Pit Bull Attacks Gas Technician

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Posted: 2:18 PM Mar 13, 2008
Last Updated: 2:18 PM Mar 13, 2008
Reporter: Rae Chelle Davis
Email Address: RaeChelle.Davis@wibw.com

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Topeka Police responded to two vicious dog calls Wednesday morning.
The first one happened at 9:20 at 230 SW 35th Terr. A gas technician was attempting to deliver paperwork to the homeowner when he was attacked by pit bulls. The dogs latched onto the man's arm. He was able to fend them off until police arrived. The man was taken to the hospital with non life threatening injuries.

"If this pit bull would have attacked a small child walking to school the child wouldn't have had a chance. The only reason why this gentleman made it through was he was wearing heavy clothing and he was able to fend off the dog until we arrived," said Cpl. Louis Cortez of the Topeka Police Department.

"Anytime anyone gets bit by any dog it's going to hurt. But some are worse than others. If they can just get away from it. Get something between them and the dog," said Officer Linda Halford with Animal Control.

The city of Topeka requires that all pit bull owners have a permit. To read more about the pit bull ordinance see below.

DIVISION 4. PIT BULL DOGS*

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*State law references: Permitting dangerous animal to be at large, K.S.A. 21-3418.

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Subdivision I. General Provisions

Sec. 18-141. Definitions.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this division, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Pit bull dog means and includes:
(1) The Staffordshire bull terrier breed of dogs;
(2) The American Staffordshire terrier breed of dogs;
(3) The American pit bull terrier breed of dogs;
(4) Dogs which have the appearance and characteristics of being predominantly of the breeds of dogs known as Staffordshire bull terrier, American pit bull terrier or American Staffordshire terrier.
The registration of a dog with a kennel or dog association at any time as a pit bull or any of the dogs listed under this definition shall constitute prima facie evidence the animal is regulated by this division.
(Ord. No. 16397, § 1(8-87), 12-3-91)
Cross references: Definitions generally, § 1-2.

Sec. 18-142. Exemptions.
The provisions of this division shall not apply to the transportation of pit bull dogs through this city when such transporter has taken adequate safeguards to protect the public and has notified the local law enforcement agency of the proposed route of transportation and the time thereof.
(Code 1981, § 8-90)

Sec. 18-143. Failure to comply with division; penalty.
It shall be unlawful for the owner, keeper or harborer of a pit bull dog to fail to comply with the requirements and conditions set forth in this division. Any dog found to be the subject of a violation of this division shall be subject to immediate seizure and impoundment. In addition, failure to comply will result in the revocation of the license of such animal and the permit providing for the keeping of such animal, resulting in the immediate removal of the animal from the city.
(Code 1981, § 8-89(8))

Sec. 18-144. Prohibition.
Except as provided in this division, no person shall own, keep or harbor any pit bull dog in the city.
(Code 1981, § 8-88)

Sec. 18-145. Penalty for violation of division.
Any person violating or permitting the violation of any provision of this division shall, upon conviction in the municipal court, be fined a sum not less than $200.00 and not more than $499.00. In addition to the fine imposed, the court may sentence the defendant to imprisonment in the county jail for a period not to exceed 179 days. In addition, the court shall order the registration and permit for the subject pit bull revoked and the dog removed from the city. Should the defendant refuse to remove the dogfrom the city, the municipal court judge shall find the defendant owner in contempt and order the immediate confiscation and impoundment of the animal. Each day that a violation of this division continues shall be deemed a separate offense. In addition to the foregoing penalties, any person who violates this division shall pay all expenses, including shelter, food, handling, veterinary care and testimony necessitated by the enforcement of this division.
(Code 1981, § 8-97)

Sec. 18-146. Costs to be paid by responsible persons.
Any reasonable costs incurred by the animal control officer in seizing, impounding, confining or disposing of any pit bull dog, pursuant to the provisions of section 18-147, 18-148, 18-171 or 18-175, shall be charged against the owner, keeper or harborer of such animal and shall be collected by the city treasurer.
(Code 1981, § 8-98)

Sec. 18-147. Notice of keeping dangerous animals.
Upon the written complaint of any person that a person owns or is keeping or harboring a pit bull dog in violation of this division in the city, the animal control officer, hereinafter ACO, or his authorized designee shall cause the matter to be investigated; and if, after investigation, the facts indicate that such person named in the complaint is in fact the owner or is keeping or harboring any such pit bull dog in the city, the ACO shall forthwith send written notice to such person requiring such person to safely remove the dog from the city within five days of the date of the notice. Notice as provided in this section shall not be required where such pit bull dog has previously caused serious physical harm or death to any person or has escaped and is at large, in which case the ACO shall cause the dog to be immediately seized and impounded, according to the provisions of section 18-148, or killed if seizure and impoundment are not possible without risk of serious physical harm or death to any person.
(Code 1981, § 8-91)

Sec. 18-148. Seizure and impounding.
(a) The ACO or his authorized designee shall forthwith cause to be seized and impounded any pit bull dog where the person owning, keeping or harboring such animal has failed to comply with the notice sent pursuant to section 18-147. Upon its seizure and impoundment, the animal shall be delivered to a place of confinement, which may be with any organization which is authorized by law to accept, own, keep or harbor pit bull dogs.
(b) If, during the course of seizing and impounding a pit bull dog, the animal poses a risk of serious physical harm or death to any person, such person when authorized by the ACO may render the dog immobile by means of tranquilizers or other safe drugs; or, if that is not safely possible, then the animal may be killed.
(Code 1981, § 8-92)

Sec. 18-149. Appeals--Fees; notice.
(a) Any person aggrieved by or dissatisfied with any of the following decisions, rulings, actions or findings may, within ten days thereafter, file a written notice or statement of appeal from such decision, ruling, action or finding to the municipal court for an administrative hearing thereon:
(1) The determination that an animal is a pit bull dog under sections 18-141 and 18-144.
(2) The denial of a permit under section 18-172.
(3) The denial of a renewal of a previously issued permit under section 18-178.
(4) The revocation of a previously issued permit under section 18-179.
(5) The temporary suspension of any permit or portion thereof under section 18-179.
(b) An administrative fee of $10.00 shall be paid to the municipal court clerk and is required for each appeal to the municipal court under this section, and no appeal shall be set for hearing until such fee has been paid.
(c) The filing of an appeal under this section shall not stay any action taken pursuant to this division.
(Code 1981, § 8-93)

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Elyse Location: Manhattan on Aug 27, 2008 at 10:07 PM
I used to wonder, why would anyone want one of those dangerous, unpredictable Pit Bulls? Then my best friend adopted a Staffordshire Terrier from a shelter. Wow...this dog is so cute and sweet natured. He's afraid of cats and strangers and loves to play. He is the sunniest tempered animal I've ever met. He's also very intelligent and easy to train. When I think of 'mean' Pit Bulls, I think of how cruel someone would have to be, to make one mean. It boggles the mind. I used to teach dog obedience training classes. The most likely biters that came to my classes were Cocker Spaniels.

Posted by: bobby Location: manhattan on Aug 25, 2008 at 08:06 AM
My daughter has two of the most loving pits that Ive seen, The only thing they would do is beat you with there tails or maybe lick you to death .These near sighted and one track minded so&so,s have been taking what the media has reported and exploited to make every large breed dog dangerous. But really the most problem are the owners of these dogs large or small breeds.Not trained right or not trained at all. enough said

Posted by: noone on Aug 22, 2008 at 08:38 PM
now what's funny is my husband trained his dog to be a guard dog whereas the pit was just a pet who was loved and treated fairly and kindly. My husband's dog bit me, but the pit never bit anyone or any animal.......So my point to this is it is not nature it is nurture.

Posted by: noone on Aug 22, 2008 at 08:35 PM
I'm sorry, but to all of you saying it is their nature I say BS! When I met my husband he and his roommate each had a dog. My husband had a sheltie mix snd his roomate had an American Pit Bull Terrier. His roomamtes dog got outside one day and was running around. We got him back inside about 3 minutes after he got out. About 10 minutes later a police officer was knocking on the door. My husband answered the door while holding on to his dog (the sheltie) because she was barking, growling and trying to get at the cop, while the pit was just sitting there panting with his tongue lolling out the side of his mouth. The cop pointed to the pitbull and and told my husband the dog needed to be locked up and if he got out again that the dog would be removed. Now what is ironic is the pit was the sweetest dog ever, didnt go after cats, other dogs, squirrels or anything, but the Sheltie was the first one to go after small animals.

Posted by: OWNER OF THE BREED Location: TOPEKA on Aug 14, 2008 at 05:42 PM
SORRY FOR THE SERVICEMAN.. PROBABLY IS ONE I KNOW SINCE I WORK FOR THE GAS COMPANY. MY PITT IS A CHILD LOVER.. I WOULD TRUST MY DOG AROUND ANY CHILD. HOWEVER IF YOUR A ADULT STRANGER AND NEAR HIS PROVISIONAL TERRITORY THEN MY DOG IS TO DO WHAT HE SHOULD DO.. FIRST ALERT ME AND ALL THAT IS AROUND.. AND IF NEED BE IF THEY COME INTO THE YARD WITHOUT MY PRESENCE OR MY CHILDRENS PRESENCE..YOUR TAKING YOUR CHANCES. IM THANKFUL FOR MY DOG THAT BIT THE PERSON THAT TRIED TO CREEP IN MY YARD AROUND 3AM AND MADE HIM COME OUT OF HIS BLACK REEBOK SIZE 11 SHOE AND HIS DARK GLASSES HE LEFT AT MY FENCE... GO POPPI! HE WAS PROTECTING HIS FAMILY! THATS MY DAWG!

Posted by: travis Location: topeka on Aug 14, 2008 at 01:50 PM
if we use lucinda's logic any breed of large dog will have to be done away with. we cant even tame humans to be safe at all time so how does she expect every dog to be safe at all times, this really isnt a pitbull issue as much as an owner issue.

Posted by: Lucinda Location: Topeka on Jul 25, 2008 at 08:30 PM
It's sad when people are so stupid they can't see that they have basically a wild animal that cannot be tamed to the point that it can be assumed to be safe at all times. These dogs have the strength and ability to kill more certainly than other dogs. They are dangerous. Just like putting a teenaged boy behind the wheel of a sports car. They can't be trusted. People need to wake up. Pit bulls need to go. We may not be able to stop teenagers from killing innocent people and themselves on the highways but it would be easy to get rid of the dangerous dogs if anybody had any backbone to get the job done.

Posted by: patrick Location: omaha on Jul 24, 2008 at 01:07 PM
Hey Pit bulls ROCK BABI!!!! What the heck did you say? SPEAK ENGLISH!!!

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 6, 2008 at 01:37 PM
PUT that evil dog down. Fine the dogs owners.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jun 28, 2008 at 10:32 AM
The owners are stupid. It's usually the people with no brains that raise these dogs. Put the owners down and let the dogs bite them and see how they like it. God help the people if any of the small children in my family are ever hurt by a pit bull.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Topeka on Jun 15, 2008 at 03:05 PM
Let me just say some Pitt Bulls are nothing but a big baby. My sister has a pitt and it runs from my Lab. He will run to you and lay down and wants his belly rubbed. It is the owner of the Pitt a Pitt needs room to run and play.

Posted by: Amber Location: Manhatten KS on May 13, 2008 at 11:16 AM
I would like to defend all the pitt bulls and owners who have done nothing wrong. People assume that because one pitt bull attacks that all dogs of that breed will do the same. You must look at the circumstances of the incident and the way the animal was treated. Like any other living thing : if you are not taught the proper way of interacting with society- you can not expect them to know better. I love my pitt and so do my husband and children. Punish the PEOPLE responsible, not the animal.

Posted by: Chad Location: Gainesville GA on Apr 12, 2008 at 11:34 AM
I would like to know the last time a Staffordshire Bull Terrier actually mamed, but, or killed someone. This is the only breed with the description "nanny dog" in it's standard. Talk about ignorance on a large scale!

Posted by: TrainedMonkey Location: Topeka on Mar 26, 2008 at 03:22 PM
To: Do the Research- You make a very valid point and it should be added...If there continues to be obvious choices made to not follow the ordinances of the City of Topeka, which was put in place as a compromise for responsible owners, there WILL be a ban.

Posted by: TrainedMonkey Location: Topeka on Mar 26, 2008 at 03:10 PM
It is unfortunate that some of the bully breeds have become as mass produced as pez candy. It can produce unstable dogs regardless of breed. Couple this with the irresponsible people that tend to own them, for ALL the wrong reasons, and you have a public threat. It is true any dog can bite and many do. The problem in general with certain breeds is they don't just bite, they truly attack and do not stop until the prey is down and in many cases dead. The Staffordshire and American Pit Bull (yes there IS such a breed) Terriers are two that tend to be very strong, agile, and determined. If loose these can be infinitely more dangerous if they have not been breed, raised, and trained properly than say..... a Beagle. So, it is not entirely fair to say the public is off base to see a pit running down the street and have a little more concern. I also wanted to let "DogLover" know that the local animal control will come to your home if requested and you can sign a ticket against the owner of the Labrador. If you want the problem fixed that is all you need to do.

Posted by: Chad Location: Gainesville GA on Mar 21, 2008 at 04:53 PM
"Teaching" a pit bull breed to not have vicious tendencies is like trying to keep a retriever from running after a ball and bringing it back"......Dog and small animal aggression was bred into virtually every Terrier in existence. They are no more vicious than a Jack Russell Terrier or an Airedale Terrier. Please go read the definition of what a Terrier should be.

Posted by: Kristy Location: Kansas City, MO on Mar 18, 2008 at 08:00 AM
Stop the owners from being mean to the dogs, training them to be vicious, starving them, fighting them, etc and we won't have a dog biting problem. When are people going to realize (News anchors and writers!!!) that we need to be focusing on the owners-a pit bull puppy wouldn't just attack someone...because owners teach them to fight. They don't even know they did anything wrong-because their owners taught them to think it is normal. www.theanimaladvocate.org

Posted by: Do the Research Location: Topeka on Mar 17, 2008 at 05:17 PM
Research before posting. "Teaching" a pit bull breed to not have vicious tendencies is like trying to keep a retriever from running after a ball and bringing it back. That behavior was bred into them over hundreds of years. Yes, a lot has to do with the upbringing but it takes only a split second for the dog to revert back to it's inherent nature. Sure, you can teach a retriever to NOT go after a ball but as soon as you aren't paying attention, they will go get it. They can't help it. It's their nature. If owners would follow the pit bull terrier ordinances of the city, there would not be any reports of attacks from pits. Those ordinances are in place for a reason, to protect the citizens. It is the citizens who are keeping them illegally in the city who are causing such an uproar. Those of you who stand up for pit bull breeds should encourage those people to abide by the law. Unfortunately, because of the history of pit bulls and the attention grabbing media, they are singled out.

Posted by: Chad Location: Gainesville GA on Mar 15, 2008 at 06:52 PM
Look out people....better get rid of your Jack Russell Terriers now!! http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080118/NEWS01/301180023/1008

Posted by: Chad Location: Gainesville GA on Mar 15, 2008 at 06:46 PM
"But they snap for no reason sometimes" Yeah, and their brains swell up and they go crazy! LOL, Jeez, talk about stupid.

Posted by: Lindsay Location: Los Angeles on Mar 14, 2008 at 05:55 PM
By the way, no one loves dogs more than I.

Posted by: Lindsay Location: Los Angeles on Mar 14, 2008 at 05:54 PM
I see many people don't get it and still blame owners for creating "mean" dogs. This is hardly ever the case. Almost all serious bites from pit bulls are from dogs that have always been friendly. The first thing out of most owner's mouths is: "He's never done anything like that befor. He's a family pet that plays with the children., etc) After years of being a sweet dog, someting, all of a sudden, sets them off and they tear into someone or another dog. It's just in their genes. I can send you hundreds of stories attesting to this. I've done the research. Face the fact or take a chance on your fiendly dog ripping into your, or your grandchild's face, sometime. It happened to a good friend of mine. She had the sweetest 5 yr old pit ever, raised from a puppy, and now has a scar down her whole face They were playing on the floor with a toy.

Posted by: Love MY Kids (MY PITBULLS) Location: San Jose, CA on Mar 13, 2008 at 09:56 PM
First of all, an officer making a comment "if it attacked small child walking to school" Well it did not. Second of all, it did not attack a technician on the street but on the property. If your dog gets into my dogs face, especially those one-pound dogs who do not know how to mind their own business do not blame it on my pit bull for defending itself.

Posted by: No one knows Location: Topeka on Mar 13, 2008 at 09:54 PM
Pit Bulls also have a bad rep for a reason. I have seen what happens, Pit bulls can be friendly. However, they have a problem with flipping out on people for no reason. Take for example the Parents of two children and the owners of a "FRIENDLY" Pit bull. The children where playing together in the liveing room when the "FRIENDLY" Pitbull attacked the 9 year old child and ripped his neck open while the parents stood by and watched their sone die because of it. This is what I deal in my job. Do I think pit bulls can be "FRIENDLY" yes. But they snap for no reason sometimes and when most dogs "attack" they bite and let go, Pit bulls will tear you apart if they get the opportunity. I wouldnt want to take that chance with my children. Would YOU???????

Posted by: Pit Bulls ROCK BABI!!! Location: Topeka on Mar 13, 2008 at 09:17 PM
I love pit bulls so if they attack im sorry but u can't hurt dem cuz them idk i will come after ya JP JP but this is CRAZI wut tha pit bulls r doin these dayz!!! CRAZII CRAZII CRAZII!!!

Posted by: I would on Mar 13, 2008 at 08:15 PM
In reply to dog owners question...yes I would have a pitbull around my house with my small children. Why? Because I for one am not an irresponsible owner who would train it to be mean. I would never mistreat the dog so that it would become mean. Do some research on the breed and you will see that there is alot more to a pitbull than its so commonly feared "meanness". They are very loyal to their owners and alot of them well behaved, well mannered dogs. I dont mean that in a rude way so please dont take it that way.

Posted by: dog owner Location: kansas on Mar 13, 2008 at 05:36 PM
I am scared to death of pitt bulls. They are trained to be mean by bullies and drug runners to protect themselves . would you have one running around your house with small children ?

Posted by: Marisa Location: Topeka, KS on Mar 13, 2008 at 05:06 PM
Pit bulls are not the enemy it's the owners who train them to be mean. I have alot of friends who own pit bulls and they are the most easy going dogs I have ever seen. You can not blame the dog but the owner on the way they trained them. It's just like the Michael Vick case he trained those dogs to fight, if they were cared for by someone else that would love them then he would not be in trouble. So do not blame the breed, blame the owners!! It's always the owners fault on how they treat and train their dog. Leave the breed alone and get over it.

Posted by: no name Location: Topeka on Mar 13, 2008 at 02:23 PM
We have an American Bulldog and he is rather large and is often mistaken for a Pit Bull. Because of this people automatically feel threatened or scared when they see him. I do know several people who have Pit Bulls and they are raised as family pets and have the best temperament of most other breeds of dogs. No dog is born mean, they are trained or mistreated and become mean and that can happen to any breed. We also have a Lab, a Bassett mix and a mutt and they are the sweetest dogs in the neighborhood. None of the meter readers that come to my house have ever been afraid of any of my dogs.

Posted by: Fairness on Mar 13, 2008 at 01:51 PM
It is always sad when a dog is attacked by another dog.Unfortunatly I see so many dogs runing loose, or are being walked by people who can't control thier dogs.If someone is walking a dog on one of those 30 feet retractable leashes they are asking for trouble.Dogs are territorial.If you are walking a dog and it goes into someone elses yard, you can't blame the dog.ANY animal will be territorial.Also, I see little people walking big dogs.Again this is a potential problem.If that dog sees a cat/squirrel/other dog, there is no way to stop them.Unfortunatly, the only dogs that are getting in trouble for this are Pit Bulls.I witnessed 2 dogs get into a "fight" while their owners were walking them.However, since they were a lab and German Shepard,it was "no big deal".No animal was "arrested" or put to sleep.I really don't see any difference.I love all animals and again, it is sad when one is hurt or killed, but lets look at the real issue.THEY ARE ANIMALS.Lets not be unfair to just 1 breed.

Posted by: Rhyno on Mar 13, 2008 at 01:14 PM
One thing everyone should realize is that when other dogs do attack people, the headline is "Dog Attacks!", but when it's a pit bull, then it is changed to "Pit Bull Attacks!" They are being singled out in the media. I am a proud owner of a Pit Bull, and he is a very tame and loving dog, I have children and they all love to play with him everyday. He has never hurt anyone or anything, he is a part of our family and everyone else who knows him is suprised at how well he behaves and no one is afraid of him after they get to know him. I admit at first I was a little worried because of what I had heard about Pit Bulls, but now I see IT IS in how they are raised, NOT because it in their blood to be agressive! I know someone that owns a dalmation (not a very big one) that tries to bite everyone except it's owner, but i'm sure if it actually somehow caused someone to go to the hospital, it would NOT end up in the media like this story!

Posted by: Frustrated Location: Topeka on Mar 13, 2008 at 12:31 PM
I understand "no one knows" where you are coming from completely. I too work around these dogs everyday. I just think it sucks that every story you hear on tv about pitbulls is a bad one and lets people like "no name" think mean things about them all because that is all they see. They dont hear any of the good things they have done. And in reply to "dog lover"'s comment. I understand that it may be unfair to put to sleep pitbulls without putting them up for adoption first, but think about it. Would it be fair to adopt one out to someone that may be getting it for the wrong reasons? They can lie on thier adoption applications and no one would ever know. They cant just adopt them out to anyone and everyone, and unfortunatly nobody knows whos adopting them for the right or wrong reasons.

Posted by: Chad Location: Gainesville GA on Mar 13, 2008 at 11:26 AM
Millions of American Pit Bull Terrier (there is no such purebred dog named "pit bull") owners in this country that don't have one problem with their dogs. The media cherry picks the rogue minority and sensationalizes every story. Media bias and ignorant people that buy into it.....a perfect marriage.

Posted by: dog lover on Mar 13, 2008 at 11:11 AM
I don't see how people can discriminate against a certain breed. i think its just stupid. There is a lab that lives right next door to us and that thing has tried to attack me, my friend, and cornered a child in a garage. Its the owners that determines whether a dog turns out mean! We have called about that lab and of course they "couldn't" do anything unless we caught the dog on our property. Now tell me who is going to try to capture a dog that is trying to get you but i'm sure if it was a pit bull they'd be out here. That is just stupid! No specific dog is meaner than another its the owners that make them that way!

Posted by: B on Mar 13, 2008 at 10:51 AM
I think it is unfortunate that people "sterotype" a type of dog. Any dog can bite, any dog can be protective of thier home. If we were to sterotype people this way we would be saying that due to the % of crime commited by a certain race then they should be under lock and key and/or shouldn't be allowed to be "in the city". I have been attacked by a Saint Bernard,(family dog right) and a Dobermin Pincher. Ignorance is a the problem with people. Lack of knowledge is no excuse to blame a breed of dog, who no matter what task they are doing (good/bad/indifferent) they will give 110%. It is not thier fault the way the are trained. If you look in the history books, the "PIT BULL" was the American symbol during WWI, Helen Keller's seeing eye dog was a Pit Bull, and Pit Bull's were know as "Nanny dogs". Before you blame the DOG, know the facts.

Posted by: BW on Mar 13, 2008 at 09:18 AM
This is a very sad story for everyone involved, including the dogs. I don't have experience with 'pit bulls' but I understand that how they are raised has a lot to do with temperment, it's true with any breed. The part that gets overlooked it that this type of dog, even if it has been raised properly, has the capacity to be vicious and cause more damage than another breed. This is true for larger dog breeds who have larger jaws and more muscular characteristics. Is it fair to the dogs to be raised caged up? If a person wants a larger breed dog, they need to have the room for the dog to have a happy life.

Posted by: No one knows Location: Topeka on Mar 13, 2008 at 08:37 AM
My comment is in reply to frustrated's comment. How often do Labs Attack people? Not very often. The reason they put pitbulls on tv is because it is an on going problem within this city as it is in many other citys. There are friendly pitbulls, I work with tons of them everyday. Like you said the dogs are good if treated well and raised properly, however most pitbull owners have pitbulls because they can be trained for dog fighting or because they can be trained to be mean. So I guess the problem is we dont have enough responsible pitbull owners. Storys about wether they are mean or nice doesnt change anything. They just want to get across the problems with the dogs within the city not anything about reputations. Pitbull reputations is not the problem. The problem is the owners of the pitbulls.

Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 13, 2008 at 07:47 AM
Oh yeah, pit bulls are just big babys. It's their owners who make them mean. And if you believe that, I have some ocean front property right here in Kansas you can buy cheap. They have been trained for years to fight and it's in their blood. If those of you want these dogs to survive, you had better find a way get rid of the meaness that has been bred into them. Otherwise they are and will remain a dangerous dog that will attack at anytime.

Posted by: angel Location: topeka on Mar 13, 2008 at 06:46 AM
Pit Bull's are not the problem they are dogs just like a Lab or daschund. People who own them often do not know how to raise them nor do they purchase them with the intentions of making them a family pet. Members of my family have owned pit bulls off and on for many years and we have never had an incident. This was because the dog and the owner were properly trained. Also people before you lay judgment on one type of dog you need to read up and understand that most of the animals that the news calls Pit Bulls are not(these were)they simply look as though they could be. I am so sorry that Barbara's dog was killed but I hope that she educates herself on these animals and finds out that they are not all alike. If you want to see a prime example of why I say it is not just the dog but the owner please watch the series that is about to air about the rehabilitation of the fighting dogs owned by Michael Vick. ABC news aired a small video on them and it is heartbreaking.

Posted by: DOG LOVER Location: Topeka on Mar 13, 2008 at 12:29 AM
Once again it's blamed on the breed.It isn't the dogs fault that people train them the way they do.Unless something is done to protect this breed it with become extinct.I'am a dog lover of any breed.It hurts to see any dog put down because of ignorant owners.Any dog can cause damage and hurt someone.To say all pits should be killed is heartless.Pits get a bad rap due to bad publicity..what about the ones that are trained to rescue people. Give them a chance..another thing thats unfair they are put to sleep before anyone can adopt them when there taken to the shelter...just because its a pitbull breed...To destroy them all because of there breed is cruel and unfair.If something isn't done to protect them pitbulls will be a dog of the past..until the next breed comes along to take there place.Will we kill that breed as well....

Posted by: Barbara Location: Topeka on Mar 12, 2008 at 10:25 PM
I am against pit bulls. Our family pet was killed by a pit bull a few years ago, The pit bull was living with highly trained dog owners. We have one living just two doors from us and it is often loose, the neighbors are scared to death when we see it out, but unfortunately the dog catcher has yet to capture it.

Posted by: Gunnar Location: Manhattan on Mar 12, 2008 at 10:10 PM
Pit Bulls definitely get stereo typed as a mean or vicious dog. These dogs behave the way their owners train them to behave. Any dog breed would behave badly if their owners wanted them to.

Posted by: no name Location: topeka on Mar 12, 2008 at 09:34 PM
I think all pit bulls need to be put to sleep

Posted by: John on Mar 12, 2008 at 06:38 PM
If the owners were at fault they should be prosecuted fully. I am sick and tired seeing dogs run loose in this city. I would not hesitate hurting an animal if I had to. You never know what they will do and always keep your guard up.

Posted by: frustrated Location: topeka on Mar 12, 2008 at 05:27 PM
Once again a story about a pitbull attack. Had this been a lab that attacked him this story most likely would not have ever been shown. Do I feel sorry for the guy? Yes, he was just trying to do his job, he didnt ask to get attacked. My question is will we ever get to see a good story about a pitbull instead of just all the bad stories? They are very good dogs if treated and raised properly. Unfortunatly, many are not. Pitbulls have a bad reputation, and airing nothing but bad stories about them is not going to help it. I hope the poor gas man heals up quickly.