Crime & Safety
Attack By Pit Bull Sparks Angry Responses
Readers, Facebook followers have plenty to say about Tuesday's pit bull attack.
It seems as if few things draw a sharper response to animal news than when a pit bull goes on the attack.
It was no different this week after an unleashed pit bull savagely mauled a much larger Newfoundland on Tuesday night near an East Side park in St. Charles. The attack brought a vitriolic response from readers, some of whom blamed the owner of the offending dog, and others who panned the pit bull as a breed.
Pit bull actually is a broader label for several breeds of dog in the United States, according to Wikipedia, which names the American pit bull terrier, the American Staffordshire terrier, the Staffordshire bull terrier, as well as mixed breeds of these dogs, as pit bulls.
The dogs have gained a poor reputation, largely because of media coverage of some horrific attacks over the years. In some areas, such attacks have resulted in breed-specific regulation of the animals, such as requiring they be muzzled and even including outright bans of the animals, the Wikipedia article states.
But defenders of the maligned canine have argued the owners, not the dogs, are to blame for not properly training and supervising their animals.
in Tuesday’s attack, which occurred about 6:30 p.m. across the street from a playground at Ohio and 3rd avenues, an unleashed pit bull savagely mauled a Newfoundland, a much larger breed of work dog. “The dog was bleeding profusely (literally pouring like a faucet) and the owner was really shaken up,” resident Eric Forst wrote in an email to St. Charles Patch after the attack.
The attacking dog’s owner fled the scene; the Newfoundland survived.
Readers Angered
Commenting on the article, Patch reader expressed their anger and dismay over the imauling:
Sandy: this is why I always leave the dogpark when a dog like this arrives..............
joe torre: I agree that owners should train their dogs but when will all you people realize the when you read a story of a dog attack, it's always those loving and friendly pit bulls. The breed should be banned in the USA. Dogs are supposed to be fun and friendly, pit bulls are just the opposite, they are dangerous. I am not a gun owner, but I would feel a whole lot better if I was packing when around a pit bull.
One reader posted a link to a news story out of Wisconsin about a man who shot a pit bull over the weekend after it attacked his neighbor’s black Lab.
Outrage, Dismay on Facebook
St. Charles Patch readers also expressed shock and anger over Tuesday’s attack: in their Facebook responses to the article:
Nicole Rita Oh my gosh! I take my kids to the park near there all the time. There are also many MANY kids in the immediate blocks surrounding this! My husband mentioned he spoke to someone last fall at Mt St Mary park who's dog was also attacked .... I wonder if it's the same?! Thanks for reporting, will keep an eye out.
Tracy Farrell-Stewart I drive by them yesterday as they we're cleaning the dog up. I told my 5 year old (who wanted to stop at the park) that it looked like that poor dog might have gotten hit by a car. How sad, I guess I won't be going to that park again for a while.
Charlie Shedivy This is an instance of someone being unable to physically restrain their pet. This might even be a case of ,"don't sweat it...Grandma will take him to the park". I don't know exactly what happened. Maybe a few over friendly sniffs got out of hand. What bothers me is that what is by nature is a gentle protective dog, again gets a bad rep because someone did not take the time and effort to train their dog to be exactly that. …
Krystle Ann The pit bull/or mix had been off of the leash with no collar on running around that neighborhood. The owner of the newfoundland was walking her dog when the owner of the pit said, "don't worry, my dog is friendly".... 10 seconds later there was blood everywhere. I was there, no one is trying to place blame on any breed, this could have been any kind of dog.
Christina Krautter Thank you Krystle! I reposted this article myself. Hoping they catch the lady and her dog - there needs to be some accountability so that this doesn't happen to someone else dog or child. Is there a description of either?
Kristin Gehrels Well said Krystle. I was one of the neighbors that tried to help and I am appalled that the owner of the dog that attacked the Newfoundland left. I am relieved to hear that the dog that was attacked is doing ok but I am worried that the other dog may still be an issue in the neighborhood. This happened right next to the playground that I take my son to. Scary.
Owner or Dog to Blame?
St. Charles Patch hosted a Facebook discussion of the issue, noting that different breeds of dogs have seemed to come into notoriety at different times in past decades, and wondering if this simply was the period for pit bulls to receive such attention.
Some agreed, others did not.
Tracy Paddy It's the owners responsibility. When I first moved into my current home the neighbor down the street had two Chow's that they let run, and they bit young children and eventually were put down.
Janet Gampfer Dieter Yes, it all comes back to the owner. I've had Pitbulls and it's all in the training and socialization. Also many dog breeds/mixes are automatically labeled as "Pitbull" when they are actually other breeds.
Debbie Stack Kasprzak its all in the owner/training just like parenting. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Just like some adults should never become parents same goes for pet ownership.
Nikki Doerr Hence owners responsible for the dog it is not the dog breeds responsibility
Craig Makare simply post links to a Chicago Tribune article about a 2005 pit bull rampage in Cary, and to a post on DogsBite Blog, which was written about the same incident. Both the article and the blog post refer to the breed’s aggressiveness.
Jeff Fender Agreed!!
Holly Ronzheimer-Sook Agree!!!!
Some Gratefull for Aid from Strangers
Besides the outrage, there were others who expressed their appreciation for people pulling together after the attack to help out.
Kristin Gehrels I am also thankful to live in a neighborhood where people help each other out, even if they don't know each other.
Krystle Ann Hi Kristin, thank you so much for getting us the bowl of water. I think that really kept the dog calm and out of shock : ) Yes, that was great how everyone was concerned and trying to help! I'm glad to live here.
Kristin Gehrels Krystle, they were lucky to have you and your husband there. You kept the dog calm and got it to a vet quickly. I'm sure the owner was very grateful for all you did.
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