Sep 25, 2007 Pit Bulls Invade Home Kill Pet Cat in Front of Children

Letter to the Editor:
I have been a long time supporter for the ASPCA, Humane Society and other animal-caring organizations.

When I read the story in the Pantagraph Sept. 19 about loose pit bulls breaking into the house and mauling one of their four helpless cats to death, while the mom and her children helplessly looked on, it made me so upset and angry.

We're always hearing of horror stories involving these pit bulls, mainly because of irresponsible owners who have given this breed their bad reputation. That's why in this small community, we need to make a example of this heart-breaking incident and hold the dog owners responsible for the grief they have caused this family, their children and the family's own pets.

What's the problem here, when responsible pet owners can't even keep their own pets safe in their own home?

This horrific incident by the way, happened in Meadows, which is only 10 miles down the road from us here in Chenoa.

This needs to be properly addressed in order to avoid any further pain, heartache and needless cruelty in the future, for those who cannot defend themselves! I am a concerned pet owner and loyal supporter of all our animal welfare organizations.

Cheryl A. Sievers
Chenoa

Read more:
Pantagraph

Accessed: 2012-02-25. (Archived by WebCite^® at http://www.webcitation.org/65jCE8xj1)

Related posts:
List of Invasion Attacks

These are attacks where the dog invades a home, place of business, occupied building or securely enclosed yard expressly to attack.  Attacks in which the pit bull pulls another animal through their fence in an attempt to kill them are also considered invasion attacks.

Sep 11, 2007 Boy attacked by pit bull in front yard

“I’m just thankful it wasn’t his throat or eyes,” said Mr. Kollman, relieved his son’s injuries were not more serious. “That’s what those dogs are notorious for.”

Watson – A 6-year-old Watson boy had to undergo emergency surgery Sunday, after being attacked by a pit bull in the front yard of his residence.

Gina Kollman of Watson took her son, Jesse Kollman, to St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital, Effingham, early Sunday morning after a neighbor’s pet pit bull, owned by Brandon Welch and Kristi Higgs of Watson, allegedly bit him in the face, resulting in approximately 150 stitches from below his right eye down the side of his face to his lip. Jesse was in surgery for roughly 2 1/2 hours.

by Nicole Eversole
read more:
Effingham Daily News  Accessed: 2012-02-25. (Archived by WebCite^® at http://www.webcitation.org/65jEC45vu)

Sep 03, 2007 Peoria Pit Bull Kills Poodle

Peoria - In truly absurd reporting, Central Illinois Proud uses 36 words and 156 characters to describe a pit bull attack in which the pit bull killed a small poodle and says that some people wonder if the breed should be banned.

CIProud doesn’t say how the attack happened, where it happened, if the dogs were leashed or owned for that matter.  The article doesn't say what happened to the pit bull or what authorities said would happen to the pit bull and owner (if there is one). The article says that some people wonder if the breed should be banned, but it doesn’t say who is doing the wondering or quote their thoughts on the subject

Then, CI Proud quotes and names a pit bull owner, seemingly picked at random, who, surprise!, thinks pit bulls are great.  Finally, CI Proud quotes the director of Peoria Animal Welfare, who spreads the lie that pit bulls make great pets because “it’s all how you raise them.”  CI Proud uses 211 words and 1007 characters to tell their readers that despite the fact that a pit bull killed a poodle, pit bulls make great pets.  You have to admit it’s a great strategy.  Since pit bulls attack so often, if you use every pit bull attack as a chance to tell people that pit bulls make great pets, they will absolutely be hearing that message A LOT (you know, because pit bulls attack so much).

The horrendous reporting is no longer online, but read for yourself:

Pit Bull Attack
A recent dog attack in Peoria involving a pit bull against a poodle resulted in the death of the smaller animal.
It's also caused some people to wonder if the pit bull breed should be banned.
While pit bulls have the reputation for being vicious animals, some say the owners, not the dogs, are the problem.
The Armitage family in Peoria has had pit bulls in their home for more than a decade, and they say the dogs get along
great with the girls. Sten-Eric Armitage says, “It's how you raise the animal and it's how you treat the dog that makes the
difference.”
Lauren Malmberg, the director of the Peoria Animal Welfare Shelter (http://www.ci.peoria.il.us/services/depts/paws/)
agrees. She says, “Pit bulls are not by nature aggressive by nature any more than virtually any other dog is.”
Malmberg says pit bulls make up forty percent of the shelter's activity simply because a lot of people in the area happen
to have the breed. And pit bull owners aren't always responsible. She says, “We have a lot of dog-fighting in the area--
most of the time it's pet owners who pit their animals against each other to see who's the toughest dog.”
For those who advocate banning the breed, the problem is two-fold. First of all, it's against state law to do so. And
secondly, animal experts add it's not what kind of dog you have--it's how you care for it.
Armitage says, “I think pit-bulls are fantastic family dogs.”


Read more:
CI Proud (dead link)