Pitbull attacks son of Pittsburgh Steeler
Written by Black Entertainment USA
It’s sad news on any day when you hear that a child has been injured. That doesn’t change where the child has a parent that is famous or not. Because we all want children, anyone’s child, to be safe at all times.
But there is something in this story that infuriates me. The source of the injury to Pittsburgh Steeler’s linebacker James Harrison’s child was a pitbull dog. And I’ve heard these kinds of stories way to often. The breed should never be around children. In fact, I believe the entire breed should be destroyed.
But before I go on, let’s get this into perspective. The pitbull is NOT part of dogfighting. The dog was not abused, or mistreated. There have been no reports of the dog causing trouble, or getting loose, or anything that would indicate it would harm anyone. This is not a Michael Vick kind of situation. This is all about the breed.
Pitbulls are a breed of dog bred for one thing, fighting. They are known for their aggressiveness, and the injuries they give to adults as well as other dogs and animals. They are prone to sudden vicious attacks, without cause. In my experience, every pitbull will at some point turn and attack without cause at some point in their lives. And the manner of raising the pitbull, and it’s parentage have little to do with that.
Case in point, back in the mid-90’s I was working at a stock brokerage firm in NYC near Wall Street. In the middle of one day a call came in that the daughter of one of the brokers I knew had just been taken to the hospital. The cause of her injuries was the one of the family’s pitbulls.
This pitbull had been raised with the child from birth. It was bred as a family dog, and the broker was a recognized breeder. All of his dogs were raised in a gentle surrounding, with good bloodlines. Up to that point there had never been an incident with the dog. The attack occurred in the kitchen, with the mother and a family friend present.
The little girl was just 6 years old. The dog was 5. For no apparent reason the dog turned on the girl as she entered the kitchen. It bit her face, requiring plastic surgery though she face would always retain marks from the attack. But at least she survived.
Just as James Harrison’s son will survive. He was bit in the leg. He will be in a hospital for at least another day, as the injury is considered severe but not life threatening. Just as with the experience my broker acquaintence learned about, Harrison’s dog attacked without provocation. 2 adults, one being the mother of James, were also injured while trying to rescue the boy.
Why do people continue to have these animals? Especially around children? I just don’t understand it.
They are beasts at the best of times. They are popular because drug dealers in the 80’s used them to protect crack houses from police raids. They serve no purpose, and are without any merit in my opinion.
How many children will need to suffer from attacks by these beasts before they are destroyed? How many people will be attacked? How many more headlines will it take before the status of owning such a vicious and unpredictable creature fades?
Owning a pitbull leaves you with one result. Given time it is bound to attack. I’ve found that to be true in every case of someone owning a pitbull. And sadly, children often are the victim of these attacks.
Canada, Australia, England, Norway, France, Singapore, Iceland and even Serbia get it. They all restrict or forbid the breed. Various cities and counties across the nation including Sioux City, Overland Park, Miami-Dade, Youngstown, and Sparta among many others get it. Even the state of Oklahoma has proposed the ban of these dogs.
I am sorry to hear of the injury to Steeler’s linbacker Harrison’s child. But I hope that if any positive can come out of this horrific attack, it is that it helps to end the existence of this breed so that no other child ever goes through this again.
July 20th, 2009 at 9:25 pm
fuck you guys you dont no what your talking abot
July 21st, 2009 at 3:31 pm
Anonymous,
Your brilliance shines like a spot on the sun. Truely you have made an arguement that that my youngest neice (a newborn) would be bewildered by. I’m sure you are a comfort to your friends and an object of conversation among your peers.
July 30th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
yea i agree.they don’t know wat they talkin bout i got 4 pitbulls an they ain’t offered 2 bother 2 my neices an nephew or any youngin.
August 7th, 2009 at 10:04 am
you astound me with your stupidity. hey why don’t you get rid of all the kids while your at it, since hundreds of kids kill or injure each other with guns or fire, or who knows what else. that makes them dangerous right? by writing this article you show just how ignorant you are on the subject, having no personnel interaction while the breed you pretend to know everything about it. how do you know the child hadn’t been abusing the dog for a while before the dog decided to get even. everyone knows how children are and the parents can’t be around all the time to make sure the child is treating the dog right. you don’t know. if you want to follow your train of thought, then people should be the first to be destroyed, we cause more suffering and death to ourselves than any creature ever could. i have 2 pits now, and have owned 5 in my lifetime, all of them sweeter than candy and absolutely wonderful with children. just like children, you can say what u want but it is all about how they are raised. a pit doesn’t need a friend it needs a master, establish that and you will have a loyal friend for as long as his paws are on this earth. here i got one for you. ever read the story about the guy running through the woods, he heard a strange sound and went to investigate. what he found was a pit bull roped to a tree with one leg broken and a bullet hole that went in his eye and came out his ear. the man rushed the dog to the vet and luckily the pit survived, with permanent ear and eye damage needless to say, and now the dog lives happily with his knight in shining armor. people are the monsters. would a pit ever do that to you, i don’t think he would.
August 7th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
Your ignorance of this breed is astounding!!! BAN STUPID PEOPLE NOT BREED SPECIFIC DOGS!!!
You really should do some research before spouting off on something you obviously know nothing about.
August 7th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
Loyal,
I did more than a bit of research. I noted several facts as can easily be found in a simple google search. Plus my experience.
If you do not like my views, I can’t help you. But my expereinces and the facts are what they are.
August 7th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
This was written by Black Entertainment USA. I see the ignorance of the writer! The world doesn’t need the writer(s)of this article nor the Michael Vick’s!
August 7th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
War,
I respect your strong views in support of the pitbull. But that does not change my views, or those of multiple cities, counties, states, and countries.
As for the interaction with the child, I reported what was known. I do not know what happened as I was not there. Nor were you. So based on the information from the father, and the family that was present, the news came out and I reported that as factually as was possible at the time. If you wish to dispute that, go ahead. But you need to argue with the media and not me on that.
As for what I know about pitbulls, I am no expert. Never said I was. But the facts I presented are just that. As I have said often in this case, a simple google search will provide all my sources and even more information verifying what I stated in the post. If you wish to dispute that, good luck.
And as for your experiences with pitbulls, good for you. Though I feel you are playing with a loaded gun. Especially if you have children around. Maybe you won’t ever have a problem. I believe that given time you will. Either way my view is unchanged.
By the way, that story sounds sweet. Where did it come from? Is there anything to back that up? Do you know the person involved, or did you hear this via someone else? Just wondering what the source is, as I stated mine.
Lastly, your reference to children is silly and you know it. The illogic used is great to invoke an emotional response, but little more than a slippery slope.
August 8th, 2009 at 10:35 pm
You really do not know what you are writing about. Your use of the word “pitbull” shows it. I know of more people bitten by Labrador Retrievers than “Pit Bull” type breeds. Do you even know what dog breeds are considered Pit Bulls?
August 10th, 2009 at 4:40 pm
Richard,
Of course this was written by me. Black Entertainment USA is my blog (among others I own). I am Michael Vass by the way. There is no secret to my identity, or my writing. But do please use my name if you want to identify me.
Disagreement with the facts I presented does not make me ignorant, nor guarantee your point of view. If you don’t like what I stated, and exactly what it is you disagree with would be nice to know, you are more than welcome to provide facts to counter. But a general whine that you don’t like it really doesn’t advance anything.
August 10th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
Robert,
I believe that pitbulls and Rotweilers are the most numerous attacks and fatalities of all dog breeds in America. You may be more familiar with other attacks, which I never stated do not occur, but that does not deter from the viciousness and severity of pitbull attacks.
My use of the term pitbull comprises the general description of the breed. There seems to be 3 sub-types of the actual breed, but generally the term pitbull is used to describe all 3. If you prefer the term American pitbull terrier, fine, but I don’t find it necessary. Nor does the major news media. So if that upsets you address the major media.
As for what I know, the facts I presented are real. So unless multiple experts and municipalities and Governments from local to national are all wrong, the facts stand as stated.
August 13th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
Oh u talk about the media…tha medias full a shut jus like u…slipprey slope…a person could never dream of being as loyal as a dog fcuk head…invoke emotions…spare ur psyco analysis dr. Phillagayass…it is what it is…humans hurt more people than nethng…K…NEone or nethng…I jus got me a pure bred…and were gonna breed more fcuker…jus fa ur kids…hahaha!!!!
August 14th, 2009 at 1:18 am
The dogs are known as pit bull, not pitbull. Your use of the word “pitbull” shows your ignorance. Try looking pitbull up in the dictionary. There are not three sub-types of the breed. There are three separate breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club(AKC) known as pit bulls, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Pit bull is a description, not a breed. I wonder what the statistics would look like if all retriever type breeds or collie types were grouped as one, get the point. I have no issues with your opinion of the dog breeds, but to write about a subject you know little about is of no service to anyone.
August 14th, 2009 at 2:40 am
Ash,
Wow. Did you write that all by yourself, or did your mom help you. Perhaps if you read a dictionary and went to school you would understand how to write in the English language. I’m sure between your wise commentary and vulgar language your entire family must be proud.
August 14th, 2009 at 2:51 am
Robert,
I admit that I am not an expert on the breed. Nor have I stated otherwise. And while I may not spell the term pit bull properly, it is a common mistake and does not take away from my arguement. And while my misspelling may not be found in a dictionary, it easy can be found via a google search.
And my writing is a commentary, not hard news. My facts though are accurate as is my experience.
How my lack of expertise affects a commentary to the point of making it invalid, though facts and first-hand experience is noted is beyond me. But I do respect opinions that raise awareness on this issue. At least when they are written in English as opposed to Ash.
August 17th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
Ash,
Your further comments were deleted due to your use of vulgarity. While your inital post was also inappropriate, a judgement call was made. But your additional posts were even more vulgar, incited violence, were threatenting, and racially biased. None of which are allowed here.
If you wish to share your thoughts, even in dissent of a view, we ask that you have some degree of respect, are not biased, and refrain from the use of vulgarity.
If you (or anyone) cannot do this, your comments will not appear.
August 17th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
Look all I meant was that you are implying we should desolate pitbulls because of what some dogs do!!! That’s stupied, that’s the same as detroying whites for what the nazis did, and I’m not black bu, I’m Hawaiian. I’m not racist I just love my dogs that love me back. Answer me this,”Who is dumber, nazis or Pitbulls”?!!!
August 18th, 2009 at 4:19 am
Ash,
I have no doubt that you, and many that have commented on this issue, love pitbulls (or pit bulls as Robert would prefer). And it is obvious that I do not. Neither of us are alone in our feelings about the breed(s).
But I do not feel that this is isolated. I believe that stats are such that pitbulls and Rotweilers are the 2 dog breeds that are the highest percentage of attacks in the U.S. I also believe that the stats state that pitbulls are responsible for the most vicious and damaging attacks of any dog breed. If I am incorrect please do provide me the proof, and I do realize that there in no conclusive absolute data nationwide. Thus I take the extreme view that if pitbulls were removed and it saved 1 child, I can live with that decision. Others may disagree.
I do not equate eliminating pitbulls to taking the life of a political group of human beings, nor any religion, sexual preference, or any other seperation. People are not dogs, for good or ill. I will never advocate genocide of any group of human beings.
Who is dumber you ask. And that question assumes that a dog is equal to a human. I don’t agree, even though I despise Nazi’s like any well adjusted human does. That does not mean I would save Hitler over a pitbull, but it does mean I would choose neither given a third choice.
Seperately, I thank you for the tone and form of your response as opposed to the deleted material.
August 18th, 2009 at 6:01 pm
Admin…
Have you ever considered the ATTS results or are you even familiar with such a thing? It’s the American Temperament Test, a controlled, standardized test given to all different breeds of dogs. It includes testing for the dogs behavior towards neutral and aggressive strangers, it’s response to certain stimulus, protective tendencies, etc. It is slightly unfair to compare each breed of dog as the same number of dogs were not tested of each breed. However, the average passing rate is 81%. The American Pit Bull Terrier was a group of dogs tested in a very high number and passed at 85%. The American Staffordshire Terrier passed at 83.9%. When compared with other dogs breeds who were tested in similar numbers, the APBT scored higher than Golden Retrievers, Collies, Australian Shepherds just to name a few. The APBT consistantly scored higher than MANY breeds of dogs but to be fair, I looked mainly at dogs who were tested in the same number (I.E 665 APBT’s were tested. They outscored breeds such as the cocker spaniel, border collie, etc but these dogs were tested in smaller numbers such as 200-350.) HOWEVER, many breeds were on track to score much lower than the APBT if group numbers were standardized. ATTS.org
Lets touch on a few other points as well.
If you have taken time to read and listen to all the media hype and negative press on “pit bulls”, I hope that you will also take the time to read this article:
http://www.thedogpress.com/Columns/Jade/07_Dog.Bite.Stats_09.htm
“more people are killed annually by tripping over their own slippers than all fatal dog attacks combined, regardless of breed” Just one small notion from the above study. Check it out, it’s a good read if you truly wish to educate yourself. Its a good read on the truly statistical significance of this issue.
Also, a very lopsided majority of fatal attacks are on children. In most of these stories, I believe the parents are to blame for their ridiculous negligence. Children and dogs (regardless of the breed) should never ever be left alone. As for bites ocuring in the presence of the parents, this happens in ANY breed of dog. Read up on it. Also read up on other causes of accidental deaths of children…toys, swings, cribs, playpens, etc kill FAR more children than dogs each year. Perhaps we should ban these things?
I do not argue with fact that when a “pit bull” type dog truly attacks it is capable of more damage than a less powerful breed. However, banning the breed is an absolutely ignorant solution to the problem. I have no problem with REASONABLE restrictions being placed on ownership and strong penalties in place for violations. Responsible APBT owners such as myself will jump through these hoops in order to own our beloved dogs. Restrictions would hopefully weed out the riff raff, irresponsible individuals who are ruining my breed’s reputation. Perhaps APBT owners and their dogs need to pass standardized temperament tests to gain a permit, there should be restrictions on breeding these dogs, and spaying/neutering. It’s not a perfected idea but makes far more sense than the nazi-style “extermination”.
Eradication of the breed is an ignorant response to an issue that is just going to result in a snowball effect. If “pit bulls” are gone, be sure the irresponsible people who have given them a bad name will easily find another breed to ruin. A gun is dangerous in the wrong hands, as is a vehicle and many other things…electricity! The difference is, we have laws, guidelines, training, education on these types of things. We can’t simply run around banning everything that frightens us.
Last but not least, the media is absolutely out of control on the reporting of “pit bulls” and demonizing them. Do some careful research and you will find a ton of misinformation provided by the media. Fear sells! The public needs something to fear and the media is happy to paint that picture for them.
And to the people making ignorant comments, cursing, and sounding rather un-educated? Please keep it to yourself. It’s bad enough “pit bulls” have a bad name, now you’re creating one for us “pit bull” owners as well.
August 18th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
I also meant to point out that no other breed of dog is as abused, mistreated and abandoned anywhere near as often as “pit bull” breeds. Do a little research on that…these are the same losers who’s dogs attack people. Irresponsible, “riff-raff” who should never be allowed to own a dog much less a pit bull.
Here’s a few:
http://www.realpitbull.com/abuse.html
http://www.pet-abuse.com/cases/15584/TX/US/
http://www.pitbullsontheweb.com/petbull/sadreality/1.php
NO other breed of dog even comes close to being this abused and persecuted.
August 18th, 2009 at 6:35 pm
Janna,
Let me first make a correction. The posts and responses to posts submitted from my Black Entertainment USA and VASS are by Michael Vass. While I do log in to this blog to make posts and respond to comments as ADMIN, my comments and posts do not reflect 1800blogger.
As to your comments, Thank you. You make a well reasoned arguement.
To clarify, I do realize that my view is an extreme. As I noted in the post, the restrictions used by many Counties, States, and other Governments are far less extreme and more in line with what you have suggested. And I do admit that my view may not be the best solution, for as I have said in the past
“All fanatics are wrong”
This applies to me as well as anyone else.
I am unaware of the link you posted, or the results so I cannot comment on that. But I will concede that the major media, like myself, are very biased on this issue.
Also to clarify, I do realize that attacks by dogs include all breeds. And that there is no 1 breed that is absolutely guaranteed to attack others for no reason. Though my experience leads me to believe that “pit bulls” are as close to a guarantee as there is. Which may be for many reasons, part of which I believe lies in the bloodline and purpose of their creation, but must also often lie in part on the owners.
As you stated, my arguement is to the degree of viciousness and damage of attacks. And in that pit bulls are the most extreme to my knowledge. Which is where my concerns, and given overreaction, comes from.
Perhaps if more of the caring and obviously loving pit bull owners that have written here existed in higher numbers, cases like this post would not feel so commonplace. But no matter what, something must be done as this is far to dangerous a situation for our children.
August 19th, 2009 at 4:11 am
Pit bulls are worth more than Hitler and nazis should not be considered human this is why I get so mad! You bring up hitler of em all, I don’t see my dogs shoving people in ovens!!!
August 24th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
N=2 does not mean you have proved that all pitbulls are vicious beasts. Making generalizations from anecdotal evidence is a dangerous habit used by ignorant people- for examples take your pick of rulers who have lead genocides.
September 9th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
Firstly whoever wrote this article {deleted} off you ignorant asshole. I did construction on James Harrisons house a year or so back and I saw the way his dogs were treated. He beat them with tires and everything else under the sun and basically treated them like absolute (deleted}. If I was treated like that all my life I’d be ready to bite someone too. Pitbulls aren’t to blame its the idiotic owners who buy the dog to give themselves an ego boost and false sense of toughness. If you beat a poodle senseless its whole life and taught it nothing besides how to be mean it will attack just like a pitbull. People that want to own a vicious choose a pitbull because they know what kind of physical specimens they are and what kind of damage they could potentially do.
September 10th, 2009 at 10:38 am
Pitbull Owner,
At least you were original enough to not go by Anonymous.
1. Ambigous statements of knowing facts that are unreported and unsubstatiated are worth about as much as sweat on the buttocks of a boar.
2. Please do not swear. It is a sign of a mind that cannot think of words to use; and I like to believe all my readers are better than that. Don’t prove me wrong.
3. Of course there are bad owners out there. But as has been clearly stated and re-stated, the breed(s) are hardly angels seperate of that.
4. I could care less what motivates a bad dog owner.
September 24th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
Admin-
I totally agree with you. Who is Ash to be calling you stupid when he can not even spell it! As far as the pit bulls demise, perhaps a lot of the aggressiveness in that breed is due to abuse. However, if further research is done, one will see pit bull attacks are on a significant rise. Now does that mean every pit bull has an abusive owner? Think again people!! It is the breed. These idiots obviously have not been attacked by a pit bull…..I have!! Do not worry Ash, every dog has it’s day. And their’s is coming. Can’t say they were not warned!!!
October 15th, 2009 at 10:43 pm
The problem I have with your logic, is you’re falling into a classic statistical trap. Assuming your stats are accurate in the first place, correlation does not infer causation. Every decade has had it’s version with what dog was an “evil” breed. In the 60’s it was a German Shepherd, in the 70’s it was a Doberman, and in the 80’s it was a Rottweiller. Now it’s the Pit’s turn. Stats are skewed because a disproportionate amount of idiots decided owning a pit bull was bad-ass. Now you have a disproportionate number of back yard breeders who don’t know what they’re doing producing litters and litters of unsocialized animals and turning them loose on the public, or worse, fighting them themselves, leading to your statistics. Using your logic, there’s a disproportionate amount of African-Americans incarcerated and in our legal system because black people as a race are predisposed to committing crime and hurting people. Obviously it’s their nature. I mean, the stats are what they are, right? Here’s another point. What Janna said about the breed being mis-identified is absolutely correct. Here is a visual test. http://www.pitbullsontheweb.com/petbull/findpit.html
There are 20+ breeds that are commonly mistaken for Pits. If you can’t patiently identify one sitting in your chair with time to think, what makes you think you’ll properly identify one attacking you? Anecdotal evidence only goes so far, I know, but I’m a social worker, I visit sketchy homes every day. In all my visits, which included lots of homes with dogs (many of them Pit Bulls), I have only been bitten one time, and it was by a Chihuahua. The properly socialized pit bulls were by far the most behaved dogs I had seen. My experiences were what convinced me I wanted one in the first place. Thank you for a reasonable discussion, though.
October 16th, 2009 at 3:31 am
Noah,
You make a well reasoned counter-arguement to my post. Thank you.