean, "lab/boxer mixes".
Here in Tucson, Arizona, the biggest pit pumpers are the Pima Animal Care Center, our tax-supported pound, and the Humane Society of Southern Arizona. I stopped donating to HSSA years ago and encourage others to do the same.
I was attacked by pit bull in utah3 years ago lucky to be alive lot scar tissue in my leg been to quite few drs still very bad expereince
Nearly 50 more Americans have been killed by pit bulls since Darla's death…11 of them in California.
"BSL NEVER WORKS (for Pit Bull Breeders, Dog Fighters and the otherwise unemployable who work in Pit Bull Rescue)"
This is so tragic! I'm 7 months pregnant now and I can't imagine what she went through . The desperation she must have felt to protect her unborn baby and I'm sure the confusion of the sudden attack!
I am appalled to read that the dog's ashes were buried with her! Who's idea was that?! Maybe people thought she would've wanted it that way? Surely she wouldn't want that beast lying next to her after attacking her at such a vulnerable state.
Hey husband! Your wife and baby were murdered by your pitbull…. Maybe it's time to stop advocating for them don't you think??? Glad she has her Dad's support.
She is a victim of Pit bull advocacy and those people will never be held accountable. Most of the time their dog attacks and they run and hide