Chicago – A Chicago woman came home to find her father mauled to death by a pack of pit bulls she was raising, according to Chicago police.
Johnny Wilson, 56, was found Jan. 17 lying on the floor covered in blood. His ears were bitten off, one eye was mauled, and he had bite wounds on his chest, upper body and head, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office, who ruled Wilson's death an accident.
In the Chicago Breaking News Center report, Cherie Travis attempts to deny that the pit bulls are pit bulls. She claims to know for certain they are a mix, but couldn't tell you a mix of what.
[UPDATE: Two years later, Cherie Travis referred to this mauling as a pit bull mauling.]
Read more:
CBS News Accessed: 2012-01-28. (Archived by WebCite® at http://www.webcitation.org/652R0XlhX)
NBC Chicago Accessed: 2012-01-28. (Archived by WebCite® at http://www.webcitation.org/652R4SaID)
ABC local
Chicago Breaking News Center
Johnny Wilson, 56, was found Jan. 17 lying on the floor covered in blood. His ears were bitten off, one eye was mauled, and he had bite wounds on his chest, upper body and head, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office, who ruled Wilson's death an accident.
In the Chicago Breaking News Center report, Cherie Travis attempts to deny that the pit bulls are pit bulls. She claims to know for certain they are a mix, but couldn't tell you a mix of what.
[UPDATE: Two years later, Cherie Travis referred to this mauling as a pit bull mauling.]
Read more:
CBS News Accessed: 2012-01-28. (Archived by WebCite® at http://www.webcitation.org/652R0XlhX)
NBC Chicago Accessed: 2012-01-28. (Archived by WebCite® at http://www.webcitation.org/652R4SaID)
ABC local
Chicago Breaking News Center
Accessed: 2011-12-30. (Archived by WebCite® at http://www.webcitation.org/64JVcwDck)
Who runs CACC and why won't Chicago Punish Irresponsible Pit Bull Owners?
Comments from the Chicago Breaking News Center story
Who runs CACC and why won't Chicago Punish Irresponsible Pit Bull Owners?
Comments from the Chicago Breaking News Center story
Becca on January 18, 2010 12:26 PM
In response to the comment by "Mark on January 18, 2010 11:31 AM". I, too, am an Animal Control Officer and firmly believe that it doesn't matter how you raise them, it is the breed itself that is the problem.
I have been out on calls where people's beloved pets have been shredded to pieces by pits in front of them. I have been on calls where people have been trapped in their home and the pit is outside trying to tear the door down to get to them. I have seen an elderly woman's bloody arms after a pit bull attacked and killed her beloved Corgi. She beat the pit with piece of wood and was attacked by it. I had to respond to a 19 year old kid who was attacked by his own pit bull. His hand was "de-gloved" of its skin! It is NOT just a coincidence that they're pit and pit mixes. And it is not just the media reporting on pit attacks as I am the Officer who responded to the calls.
Yes, all dogs can bite but the pit has been destroyed by bad breeding. In the meantime, the government has a responsibility to protect people from them. They need to enact breed specific legislation as most owners won't bother having a quarter million in liability insurance on their pit unless forced to do so.
James Cherokee on January 18, 2010 12:30 PM
Just because a pit bull is raised as a puppy in loving care does not mean that the breed itself is not a naturally aggressinve breed of canine. I'm a vet and have seen/heard stories like this many times. Case in point; a pit raised by a perfect caring family for 6 years sees a neighboring 4 year old girl running outside playing in HER yard, the dog busted through the screen and nearly killed her. I was treating a pit once and was great with people but almost tore my arm off as it tried to leap at a smaller dog. The fact is that these dogs despite some loving characteristics are VERY unpredictable regardless of upbringing or care. Poor bredding practices have also helped ruin this line of dogs. Those who challenge that German Shepards are equally as agressive are dead wrong. Shepards are a very intelligent and loyal dogs and upon proper care, will be as good and docile of a dog as a bassett. This is from an advice pamphlet in my office about choosing a dog; interesting how this is specific towards a specific breed of dog:
Unstable temperaments. American Pit Bull Terriers are a dime a dozen today, and most of them are bred and offered for sale by people who don't have the slightest idea of how to breed good-tempered dogs who can function in our society. Obedience instructors and behavioral consultants see LOTS of Pit Bulls with flat-out dangerous temperaments. It is difficult to find a responsible breeder when one has to sort through all the hype from macho breeders who boast about their dogs' "power" and "invincibility."
Extreme animal aggression. Most Pit Bull Terriers are aggressive toward other dogs. Many have strong instincts to chase and seize cats and other fleeing creatures, including deer and livestock. If anything goes wrong in the breeding, socializing, training, handling, or management of this breed, it is capable of seriously injuring or killing other animals.
