The Toledo Blade continues free fall into insanity, pit bulls at large, school lock downs, reverse pit bull theft, pit bulls shot by police, and other adventures. Pit bull roundup 11/22/2015

We have another batch of pit bull insanity.  There is no logic or order here, just more backlog of attacks, sadly.

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10/27/2015
Toledo Ohio
Lucas County


The pro pit bull stance of the Toledo Blade has reached the point of dangerous, interstate  insanity.  The Blade is questioning the policies in placement of foster children and in the certification of homes prior to the adoption of children in MASSACHUSETTS.  In that state the Department of Children and Family Services has a policy of not placing children younger than 12 years old in homes where pit bulls, Rottweilers, or German Shepherds are harbored.  The Blade reporters made pains in the behind of themselves with requests for information about policy that the Massachusetts Department of Children and Family services finally just shut down and said "We do not  have any further information to provide for this story."

One always knows where the Blade is going with this.  Pushing for pit bulls without regard for public safety.  The quote below is from an article titled "Dog breed no longer relevant for placing kids. Ruled changed for fostering, adopting."

"Issues with animals in Lucas County foster and adoptive homes have been “very few and far between,” Ms. Malkin said. If the department believes it must address a situation with a dog, it is usually quickly resolved without escalating.

“Of the thousands of homes that have been licensed over the years, nobody has called anything specific to my attention,” she said. “Generally, when we bring it up, the owner addresses it by removing the animal.”

The vast majority of families seeking to adopt are first approved as a foster family, Ms. Malkin said. Dog owners must prove the dog is properly licensed and up to date on vaccinations. Case workers inspecting the home then use their judgment as to the dog’s behavior and how the owner manages the canine.

“There is nothing in the rules that says we can’t license somebody who has a dog characterized as nuisance, dangerous, or vicious. However, it’s a judgment call,” Ms. Malkin said. “We would have to assess whether that person would get any placements because we deal with kids who have been traumatized already. We don’t want to put them in an environment where there’s anything they’d have to be afraid of.”

 The vast majority of intelligent and thoughtful adults would certainly hope that an agency run by our government would protect children by REFUSING TO PLACE VULNERABLE YOUNG CHILDREN IN HOMES HARBORING DANGEROUS OR VICIOUS DOGS.  


So far this year 31 Americans have been killed by dogs, 25 of those deaths were due to pit bull attacks.  Eleven of those who lost their lives in pit bull attacks were children.  The Toledo Blade is harassing the Department of Children and Family Services in Massachusetts to change a proactive policy designed to save the lives of children by preventing the placement of these vulnerable babies in homes with pit bulls?  What is wrong with the editorial board of the Toledo Blade?  

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11/2/2015
Mansfield Ohio
Richland County

Mansfield police responded to a call reporting an aggressive pit bull at large.  The black pit bull is described as having a white chest, it charged and attempted to bite a woman. Officers were able to locate the pit bull but were unable to capture it.  The Mansfield News Journal reported "The pit bull displayed aggressive tendencies toward officers."  

The pit bull is still at large, police and the Richland County Dog warden's staff are searching for it.  Anyone seeing this pit bull is encouraged to call the police department at 419 522-1234.

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11/6/2015
Bainbridge Ohio
Geauga County

This is interesting.  Only pit bulls are likely to figure into reverse theft.  A Bainbridge resident received a call from a woman asking her to take three pit bulls.  The resident wisely refused to accept this "hard to turn down" offer.  Three weeks after the phone call the resident saw a woman abandon the three pit bulls in her yard and disappear.

The pit bulls ran off.  If you live in Bainbridge Ohio and see three pit bulls at large, please call the police.



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11/14/2015
Toledo Ohio
Lucas County

Wouldn't mandatory neuter and spay be better than this?  The Toledo Blade covers the recovery of Frank/Victor, a stray pit bull dropped off in an alley, complete with crate.  Frank/Victor weighed 29 pounds when picked up on October 4th and now weighs 60 pounds in the care of the Lucas County Pit Crew.  Frank/Victor also required treatment for worms and skin infections but he is now ready for placement.  This is the Toledo Blade so a statement from Jean Keating is required.  Ms. Keating speaks of that Frank/Victor   “He’s a little nervous around new people yet. We’re just starting to kind of bring him out and expose him to new things.”

Coming to a neighborhood near you.

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11/17/2015
St Henry Ohio
Mercer County Ohio

A two year old child was mauled by the family pit bull.  Police shot the pit bull because it charged a police officer responding to the 911 call made by the child's mother.  Both the child and the mother were taken to a local hospital with severe injuries.  




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11/13/2015
Lorain Ohio
Lorain County

Lorain police have released dash cam video of a dog attack that occurred in October. Three women were attacked by the same two pit bulls.   Spoiler alert, police shoot the dogs.
 "The initial call was a woman who was walking home on West 29th Street and was attacked by two dogs," said Officer Rick Broz with the Lorain Police Department.

Officer Broz was among several officers who responded after three women were injured in a series of dog attacks in that area.

"We formed a circle around them with our cars. One of the officers yelled at them and they actually tried to bite his car, the door of his car, that's how aggressive these two dogs were," said Broz.

Cruiser dash cam video captured the moment the two dogs attack a third woman who jumped onto another police car to escape them.

"Another officer jumped out of his car, ran away, yelled at them to look at him. They charged him so he fired off two shots," said Broz.

One dog was killed. The other ran away.

Here is a bit of explanation of how police could respond so quickly.
"Lorain police Officer Richard Broz wrote in his report that he was called to the 300 block of West 26th Street about 10:30 a.m. after police dispatchers received a call from a woman who had been attacked by two pit bulls.

When Broz, who serves as the city’s animal control officer, arrived, the dogs were gone and the woman told him that she had been attacked while walking on Broadway but managed to get into a vehicle, which the dogs proceeded to chase.

A short time later, police received a report that the two dogs had attacked a second person, who also managed to escape by getting into a vehicle.

Police caught up to the dogs near the intersection of West 29th Street and Reid Avenue and surrounded the animals with their cruisers.

Although the two pit bulls were barking and growling at the officers, Broz wrote that he determined that it would be too dangerous to use lethal force against the dogs because the dogs were on concrete and near several residences.

As he was loading tranquilizer darts, the dogs escaped and ran north on Reid Avenue and west on West 28th Street with officers in pursuit.

As police were chasing them, the dogs attacked a third person, who was bit on the finger and escaped the dogs by climbing on top of a police cruiser.

Because the dogs were still trying to get to the person who had climbed on the car, Officer Marcus Haring fired his weapon twice, striking each dog."

Police reports indicate a stunning number of bite incidents that appear to track back to Kirkwood's pit bulls. You can't keep this straight without a program so I'm just going to quote the Morning Journal's report here.
" Last month, the Lorain County dog warden notified police about a dog bite which occurred Sept. 15 in the 2600 block of Reid Avenue. The victim said she was unloading groceries out of her car when she was attacked by a pit bull, a police report stated.

According to the report, police also received an anonymous call about a woman being attacked at Kirkwood’s address around the same time as the woman who was bit unloading groceries, but they were unable to locate her.

The report stated the victim of the attack is related to Kirkwood, but the woman denied having being attacked near his house.

On Sept. 7, police responded to Kirkwood’s address after receiving reports that two people had been bit.

The male victim told authorities he was at his sister’s residence – who according to the report has the same address as Kirkwood – for a family cookout when he and his 14-year-old daughter were attacked by two pit bull dogs.

Broz wrote in his report that despite the coincidences surrounding the attacks, the victims denied that the animals that bit them resided at the house where the attack took place. The victims told police the dogs that attacked them were “just two random loose dogs.”

Police said the male victim had puncture wounds to his shoulder and a severe bite wound to the inside of his left leg. The juvenile also received a bite wound to her leg, police said.

On Aug. 31, a resident in the 200 block of West 28th Street, told police a pit bull attacked his Doberman Pinscher as he was taking it for a walk. The report stated the Doberman’s owner also was bit in the stomach during the incident.

Authorities said Kirkwood told them his dog was chained up in his yard, but broke free and ran off.

On Aug. 20, a female was cited at Kirkwood’s residence after a man who was walking his bulldog in the 200 block of West 29th Street was approached by an animal matching the description of one of Kirkwood’s pit bulls.

Police said the woman told them she did not live at Kirkwood’s address, but she admitted to being the only adult at the residence at the time of the incident.

Broz wrote in the latest report that in lieu of the events surrounding Kirkwood’s animals, he recommends to the courts they issue a ban to bar Kirkwood from owning further animals due to his “constant reckless endangerment of the public by irresponsible ownership of dogs.”

Kirkwood could not be reached for comment."  Pit bull owner Michael Kirkwood is facing charges.

  Lorain police have a special unit created to address vicious dog attacks. It sounds as if the unit has a full time job just with Kirkwood.  Lorain police officer Richard Broz has his hands full.

For dash cam video please click here.

You can't make this stuff up.


Mr. Kirkwood

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11/18/2015
Dayton Ohio
Montgomery County



Dayton police were forced to shoot a pit bull during a drug raid.  Anonymous tips were received on a Miami Valley Crimestoppers hotline regarding heroin being sold out of a residence on Cass Street. The pit bull was shot as it charged police. 

Jewel Carter, presumably the pit bull owner, was charged with trafficking and heroin.  Please note that there were no Pugs, or Goldens, or Beagles reported at the drug house, only the pit bull.  Draw whatever conclusions you will. 

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10/26/2015
Lima Ohio
Allen County

Lima City Council is reviewing vicious dog laws after an attack on an off duty police officer in the city on October 20th.  Per Limaohionews.com " Officer Link was walking to his car the morning of Oct. 20 in the 900 block of North Elizabeth Street when he was attacked by two pit bulls. Link suffered bites to his head as he tried to fight off the dogs for a couple of minutes. The dogs then started charging at others in the neighborhood.

Several councilors expressed concern, including Councilman Sam McLean pointing out the site was “near two schools” and Councilman Jesse Lowe II saying “dogs are not labeled as vicious until after the fact.”

 "One of the pit bulls that attacked Link had reportedly cornered an elderly neighbor the day before in her yard. Police officers arrived and shot the dogs to prevent further attacks.

Link was taken to St. Rita’s Medical Center, where he was treated, then released.

The dogs were owned by Patience Jackson, of 999 N. Elizabeth St. She was cited for the dogs not having licenses, running at large, and another city ordinance.

The dogs were not immediately killed by the police gunfire. They were taken back to the Allen County dog warden’s office where they were later killed. The warden is required to inspect and test dogs for rabies that have been reported for attacking or biting another person."

Lima Ohio regulates but does not ban pit bulls. Current city law prohibits any homeowner from harboring more than one pit bull dog.  Pit bull owner Patience Jackson was in violation of this law.

Allen County Commissioners honored mail carrier Scott Eversole with a resolution of appreciation for his quick actions stepping in to assist officer Link.  Per LimaOhio.com "Scott Eversole was delivering mail in the 900 block of North Elizabeth Street on Oct. 19 when he noticed two pit bulls playing in a yard. He was originally going to leave and complete delivering mail on that part of his route later when he noticed out of the corner of his eye a man leaving his house and going to his car. The man, Lima Police Patrolman Mark Link, was then attacked by the two dogs, who knocked him to the ground and began biting his face.

“I saw that they hit him and were going after him as hard as they could, and he was struggling to get back on his feet,” Eversole said. “It was then I went over with my bag, the best weapon I had, and I took it off my shoulder and began to swing it as hard as I could and knocked them off him enough for him to be able to jump on the car.”

Allen County commissioners present a resolution of appreciation to mail carrier Scott Eversole.  Dog warden Julie Shellhammer thanks him for saving the life of a police officer.  The appreciation is well deserved, mail carriers are too often the victims of pit bull attacks and Mr. Eversole was well aware of the risks but took action anyway.  Well done!

Lima pit bull advocates protest Lima's proactive law.  Clueless. 

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10/20/2015
DAYTON Ohio
Montgomery County

A Dayton woman was attacked by a pit bull as she was speaking with the pit bull owner outside a local store.  Pit bull owner Adlai Hunter was cited for not having his pit bull licensed.

Per WHIO " The woman told police Geno attacked her as she spoke with Hunter, someone she knows because they live near each other.  She told police she was trying to keep her distance from Geno as she spoke with Hunter when, for no apparent reason, Geno lashed our and chomped down on her leg.  She immediately fell to the ground and kicked at the dog as Hunter tried to get man's best friend off her.  She was taken to Miami Valley Hospital.  Officers dispatched to the incident quickly learned that a concerned citizen had followed Hunter and Geno to Ernst and Eastview Avenues, a few blocks from the scene ( maul and haul attack, but I digress).  Geno was on a leash, but had blood in his mouth, possibly from the bite," police officer Zachary O'Diam wrote in the report.  The officer said Geno growled at him "several times" during the conversation with Hunter who "would have to yell at the dog to get him to calm down."  O'Diam said in the report that he recognized Hunter from a previous dog bite case earlier this year."

I had to go back to my last few roundup posts because this one sounded so very familiar that I thought I had already written about it.  Hunter yelling at his dog to calm it down is just so memorably stupid that it is unforgettable.  Nope, Hunter and Geno are recidivists.  

You can't make this stuff up. 

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10/7/2015
Fairborn Ohio
Green County

Fairborn police shot and killed two pit bull mixes that witnesses stated attacked a dog and bit three people.  Two of those who were bitten were the owners of the dog that was attacked.  

Per WHIO  "Police were dispatched about 9:12 a.m. on a report of a vicious dog attack in the 1900 block of Rockdell Drive.  Two people there said they had been attacked by the pit bull mixes while trying to rescue their dog from the attacking female dogs.  A third resident, in the 1900 block of Rockdell Drive also reported being bitten.  Green County Animal Control responded and worked with police officers in tracking the roaming dogs. Police alerted a local school to keep their students inside during the search.  The search ended in both dogs being shot." 

OK, we have three people bitten, a peaceful dog attacked, police called in, animal control called in, AND a school on lock down. Has anyone ever seen a similar report that involved Pugs, or Beagles?  
What was the final cost to Fairborn taxpayers for the responders here?   

A person commenting on this story had this to say "These dogs have been reported many times. They have attacked other dogs and people in the recent past. Something should have been done about them long ago."  This pair of maulers will not return to the neighborhood but expect the owners to go right out and get two more just like them.  It's a pattern.  

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5/2/2015
DAYTON Ohio
Montgomery County

This is an old news item, lost in the shuffle for quite some time now. A Dayton police officer was bitten by a pit bull as he was investigating a roll over accident involving a newly purchased SUV, a 1999 Chevy Blazer.  The Blazer was driven by 19 year old Joshua Nguyen, he had two friends in the car with him. One of these passengers brought his pit bull along for the ride.  

Per WHIO " The crash happened when Nguyen wanted to "play with' the SUV he just bought, went off-roading in the field on the site of the former Belmont High School.  Nguyen flipped the SUV after hitting a concrete curb around the track.  A representative of Dayton Public Schools, which owns the property, told police the district wanted all three to be charged with criminal trespassing.  

A Dayton police officer was checking to see if the occupants of the Blazer were injured when the pit bull began behaving in an aggressive manner.  The police officer attempted to back away from the aggressive dog but fell, he was bitten on his right arm.  The pit bull owner, Jeffrey Cleveland,  made no attempt to stop  his dog but eventually snapped a leash on it and went on to tell the officer that he "did not think the dog would do that.". When Cleveland was informed that he would be placed under arrest because his mauler bit a police officer, he BLAMED THE POLICE OFFICER!  What else would you expect?  Cleveland's explanation "The dog wouldn't have done that if the officer didn't attack my dog." 


Mr. Cleveland's booking photo. 

Damages to a 1999 Chevy Blazer, even if totaled, would be expected to be in the neighborhood of what?  Twenty five dollars?   

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7/23/2015
Mansfield Ohio
Richland County

Another lost attack surfaces.  A Richland County deputy Stacy Wendling-Dittrich,  was attacked by a pit bull, in a community with a pit bull ban.  


Per the Mansfield News-Journal "According to a report on file at the sheriff's office, Dittrich was at the residence in reference to followup on a case. Upon arrival she parked in the driveway and knocked at the front door. After receiving no answer she heard sounds from the rear of the house. She assumed they might be out back and began to walk around the house toward the rear of the residence when the dog attacked.

The dog came around from the rear where the family was having coffee, according to the sheriff's report. The dog bit Dittrich without notice in her left hand and pinky finger, according to the report. The home owner pulled the dog back as Dittrich retreated to a safe location and called for help. Dittrich then applied pressure to the wound until paramedics arrived. The homeowner was visibly upset over the incident and offered to aid or call for help as Dittrich awaited the squad.  Dittrich had already done so. The dog warden cited the homeowner for multiple charges. At this time, the dog in question is a pit pull breed, according to the report.

Deputies, Mansfield Police, and Mansfield firefighters responded to the scene. Dittrich was expected to require surgery. How much did this response cost Mansfield taxpayers?  Richland County Assistant Dog Warden Ray Scott stated he has never seen as many dog bites as he has seen this year. ""I've never seen so much of this in almost 12 years (on the job),"

Click here for video of a statement from Mr. Scott.  He is well versed on local law and rather charming to boot.   

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9/22/1015 
DAYTON Ohio
Montgomery County

Two Beagles, and their owner were attacked by a pit bull.   

Picture it.  Here is the story from WHIO. 

Police spoke with Daniel Hollis, 45, who was atacked by the pit bull afterDayton police were called to 221 Maryland Ave. at about 6:15 p.m. Monday. Callers advised a large dog was attacking a smaller dog in the middle of the street with several people trying to break up the animals.

Police spoke with Daniel Hollis, 45, who was attacked by the pitbull after retrieving his own dogs from being attacked.

Hollis told police he was walking from his front door at 221 Maryland Ave. to his car parked on the street. He was putting his two small brown beagles inside the car when he reportedly observed a large pitbull jump the front yard fence next door at 225 Maryland Ave., according to the police report.

The pitbull proceeded to attack one of the beagles as it was leaning out the car window. The larger dog pulled the beagle out of the car.

Hollis said he was able to take that beagle inside his home, but then the pitbull went after the second beagle. The second beagle was bitten around the neck.

Hollis said he was wrestling with the large dog to get it off his beagle. The pitbull then knocked Hollis to the ground and bit him in the arm and again on the face near his eyebrow, according to the police report.

Neighbors attempted to help Hollis by hitting the larger dog with a baseball bat. That had no effect but the pitbull then ran home.

The responding officers observed the lacerations and scrapes on Hollis; as well as lacerations on both his beagles.

Hollis said the pitbull belongs to his father-in-law Janrose Jones, 66, whom lives next door at 225 Maryland Ave. Hollis told police the dog has attacked three other people in the neighborhood.

Pit bull owner Jones stated that the pit bull is nine months old.  He was cited for failure to control and for the bite.

Imagine Thanksgiving dinner family conversation at the Hollis/Jones dinner table.  

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I have had enough for the day but I want to end this post by remembering someone loved and lost.                            
This is Daxton Borchardt.


Dax was killed by his babysitter's two pit bulls.   Please read the thoughts of Jeff Borchardt, Dax's father.  If you are not moved you have no soul.

There are other victims here beside Dax and his parents.  Below is a photograph of the babysitter, Susan Iwiki, her life is forever changed and tainted because she believed "it's all in how you raise 'em." A VERY dangerous lie.  I am truly sorry for all involved here.  Truly sorry.

Pit bull roundup 10/25/2015. Attacks on children and adults, little dogs mauled to death, pits shot by police and by citizens, clueless rescue angels.

7/28/2015
DAYTON Ohio
Montgomery County

A Dayton teenager was bitten in the face by a neighbor's pit bull.  The pit bull ran from the owner's yard to attack the 14 year old. The girl required stitches to her upper lip and will require dental implant surgery to replace a tooth knocked out  by the the neighbor's pit.  The dog was known to the girl and considered safe and friendly.  As always,  the pit bull owner believes that her dog did not bite the girl but instead "got excited" jumped on the girl, knocked out her tooth and scratched her but did not bite her.

ABC22 News in Dayton began this story with "Another day, another dog bite in Dayton.  This time a 14 year old girl."  It was reported that as of July Dayton Children's Hospital had treated 126 children for dog bites. Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley promises to look into tougher laws to protect the public from vicious dogs. Getting to be routine in Dayton.  Please keep in mind that the Montgomery County commissioners gave Mark Kumpf, Montgomery County dog warden, a raise this year while admitting that the year had been "difficult."

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7/14/2015
Port Clinton Ohio
Ottawa County

A 10 year old pit bull jumped a fence in Port Clinton to kill a seven year old Pomeranian in the yard of the Pomeranian owner and then went on to go after the owner of the dead Pomeranian.  The girlfriend of  Astro the pit bull's owner, took control of Astro after the attack, a responding Police officer put Astro in the back of his cruiser and followed procedure by notifying the county dog warden. The dog warden refused to respond to the scene and told police to release Astro right back to the owner "because the dog attacked another dog and not a human being."  Even the pit bull owner was surprised by this and promised to have Astro put down after the 10 day rabies confinement.  William Yount, owner of Astro was charged with the misdemeanor Failure to Confine a Dangerous Dog with a possible fine of $250.



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6/2/2015
North Canton Ohio
Stark County

A North Canton family dropped off their little eight pound Pomeranian/Poodle mix dog at Promway Kennels, they were on their way out of town for a business trip.  They have used Promway Kennels many times in the past and were pleased at the care Shadow received.  Things did not go so well this time.

 Kennel owner Bill "Novotny said a kennel employee mistakenly put Shadow in the area where two lab-pit bull mix dogs were and they attacked Shadow.  The dogs were rescued from a shelter and Novotny said he was trying to find them a home.

Novotny said steps have been taken to make sure something like this doesn't happen again and he said the dogs have been euthanized. "I feel terrible," said Promway Kennels owner Bill Novotny.

At the time of the Newsnet5 news article dealing with this senseless death the owner of Promway Kennel, Bill Novotny, had not apologized to Shadow's owners and appears in the video with this story calling the mistake leading to Shadow being in the same run with the pit mixes as "unfortunate."  Do you think Novotny learned anything here?

The answer to that is no.  Below is a Facebook post made by Bill Novotny in early July of this year, just weeks after the mauling death of little Shadow.  Please take a look at the Facebook page for Promway Kennels. Novotny is STILL pulling unplaceable pit bulls from shelters, fostering and adopting out these pit bulls from his business.  That business is caring for other people's beloved pets.  Please spend a few minutes watching the videos of Novotny's interviews.  He is relaxed, genial, smiling, while talking about the death of a client.  While a "trusted employee" may have made an "unfortunate mistake" leading to the death of eight pound Shadow, the big mistake was made by Novotny. He is responsible for housing rescue pit bulls at the Promway facility.  Novotny made the choice to harbor and "work with" the pit bull that killed Shadow.  Novotny stated that the killer pit bull was euthanized but he has apparently learned nothing from Shadow's death.

From the Promway Kennels Facebook page.

Promway Kennels

July 13 · 

Fosters that are currently at Promway- call Bill (330-494-8100) between 8am-5pm to set up a time to meet them - we would love for them to find their forever home!

  More on the available pit bull Dalton.  Background information, Dalton has been at Promway, waiting for placement for 3 1/2 YEARS.  Dalton has his own Facebook page.
   

Promway Kennels added 2 new photos.

September 1 · 

Dalton is enjoying his morning with some cuddle time.

For those who might be looking for a second hand, apparently unplaceable pit bull, GOOD NEWS, Dalton and Lexi are still available.  Novotny also places non-pit bulls and finds takers for these dogs but the pits stay on and on.  Does this tell him something?

NEWSFLASH, There is a  reason these pit bulls are in the rescue system. They have already failed in at least one household, likely more, killed another dog, killed a cat, bit the owner, bit a neighbor, jumped a fence and created a dangerous nuisance in a neighborhood, cited by animal control, the classic reasons for surrender of a pit bull.  Relocating these secondhand maulers is a dangerous business.  Shadow paid with his life.  Pit bull advocacy refuses to learn.  Promway kennels has been in business for 30 years, there is no excuse for the death of Shadow. Bill Novotny knows better.


For additional video please click here.

As it might be suspected, this particular attack touched a nerve with me. I will end this section of the post with a meme from the Facebook page for Dalton of Promway (the unplaceable pit bull) posted May 30th, just prior to the pit bull mauling death of Shadow..



Clueless?  Yes.  Sanctimonious?  Yes.  Learning from the death of a client's dog in an attack that that may well be a kick in the financial bottom line of your business?  Nope.  Why do pit bull activists feel that the peaceful public just needs a little "education" about pit bulls?  The actual news educates us every day. Educate yourselves.                                                      


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 6/12/2015
South Toledo Ohio
Lucas County

Per the Toledo Blade, a Lucas County deputy dog warden and two police officers responded to an animal complaint.  A resident stated that he had been walking in an alley when he was attacked by three dogs that had escaped from Jay Rummel's residence.  When the animal control officer was serving the citation for failure to confine the dogs to Rummel, Rummel's 20 year old roommate Brandon Gill opened the door and let the three dogs out again, disobeying a direct order from police to keep the door shut. After the dogs were let out they charged police.  The lead dog was shot several times. Per police reports, after the dog was shot Gill "came off the porch and started swinging at the officers."  After a brief struggle Gill was taken into custody, charged with felonious assault on a police officer, ordered held at the Lucas County jail in lieu of the bond pending a preliminary hearing.

The dog, a pit bull (surprise!) was taken to a local veterinarian but the injuries were noted to be very serious.  Rummell surrendered his pit bull to  Lucas County Canine Care and Control.  Julie Lyle, Lucas County dog warden, stated the pit bull had been shot in the left front leg, left shoulder area, and right leg.  The pit bull was euthanized.

Animal Control officers investigating this incident discovered that a second of Rummell's pit bulls was also involved in the biting incident earlier in the day.  This pit bull was seized and declared vicious.  Rummell stated to reporters that his dogs were not aggressive with people (despite biting a passerby and charging police) had not bitten anyone in the past but could be "territorial."  Rummell was allowed to keep the remaining pit bull.

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6/5/2015
Norton Ohio
Summit County

From the Norton Ohio Police blotter. Police were called to a Norton Avenue residence June 5 after a man reported his dogs were attacked by a pit bull that was running loose in the area. Officers observed bite wounds on one dog’s head and neck and the other dog’s snout. The pit bull had been corralled and the county dog warden was notified.  


                                                              * * *

7/1/2015
Cleveland Ohio
Cuyahoga County

A federal judge in Cleveland sentenced the organizer of an Akron dog fighting ring to two years in prison.  The raid on the Akron dog fighting ring has been covered in Scorched Earth blogs several times.

 Per WDTN News "56-year-old Alvin Banks apologized during the hearing Tuesday, saying he grew up with people who had dogs fight and didn’t realize the practice is inhumane. He pleaded guilty in April to five charges, three related to dog-fighting, a felon in possession of a firearm, and marijuana possession."  

"He didn't realize the practice (of dog fighting) is inhumane?"  You can't make this stuff up.  Mr. Banks will have two years to think about this.




                                                                   * * *

6/5/2015
Toledo Ohio
Lucas County

Two pit bulls were shot by a citizen in Toledo but the Toledo Blade did not cover the story. A Toledo dog owner found his neighbor's two pit bulls attacking his own German Shepherd, in his own yard.  Per the Chronicle " a 29-year-old man from Toledo heard dogs growling in his front yard. He found his German shepherd pinned down by the neighbor’s two pit bulls. One of the pit bulls was biting the dog’s neck, while the other one was on top of the German shepherd biting his hindquarters. 

After attempts to scare the dogs failed, the man went into his house and retrieved his shotgun. He fired one warning shot, and when the dogs continued their attack, he shot at each of the pit bulls. Although the dogs retreated, one returned and approached the man"  That pit bull was shot and killed.

The pit bull owner stated that his son had left a gate open allowing the pit bulls to escape and he understands why his pit bulls were shot.   The German Shepherd was reported to be in critical condition at a local veterinary hospital.

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5/19/2015
Toledo Ohio
Lucas County

A Toledo woman surrendered 14 dogs to a local Humane Society after Toledo police responded to a noise complaint of dogs barking.  The residence where the dogs were housed had no furniture and was unoccupied other than the 20 dogs found there.  The owner stated that she was in the process of buying the house but humane officials referred to the residence as "unsanitary because of fecal matter and urine"  Just picture it.

Per the Toledo Blade "  The owner said she first bought a female from a man selling puppies on the street, and could not afford to get her spayed then. The dog got pregnant, and the situation spiraled from there as the dogs continued to breed.

She said she made a number of attempts but was unable to find homes or a rescue for many of the dogs that she said are “pit bull” and German shepherd mixes.

“It got out of hand,” she said. “I love dogs, and I thought I could do it on my own. ... I knew I needed help, but every place I contacted would either not call me back or tried to send me in a different direction, which always never helped.”

 My guess is that neighbors are VERY pleased with the removal of these dogs.

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5/8/2015

Youngstown Ohio

Mahoning County

A Youngstown woman, walking in a local park was attacked by a pit bull.

“Horrifying” and “terrifying”... Those are two words used by a south side woman to describe her encounter with a dog while exercising at a city park.

June Calhoun was taking a late morning walk at Jackson Park in the area of Lenox and Windsor Streets, when she found herself caught in a pitbull's stare.

"I didn't hear him. I didn't see where he came from. He jumped at me."

After the dog knocked June down, she found a stick and threw it at him. He backed off, but as she was trying to get up, he jumped on her again.

"Oh they can jump so high. Unbelievable! And he's muscle, you know, he knocked me down."

Her arms took the brunt of the dog's aggression because June was trying to protect a more vital part of her body.

"I don't know where I got that strength, but I was going to survive because he was trying to go for my neck. And why I was putting my arms up like that."

Calhoun was able to signal a jeep passing by as the dog was distracted.

"And I was able to run over to the truck but he saw me again and came after me again. I was able to get in the truck before he get to me."

June says the dog ripped the skin on her right wrist. She also has bites on her left hand, arm and knee. Her right shoulder was also injured in the attack.

The pit bull was unlicensed. The Mahoning County dog warden expected to file charges for failure to control and failure to license. The dog was being quarantined in the owner's possession.  

Youngstown Ohio regulates pit bulls but Ohio pit bull activists ignore attacks like the one on Mrs. Calhoun and are demanding removal of Youngstown BSL.  There have been no offers by pit bull advocacy to cover Mrs. Calhoun's medical bills.  

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5/13/2015

West Chester Ohio

Butler County

A tiny Poodle was attacked by a pit bull, and a Cane Corso mix at a school bus stop, in full view of the Poodle owner, her  children, neighborhood children, AND a school bus full of children.  Watch the video here.  These children are traumatized, the neighbors are traumatized and the dogs are at large regularly. "I heard all this screaming, and I ran out, and Gracie was over in the next yard, laying in the grass with this huge open wound, looked like no hair and no skin," neighbor Nan Adler said. The two adult dogs involved in the attack on little Gracie the poodle are frequent offenders, West Chester police took them to the Butler County dog warden's facility a month prior to this attack.   

Our old friend Kurt Merbs makes this statement on camera " "Unfortunately, the dog actually has to die to make the dog dangerous," Merbs said. "To stipulate a dog is dangerous, it has to bite a person, which in this case it did not, or it has to kill another dog."

Little Gracie lived, she was released to go home six days after the attack.  As Merbs has stated, the pit bull and the Cane Corso mix will not be designated as dangerous.  

                                                                               * * *

In honor of yesterday's National Pit Bull Victim Awareness Day we will end this post with the image of another child killed by a pit bull. The child is Mia DeRouen, 4 years old, killed by Niko, the dog in the photo.  This monster pit bull was owned by Mia's mother's boyfriend.   Mia was killed inside her mother's apartment as she and her mother watched television together.  When police arrived in response to the 911 call the dog was so violent that Mia had to be handed out a bedroom window to first responders for transport to a hospital. The pit bull was shot by police. It required 13 bullets to stop Niko.  

A Facebook post that deserves to be seen.

This comment turned up on Facebook this morning.  These are not my words but I urge you to read them to understand the fury pit bull owners turn on the victims of their bred-for-blood-sport dogs. Thank you to the author of this comment but I will not share her name in an effort to protect her from the vile rage of pit bull owners.  

                                                                           * * *

WHY do Pit Bull owners and advocates turn on victims with such anger and hatred, look for attack 'catalysts' that do not exist, hold up the killing dog as more innocent victim than the dead child or the mutilated victim (who in many cases, is the OWNER of the killing dog); BLAME the dead or mutilated victims even in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary, and blame them in the most disgusting of ways using language and rote phraseology that leaves normal people shocked and angered?

When it comes to Pit Bulls, it is the dogs of 'others' that kill, not THEIR dogs. THEY are special; their DOGS are special. Sadly, ownership of a 'killer dog' only BEGINS when their dog has BECOME a 'killer'. And then of course it's all too late to undo. The FIRST time that their Pit Bull strikes can be the LAST time for some poor soul. These dogs rarely give 'test bites' - they enter their zone of red FAST, and exit is slow and unwilling, leaving flesh rendered, bones broken, entrails spilled, necks severed, scalps removed, hands and faces and genitals fed upon, blood flowing, graves being dug.

Owning a member of a known killer breed give a person free and immediate entry into a world of embracing cronies who also own a potentially killing dog - they groom the acolyte, they support him, they 'love' him and his dog, encourage him or her to plaster photographs of it all over the internet (even and especially on the media coverage comments where someone has died or been mutilated by a Pit Bull); they urge each other to support the breed & defend it in ways that cause disgust and revulsion in normal people... and of course the Pit Bull owner WILL do this thing; the investment has been made, the gamble taken.

When the gamble fails, as it fails for Pit Bull owners with more ease and regularity than the owners of all other dog breeds even COMBINED, then those self-same embracing cronies will turn on the owner like earth-bound demons for his or her newly-found and painful revelations - they are no longer part of the fraternity or the sorority of Pit Bull protectionism - SOMEHOW they failed their dogs and allowed them to become a media story - those owners and their bloodied dogs are a statistic that now casts doubt on THEIR dogs and THEIR ownership.

They take that killer dog and turn it, even in the face of overwhelming evidence, into a hero dog that suffered poor ownership and was either ill-treated or non-socialised enough to KILL, OR was open to a 'catalyst' so overwhelming that even the tiniest of dogs would have had to resort to killing; (enter the claims of Chihuahua attacks, and 'my sister was mauled by a Poodle').

'It's how they are raised', they wail as one voice, completely ignoring the well-raised, well-loved, well-socialised dog that they are wailing about, and even if it was NONE of those things, they absolutely ignore the millions of ABUSED and neglected dogs from all OTHER breeds who do not do this kind of thing with such regularity and ferocity.

The owner of the Pit Bull dog that spills blood enters a world of pain where not only is he or she dealing with the death or grotesque mutilation of their child, or their own ruined face in the mirror, they are dealing with the fall from grace of the dog they were SO sure loved them dearly and would obey their every instruction even in the throes of a killing frenzy, AND they are dealing with the pure and naked hatred of those that encouraged these hapless people to love it and keep it as a 'pet' in the FIRST place.

Pit Bull ownership is not individual ownership of 'a dog'; it is an elite club of specialist protectionists who were already twisted and social deviants on levels that are not always spottable and knowable, who chose to align themselves with an extreme breed of dog known above all others to kill and cause horrendous mutilations; a dog whose blood-sport work has been made illegal, but who remains as a remodelled pet dog IN NAME ONLY. Owners CANNOT leave this elite club or abandon their dogs at any point. The club members bring another layer of Hell to those that try. One WORD out of place, one hesitation, one faintly querying comment... and they are ON for the fight, despicable as it may be.

As in the words of 'Hotel California' by The Eagles, guaranteed to produce a shiver of unease when applied to the subject of the Cult of Pit Bull:-

"Relax," said the night man,
"We are programmed to receive.
You can check-out any time you like,
But you can never leave."

"She said "We are all just prisoners here,
Of our own device",
In the Master's chambers,
They gathered for the feast
They stab it with their steely knives,
But they just can't kill the Beast".

ONLY the 'checkout' of death or grotesque lifelong mutilating injuries ends the emotional and psychological attachment and investment of the Pit Bull owner to the rest of the death-cult members, and even then their names and their memories will be abused ferociously, and their terrifying deaths and mutilations or those of their children blamed ONLY on themselves. After all, if it is as they say and 'all in how they were raised', then according to the Cult of Pit Bull, such owners RAISED THAT DOG TO KILL and to VIOLENTLY DISFIGURE.

Photo attachments:
Darla Napora - BADRAP member, killed by her pet Pit Bull on 11th August, 2011 - her 6-month old unborn child perished with her.
Ed Cahill - staunch defender of Pit Bulls, owner of one he considered his pet & canine counterpart, killed by it on Christmas Day 2014.
Rebecca Carey - sweet-natured rescuer of dangerous dogs; 'saved' them so that they might avoid euthanizing - slain on 12th August 2012 by two of her pet Pit Bulls, 2 Presa Canarios, 1 Boxer 'Mix'.
Eugene Smith - slaughtered by his pet Pit Bull as he took down his Christmas tree on 7th January, 2015.

Pit bull crisis prompts support groups to declare October 24th National Pit Bull Victim Awareness Day

October 24th has been designated as National Pit Bull *Victim* Awareness Day to raise awareness of the social and financial costs of pit bull attacks.  The initiative, sponsored by Daxton's Friends for Canine Education and Awareness, seeks to call attention to the scope and severity of this urgent public safety issue. It is beyond time to acknowledge the victims of mindless and relentless pit bull advocacy.  A North American coalition of over 50 pit bull attack support groups has launched an information website to coincide with National Pit Bull Victim Awareness Day. Please visit
 #NationalPitBullVictimAwarenessDay.





The National Pit Bull Victim Awareness Day website outlines the effect of pit bulls on families and communities with respect to public safety, and their often devastating social and economic impacts. Various stakeholders in the pit bull issue are identified and addressed, including taxpayers, legislators, emergency and healthcare workers, animal control officers, law enforcement agencies, pet owners, farmers, and humane organizations.



Despite the ongoing efforts of pit bull advocates to bury breed specific legislation and substitute what is euphemistically called "breed neutral legislation" the pit bull problem is getting worse every year.  Thirty years of claims from pit bull advocates that education will turn this around have proven foolish and bloody.



  

When will there be enough suffering ?

Pit bull roundup 10/4/2015. Dead pets, police reports, mauled children, escaped pit bulls, and pit bull hysteria wasting taxpayer dollars. The usual.

Here we are back at the task of cleaning up the back log of pit bull attacks in Ohio. We begin.

8/21/2015
Lakemore Ohio
Summit County

A 10 year old Silky Terrier was killed in his owner's yard by three pit bulls owned by a neighbor.  Here is how the Caleb's grief stricken owner described the attack.  "Caleb was simply standing in my yard and the Pitt Bulls escaped their scadally fenced in front yard and ran up my driveway to attack him.  He was helpless -- I beat them with only what I had in my hand -- a broomstick --and it was like hitting a steel rod.   I screamed so loud that neighbors up the street and a street away came to try to help.  However, the neighbors right across the street and who owns the dogs did not show up until the mauling was almost over.  One of my neighbors picked up Caleb and one Pitt Bull chased her into my garage, she ran into my house along with me and handed the little man to me -- she said they then cornered my cairn terrior, Caitie who was also outside with us and sniffed her then turned away.  My other neighbor said she tried to come to my aid but the black Pitt kept her at bay by aggressively barking and going toward her.  She backed away slowly into her home. My veterinarian said thank God they didn't turn on you.  I am grieving and angry that this law  In Ohio the Pitt Bull breed has been removed off of the dangerous dog list.  This law must be changed.  I don't know what political organizations are promoting this breed to be safe -- but it must be all about political gain and money.   Until Friday, I was convinced that Pitt Bulls were deemed to be a safe dog if raised properly -- but no more.  We must stop this insane propaganda and make our communities safe again. I realize that Caleb was just a dog, but I have no children and he was like my little boy.  So innocent-- but it could be a child next time.   Please sign this petition to keep Pitt Bulls out of our communities.  

Outrageous attacks like this are the impetus for BSL.  Pit bull advocates will face demands for laws regulating pit bulls until those advocates step up and end the killings.  Pit bull advocates must understand the grief of those who lost peaceful companions in bloody and violent maulings.  Please sign the petition. 

 
 Please click here for the thoughts of Connie Millward, Caleb's heartbroken  owner.

I am SO sorry Connie.

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9/27/2015
Lorain Ohio
Lorain County

A man and his daughter were attacked by two pit bulls while they were attending a cookout on 9/7/2015.  The home owner had also been cited for dogs at large earlier in this year but in classic pit bull owner fashion, the pit bulls were not present when police arrived.  This is a family affair and details of ownership of the attacking pit bulls are being covered up by the victims.

This from the same news article.  On 9/24/2015 in the same city police were called for a complaint of two loose and aggressive pit bulls. Police knew the dogs and the owner because they had been called for the same loose pit bulls just two days previously.  By the time police arrived the pit bull owner, Parker Ramaro was also present. Ramero stated that his pit bulls had "escaped their enclosure" (again).  Officers rounded up Ramero and his pit bulls and transported them all home in the police cruiser.  Ramero was cited for two counts of confinement of dogs and two counts of annual registration.    

                                                                   * * *

I include this not because it is local but because it tells us a great deal about pit bull advocacy. Kansas City obtained a $100,000 grant from Petsmart Charities for the purpose of neutering, spaying, AND LICENSING  pit bulls in two Kansas City zip codes.  At the end of the grant's time frame fully $86,350 was returned unused.  Only 45 pit bull owners took advantage of this screaming deal.  Per KSHB41 "Pit bull rescue groups and veterinarians welcomed the news, saying that more alteration surgeries would ultimately lead to fewer dogs put down.

But the vast majority of the money was never used, and, after a year-long window in which just 45 dogs received free surgeries, the city quietly returned the $86,350 dollars remaining from the grant. " 

There are 1400 plus pit bulls kept in the two zip codes named in the grant, owners of only 45 of these pit bulls were responsible enough to take advantage of the grant that not only included the surgery but licensing as well?  We hear a great deal from "responsible pit bull owners" but Kansas City did not see many of them.  If pit bull advocacy  wants to stop regulation of their dogs they must clean up their own act.



As the banner in the photo clearly shows, pit bull advocacy blamed the city. Even when the surgery is free AND includes licensing, even when the city directly mails out notices to residents, even when the city pays for radio ads, pit bull owners refuse to neuter and spay.  The failure is within pit bull advocacy and only pit bull advocates can fix this.  

Since we are already so far down this road, lets go just a little further before we turn back and return to Ohio.  Rabid Kansas City pit bull advocate and president of the Kansas City Pet Project, Brent Toellner (who was also involved with bringing the PetSmart grant to Kansas city, as I recall) has a great deal to say about mandatory neuter and spay laws.  Despite roughly a million pit bulls euthanized in American shelters EVERY YEAR Toellner opposes mandatory neuter and spay for pit bulls but does allow that neuter and spay is a very good thing. In a masterpiece of circuitous thinking, repeated by pit bull advocates everywhere Toellner states that the suffering of pit bulls warehoused endlessly, or euthanized in shelters is not the fault of pit bull owners and advocates but rather the fault of those seeking proactive solutions to the suffering.

Excerpts from Toellner's letter to the Madison City Council opposing a proposed mandatory N&S law.
"However, when you look at the MSN law in Kansas City, the law had a different impact than the inner-city outreach programs. When you look at many neighborhoods in Kansas City, MO, there are many where poverty rates are very high, and access to affordable vet care is very limited if not non-existent. Mandating spay/neuter doesn’t change the fact many cannot afford the surgery; it simply makes it harder for those with limited resources to comply. Many of these individuals live in overall “resource deserts”, where they have limited availability of resources, and may not have any local access to Veterinary Care. Add to that, many people do not own cars and taxis and buses do not allow pets on board.

Take a family in Kansas City, MO that owns a well-cared for pit bull but don’t yet have the money to alter that pet and very likely do not know there is a law mandating spay/neuter. If animal control discovers them in non-compliance, they will have to pay a $500 fine for non-compliance on top of the surgery cost. The end result is often due to lack of money, a pet with a home ends up seized and impounded into the already crowded shelter system. The goal of mandatory spay/neuter is to reduce shelter intake. But in most instances fails at that goal, and only succeeds at breaking the bond families have with their pets. 

Kansas City, MO passed its law mandating the spay/neuter of pit bulls in August 2006. In 2005, KCMO euthanized 981 pit bulls at the shelter. In 2006, KCMO euthanized 1353 pit bull type dogs. In 2007, the first complete year of the ordinance it euthanized 1,722; in 2008, 1002 were euthanized. This was at a time when euthanasia for all non-pit bull type dogs was decreasing, yet more than 1100 additional pit bulls lost their lives in the next 3 years mostly because their owners were unable to comply with the law. iv."Some may contend that a mandatory law is necessary because some people simply will not alter their pets, even if the resources are made available. However, these people have not played out the enforcement scenario. In Kansas City, because it is mandatory for pit bulls to be spayed/neutered, if someone refused to comply (regardless of reason), their dog will be confiscated and taken to the shelter. This doesn’t replace the owner’s desire for an unaltered dog, so they are now forced to go out and buy another one. This not only increased the demand for (illegally) bred pit bulls, it also just creates a perpetual cycle of dogs being taken from homes and to the shelter only to be replaced by new dogs. This process has been going on for 9 years in Kansas City, and still, 75% of the pit bulls that come into our shelter are still unaltered (many are there simply because they are unaltered)."

Toellner includes a graphic that makes him look foolish. He explains that 2007 was the first full year of the ordinance requiring neuter and spay.  Yes, euthanasia of pit bulls did increase from the previous year by 369 pit bulls for that first year.  By the second year of enforcement the numbers of pit bulls euthanized fell by 720 pit bulls. This is 351 fewer pit bulls euthanized than the year prior to passage of the mandatory N&S law.  In the second year of enforcement that number fell 316 pit bulls (667 fewer pit bulls euthanized than the year prior to passage of the mandatory N&S law).  Kansas City has turned the corner but Toellner fails to notice.
                                                                          


 Toellner claims that failure to neuter and spay pit bulls is based upon financial hardship.  Petsmart's grant made the surgery absolutely free and even included licensing. Pit bull owners chose to ignore the deal of a lifetime.  Petsmart Charities did their best to support pit bull advocacy in Kansas City, as they do everywhere backing up that support up with a huge pile of cash. By doing so the unintended consequence shows us exactly how insane breed specific advocates claims really are.

Impressive work Petsmart!

Historic fact - Pit bull advocates, including Toellner, demanded an end to the Kansas City pit bull ban but in December of 2014 Kansas City city council decided to keep their proactive pit bull ban.

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9/20/2015
Marysville Ohio
Union County



This story comes from Marysville Ohio, home of breed specific advocate Steffen Baldwin and his shelter ACT Ohio.  A pit bull attacked and killed a Yorkshire terrier. The pit bull was confined but the article did not offer a location.  The pit bull owner may be charged.  The Union County dog warden and the Union County board of health are investigating.

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9/17/2015
New Boston Ohio
Scioto County

A nine year old girl was mauled by a neighbor's pit bull. Per WSAZ "Caleigh Blower, who had just started 4th grade, was playing on a swing set with a friend two houses down from her home on Rhodes Avenue in New Boston, when she saw a pit bull push the screen door open.

"It jumped up and then bit my face, and then I fell on the ground," she said.

"Her skin was gone," Caleigh's mother Jamie Blower said. "There was nothing left. Her right arm, the meat was hanging out. It was down to the bone."

This was not the first violence from this particular pit bull.  The pit bull's owner was cited in July when the same pit bull "got loose" attacked another dog.  The pit bull owner also admitted that her pit bull had attacked someone delivering medication a month ago.

More from WSAZ "The dog's owner appeared in the New Boston mayor's court Wednesday. She was fined several hundred dollars and sentenced to one day in the county jail, police tell WSAZ.

Her dog was ordered to be put down."

The nine year old victim made the classic pit bull victim's statement ""I don't want anyone else younger than me to go through it," Caleigh said.

Wise words.  Even children understand.

Caleigh Blower, pit bull attack victim.

The pit bull has been euthanized.  New Boston residents are not happy about this attack.

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9/28/2015
Lancaster Ohio
Fairfield County

In a story that you will never see (per pit bull advocacy) a nine year old girl was bitten by a German Shepherd.  The dog bit the girl's back and elbow before it was stopped and taken back in the house.  The dog's owner was reported to be visibly upset, provided vaccination records, and plans to have the dog put down.  There was no report of medical treatment required for the child.  It was reported that tooth marks were found in the child's shirt and puncture marks were noted on her back.

                                                                  * * *

9/15/2015
Hamilton Ohio
Butler County

Two pit bulls were found decapitated on Hamilton Ohio railroad tracks.  How these headless dogs were identified as pit bulls is unclear.  Pit bull advocates are unable to identify intact and living pit bulls, but I have digressed. Click here for your "can you identify the pit bull" game.

In any case, a reward of $1000 was quickly offered by an anonymous donor connected to the Animal Friends Humane Society for information leading to whoever abused, killed, and placed the bodies of these pit bulls on the railroad tracks.

In video available by clicking here the brother of the owner of one of the dogs states his suspicion that the dogs were shot in the head prior to being placed on the tracks.  Police were drawn into this and launched an investigation.  Per Fox10 "Hamilton Police Sgt. Ed Buns said the department also learned from the Facebook post.

“Both of them had apparently been run over by a train," said Burns. "We currently have detective actively investigating the circumstances that led them being in the location they were in, the condition they were.”    

Law enforcement was not contacted about the situation until Tuesday morning, according to Buns. On Wednesday, officials were still trying to determine why the dogs were placed on the track and who is responsible.

“We’re very sure they were deceased before train came along,” said Buns.

An inspection of the dogs located at the scene showed no signs of a gunshot or other injury that would have resulted in the death of the animal, prior to being struck by a train, according to Buns.

"There's certain things you see in your career that makes you wonder what kind of a human being could do something like this,” Buns said.

Police do not have a suspect. Buns said they have received information on who to question about the situation.

Two dogs were shown in the original photo, but only one remained on the tracks when officials arrived Tuesday. It’s not clear who picked up the second dog.
     
"There was no indication that anything had been amiss with this dog previous to this, or what killed it,” Buns said.  “"We knew the dog had been hit by a train, but typically dogs don't get hit by trains.  They run away."

"My belief is they were placed on the tracks after either being rendered unconscious or killed and placed on the tracks to be run over by a train,” Buns said.

An interesting side note, one of the dead dogs was none other than Scrappy.  Scrappy bit a child in July and was hustled out of town in the dead of night during the period of his rabies confinement.  Scrappy was given to a friend of Kari Walters, the original owner but "somehow" disappeared prior to his death. Walters stated that she gave Scrappy away because she "had some things to take care of." Dog Warden Kurt Merbs stated that Walters was cited for the July attack but that Scrappy would not have been put down. 

Scrappy, biter on the run.

After a week long investigation Hamilton Ohio police announced that the investigation was closed. Per WCPO " Hamilton police worked with CSX Railroad Police to find the engineer who admitted to driving the train that hit the dogs, Buns said. The engineer said the dogs appeared to be "alive and well" when he spotted them playing on the tracks and they did not move when he sounded the train whistle.

"The engineer stated that he only learned of the investigation this weekend and is upset that the dogs were struck, but there is nothing he could do," Buns wrote in a news release."

The final statement from police was this, Scrappy had simply escaped from the home of the new owner and was running loose in the area.  The other dog, named Deno, also had a new owner, was "let out" and never came back.  

So here is the final wrap up, after a nearly week long investigation we find just two more irresponsibly owned pit bulls at large in the community (one of them a known biter on the run from a rabies confinement) run over by a train.  How much money did this police investigation cost the taxpayers of Hamilton Ohio?

In fairness to Hamilton Ohio, the scenario of hysteria and suspicion of pit bull abuse after pittie is found dead someplace is not unique to Hamilton.  The exact same report came out of Ulster New York on 9/15/2015.  Per the Daily Freeman Police Report  "Police with the assistance of the dog’s owners, determined that the two dogs were able to escape their kennel, and that no individual attacked or had stolen the dogs. As the dogs ran free ‘Blue’ was struck and killed by a nearby train. The other pit bull was struck and injured in the hind quarter, but was able to return to its residence. When the homeowners discovered one dog missing and the other dog injured, they were fearful that someone caused harm to their animals because on other occasions when the dogs ran off there were no issues... Former Ulster County Sheriff Ken Post and his wife, Denise, of Pine Plains, had put up a $500 reward for the arrest of a suspect when they heard reports the animal had been stolen on Sunday. Police said the injuries were “not natural” and began an investigation, asking the public’s help locating suspects.

Adonis’ treatment expenses were paid by the Animal Emergency Fund, which Post administers on behalf of his late mother, Marie, who started the fund in 1999."

The lesson to be learned here is that pit bull owners are responsible for the deaths of their own pit bulls when they do not keep the things confined. Don't want Chaos shot by police, run over by a train, or stabbed by the owner of some peaceful pet dying in Chaos's jaws?  Keep your mauler at home and under control. A pit bull's worst nightmare is frequently their owner.

Don't think I can stand much more of this today but we will be back soon.  I'm going to end this post with a photograph that illustrates the reason for this blog.



This is Levi Watson. He was killed by a pit bull in 2013.  Levi was four years old at the time of his death.  Another bittersweet photo that touches my soul.