Posted on August 16, 2011 by Colleen Lynn

2011 Dog Bite Fatality: Pregnant Pacifica Woman Killed by Family Pit Bull

Darla Napora, 32-years old, and her unborn child were killed by her beloved pit bull.

Victim Bled to Death
UPDATE 08/15/11: According to a preliminary investigation by the San Mateo County coroner's office, Darla Napora died of blood loss and shock. Her husband Greg returned home at noon that day and found her unconscious with the couple's male pit bull, Gunner, standing over her body. Dog bite experts concluded that Gunner was the sole attacker. Presuming that a DNA test is not required for the female pit bull, Tazi, she will be returned home soon.

Comment Threads

Over the weekend, comment threads at the Mercury News, SFGate.com and a handful of other websites began spiraling downward. Pit bull advocates started spreading a rumor that Darla fell from a ladder and the dog was "trying to wake her up." This is true despite clearly communicated information by the Pacifica Police Department and major news publications that Darla and her unborn child were killed by her pet pit bull. One comment, left Friday, is notable:

Many citizens and dog owners might not appreciate its full meaning. Pit bull owners, however, do. The comment in part reflects the great amount of due diligence required to keep a pit bull from attacking another dog or person (crate-and-rotate routine). The comment sadly sums up Darla's death and offers insight into the lunacy of the Pit Nutter mindset. Pit bull owners accept the disturbing reality of this comment, whereas normal dog owners would never accept it.

A Class of His Own

Having researched several hundred fatal dog maulings, DogsBite has seen some of the most disingenuous statements imaginable from pit bull owners after a fatal attack. But Greg Napora's comments to the Mercury News on Friday -- just 24 hours after Darla's grisly death -- places Napora in a class of his own. The only thing he failed to add, where pit bull owner Wally Roberts did not, is: "I met with a priest. He told me to feel the pain but not the guilt."

A day after the family's pit bull fatally attacked his pregnant wife, Greg Napora said Friday he doesn't blame the dog. He even plans to bury his spouse, Darla, with their pet's cremated remains in her casket.

"They are the most loving animals I have ever had in my life. Whatever happened right now was not the breed's fault," said Napora, who found his wife dead when he returned to the couple's Pacifica home from his construction job with plans to take her to lunch Thursday. "It was just a freak accident." (Joshua Melvin and Lisa Fernandez, Mercury News)

What About Gunner?

Craven Desires blog offers compelling commentary about Gunner and how little the public knows about the dog. In paragraph three, the writer states: "If it were a person who killed this woman, by now we would know everything about them, even where they went to kindergarten. Reporters would be interviewing the murderer's parents and family. But because its a dog, the authorities are just sitting around, hoping to find out if the dog had rabies or a brain tumor."

08/13/11: Woman to be Buried with Dog's Ashes
Friends of DogsBite have been talking behind the scenes about where Greg Napora lies on the Pit Nutter scale. A piece from the Mercury News brings vivid clarification: "Greg Napora said Friday he doesn't blame the dog. He even plans to bury his spouse, Darla, with their pet's cremated remains in her casket." Napora added that the attack that killed his wife and unborn child is "not the breed's fault" and that it was a "freak accident."

According to Napora and Darla's mother, Sandy Robinson, Darla was an avid supporter of Bad Rap (Bay Area Doglovers Responsible About Pit Bulls). The group is best known for being a recipient of nearly a dozen Michael Vick dogs. Their website offers resources to help owners be more responsible and uses adorable titles such as: "Pit Bulls can be Butt Heads!" On the Tips for Being a Responsible Dog Owner, Bad Rap lists altering your dog as number two.

Both Napora and Robison are eager to get the surviving pit bull, Tazi, back home. We imagine Tazi will also be present at Darla's funeral.

08/11/11: Pet Pit Bull Kills Pregnant Woman
Pacifica, CA - A pregnant woman1 was killed Thursday by a family pit bull inside her Pacifica home. The victim, 32-year old Darla Napora, was discovered by her husband when he returned home from work about noon. Greg Napora told police that he arrived home to find "one of the couple's two pit bulls" standing over his wife's body. He got the dog into the backyard before police arrived, according to Capt. Dave Bertini of Pacifica Police Department.

Attempts to revive Darla were unsuccessful. She was pronounced dead at the scene, along with her unborn child. While the investigation was still underway, the 2-year old, unaltered male pit bull got loose from the backyard -- police fired three shots at the dog killing it. The husband withstanding, this is the end of the Napora family who likely believed that if they raised their pit bulls properly, the dogs would serve as perfect Nanny dogs for their coming new child.

To help prevent horrific maulings by pit bulls, San Francisco enacted a mandatory pit bull sterilization law in 2005. Pacifica may soon follow suit as have other California municipalities.

Recent Californians Killed by Pit Bulls

View the DogsBite.org Google Map: California Fatal Pit Bull Maulings.

1Does this count as one fatal dog mauling or two?

Posted on August 13, 2011 by Colleen Lynn

2011 Dog Bite Fatality: 4-Year Old Boy Killed by Grandfather's Rottweiler in Ozark

James Dowling, 4-years old of Hot Springs, was killed by his grandfather's rottweiler.

Funeral Planned
UPDATE 08/13/11: On Saturday, the family of the little boy killed by his grandfather's rottweiler planned a funeral in Hot Springs. James Dowling had been visiting his grandfather's home in Ozark when the attack occurred. Police said the boy was playing in the backyard of the home. The rottweiler was also in the yard, but separated by a four-foot-high chain link pen. The dog jumped out and brutally attacked the boy. When responders arrived, the child was barely breathing.

"We can't have dogs like this in our neighborhood. It's too dangerous. They get out and they attack like a wild animal" -- neighbor Ray Baugus.

Ozark Police Chief Cory Tedford said he does not foresee criminal charges.

08/12/11: Jumps 4-Foot Fence to Attack
Ozark, AR - In a developing story, a 4-year old boy was killed by a rottweiler on Friday. At the time of the attack, the boy had been visiting his grandfather's home in Ozark. Police say the boy was outside playing in a fenced backyard when the dog jumped out of its four-foot-high chain link pen and attacked. The boy was airlifted to a Little Rock hospital, but was diverted after his condition worsened. He died shortly after reaching Johnson Region Medical Center in Clarksville.

View the DogsBite.org Google Map: U.S. Fatal Rottweiler Attacks By State

Posted on July 6, 2011 by Colleen Lynn

2011 Dog Bite Fatality: Pit Bull-Type Dog Kills 11-Month Old Child During July 4th Gathering

Michael Naglee, 11-months old, was killed by a family dog while visiting his grandparents.

New Information archived
UPDATE 07/06/11: Later this same day, another update was made to The Oregonian article. Just before the incident, the boy was being held by Louisa Farmer, Michael's maternal grandmother, while she sat on the couch. After Michael began squirming, she placed him on the floor. He then "ran across the room to Duncan," according to Michael Farmer. The dog responded by knocking the boy down and attacking him and three adults who intervened.

There are two issues about this update: 1.) An 11-12 month old child does not have the coordination to run as Michael Farmer's statement suggests. While it may have been an unintentional use of the word "run" on his part, instead of a more descriptive term, such as "he quickly staggered toward the animal," running directly toward a dog indicates provocation -- the child asked for it. 2.) The dog wasn't given away at Michael's birth, his parents were the only owners.

The ramifications of the latter are significant. Michael and the dog were not new to one another. The dog attacked and killed the boy in an off-property environment while his parents were absent and he was under the supervision of his grandparents. In the 6-year period from 2005 through 2010, 12% (22) of all fatal dog attacks (182) reflected a similar scenario. In contrast, 14% (25) involved chained dogs, which is commonly known as a high risk factor.

07/06/11: Who Owned the Dog?
KOIN reports in a follow up video that after Michael was born, his parents "gave the dog to his grandparents." The segment does not specify which set of grandparents -- maternal or paternal. Sheriff Anderson states in the video: "The grandparents and the parents and everybody who was there obviously did not believe this dog was of any threat to the child." Except that upon the boy's birth, the parents removed the 135 pound dog from their home?

Separately, Lynne Terry of The Oregonian updated her original story with new details and several statements from Portland-based Jacqui Neilson, a veterinarian and animal behaviorist. Echoing other science ethical sell-outs, Neilson states in the newer article that only 10 fatal dog attacks are reported annually in the United States. The twenty plus more people who are killed by dogs each year apparently never had real lives, families or memorials marking their deaths.

07/05/11: Victim: Michael Naglee archived
Nehalem, OR - On Saturday, another child's life came to an end due to a pit bull-type dog. Press members are now identifying the animal as an American bulldog even though its breed standard, Scott-type, is by definition a pit bull-mix. At the time of the attack, the boy was at the home of his paternal grandparents, Betty and Robert Naglee. When Michael tried to squirm out of Betty's arms, she placed him on the floor. As soon as she did, the dog attacked.

The toddler was rushed to Tillamook County General Hospital, where three of the adults were also treated for injuries. Michael's parents, James and Michelle Naglee, were not in the home at the time of the incident. According to Todd Anderson, Tillamook County Sheriff, the large pit bull-type dog belonged to the boy's parents. The couple got the animal at a shelter about four years ago. The dog, named Duncan, was shot dead on scene by responding deputies.

Posted on June 30, 2011 by Colleen Lynn

2011 Dog Bite Fatality: 'Loving Dog' Kills Visiting Baby in Chesterfield County

Meet Polar, the deaf pit bull-American bulldog mix baby killer.1

No Charges
UPDATE 07/13/11: Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that charges will not be sought following the death of Salvador Cotto. Chesterfield County Police Department issued a news release today stating that a "thorough police investigation" and discussions with prosecutors led to the decision. After the Medical Examiner's Office confirmed the cause of the boy's death, "cerebral edema due to a dog bite to the head," the dog was euthanized, according to the release.
Salvador Miguel Cotto was born January 10, 2011.

Separately, Polar fan club members along with some media members are still having trouble understanding the examiner's ruling. For instance, Donna Solinger writes: "Did they purposely leave out the part that the bite was ruled "accidental?" and Richmond.com writes: "Polar has been euthanized, on July 13, despite the medical examiner's office ruling the death of an infant as accidental." The ruling pertained only to the criminal culpability of a human being.

07/12/11: Cause of Death Announced
Richmond.com reports that a forensic pathologist announced today that the toddler's death was accidental, meaning that there was no human criminal responsibility.2 Chesterfield County Police continue to investigate the case. Police spokesperson Elizabeth Caroon, who provided no new updates, said only that the investigation is "still ongoing." The infant died of cerebral edema due to a dog bite to the head. Polar remains at the Chesterfield County Animal Shelter.

07/08/11: Sources: Cerebral Edema
Unnamed sources tell WTVR.com that the baby died from cerebral edema as a result of a dog bite to the head. Cerebral edema is the swelling of the brain and in this case was likely caused by traumatic brain injury. Donna Armstrong, who organized Friday's dozen person denialist event televised by WTVR.com, said that Polar was acting like any animal when it picked the child up "by the neck [scruff]."3 The so-called "vigil" greatly marginalized the toddler's death.

WTVR.com was also quick to point out via unnamed sources that the child's death was ruled an accident, "not a vicious attack." Readers should note the definition of Traumatic Brain Injury and the genetic bite style of pit bulls and other gripper breeds: hold and shake (Shaken Baby Syndrome may be a possibility here too). At the very least, the new information provides clues into why the police investigation continues. Death by cerebral edema is not always immediate.

Causes of brain swelling:

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): A TBI is also called a head injury, brain injury, or acquired brain injury. In TBI, a sudden event damages the brain. Both the physical contact itself and the quick acceleration and deceleration of the head can cause the injury. The most common causes of TBI include falls, vehicle crashes, being hit with or crashing into an object, and assaults. The initial injury can cause brain tissue to swell. In addition, broken pieces of bone can rupture blood vessels in any part of the head. The body's response to the injury may also increase swelling. Too much swelling may prevent fluids from leaving the brain.

07/08/11: "Save Polar" Cause Begins
It comes as no surprise that pit bull and animal rights activists have begun an effort to "Save Polar" from being euthanized. On June 29, Polar, a pit bull-American bulldog mix, killed a baby in Chesterfield. On the Save Polar Facebook page, Arlene Esan writes, "I was told there was nothing the governor could do when I called." In contrast to the story's headline, "Hundreds pray for dog that killed a child," only a dozen bizarre persons turned out for the actual event.

07/07/11: Breed Mislabeling Effort
While it is unclear who conceived the "dogo" story, news reports now say that the offending dog is a pit bull-American bulldog mix, not a dogo Argentino, which weighs up to 100 pounds and more. The dogo story might have stemmed from neighbor Geoff Rundless, who told the Richmond Times-Dispatch, "[The dog owners] are a loving family, and Polar is a loving dog." Or, neighbor J.C. Thompson who said, "Something must have triggered the dog."

The dogo story also might have originated from the dog's owners, Charles and Erin Teets, who left their home as soon as media members began appearing in the neighborhood. Chesterfield Animal Control might have been the culprit as well. According to Thompson, the "loving dog" was deaf, but was quick to obey commands and hand signals from family members. This same "loving dog" was also quick to kill a visiting baby, a human life now forever gone.

Surprisingly, Sochitl Rodriquez, the animal rescue worker who provided Polar to the Teets family, stepped forward yesterday and corrected the false dogo story. She said the animal is not a dogo Argentino as described by neighbors, but far smaller, weighing only 50 pounds. Rodriquez confirmed that the dog is deaf and was originally from Atlanta. Its previous owners used rubber bands to cut off circulation to the dog's ears to crop them (aka Poor Man's Crop).

Rodriquez added that Polar was "always a sweet dog no matter what situation you put her in." She too wonders if Polar was trying to help the child in some way (by killing it). Rodriquez does not want the dog euthanized, she might even want it back. Prior to placing Polar with the Teets, she fostered the dog for 6-months. If readers have not come to this conclusion already, this is a clear case of persons who value the life of a rescued dog over the life of a human being.

06/30/11: Dog Kills Visiting Infant
Chesterfield County, VA - In a developing story, Chesterfield County police say that a baby is dead after suffering a dog bite Wednesday afternoon from a relative's dog. The mother and her infant had been visiting relatives at a home on Overridge Drive at the time of the incident. The animal, a dogo Argentino4 -- a fighting and hunting dog breed and cousin to the pit bull -- apparently did not have a history of being aggressive, according to Lt. Randy Horowitz.5

1We removed the younger depiction of Polar supplied to WTVR by denialists to portray a more accurate image of how the dog looks today.
2It is important to point out that the cause of death ruling does not mean that the dog did not kill the baby on purpose. Polar's fan club, including WTVR.com, however, would have you believe otherwise.
3Even the unnamed source said this baby died due to a bite injury inflicted on the head, not to the neck [scruff].
4The dog is also being called a pit bull-American bulldog mix and an American bulldog-mix.
5To say that a dogo Argentino doesn't have a history of being aggressive is somewhat like saying a tank hasn't been deployed yet. It may not have ever seen combat, but it is still a tank, not a passenger car or delivery truck.

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