October 11th, 2011

Sensationalized pitbull attack in Glendora,California on October 10, 2011

I was called to the television set to watch a story on a local Los Angeles news television channel reporting an attack by 2 pit bulls on a middle-age man, resting in his hospital bed. The victim described the pit bulls as attacking him viciously, after having escaped from the property where they were kept, leaving multiple severe bites on his torso and extremities. He felt his life was saved by a neighbor who called police, and when the police arrived they shot and killed one of the dogs, and the other dog was disabled after having been intentionally rammed by the police car. Sensational stories like this obviously fuel fear and dislike amongst the public for the pit bull breed. Unfortunately, stories like this demonize the pit bull breed unjustifiably. Granted, many pit bulls, particularly those individuals who are male, and who have not been trained properly, socialize properly, encouraged to play aggressively, etc. require a higher standard of care to maintain public safety. However, this should not imply that all individuals of the pit bull breed are necessarily dangerous by nature. I have rarely seen television news coverage of a vicious attack by Rottweiler dog or German Shepherd dog, and dogs like this easily have the capability of causing severe injury or fatality to a person.