This post will be a bit of a departure from the usual here. I am going to talk about each of the fatal pit bull maulings, year to date. I am unable to ignore the humanity of these victims but breed specific advocates appear unable to acknowledge it. Unfortunately, this post will be a long one... these deaths haunt me.
April 25, 2013 a child was killed by the family pit bull in a neat and pleasant Georgia community. This death brings the number of Americans mauled to death by dogs just since January 1st, to eleven. All eleven were killed by pit bulls.
Fulton County GA
The victim was two year old Beau Rutledge His mother, Angela Rutledge, went to the bathroom and upon her return she found her child dead,
killed by her household pet. This family had kept the dog for the last eight years and never had a problem until that day. The on-camera reporter stated that first responders were shocked at the scene inside the home, many had tears in their eyes as they left the neat row house, now a crime scene.
Neighbors report hearing the mother scream "The dog killed the baby, the dog killed the baby." Angela Rutledge was so distraught that she was transported via ambulance to a local hospital. Father Jermiah Rutledge was subdued with a Taser after he came home and also became hysterical with grief per
USA Today.
There are no words to comfort the Rutledge family. This death brings me to tears, I have a grandchild just a few months younger than Beau. I am so sorry for this loss.
A family member has created a moving video for Beau Rutledge. Beau was a beautiful baby from a fine family. The background music is "Don't Cry for Me" but I can't help it. Click
here.
Grief stricken Angela Rutledge with a neighbor. Below is Jermiah Rutledge with police.
Beau Rutledge, loved son of Angela and Jermiah Rutledge
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Prairie City IA
On Monday 4/22/2013 Jordyn Arndt, four years old, was attacked by her babysitter's dog, reported to be an American Staffordshire Terrier. Jordyn died Tuesday morning. Babysitter Jena Marie Wright, age 24, has been
charged with child endangerment causing death and neglect or abandonment of a dependent person. These charges are felonies and Wright faces up to 35 years in prison. Wright is being held in the Jasper County Jail. The dog, named Brutus, was euthanized on Wednesday. Wright told an emergency dispatcher
“She and my daughter have played outside with the dog numerous times,” Wright sobbed on the 911 recording, released Wednesday by the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department. “I don’t know what happened.”
This beautiful child was Jordyn Arndt.
The Prairie City Police Chief wasted no time. The letter below is dated 4/22/2013.
This was Brutus
Please watch this
video, Buster Wright the father-in-law of Jena Marie Wright just can't understand why Brutus attacked and he speculates that the child was at fault.
Jena Marie Wright
5/14/2013 update. Jena Marie Wright
will go to trial on October 2nd on charges of child endangerment resulting in death, neglect, and assault on a peace officer.
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Bryan County Ga
On March 27th a
21 month old girl was killed by a pack of seven pit bulls and pit mixes owned by her family. Monica Renee Laminack crawled out of the home through a doggie door while her mother was studying for her GED and her grandmother slept. Monica was found dead in the yard. At the time of Monica's death her 18 year old mother, her grandmother, great grandmother, and two uncles were all in the house. Monica's mother, 18 year old
Summer Laminack was charged with second degree cruelty to children. This is a felony punishable by one to ten years in prison. All the pit bulls and pit bull mixes were euthanized at the scene by animal control officers per orders from Bryan County Sheriff Clyde Smith. The family also had two other dogs, a Beagle and a Setter that were not involved. Please remember "its all in how you raise 'em."
Monica Renee Laminack is pictured above, her mother Summer Laminack is pictured below.
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Stockton CA
April 11, 2013. A thirty eight year old Stockton mother of three,
Claudia Gallardo, was killed by a pit bull that has terrorized the neighborhood for months. Gallardo's body was found in the yard of a home occupied by
Brian Hrenko. Please watch the video found at
this link. This quote from Hrenko regarding his pit bull named Russia "
“He gets in fights with my neighbors dogs all the time. He’s attacked people in the yard, but never actually bit them. He, like, chases them, knocked them in our swimming pool, chased one up a tree — but, he’s never actually bit and really hurt anybody before,” .Neighbors tell another story.
Victim Claudia Gallardo
Killer pit bull Russia
There has been no credible theory on why Ms. Gallardo was on the property. Hrenko has both denied he knew the victim and also admitted that he knew her. Per
CBS Sacremento "
Hrenko says he doesn’t know Gallardo and that she climbed over his front yard fence while he was gone. A female friend of Hrenko’s was at the home at the time, and says the victim claimed to be there to clean the house." The victim was familiar enough with the property that she knew the dog's name. A neighbor who attempted to save the victim stated that
she screamed "Russia, no! Russia, no!"
Pit bull owner Brian Hrenko has a history of "legal issues" where pit bulls were involved. Click
here for a bizarre story involving Hrenko, a pit bull and drugs. Strongly suspect that there is a continuing investigation here.
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Callaway FL
On April 2, 2013
Tyler Jett was attacked by two pit bulls as he was playing outside his home. Tyler died at Sacred Heart Hospital four days later with his parents at the bedside. Tyler remained in Intensive Care until his death, he never regained consciousness.
Read the police report
here. The pit bulls were owned by Edward Daniels II and they had a history of attacking children and neighborhood pets.
Daniels was charged with felony tampering with evidence, he washed the blood of his dogs when he realized that the dogs had been involved in an attack.
Edward Daniels II, also charged with Possession of Marijuana and possession of Drug Paraphernalia and
Manslaughter.
Tyler's family and friends are raising funds to cover his hospital and funeral expenses.
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You might want to get some coffee, we are not even half way through this year's pit bull death toll.
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Walworth WI
On March 6, 2013 fourteen month old
Daxton Borchardt was mauled to death by two pit bulls owned by his 30 year old babysitter, Susan Iwicki. Per Iwicki's statement, she was holding the child when the two pit bulls began "playfully" jumping and nipping. She swatted them away and they launched an attack injuring Iwicki and causing her to drop Dax.
Per GazetteXtra.com "
Iwicki, 30, told deputies the dogs were jumping up and nipping and that as she yelled at them and batted them away, the dogs went into a violent frenzy, brutally attacking her and Daxton, according to reports." "Iwicki then lost hold of Daxton and the boy went sprawling to the ground. The dogs lunged onto Daxton and began a brutal and ultimately fatal attack on him, according to Iwicki's accounts." The pit bulls were surrendered to Animal Control and euthanized. There was no prior history of violence from Iwicki's dogs, she raised them herself. No charges were filed.
Daxton Borchardt
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Galesburg IL
On March 2, 2013 seven year old
Ryan Maxwell , visiting friends was attacked by that family's pit bull. Family members of the dog owner used a shovel and a lighter on the dog in attempts to release Ryan but the pit bull was still attacking Ryan when police arrived. Police pulled the dog off the child but the pit bull turned on police and was shot. Ryan was transported to Cottage Hospital but later died of his injuries. Pit bull owner Ashiya Ferguson stated her family had the pit bull for a year and a half with no aggression shown but neighbors speaking anonymously stated they were
afraid of the dog.
Ryan's grandmother,Tina Mead made
this heartbreaking statement "
“After the attack, we got there to Whiting Street,” she said. “And we were there at the hospital, when they couldn’t revive Ryan, and Sarah had to give them permission to stop.
“After that, Ryan was in a room and Sarah and I went in there to lie with him. To be with him. Half of his face was gone. And all of his throat. They had a wash cloth over half his face and his throat covered up. This thing did that to him. This thing just took our heart. It just took our soul.” I use this statement with sorrow,it is intensely personal but also profound.
Nielson Elementary school
provided grief counselors for students and staff dealing with the death of the popular second grader. Nielson School students have also
created a memorial and planted a tree in Ryan's memory. Per WQAD8 "
Nielson Elementary students and friends of Ryan Maxwell planted a Thornless Hawthorn outside of the boy’s classroom on Wednesday, May 8, 2013. In front of the tree a stone has been placed dedicated to Ryan." This tragedy has touched the entire community.
Ryan Maxwell
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Hemet CA
February 8, 2013
Elsie Grace was found dead in her Motel 6 room, mauled to death by two family pit bulls. Mrs. Grace, a nationally known artist, was 91 years old. Mrs. Grace and her son were staying at the hotel because they were relocating to the area.
In a bizarre statement Jeff Sheppard, president and CEO of the local Humane Society said of the dogs
“They don’t seem really aggressive,” “These are family pets.” Sheppard said he did not know the specifics of the case, but it would not be unusual for pets to lick an owner who is unresponsive.
“An animal’s instinct is to try and wake them up,” he said. It’s possible that the woman may have died before the animals attacked her, he said.
The autopsy report did not support this theory.
Elsie Grace
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Sabinal TX
On February 16, 2013 two year
Isaiah Aguilar was playing with a balloon outside his home when the wind caught the balloon and took it into the back yard next door. When Isaiah went to retrieve his balloon he was mauled by a female pit bull tied in the yard.
Isaiah's older sister was with him while he was playing. She told her father that someone in the pit bull owner's home opened the door during the attack but did not attempt to help Isaiah, just shook his head and shut the door. Richard Aguilar, Isaiah's father, grabbed his son and called for help but Isaiah was not breathing. A neighbor started CPR but Isaiah died of his injuries. It was reported that the female pit bull that killed Isaiah had recently killed another pit bull.
Isaiah Aguilar
Isaiah's parents, Lisa Gonzales and Richard Aguilar
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Montgomery County TX
On January 19, 2013 four year old Christian Germanous was attacked by a chained pit bull. Prior to the attack Christian and his nine year old sister were playing in their yard when Christian climbed a chain link fence into the neighbor's yard within reach of the chained pit bull. Trinity, Christian's sister was able to pull her brother back over the fence and call for help. Christian was life flighted to a Houston Hospital but he did not survive. Neighbors described Christian as a sweet little boy who loved to dress up as Spiderman.
For more information click here
Photo shows the fence and yard where the fatal attack occurred
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Hodges SC
On January 8, 2013 sixty five year old Betty Ann Chapman was killed inside her son's home by her son's pit bull as she cared for her grandchildren while their parents went out to dinner. Mrs. Chapman was known to the dog. Per GWDToday.com "When deputies arrived at the residence they were greeted at the door by a black and white pit bull that had blood on its mouth, chest and paws, according to an incident report." The pit bull that killed Mrs. Chapman had a history of violence. The pit bull was euthanized.
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These are the pit bull victims of 2013 to date (April 27, 2013). How do pit bull advocates feel about them?
Lets look at some of their comments, all of these comments were made in response to the mauling deaths I have written about, many of these comments deal with stale breed specific talking points, some of them are just hateful and/or crazy, many of them are written by people with no critical thinking skills, or spelling skills either. I have not edited out the names, these comments were made on the actual news stories. I'm going to start with comments from two people who should know better Reading these comments makes me want a shower.
hp blogger Molly Alexander Darden3hWhile I don't know the private circumstances of the Georgia & Stockston killings, I do know Lulu, the pit bull I took in as an abandoned puppy & raised with love showed only timidity, meekness&fun. I taught her behavioral boundaries & made sure she and my other dog observed them.
Note on this comment made by Huffington Post Blogger Molly Darden, she took this very dog to a local pound because it became unmanageable and was told that the dog would be euthanized. "A lady who was an attorney happened to be there and said she knew someone with a "farm in the country" where they bred pit bulls" so Darden handed the dog over. Darden appears to be a bit mature to accept the "farm in the country" myth. Ms. Darden shared this story on a recent Huffington Post production. Please click here and skip to 8:30 to hear the story of Lulu in Darden's own words.
This comment comes from reality show host Victoria Stilwell, a recent addition to the pit bull advocacy movement. Stilwell is an actress and a reality show personality and has no formal training in animal behavior. “We’ve got to look at behavior, not breed,” said Victoria Stilwell, a dog trainer and canine aggression expert based in Atlanta. “I think it’s really important people don’t jump to conclusions.”It’s unknown if the Amstaff was spayed or neutered. Male dogs that haven’t been neutered are responsible for most of these attacks, Stilwell said.“There are so many variables,” she added. “You’ve got to find out not just the behavior of the dog, but the family that owns it.”There’s always a risk when you leave a child alone with a dog, regardless of breed, Stilwell said.“A lot of these deaths happen in the blink of an eye,”
jmaybee33 (signed in using yahoo)
Hey Jan! Its your ignorance that fuels the breed discrimination against pits. Try touching my and I'd break your neck!
You know why people think "these dogs" are the ones that are always hurting others more than other types of dogs? Its because the news chooses these stories to tell yet don't always tell the stories of other dog attacks! My niece was bit by a dog in her mouth and it took part of of lip off and guess what it was not a pit bull. It was a beloved family "weiner dog." I feel sorry for this family but I'm so sick of everyone always blamng put bulls.
Tell it!! Pit bulls were known in England as the 'nanny dogs' because they were so loyal and good with kids.... saw it on animal planet! They are amazing loving dogs that only act the way they are taught!
That is so very tragic, but I don't believe what is said above about them being prone to psychotic canine aggression. It would seem that these people don't have an entire history on the dog~ as which with any breed can mean that they sufferred some type of abuse at the hands of man and that it is very possible that that woman triggered something from the dog's past that made him attack! I have had dogs my entire life and never thought I'd ever own a pit because of all this jibber~as fate would have it one came to me at just 6 weeks old~ now he is 2 and I know for a fact that if he ever even hurt another creature I would have to put him in therapy for depression. He is actually one of the sweetest most gentle dogs I have ever had the pleasure of knowing!
Some are too protective,, i think thats what happen!! Plus pit-bulls sometimes play rough an don't acknowledge they are hurting ya!! When you scream they go in harder,, they are good dogs, an some people don't understand them!! They are herding dogs,, take for example,, people i sold my pups too when i raised them used em' as HOG dogs!!! The louder a hog squeels an harder a hog tries to get away the harder the pit-bull will attack!! This is a natural instinct in them!!! GOD BLESS that family!!!
Who says this story is telling us everything? What was the grandma doing? She could have been beating one of the kids or doing something to make this dog feel like he needed to protect the children. We don't know. Most dogs that attack are ones that feel threatened or are scared. Look it up. If this was done by any other breed it would not have even made the news. It's ridiculous. All dogs are different. Just as all people are different. Someone could be a murderer, doesn't mean all people are guilty! Think about it. I know there are some mean pits, at the same time most of them are really sweet. I have a full blooded American pit that doesn't even know she can bark or growl let alone show any kind of aggression. Don't be so ignorant.
Pits were known as the "All American Dog" a few decades ago, they were known as the "nanny dog". These poor dogs have been intentionally abused and bred to be aggressive by the dog fighting scum. PUNISH THE SCUM THAT DOES THIS NOT THE DOGS! If pits are banned the evil dog fighters will move on to other breeds and ruin them too. This is a HUMAN PROBLEM not a DOG PROBLEM!
JCS • 2 months ago
snowbird04 • 2 months ago
Wrong. Wrong Wrong! Dog fighters quickly get rid of ANY dog that even OFFERS to bite one of THEM (cowards that they ARE) because in the Pits there is much grabbing by humans and extreme manhandling and even when the dog is SO stressed, fighting for his very life .. and in unbelievable stress and pain.. the dogs NEVER do anything but wag their tail and accept anything A human does to them - which is WHY they are SO mistreated.. they do NOT fight back. If the sadists among us tried the crap they do to Pitbulls to my Doberman or hubby's 100 lb Shepherd.. well, even if he or I treated our dogs like the SADISTS treat Pits.. we might not live through that insanity! Pits who are raised for dog fighting are NOT people aggressive..
chihuahuas bite more people than pitbulls...just nobody writes a story about it.
These comments come from the foot soldiers in the pit bull advocacy army. Who are the generals?
Jane Berkey, heiress, literary agent, owner of the Animal Farm Foundation and its subsidiary the National
Canine Research Council headed by Karen Delise. Berkey's money funds pit bull advocacy on the highest
levels through grants and subsidies. Ledy Vankavage, head of the legal department at Best Friends Animal
Society. Best Friends lobbies anywhere that BSL exists or is being considered. Ms. Vankavage is also a board
member of the Animal Farm Foundation.
How do these people sleep at night? What kind of soap do they use to wash the blood off their hands?
.
