Category Archives: Sticky Issues

A collection of posts that cover sticky issues about the enduring pit bull problem, including: vicious attacks and breed-specific legislation.

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2015 Dog Bite Fatality: 5-Year Old Boy Fatally Attacked by Pit Bull in Chicago

James Nevils III, 5-years old, was mauled to death by a pit bull in Chicago. Case Closed UPDATE 05/29/15: James Nevils III, 5-years old, and his sister, 7-years old, had been outside with the dog while visiting their cousin's South Carpenter Street home, according to a police report. When the mother let her children and the dog back into the home, and was locking the door, the dog latched onto the boy's neck. The mother tried to pull the animal off James then dragged both out onto t… [Read full blog post]

2015 First Quarter Report: Municipalities and Grassroots Beat Back State Preemption Bills Barring Local Pit Bull Ordinances

A Primer on State Preemption Laws and Charts for Advocates Chart illustrates 35-years of U.S. fatal pit bull attacks in 5-year periods. We added short teal vertical bars to indicate when each state passed a preemption law barring municipalities from enacting pit bull ordinances. We also marked the end of the CDC's 20-year study period, 1998, showing the dramatic rise in fatalities since. DogsBite.org - During the first quarter of the 2015 legislative season, state preemp… [Read full blog post]

2014 Fatal Dog Attack Breed Identification Photographs

Most of the Expected, Longtime Killing Culprits Photographs of six fatally attacking dogs in 2014 obtained from multiple sources. Jump down to view all 2014 breed identification photographs or read our analysis first. DogsBite.org - Last year we began the tradition of publishing breed identification photographs of fatally attacking dogs when available through news reports, owner supplied or social media websites. Of the 42 total recorded deaths last year, 24 fatalit… [Read full blog post]

2014 Dog Bite Fatality: Portage Man Mauled to Death by Pet Pit Bull on Christmas Day

Edward Cahill, 40-years old, was mauled to death by his pet pit bull on Christmas Day. Coroner: "So Obvious" UPDATE 12/30/14: As noted earlier in footnotes, it is unusual for a coroner to forego an autopsy after a fatal dog attack. Porter County Coroner Chuck Harris listed the cause of death as exsanguination, massive blood loss. "This is so clear cut," Harris explained. "There’s no reason for me to spend $2,500 of the taxpayers’ money on something so obvious." Edward Cahill,… [Read full blog post]