Pitbull kills toddler, no provocation

[TCPluto]

http://detnews.com/article/20090423/METRO/904230462/Family+of+pit+bull+victim+denounces+breed

How many times does this very same thing have to play out?

Family of pit bull victim denounces breed
Christine Ferretti / The Detroit News
Eastpointe -- The uncle of an 11-month-old boy killed by the family's pit bull said today the grieving parents want to warn others about the dangers of a breed that is "sent by Satan."

"I know there is a love affair with pit bulls," Terrence Lovejoy said during an emotional press conference at the Eastpointe Police Department. "But neighbors, parents ... get rid of them. They are sent by Satan."

Lovejoy said the boy's parents, who have not been named, asked him to speak to the media on their behalf. The couple had been married 17 years and were thrilled when they finally conceived their son, whose first birthday would have been May 3, Lovejoy said. "We were preparing for his first birthday. ... Now we have to prepare for a funeral."

Lovejoy said the toddler was standing on his parents' bed Wednesday with the parents in the room when the dog, without barking or growling, suddenly grabbed him. The family had the dog since it was a puppy, and it had never shown signs of aggression, Lovejoy said. He said the dog was never left alone with the child........

 

[Cindyluwho]

You will get folks on here will hate on you simply because you posted that article.

The same thing happened to a friend of my little brothers. He was just laying on the floor watching TV. Just laying there! And the family pit bull attacked his face. He will live with those scars forever.

 

[raysnkaysmom]

http://detnews.com/article/20090423/METRO/904230462/Family+of+pit+bull+victim+denounces+breed

How many times does this very same thing have to play out?

Family of pit bull victim denounces breed
Christine Ferretti / The Detroit News
Eastpointe -- The uncle of an 11-month-old boy killed by the family's pit bull said today the grieving parents want to warn others about the dangers of a breed that is "sent by Satan."

"I know there is a love affair with pit bulls," Terrence Lovejoy said during an emotional press conference at the Eastpointe Police Department. "But neighbors, parents ... get rid of them. They are sent by Satan."

Lovejoy said the boy's parents, who have not been named, asked him to speak to the media on their behalf. The couple had been married 17 years and were thrilled when they finally conceived their son, whose first birthday would have been May 3, Lovejoy said. "We were preparing for his first birthday. ... Now we have to prepare for a funeral."

Lovejoy said the toddler was standing on his parents' bed Wednesday with the parents in the room when the dog, without barking or growling, suddenly grabbed him. The family had the dog since it was a puppy, and it had never shown signs of aggression, Lovejoy said. He said the dog was never left alone with the child........

You will get folks on here will hate on you simply because you posted that article.

The same thing happened to a friend of my little brothers. He was just laying on the floor watching TV. Just laying there! And the family pit bull attacked his face. He will live with those scars forever.

Don't understand why people will ***** about it being posted, because it happened. But, yet, people continue to defend the breed. I, for one, don't dislike pitbulls, BUT...because of this happening again and again, I definitely wouldn't have one around my babies, just because it is common for this breed. If I was alone (adults) I wouldn't have a problem having one...I've only personally ever met sweet ones...but the stakes are too high with children around

 

[Bluestars]

You ask how many times this has to happen? Even one more time is too much. Aggressive dogs and small children are a deadly combination. Why anyone would take even the slightest risk with their child, or any person's child, is beyond me.

 

[TheZue]

I really feel for that family and am glad they are speaking out, but I don't think anybody will listen

 

[C.Ann]

I know I will offend someone - and I apologize ahead of time - but..

I don't think pit bulls and children should reside in the same home.. It's a tragedy waiting to happen..

Those poor parents.. They tried for all those years to have a baby and now that baby is dead because of their dog.. They will spend the rest of their lives blaming themselves.. I hope they can get professional help to deal with the loss and the guilt that they are bound to experience..

 

[a1tinkfans]

so very very sad!

Unfortunately this is not all that uncommon with the breed. I love dogs, but goodness, this dog does not belong with ANY children.
We had one a short time, it was fine for months, and one day I came home and literally had to lock myself in the bathroom until someone else came home. The dog was so strange and just was very aggressive for absolutely no reason at all. Its like he "turned" on me that day. I was truly scared for my safety. We had to get rid of him.
They are very strong dogs with very strong jaws, some say locking others say no, whatever the case, they are vicious when they do attack and do substantial damage.

I hope that family can somehow deal with this great tragedy!!

 

[mickeyboat]

 

[TCPluto]

so very very sad!

Unfortunately this is not all that uncommon with the breed. I love dogs, but goodness, this dog does not belong with ANY children.
We had one a short time, it was fine for months, and one day I came home and literally had to lock myself in the bathroom until someone else came home. The dog was so strange and just was very aggressive for absolutely no reason at all. Its like he "turned" on me that day. I was truly scared for my safety. We had to get rid of him.
They are very strong dogs with very strong jaws, some say locking others say no, whatever the case, they are vicious when they do attack and do substantial damage.

I hope that family can somehow deal with this great tragedy!!

That's the very nature of these dogs.

They can be very friendly dogs....until they aren't. No warning, no provocation.

 

[DisneyKT]

I know I will offend someone - and I apologize ahead of time - but..

I don't think pit bulls and children should reside in the same home.. It's a tragedy waiting to happen..

Those poor parents.. They tried for all those years to have a baby and now that baby is dead because of their dog.. They will spend the rest of their lives blaming themselves.. I hope they can get professional help to deal with the loss and the guilt that they are bound to experience..

Very well said..

 

[AnnaS]

What a horror.

 

[Sheree Bobbins]

How many maimings and deaths will it take to outlaw this dangerous breed?

 

[okeydokey]

So sad, but not at all surprising.

 

[Magic Mom]

How horrible!Why do people own these monster animals?

 

[MarkFL]

When I was five, a black lab bit my finger. Because of this I think they should be totally outlawed.

 

[Bluestars]

When I was five, a black lab bit my finger. Because of this I think they should be totally outlawed.

If it was a Pit bull, you probably wouldn't have a finger. Many dogs bite, but pit bulls are very strong and cause a lot of damage when they attack, but I'm sure you knew that.

 

[TCPluto]

When I was five, a black lab bit my finger. Because of this I think they should be totally outlawed.

You're comparing a bit finger to a brutal attack that killed a child. Nice.

 

[Maridw]

This is a story from where I live.

"Dodge the dog put to sleep - Panama City, FL"
Two-year-old Valenica Newton was attacked by this pittbull named Dodge in March.

The aftermath of what she went through is unbearable. Dodge mauled her throat and neck.

She was taken to Shands Hospital in Gainsville and is now back at home recovering.

"This morning as a result by the order of the special magistrate of the city of Callaway dodge was put down," Jim Crosby, Bay Co. Animal Control Director said.

Kayla Nowlin, Valenica's babysitter at the time of the attack, was arrested and is facing a felony count of child neglect causing great bodily harm.

Nowlin told authorities she set the child down in the front yard and turned her head. And that's when dodge attacked. We tried to contact dodge's owners but they declined to comment.

Valencia's grandmother Deborah, who didn't want her face shown on camera, is glad this is finally over.

" I was elated. I was very happy about it and I called my daughter and let her know about it and I'm just glad it's finally over," Stephens said.

Employees at animal control say they hate to put any animal down but in this case they had to follow the letter of the law.

"That's one of the reasons we went through the whole court issue to make sure that his owners had every opportunity to live up to the requirements of having a dog," Crosby said.

It's an end to a month-long battle, that's ending in heartache for both sides.

According to Valerie Lovett, PIO of Bay County, "Dodge had one documented minor attack prior to attacking Valencia Newton. The attack on Newton gave Dodge the label of a 'dangerous dog', which in his case, required him to be euthanized."

 

[Magic Mom]

Yeah, that totally compares.

 

[DisneyKT]

:

When I was five, a black lab bit my finger. Because of this I think they should be totally outlawed.