Media coverage of Surrey pit bull attack prompts protest by Vancouver pit bull owners

CKNW Radio reported that a three-year-old boy was attacked by a pit bull cross in his home in Surrey on  Friday (April 10).  

The boy, Justice Paradise, will require plastic surgery, according to a report in the Province, after suffering a large gash under his eye.

Today (April 12), pit bull lovers will hold a march with their dogs at 2 p.m. from the Vancouver Public Library Central Branch to the Vancouver Art Gallery  to demonstrate that "responsible" owners have had enough of the way the media cover these attacks.

"We can make a difference for our dogs and for the way the media reports on dog attacks in general," the group HugABull Advocacy and Rescue Society said in a news release. "Please feel free to bring your people loving, dog social Pitty to walk with us and given it is Easter, costumes for the dogs would be a bonus. The more of us, the stronger our voice and the stronger our message. We deserve FAIR reporting and nothing less."

Comments

42 Comments

billstauss

Apr 12, 2009 at 7:26pm

I am sad for the three year old who was attacked but we cannot let the media brand the entire breed as bad.

I have recently had a novel published, "Billy’s World," about an American Staffordshire “Pit” Bull Terrier who was rescued and came to live with my wife and me years ago. We had many adventures together and he never met a person he didn’t love. He treated young and old in a very gentle manner. My Blog about the book is http://billybobworld.blogspot.com. I hope the book will help nudge people’s negative perception of the breed back to the positive and stimulate more individuals into helping animal rescue and rehabilitation organizations who are working with understanding and responsible Pit Bull owners.

Bill Stauss, Billy’s World

Doogie

Apr 13, 2009 at 6:51am

This says it all
Dog Bites and the Media
http://nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/dog-bites/dog-bites-and-the-media/

And if you`d publish the truth about Ontario Canada,you wouldn`t report these stories at all.

From OVMA testimony prior to Ontario Ban
http://www.ontla.on.ca/committee-proceedings/transcripts/files_html/2005...
[quote]An argument is sometimes made that, while all dogs bite, only a few breeds cause serious injury when they attack. Again, this hypothesis does not withstand scrutiny. A study by the Canadian hospitals injury reporting and prevention program examined the dog breeds involved in attacks that were serious enough that the victim sought medical attention at one of eight reporting hospitals. The study revealed that 50 different types of purebreds and 33 types of crossbreeds had been involved in the attacks,
*** the most common breeds being German shepherds, cocker spaniels, Rottweilers and golden retrievers.

What about the most serious of attacks, those resulting in the death of a person attacked? Since 1983, there have been 23 reported human fatalities in Canada due to dog attacks. A total of 55 dogs were involved in these attacks, and only one of these dogs, an American Staffordshire terrier, would be banned under the proposed legislation.[/quote]

Fatal Dog Attacks in Canada
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=2387261

You`re pushing the "agenda" just like Ontario Media did.

Report all dog bites or report none!

And BTW a dog "normally" chained in the backyard is NOT a family dog.

http://nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/resident-dog-vs-family-dog/

Lifeforce

Apr 13, 2009 at 10:45am

STOP THE PIT BULLIES

Those who say that pit bulls are not more dangerous than other breeds are putting people and animals at risk of injury and death. It makes me furious to see owners promote these fighting machines as being safe around kids. Pit bulls were bred to fight by being strong, tenacious and psychological killers. They can snap at anytime - their killer instincts are unpredictable. Their personalities have been genetically manipulated making both a well-kept and mistreated pit bull an equal threat. The dog fighters’ attempt to make pit bulls “friendly” towards the handlers failed. The SPCA ludicrous program to “socialize” pit bulls lead to one being sold and then attacking another dog. The little dog died.

In general, it’s not the environment and it’s not the owners. It is the breed that has be perversely manipulated by humans for decades. If breeders bred the fighting and killer instincts out of pit bulls then they have done what must be done – ban the killer pit bullies.

And by the way, this group that protested with their pit bulls were irresponsibly in violation of city regulations - when in public pit bulls must be leashed AND muzzled. They must also be housed within chain link kennel runs and the fencing buried into the ground so they can’t dig under to escape. Even pit bull promoters recommend these safety measures. Lifeforce fought for these restrictions that can help prevent serious injuries to the public and their animal companions. All cities should implement and enforce pit bull regulations.

Peter Hamilton
Lifeforce Founding Director
(604)649-5258
lifeforcesociety@hotmail.com
www.lifeforcefoundation.org

Doogie

Apr 13, 2009 at 12:23pm

Oh Peter,Peter,Peter
I noticed you don`t substantiate ANYTHING you`ve stated.
I suggest that you stop trying to mislead people.
If you have facts state them and substantiate them.

Your beliefs/opinion are not facts.

Read the links provided in my first post.
All Experts in Ontario testified against the Ban.

Most people in Canada have never seen the 'Pit Bull' Breeds and couldn`t identify one if they tripped over one.

The Public and the Media are tagging anything with a square head,short hair and a whip tail as a 'pit bull'
http://www.understand-a-bull.com/Findthebull/findpitbull_v4.swf

CDC Statement
http://nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/avma...

[quote]“If anyone says one dog is more likely to kill - unless
there's a study out there that I haven't seen - that's not
based on scientific data."
Julie Gilchrist/MD, Centers for Disease Control
Co-Author, JAVMA Special Report[/quote]

There is not a single credible Organization that supports BSL
http://www.animalfarmfoundation.org/section.php?id=5

Italy has repealed their law
http://www.lifeinitaly.com/node/4229
[quote]``The measures adopted in the previous laws had no
scientific foundation. Dangerous breeds do not exist.[/quote]

Netherlands has repealed their Ban
http://asia.news.yahoo.com/080609/ap/d916m6uo2.html
[quote]The Dutch government says it will lift a long-standing ban on pit bulls because it did not lead to any decrease in bite incidents.[/quote]

Miami Dade ban found to be unenforceable
http://www.prlog.org/10201937-court-rules-miamidade-county-pit-bull-ban-...

[quote]A court ruled Miami-Dade's 20 year ban on pit bulls was too vague in defining "pit bull" and unfairly let animal control officers basically guess whether a dog is a pit bull.[/quote]

In Toledo Ohio
Toledo vs Tellings
http://www.sconet.state.oh.us/rod/docs/pdf/6/2006/2006-ohio-975.pdf

[quote]Dog Warden Skeldon acknowledged that even if a dog was 50 per cent pit bull, if it did not "look like a pit bull," the owner would not be charged. On the other hand, if a dog did look like a pit bull," it would be classified as a pit bull and the owner would be subject to the "vicious dog" laws. No definitive description of a "pit bull" was presented. The warden also acknowledged that there is really no way to tell if a dog is or is not a "pit bull" and the determination is made by his or a deputy's subjective judgment. Regardless of its parentage or behavior, however, if a dog is labeled a pit bull, the owner would be charged under the statutes and city ordinance.[/quote]

In Denver Colorado
http://nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/in-your-state/colorado/

[quote]There is no evidence that Denver’s breed ban has reduced severe dog bites in the city/county. The only county in Colorado with a breed ban, Denver has the highest rate of dog-related hospitalizations in the state![/quote]

'Pit Bulls' do not cause injuries unlike other dogs
http://nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/dog-bites/types-of-dog-bites/do...

Some of the dogs being tagged as 'pit bulls' in Ontario
http://wagthedog.blogware.com/blog/_archives/2009/3/17/4125811.html

Interested in reading your substantiated facts Peter.
I`ll check back in case you are able to provide some.

In the meantime you might want to start reading 'Pit Bull' Placebo
http://nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/canines-in-our-culture/a-histor...

It is now available online
Click under the book
http://nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/ncrc-publications/

Doogie

Apr 13, 2009 at 3:01pm

While I`m waiting for some real substantiated facts Peter to support your beliefs/opinion...

Some Research for you
http://www.dapbt.org/research.htm

and some comments from the Scientific Community
[quote]

Quotes by the scientific community regarding genetics and "dangerous dog breeds."

* As for statistics used to support the idea that some breeds are more dangerous, the numbers are misleading. There's a problem getting records. "Golden retrievers bite, Labrador retrievers bite, but don't get reported." (Dr. Pobderscek).

* "Valuable scientific studies showing significant differences in jaw strength among breeds does not exist" (Dr. Stur, 2000).

"The classification of dog breeds with respect to their relative danger to humans makes no sense, as both, the complex antecedent conditions in which aggressive behavior occurs, and its ramifying consequences in the individual dog's ecological and social environment are not considered" (Dr. Fedderson-Peterson, 2001).

"Currently no valuable scientific method to evaluate the tolerance to pain is available" (Dr. Stur, 2000).

"An important practical problem that any breed-specific legislation raises is adjoining an individual dog to a particular breed, which is scientifically impossible" (Dr. Wagner 2002).

"The genetic differences between a Chihuahua, a German shepherd and even a timber wolf are virtually non-existent and the behavioral differences in breeds has more to do with training than breeding" (DN 2001).

"Although they look different, dog breeds have no more scientific basis than do races among humans" (Dr. Serpell 2001).

* "There is absolutely no evidence for the existence of any kind of "locking mechanism" unique to the structure of the jaw and/or teeth of the American Pit Bull Terrier" (Dr. Brisbin).
[/quote]

They`re dogs Peter
Same subspecies as a Poodle,Golden Retriever,German Shepherd....

Canis Lupus familiaris
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Canis_lu...

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Caniformia
Family: Canidae
Genus: Canis
Species: Canis lupus
Subspecies: Canis lupus familiaris

Henri Paul

Apr 13, 2009 at 5:59pm

Doogie, your point being?

Doogie

Apr 13, 2009 at 6:08pm

Figure it out Henri by reading the factual information that has been posted.

Doogie

Apr 13, 2009 at 6:27pm

Here,maybe this will help you figure it out

April 10, 2009 11:30 PM
[quote]Four-year-old boy killed by dog

BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) - The investigation continues into whether criminal charges will be pursued in a dog attack that left a 4 year-old boy dead. It happened as he played in his family's yard in Morganza on Friday

At a news conference on Monday the Pointe Coupee district attorney Ricky Ward stopped short of saying there would be a criminal prosecution in the matter. He said there was no legal precedent in this state to prosecute on this matter but his office is still looking closely at the case.

Sheriff Bud Torres has also asked the state police to conduct the investigation since his office has a conflict of interest. One of his deputies, Deputy Rob Roy, is engaged to the owner of the dogs, Candice Wells.

Captain Steve Juge says four-year-old Michael Blaise Landry lived in the gray double-wide just behind this brick house off Highway 3050. Juge explains

little Michael was the victim of what appears to be a freak accident. "Somehow dogs got out of a pin and four-year-old was playing in the yard next door and dogs attacked child," said Captain Steve Juge of the Pointe Coupee Sheriff's Department.

Michael had to be airlifted to Point Coupee General. But, authorities say he did not survive. What makes this situation even tougher, Juge says, the owners of the dogs who live in the home just steps from the double wide are friends with Michael's family. The sheriff's department does not have a record of complaints on the boxers or their owners. In fact,

Juge points out it is clear the animals were pets. "These dogs are pets. They were on concrete, very well-maintained animals," says Juge.

Animial control agents loaded the dogs onto their truck and hauled them away. Juge says the investigation is far from over. "They will be put in confinement for a number of days. We will turn this investigation over to the district attorney's office to see if there will be criminal charges," said Juge.

District Attorney Ricky Ward says he would like to speak with the victim's family
but is not leaning towards filing charges in case. Investigators says it would be almost impossible to prove the dog's caretaker was responsible and exhibited criminal negligence the way Louisiana law is written.[/quote]

Catching on yet?

Henri Paul

Apr 13, 2009 at 7:07pm

It comes down to this Doogie. Your dog bites me, I sue you. Your only saving grace being, the smaller the dog, the less damage that can be inflicted, either way you pay for whatever damage your dog does.

Doogie

Apr 13, 2009 at 7:40pm

I don`t own a 'Pit Bull' Breed Henri

(One of these Breeds)
1)Staffordshire Bull Terrier
2)APBT
3)American Staffordshire Terrier

or

a 'pit type' dog,

or

a look-a-like Breed
http://www.understand-a-bull.com/Findthebull/findpitbull_v4.swf

or

a media tagged 'pit bull'
http://nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/dog-bites/dog-bites-and-the-med...

I own the Breed that did this.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2006-07/04/content_633172.htm

[quote]the smaller the dog, the less damage that can be inflicted, [/quote]

Size doesn`t matter much when you`re a baby or a toddler Henri

Worldwide
A Pomeranian and a JRT have killed.
A Lab Puppy has killed
Dachshunds have killed multiple times

You obviously can`t be bothered to look at factual links or you refuse to acknowledge the facts because they conflict with your beliefs.

'Pit Bulls' do not cause injuries unlike other dogs

http://nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/dog-bites/types-of-dog-bites/do...

The difference between people like yourself
[quote]either way you pay for whatever damage your dog does.[/quote]

and informed people who oppose Breed Specific Legislation (because it does not reduce dog bites or improve Public Safety) is that we think all people(not just some people) deserve to be protected from irresponsible owners who may have created truly dangerous dogs(regardless of Breed) and we believe that ALL Owners should be held accountable for the behavior of their dogs REGARDLESS of Breed*

Not clear on why you only want to hold 'pit bull' owners responsible?

Everyone else gets let off the hook?

That doesn`t seem very responsible.

Do you not think the Owner of the 3 Boxers who killed the child in the above Story should be held accountable or responsible?

Would that story be of more interest to you if the Media had alleged 'pit bulls'?