Pit bulls and the United States Postal Service

Dayton Ohio
9/12/2013
A postal worker was mauled by a pit bull in Dayton Ohio. Dayton resident Joe Brewer may have saved the life of mail carrier Richard Oberlin, 45 years old, an employee of the United States Postal Service since 1998.  The pit bull burst through a screen door to attack Oberlin. Per WDTN.com   Joe Brewer told a reporter "I come running out here and the dog had him down on the ground and I started yelling at the dog and he backed off immediately."

Dayton Police Sgt. Moises Perez told reporters "It's a possibility we could be investigating a death because this dog was just relentless in his attack. He stood over this gentleman. He was basically helpless,"

The mail carrier's pepper spray can was found on the grass.  Per Police Sgt Perez, mail carrier Richard Oberlin tried to use it but it had no effect on the pit bull.

The mail carrier's blood spattered bag was found where he dropped it while using it as a shield as postal workers are trained to do.

Mail was scattered across the lawn.

Animal Control took the dog away but it took two AC officers plus a friend of the pit bull owner's family to subdue the pit bull.  The dog will be quarantined for 10 days at Montgomery County Dog Warden Mark Kumpf's shelter, the Animal Resource Center.  Please note the physical condition of this pit bull, it appears that she is a breeding female, an income generator.  Roughly a million pit bulls are euthanized in American shelters every year.  Responsible dog owners do not breed pit bulls.

The mail carrier was transported to Miami Valley Hospital where he was listed in good condition on Friday.

The home owner is a woman in poor health, she was was caring for the pit bull for the actual owner, her son, while he was out of town.  There is no record of vaccination and the pit bull is not licensed. 

David VanAllen, a Postal Service spokesman stated that there have been twelve dog attacks upon mail carriers in Dayton Ohio, located in Montgomery County, since last October.  HB 14, the bill that removed requirements for insurance and containment of pit bulls in Ohio was fully and vocally supported by Montgomery County Dog Warden Mark Kumpf.  This bill was promoted as "finally giving dog wardens the tools to deal with vicious dogs.  It appears that those tools have not been used in Dayton.  Will Mark Kumpf use those tools NOW?

For the fiscal year 2012 Dayton Ohio and Cleveland Ohio were tied for 10th place nationally for dog attacks on Postal Workers with 26 attacks each per this press release from the USPS.  Breeds for the Dayton attacks  are not listed but PostalMag.com, an online publication for postal workers lists the dogs most likely to bite. The list was taken from the CDC.  Pit bulls top the list, no surprise. It is notable that Dayton did not even make the top dog attack city ranking in 2011, the last year that pit bulls were regulated in the state of Ohio.  

Here are just a few recent attacks on mail carriers across the United States.

Flint Michigan had two pit bull attacks on mail carriers within just a few weeks this summer.  For more information click here.   Please note that the June attack happened as the mail carrier was delivering a package and the pit bull jumped out a window to attack him. Genesee County Commissioners have announced that they intend to work with postal officials to reduce the number of dog attacks.

A Saint Louis County MO mail carrier with 25 years service required 36 stitches after she was attacked by a pit bull in April.  For more information click here.  The story on this attack continues here.  Pit bull owner Barbrial Jones has two pit bulls, a breeding pair.  She stated "this is the first time the three year-old pit bull has ever attacked". Jones insists  that " both dogs are usually friendly and supervised." Gesturing to the female, Baby, she says "You can take off her leash, she still listens.”

Per news reports the pit bulls got out through a hole in the fence (a pit bull breeding operation with a hole in the fence.  Tell me when this is beginning to make sense because I must be missing something here).  Once Ms. Jones pit bulls were at large they were too strong for her to contain them. “They can be aggressive,” Jones admits, “they’re naturally born like that.”  Jones apologized to letter carrier Gwen Moore for her injuries and asked for Moore's forgiveness.  Jones then tried to get Fifty, her male pit bull back from animal control but was told that after quarantine Fifty will be neutered to reduce aggression. Jones and her fiance breed pit bulls as a side business and they "hope to get around" the requirement for neutering her mauler.  The apology looks more like manipulation in order to protect her side income. Pretty much "Hey, since the attack hit the news I better say I'm sorry, but this is business here.  Fifty needs to make lots of little Fifties (remember the statement "they can be aggressive, they're naturally born like that").  Just what Saint Louis County needs, more game bred pits.  

In Pittsburgh PA a fifteen year postal service veteran was attacked by two pit bulls. The USPS stopped delivery of mail on the street where the attack occurred for at least 10 days.  For more information click here. 

In San Diego CA a mail carrier was attacked by a pit bull.  The pit bull broke through a chain link fence and attacked both the throat and the leg of Buddy Siso.  Mr. Siso required plastic surgery on the injuries to his throat.  He hopes to return to the postal service after his recovery but may not be able to work as a mail carrier in the future.  For more information click here.

Mail carrier Buddy Siso.
Siso stated " “At night, when I’m going to sleep, I can see the eyes of the dog.” Per U-T San Diego "Besides the bites, the attack left Siso with a missing front tooth and several other teeth cracked or loose, an injured shoulder, a fat lip, and a long scratch across his face. He had plastic surgery and still has a long way to go before he has recovered physically and mentally."

Wasilla AK, a pit bull attack sent a mailman to the hospital.  For more information click here.

A Chula Vista CA pit bull owner is unhappy that her pit bull was sprayed with mace by a postal worker. Per RTV6 "Viviana Alcazar called the incident animal cruelty and believes the postal worker was never in danger. Alcazar's fence sits next to mailboxes and when her dog Sampson is out, he barks when someone is outside of the fence. Alcazar said Sampson, a 74-pound pit bull, is a well-trained sweetheart. However, she said Sampson apparently barked at the wrong person Thursday morning."

RTV 6 goes on to say "In July, a mail carrier's neck was ripped open by a pit bull that bounded out of an unlocked gate. In the last three years, two other postal workers died as a result of dog attacks.The attacks have made many mail carriers nervous around big dogs and forced some to carry pepper spray." Sampson the pit bull required some eye drops but has recovered completely. Alcazar states that she will keep Sampson in the house when mail is being delivered. Well, that is a simple solution to the problem, just keep your mauler in the house.

Per About.com U.S Government Info "The U.S. Postal Service reported nearly 5,700 dog attacks on letter carriers across 1,400 cities in 2010, costing the agency almost $1.2 million in medical expenses" in 2010. The $1.2 million does not include lost time and productivity.

Pit bull attacks are expensive and we are all paying the costs.

More pit bulls in the news, 8/13/2012

Time to clean up the back log of pit bull news.  From Newark Ohio, a city council Safety Committee will discuss the possibility of removing pit bulls from the city's dangerous dog list, but without much enthusiasm.  Service Director David Rhodes stated in June that the city plans to keep its existing ordinance which labels pit bulls as vicious.  Ohio is a home rule state and communities may have laws stricter than state law but not less than state law.  Ohio's recent capitulation to breed specific advocacy has emboldened local pit bull owners to request changes in local law.  "At least two residents" requested the city change local law to match the lenient new state law.  Safety Committee Chairman Marc Guthrie is not so sure about this proposal but does feel that council should provide a forum for discussion.  Mayor Jeff Hall is inclined to keep the city regulation, in addition to the state law, as Rhodes and Safety Director Bill Spurgeon suggest.  The Safety Committee Chairman stated with great common sense "It probably makes some sense to see how the Ohio law works (before making a change).  A grand plan, Cincinnati dropped their breed ban to soothe the hurt feelings of pit bull advocacy and had a mauling death within just a few weeks. 

http://www.newarkadvocate.com/article/20120728/NEWS01/207280301/Behavior-first-Newark-might-take-pit-bulls-off-vicious-list?odyssey=nav%7Chead

http://www.newarkadvocate.com/article/20120730/NEWS01/120730010/Pit-bull-owners-want-city-law-changed

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From Dayton Ohio, home base of vocal  HB 14 advocate and Montgomery County Dog Warden Mark Kumpf, another outrageous pit bull attack.  Mark has been lucky of late, police have shot the pit bulls during attacks, saving Mark the trouble of wading through the legal maze that Best Friends animal rights lawyers created in HB 14. 

Dayton police shot a pit bull/boxer mix after it attacked a woman and a cat INSIDE a 1995 Buick parked inside a garage.  Police responded to a call and found a 51 year old woman trapped inside the Buick, with a seat belt wrapped around the dog's neck.  Her 911 call included her statement of the problem "I have a dog that has attacked me and my cat, I can't get him out of my car.  He is in my car, I was trying to get in the car to get away."   She told police she was afraid to get out of the car because, per newstalkradiowohio.com "she would have to let go of the seat belt strap she had wrapped around the dog's neck to keep it at bay and from attacking her and a cat that was also apparently inside the vehicle."  Officers attempted to use tasers (pit bull owners always want to know why their mauler was shot during an attack instead of tasered, here is why)but after it was let out of the Buick it charged after the woman.  At this point common sense kicked in and an officer fired two rounds from a .40 caliber handgun "striking the animal in the chest and lung."  After being tasered, and shot twice, the dog ran off and later charged another officer, "who used a shotgun to stop and kill the animal."

It is a damn shame that Dayton residents have to attempt to take refuge in their cars to protect themselves from attacking pit bulls.   I'm sure Dayton residents thank Kumpf for his efforts to deregulate these dogs.

http://www.newstalkradiowhio.com/news/news/police-kill-pit-bull-mix-after-attack-in-car/nP82G/
http://www.abc22now.com/shared/news/top-stories/stories/wkef_pit-bull-traps-woman-car-dog-then-shot-killed-8008.shtml?wap=0

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More from Montgomery County!!!  Huge shout out to Montgomery County Dog Warden, and HB 14 advocate Mark Kumpf for the "improved safety" of his community. 

In Huber Heights, two women were bitten as they attempted to break up a fight between two pit bulls inside their house.  A responding police officer also attempted to break up the dog fight and (again) attempted to use a taser on one of the pit bulls.  The second pit bull charged at the officer and he fired one round, killing the dog.  Kumpf's staff at Montgomery County Animal Control also responded.  There were children in the home but they were not awake to witness the dog fight.  One can assume that gunfire inside the home did wake them.  An investigation is in progress.  Mr. Kumpf, you must begin the process of declaring the remaining pit bull dangerous, you might want to thank Ledy Vankavage for the hoops you will have to go through to do so to protect the residents of Montgomery County.

http://www.whiotv.com/news/news/pitbull-fight-injures-2-women-1-dog-killed/nP9T6/

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A Canton 9 year old is recovering after being attacked by two dogs, a pit bull and a boxer.  Billy Harvey suffered multiple bites, the worst to his upper thigh.  Neighbors heard the boy screaming and rushed to help him.  Tamikka Dotson stated "I'm getting closer I hear him screaming and crying and I didn't even see the dogs at first until I got right here and I said he is getting attacked by two dogs. I have got to do something."  Dotson said she pulled the dogs off Billy as he struggled in the grass, the two dogs biting him.  "They were still coming at him, even with me being right here and I'm trying to stand in front of them and kick the dogs back because I didn't have any shoes on or anything."  Dotson was able to get the dogs off the boy as a man, possibly the dog's owner grabbed the dogs and ran away.  Personally, I would bet money on that being the dog owner, classic irresponsible owner response to seeing his dogs maul someone, grab your mauler and run.

The following day Billy and his  mother went to Ms. Dotson's home to thank her, she responded "I just want you to know there are people around here who care."  Dotson also said "People if you are going to have your animals then keep control of them.  There's kids running around this neighborhood all day every day." 

This Canton neighborhood is fortunate to have Tamikka Dotson!

http://fox8.com/2012/08/06/boy-recovering-after-pitt-bull-boxer-attack/
http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/local_news/akron_canton_news/police-9-year-old-boy-mauled-by-two-dogs-tan-pit-bull-and-brindle-boxer-in-canton

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I ran out of time before I ran out of pit bull attacks.  More to come soon... God help us.

Ohio pit bull roundup 7/14/2012, second Ohio fatality since the passage of HB14

HB 14 is shaping up to be a disaster for Ohio residents. In the 4 1/2 short months since the passage of the bill two Ohio residents have been killed by pit bulls. This week there was another human fatality in Ohio, in the Cincinnati area to be exact, yes, the city that dropped their breed ban just a few weeks ago. This is a kind of big "oops" for the breed specific advocates who assured anyone who might listen "they are just like any other dog."

Ronnel Brown, age 40, the owner of a pit bull designer dog was attacked inside his apartment by a dog described as an Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog. Harold Dates of the Cincinnati SPCA explains this "rare breed" is a mix of bulldog and pit bull. Mr. Brown raised this dog from a puppy, the dog was 3 years old.

Ronnel Brown called the Cincinnati Fire Department stating that his dog had attacked him and that he thought he might pass out. Paramedics were unable to enter Brown's apartment because the dog was so aggressive. First responders were forced to wait for the arrival of police, who shot the dog. Ronnel Brown bled to death before assistance could be given. According to the Hamilton County Coroner's office, Brown was a dialysis patient with a dialysis access in his forearm and he suffered multiple bites to both arms. Brown's dialysis access was torn leading to profound blood loss.

Two puppies of the same breed as the attacking dog were found in the apartment. Unbelievably, there is a waiting list for adoption of these puppies.

http://www.wcpo.com/dpp/news/region_central_cincinnati/avondale/avondale-man-dies-after-attacked-by-dog

http://www.fox19.com/story/18997840/man-dies-after-being-mauled-by-dog


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More from Cincinnati. Now that pit bulls are no longer banned in the city they are being found running the streets. Cincinnati dropped its breed ban just a few short weeks ago. Good Samaritan Twon Johnson found a pit bull running loose and took it to the local Police Station. He was told to tie the dog to a pole outside the station and police would call the SPCA to pick it up. Per WLWT News, "Bringing the dog inside the station might have posed a threat to citizens." Police state they checked on the dog about every 20 minutes, bringing the dog water. The Cincinnati SPCA states that they received the call reporting the dog at 5:35 and a second call 90 minutes later reporting that the dog had died. This is not progress for Cincinnati.

http://www.wlwt.com/news/local-news/cincinnati/Dog-dies-outside-police-station/-/13549970/15435248/-/dthqgm/-/index.html


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From Dayton Ohio, County dog Warden and HB 14 advocate Mark Kumpf's territory. A woman walking her Jack Russell Terrier was charged by a pit bull running out of a house. The woman picked up her small dog to protect it. The small dog was bitten and the woman scratched. Per ABC22, "Despite a recent state law stating otherwise, pit bulls are still considered dangerous according to a city ordinance." Sgt. Paul Saunders of the Dayton Police said "In our mind, a pit bull is still a vicious dog. Regardless of the breed of dog, if the dog attacks another person, that in itself defines it as a vicious animal." The pit bull owner, who has two other pit bulls has been cited with failure to control and license a vicious animal. ABC22 also states that this is the second pit bull attack in two days. The first occurred the day before when a pit bull bit a toddler. That dog is under quarantine. See Pit bull roundup 7/5/2012.

http://www.abc22now.com/shared/news/top-stories/stories/wkef_vid_7493.shtml

http://www.whiotv.com/news/news/local/pit-bull-attacks-woman-her-jack-russell-terrier/nPnLP/

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More from Dayton Ohio. Dayton police were conducting an investigation of reported drug sales out of a house on Hulbert St. Kerry and Terry Pugh, twin brothers, were at the residence at the time of the raid, per WHIOTV. When police attempted to enter the home they were met by two pit bulls "that were in attack mode." Police attempted to subdue the dogs with a taser but this was not successful. "Police said one of the officers used a sub machine gun and shot both dogs multiple times." Montgomery County Animal Resource Center responded and picked up the dogs. Montgomery County Dog Warden Mark Kumpf stated the dogs were severely injured (by a sub machine gun? I would think so) and were euthanized. Dog Warden Kumpf will not have to go through the legal nightmare of HB 14 procedures to declare these dogs "dangerous."

http://www.whiotv.com/news/news/local/2-pit-bulls-shot-1-arrested-during-drug-raid/nPqNx/

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In Cleveland Ohio (where pit bull regulations were dropped late last year due to the efforts of a Cleveland Councilman who also owns a pit bull) Andrew Trefny dropped Molotov cocktails from a roof at police who were working another call. Possibly not a wise decision for Trefny, followed by yet another poor decision. Trefny became combative, then unleashed his pit bull on the officers. Per police reports, the pit bull bit an officer on the leg. Other officers opened fire on the attacking dog, killing it.

http://www.woio.com/story/18981909/cleveland-man-accused-of-using-his-dog-as-a -weapon

Ohio pit bull roundup, 7/5/2012

This story is not what it appears at first glance.  A pit bull owner tells a horror story about how her dog was stabbed by a stranger in a local park.  Sounds outrageous, until you get the details. 

http://fox8.com/2012/06/28/womans-dog-stabbed-in-euclid-metroparks/

Mary Burgett, owner of Max, a two year old pit bull mix, stated that she took Max to the Metroparks Euclid Creek Reservation for a walk.  She describes another dog walker who spoke pleasantly as he  passed her.  Burgett goes on to state "Max got excited, wiggled out of his harness and went over to sniff the man's little white dog, in a playful manner."  "He didn't bark, he didn't growl; he didn't anything and then the man started yelling he'll 'knife any dog that's not on a leash.'  Next thing you know I saw his hand go down and he had the knife in his hand and just gushes of blood came out."  Burgett claims that Max had already started walking back to her when the man stabbed him. 

This story sounds pretty scary but it is not confirmed by any other witness, this is just Burgett's version.  Burgett feels that the man with the knife may be mentally unstable and a danger to other park users. 

Not so fast...  Look at the video, it shows a very healthy and robust pit bull with three stitches. This dog is running easily without apparent pain.  Contrast this with video of another small white dog, a victim of a pit bull attack http://youtu.be/XReDMeFEdxY.  Please read the comments of owner of the small white dog.

Ms. Burgett apparently is not aware that pit bulls  do not growl, bark, or show intention prior to an attack, but the owner of the little white dog knows this.  Many men carry a pocket knife, this one used his knife to protect his canine companion.  Burgett's off leash pit bull menaced another park patron's pet and he defended what was his.

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Moving on to Dayton Ohio, a two year old child was bitten in the face by the baby sitter's pit bull.  The child required stitches in his face.  The video on this story is interesting.  The child's father is very forgiving but the pit bull owner appears in the news footage and her demeanor is very different.  She is screaming that she had to have her pit bull, which she calls "my grandchild" put down. The reporter does her on-camera work in the lobby of the Montgomery County Shelter where the dog is clearly alive. 

It is the duty of HB 14 advocate and Montgomery County Dog Warden Mark Kumpf to begin the legal process of declaring this dog dangerous.  This pit bull owner only enjoyed a short respite from mandatory insurance on her pit bull.  The containment requirements will be expensive.

http://www.whiotv.com/videos/news/dayton-2-year-old-bit-in-face-by-pit-bull/vcdmr/

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Cridersville Ohio is considering the possibility of adding legislation to continue to label pit bulls as potentially vicious.  This legislation is supported by Police Chief John Drake, who stated "Seeing what I've dealt with, I think we need to designate pit bulls."  Mayor Lorali Myers agrees "I think we need to be on the conservative side of the argument.  I don't want blood on my hands."  Myers said "I'm going to be very vocal on how I feel.  I think we need to concentrate on the harm that can be done and not the likelihood of an attack."  The common sense in Mayor Myers statement is breathtaking.  The Ohio Legislature needs this kind of honesty and concern for the safety of the public.

Mayor Myers, please consider running for a State office!

http://www.wapakdailynews.com/content/pit-bull-talks-c%E2%80%99ville


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The final story for this blog is a surprisingly honest one.  Two injured dogs were found in Elyria Ohio, their injuries consistent with dog fighting.  A local veterinarian claimed that the female pit bull, called Diane, appeared to be a "bait dog" but an anonymous tipster said that Diane was "a fight dog and when she lost, she was abused and dumped."

Both dogs were taken in by Multiple Breed Rescue.  Newsnet5 reporter Jen Steer writes "Just two days after her rescue,  Diane appeared to be doing fine and was placed in a foster home.    However MBR said rehabbing a fight dog is much different than rehabbing a bait dog."  Spokesperson for MBR, Lauren Jacenty said "Her inner scars hurt too much and her fighting instinct was ingrained into her. MBR, with a heavy heart, had to let her go before someone was hurt or worse.  It was not an easy decision, and by no means did we choose this lightly." 

Diane did not deserve the suffering that her life brought her. Multiple Breed Rescue did the right thing, at the right time, without sensationalizing the issue.  This organization deserves public support.