I understand, Bonnie. When I spoke with him, he said he feels bad about the situation. But it would be nice for the family to reach out to you, directly. But I was quoting what took place in our conversation.

My sympathies go out to you and your family. It is always difficult to lose a furry friend.

Bonnie can you please GOOGLE Walk for Victims of Pitbulls. We can direct you to our online support group that is full of people who have lost pets to pitbulls. .. we have heard all the excuses and understand your anguish. I don't think the links are allowed to be posted here.

Hi, Dionne.

From my understanding of the situation, the family did not hear it happening. The vet told the owners that the dog's broken neck most likely kept it from making much noise during the attack.

Lauren

Lauren

Why have a dangerous dog breed to begin with, that can do so much damage? Dogs get into barking matches all the time, more often than not the dogs don't KILL ONE ANOTHER. Yes, it can happen with other breeds. Yes, other breeds bite. But NONE CONSISTENTLY DO THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE AND KILLINGS that Pit Bulls do. Why do you want everyone to walk on eggshells around your dog? Why have a vicous dog like that to begin with? Did you not see the part about the dog trying to get through the fence? Why do innocent people that just want to enjoy their lives have to worry about pit bulls or other "bully" breeds, taking extra caution because the dog is more dangerous? Why keep dangerous dogs to begin with? Why do you feel it is ok top put society, namely children elderly and other people's pets at risk because you want to show everyone that with the "proper training" your pit bull is just a harmless wiggle butt so long as you take extreme precautions around it? LOL! I don't hate pit bulls at all, by the way. But I have witnessed too many well loved, well socialized pit bulls snap. These dogs get jealous. They attack quietly and very quickly. One minute they will seem very happy and loving, the next minute they have your pet or child's head in it's mouth, shaking and doing more damage than any dog breed. Why do pit bull owners want other people to conform to their dogs dangerous behavior? Why have a dog breed like this that so consistently kills and maims to begin with?

"great family" dog as in what society labels them. A bite is a bite and a dog is a dog. I have to disagree with the "there are a lot more of them" because these "great family" dogs are everywhere. Pit Bulls are the rare breeds. Look around your neighborhood and see how many of these breeds are around. Pit Bulls and bully breeds get euthanized more than any other breed because of the label that society has slapped across their foreheads.

Dionne, that was my point. There are many more "family" type dogs than pit bulls, which account for more bites from them. But those bites aren't likely to be deadly or as vicious. Truly, there is no good reason to have a pit bull, especially if you have a family or are around others.

Well said. http://walkforvictimsofpitbulls.blogspot.com/

Hi, Lora.

I also have a pit bull (mix) and he has never attacked—or even bitten—a person or another dog. I have lived with three pits (including my own). I have yet to see one snap, but I completely agree with you that the breed is unpredictable. But is it any more unpredictable than any other dog? As a 4-year-old little girl, an English Sheepdog attacked me and bit me on my face; it was a sweet dog, but it was still a dog and it was still an unforeseen attack. I know her owners thought it an unlikely, one-time occurrence that would probably never happen again—but she still had to be euthanized.

Lauren

Lauren, If that was a pit bull that attacked you when you were 4 years old, it's possible you wouldn't be here to share that story.

When I was little I was bit in the face by a small terrier mixed dog. The owner used to ride his bike every day past my house with the dog following behind. One day we were walking past the owners house, the dog was out front, loose. I never left the sidewalk, I reached down to pet him and he jumped up, biting my face (closer to my ear). I had to have stitches. Who would think a little 10-15 lbs terrier-mix dog would do that? I think anyone who has a pet takes the risk that they could, at any time, become unpredictable under certain circumstances.

Regardless though, it is a tragedy and my condolences go out to the Bell family. It is hard enough to lose a 'fur-baby', but under such terrible circumstances is much worse.

Stones,

You're right. I might not be. But I was also taught, as a child, never to approach a dog I don't know—and even those I do, to use extreme caution. Animals are animals. They are unpredictable. In my opinion, caution should be taken around any dogs—including other people being cautious around mine.

Lauren

Please read this....it's from another site:

http://www.fuzzyrescue.org/FAQ-Pit_Bulls.html

I agree wholeheartedly. Victims of pitbulls are much more severely injured.. both humans and pets and denying this fact is heartless and stupid. Surgeons and plastic surgeons, unlike veternarians will not lose business by speaking out against the breed, and they do speak out warning the public that they cannot fix surviving victims as too much flesh is taken which is why so many pitbull attack victims lose ears, eyes, limbs. Google Walk for Victims of Pitbulls and find them on Facebook too.. spread the word to help this grassroots organization find and help victims..

You are Absolutely Right !!!

sm1002, I would be just as worked up if a poodle killed my dog!! How dare you! We have secured our fence and the police can verify that. I have lived in my house for 15 years and my dog has never dug a hole or attempted to get under the fence. They've had this beast for less than a year and look what happens. There is no doubt this dog killed my dog pitbull or not! Would you want to be living next door to a dog that killed your dog so viciously when you have small children and another dog? If my dog did this, I would be all means put my dog down as I would not trust it to be around animals or humans!! The owners need to take responsibility for what happened and there needs to be an ordinance in the City of Oak Forest that says at the very minimum it should be public knowledge that this dog killed another dog. Would you want this dog in the new dog park with your dog? Oak Forest Officials have handled this situation poorly and this dog will be allowed to attack another animal again (and it will) and nothing will be done about it. The Chief of Police said himself "It's like 3 strikes and your out" kind of deal! As far as spraying the dog with water, my husband sprayed the fence where my dog was and the neighbors dog trying to get it away. Would you walk up to a vicious dog trying to get through your fence! Seriously!!!

Our organization is trying to locate victims of pitbull attacks. We offer online and in person support for victims of pitbull attacks. Share our link and come to the NATIONAL event for victims, too. There will two live bands, on site security, food and fun, and NO DOGS ALLOWED at the event to help us help victims.
http://walkforvictimsofpitbulls.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Walkforvictimsofpbodd?ref=ts

pretty crappy thing to say.

Anna,

To clarify, it is unclear whether Powder dug under the fence, or was dragged. Just as the Bell family cannot be sure he was dragged, the Bustos family cannot be sure he dug under the fence. The only way to have known what happened, would have been if someone witnessed it.

Please keep that in mind.

Thank you,
Lauren

Anna Dotts. You are a horrible human being and the vicious one!! How do you judge someone that you don't even know, how do you know that this dog is being raised in a loving home. My dog has lived in my house for 15 years and has never attempted to dig a hole. This dog has been trying to get through my fence for months. I don't care if it was a pitbull or a poodle, this dog viciously killed my pet!!!

So I have never been killed by a drunk driver yet I can read and do not deny that they exist. Your logic is faulty and we all know 14 year old dogs lay around a lot they don't start digging under the fence. You are the vicious hater of anyone that doesn't want their dog or body shredded by one of your idols.. in the cult of pitbulls.

Again, pit bull enthusiasts blaming the victim! It is MUCH LESS LIKELY for a GOlden Retriever to have attacked and brutally KILLED her American Eskimo dog if it dug under the fence. Dogs have confrontations all the time, MOST OF THE THE TIME they do not kill unless one was a bully breed. Why do you support having such a dangerous dog to begin with?

Any responsible ower, would not have let their dog unsupervised, It is both parties fault, lets not forget that these are animals. Now i own two American pitbull terriers, both are by nature, dog aggressive just like many breeds of dog are. Both owners should never have left there pets unsupervised. Regardless of what the vet, either owner, or police say, nobody knows what happened because neither ownere was present. I am very disapointed in the "pitbull" owner thus adding to another statistic against a breed i love, foster, and rescue. I hope the owner of the American eskimo takes some responsiblity and realizes that maybe if they kept a better eye on thier dog, it would still be around. You cant seriosuly think that you are totally exempt from blame. People please be responsible for your pets.

Bill, the owner of the little white dog put it into a yard that they thought was safe. What else could they have done? Kept it in the house until it became anemic? Would you put out your dog and sit in a chair and watch it for hours? Pooches like being outside unless they're fat little lap dogs.

Why was your dog in the neibors yard? Thats right you dont know because you were not in control of your pet. The owner of the other dog is just as irresposible as you are here, but what do want as consequences? An eye for an eye here, do you think their dog should be put down? Dogs are an animal, stop forget that. Humans need to be responsible, seems you were not too responsible leaving your dog unsupervised.

You pitbull cultist want us to change everything about our relationships to dogs and make excuses for every pitbull attack on people or pets. Playing the BLAME game again is stupid. We all know what pitbulls were bred to do to other dogs and that is what this dog did. The Vet did not lie.

Why have pit bulls to begin with? Are you kidding me? If I leave my beagle in the yard alone, it is fine there is a non bully breed next door that doesn't try to dig through the fence and kill it! What if she had a child playing in the yard? What, the parent has to tip toe around the pit bull? She can't let her child play in the yard? SERIOUSLY? The only way my dog wouldn't be fine is if a pit bull lives next door, drags it head through the fence and kills it! I'm sorry but you RARELY hear about Golden Retrievers, beagles, labs, poodles, etc. doing such things. Pit Bulls have been bred to kill for centuries. Oh, some will say,"But I was bit by a daschund, oh there is a story about a golden retreiver killing a baby, etc." These incidences are FAR less common than incidences where pit bulls kill and maim.

Clay,

I saw a notification that you posted another comment, but it seems to have disappeared? Did you change your mind?

Lauren

Yes, it is a sad story that could have been prevented if people just didn't own pit bulls! Would you keep a tiger in your yard? Same thing. These dogs have been bred to kill for centuries. It is much rarer that other non bully breeds would go as far as to attack and kill someone else's dog through the fence. HOW DARE YOU blame her for letting her own dog run around in it's own yard! That is what dogs should be able to do! The only way they can't is if there is a pit bull or other overly aggressive dog next door. Why do you think it is fair for other people to have to tip toe around these killer dogs? Why do you care more about pit bulls than people and other animals? Why would you have a dog like this to begin with?

It is highly irresponsible for any pit bull owner to leave their dog outside unattended AT ALL EVER unless the pit is in an enclosure with a top and on a cement slab. There have been several other instances of pit bulls pulling another dog through a fence to kill it.

http://www.recover-from-grief.com/my-dachshund-violently-killed-by-neighbors-pitbull.html

http://chicagopressrelease.com/news/dog-owner-sues-kennel-after-pit-bull-kills-her-terrier

The same thing has happened many times. It happens because the victim dog isn't afraid of the pit bull and wants to investigate or play. Usually, the pit bull never acts aggressive. If they did, the little dog would not get fooled into getting close to the fence in the first place.

I as a resident would certainly want to know if a dog that is allowed in the dog park has attacked or killed another dog.

Again, as I commented earlier, I do not care if it was a pitbull or a poodle. A dog killed another dog! And I'd like make a comment to the person who said I shouldn't have left my dog unattended. The owner of the dog wasn't even home when this happened. Why not tell him he shouldn't have left his dog unattended!

Bonnie Fouts- Bell,
I know that it wasn't you that had to blame the breed. I don't know what I would have done in your situation, but I think that things would not have turned out very good for my neighbors or their dog.
I again offer my condolences for you loss, I know the pain of losing a friend of 15 years.
I can't imagine how hard it is for you to have to live next to the animal that killed yours. I'm sorry the town didn't help but did you really expect them to?
I would remove my fence and force them to install their own, just for starters.

Are you kidding me? A beagle will not drag another dog through a fence to kill it. A golden retriever won't. If such dog breeds did, the incident would be MUCH LESS likely than if a Pit Bull did it. Pit bulls have been bred to kill for centuries. I have seen very loved and well disciplined pit bulls completely snap. It is in their blood. Dobermans and Rotties are dangerous as well. But none so dangerous as the pit bull. Why do you care more about pit bulls than children and other people's pets? Because if you defend pit bulls you are essentially these dogs above the safety of other poeople.

Well said.

Bonnie, do not apologize for blaming the breed! A Golden Retriever or other non bully breed that was socialized would probably never have done what that pit bull did to your dog. DO blame the breed and the owners. Pit Bulls have been trained to maim and kill for centuries. I have known people that have trained and socialized their pit bulls as well as any pit owner, insisiting that it just wants to "lick you to death" only for it to CLIMB THE FENCE and go into my friend's yard and murder their cats and one dog. The put was fine with cats and dogs in it's own house, but went out of its way to actually jump the fence, dig a hole under mine and kill the animals. Yeah, even a german sheperd probably won't do that. Blame the breed!

No, that pit bulls was trying to get into HER yard for months. She has children. Are you insane? NOT any breed could do the damage that a pit bull can either. Why do you care more about pit bulls than people and other animals?

Britt, You're the disgrace for telling someone to rot in a hole and for not recognizing that, while all dogs can bite, not all dogs can kill. That's a very big difference. If you were attaked by a dog, would you prefer it to be a golden retreiver or a pit bull? If you can answer that honestly, maybe the logic will sink in.

And then you tell me that I should go find a hole and rot in it? So basically, you are telling me to go die! Wow, and you consider yourself a good person, let alone a pit owner? You are truly unkind to say that I should go rot alive! And then to say I am a disgrace because I am just presenting the facts? Hmmmn...Remember that this dog was trying to get into her yard for MONTHS! Do you even care at all that her sweet dog died, or are you only concerned with being able to continue on being "lion-tamer" to a violent, unpredictable breed of dog that can do immense damage? Sorry, but if a beagle was next door this probably would never have happened, and her dog definitely wouldn't have died! Why should people have to walk on egg shells around pit bulls? Why can't people just live their lives innocently without having to worry about a killer dog next door that wants to come through the fence to kill your children and pets?

Lora, I am more afraid of people like you then you are of my dog, to think that you are out there walking around with these thoughts in your head is a slap in the face to humanity. The dog you keep refering to as "pitbull" which i have left in qoutation marks because no such breed exists. There are many breeds ingnorant closed minded people like yourself call "pitbulls." As you state that they were breed only to fight other dogs, yeah that is true, but open a book or two and take your head out of your rear. Masstifs, English bull dogs, Germany Bulleneissers, Terriers, Boxers and other breads are decendents of fighting dogs as fighting was very comon in Irland, Britan, most of Europe, dating back way past Romans all the way to Ancheint Greese. All dogs have what is called prey drive, some more than others. Terriers were bred to dive into holes after pests and rodents, had it been a Jack Russel Terrier instead of an American Pit Bull Terrier, you wouldnt be as quick to jump on the band wagon because nobody cares about a Jack Russel biting another dog, only a "pitbull" makes the news. American Pit Bull Terriers, oh by the way that is their real name are amazing animals. The dog which was The United states mascot for both world wars, Rca electric company, Pete mascot from the Little Rascals was one, and the list goes on. They are used everyday as service dogs, theropy, law enforment, and milatary. In the early 1900s the breed was known as the Nanny Dog. Stop the ignorance!

Bill, that argument would hold water - the no one can identify a pit bull and there is no such thing as pit bulls if the largest pit bull promoters in the country, BAD RAP, and Animal Farm foundation didn't plaster their web pages with vintage photos of pit bulls to "prove" that pit bulls have always been popular in the US. the AFF, when testifying to the Maryland legislature said in the same breath: "no one can identify a pit bull" and "pit bulls are the second most popular dog in Maryland." That is just hogwash that is used for "spin" to confuse the truth. Further, there have been several judicial rulings stating that pit bulls can be identified. hogwash. Britt M. back atcha sweets. go rot in a hole because you disgust the hell out of me.

So if someone breaks into your house and you kill them you should be killed too? Even though you were just protecting what is yours?

To Ola, I feel terrible for what happened to the poor dog who died, and for the family, however it is all animal owners responsibility to be in control of their pets. That goes for the owner of the "pitbull" an the owner of the American Eskimo. Both should be ashamed of themselves for leaving their pets unatended for this to happen. You say what next a child? Come on, dont be another to jump on the band wagon to punish the dog. It doesnt matter what kind of breed the dog is, a dog is going to be a dog, decendent of the grey wolf. Everyone seems to forget that and points the finger at the dog, who is just doing what is in his nature to do. This wold have never happened if either owner was responsible and in control of his or her pet period.

Your welcome Bonnie - I hope you get some backing from the OF officials, but I doubt it.

and Violet T - explain again how a criminal who breaks into my house illegally with the intent to rob, harm or hurt my family is the same as a dog who either dug or was DRAGGED into another dogs yard and killed.

Bonnie, I've been on your side all along, but you have to see the villages side too. It may have been an isolated incident, maybe not. (once a pooch tastes blood or kills, it will do it again) The police have to look at both sides and weigh the matter. If it's a one off the dog may be ok. again, maybe not. Don't write off the town, even though we have had some crappy incidents lately it's still better than a lot of others. hopefully I'm gonna retire in a year or so and move out, but it's not because of Oak Forest,just Illinois in general.

You need to get a lawyer and film the dog trying to get through the fence. Take pictures of your dogs, take pictures of their dog, file another complaint. Just keep filing complaints and they will have to get rid of the dog. It could kill other animals and children. You need to do something about it, don't feel sorry for the owners or the dog. Other people's lives are at stake.

Nancy,

You can speak your mind on pit bulls. Just because I have one, doesn't mean I'm not open to the idea that people have their own opinions on them.

As long as you (and all commenters on this site, actually) abide by the Terms of Use, I take no issue with anything.

Lauren

good point. bad point. If a pooch attacked one of my kids I would definitly want to put it out of MY misery. use the gray matter though. dog bites kid. dad shoots dog. dad goes to the hooskow and makes new friends. this is Illinois, not the upper penninsula. (I have great friends there, and love their way of life) sorry, you can't shoot the dog even though it would be the right thing to do.

Nancy, please don't say things like that. How would you like it if someone shot your dog? Yes it is a tragety that a dog died here, but dont point the finger at the dog. This would have never happened if the dogs were not left unsupervised in the first place. It does not matter what kind of dog it is, all dogs have prey drive, and all dogs are teritorial. As far as "pits" are concerned American Pit Bull Terriers are wonderful dogs, used for theropy dogs, law enforment, milatary, and service dogs every day, because of there loveable and affectionate nature towards humans, including children. Please step off the band wagon of pointing the finger at the American Pit Bull Terrier, a dog once called the "Nanny Dog" in early 1900s for its ability to interact with children. Nobody was there that day to say what really happened in those yards, that is the problem, the irresponsible ownership, not the dogs.

Anna Dotts: It's hateful comments blaming a person for the demise of their own pet when even you don't know what happened. This is why pit bulls need regulation, from mean spirited and careless people like you. I highly doubt an elderly dog would suddenly dig a hole to go after a pit bull. I have seen videos of pit bulls who snatch other dogs and drag them under the fence. Those pit bulls are always doing such things, and instead of advocating for better fences to contain all of those poor misunderstood pit bulls, you go and make insensitive and cruel remarks to a person clearly traumatized by the murder of her dog. Some advocate you are, you give pit bulls a bad name.

Anna Dotts, get your story straight!! I live next door to these people and their beast and I don't judge. I clearly state the facts of the situation. How are you basing yours, certainly not be the truth! If you read correctly, you can read can't you? I stated that I didn't care if this dog was a pitbull or a poodle. It just so happens it was a pit. The owner should take responsibility for what their dog has done. My dog's injuries were consistent with being pulled under the fence and the owners don't know what happened because they weren't even home when this occured. First things happen all the time and you can say it may have been the first time my dog dug in the yard and the first time their dog killed a dog. Which one is worse. The fact remains an animal was killed and just because it was an animal and not a human city officials do nothing and do not make owners liable. There is something really wrong with this picture on so many different levels. My negligance did not kill my dog, fact remains the neighbor's beast killed my dog when they weren't home when the dog was left outside after it has on many occasions tried to get under my fence and has damanged it. These owners do not have a fence and rely on mine to keep their dog contained. Why shouldn't they have to get a fence of their own to contain the beast they have that will no doubt kill again at some point and I hope that it's not your dog or any of the dogs that will be going to the new dog park.

Bonnie, it's pointless to argue with these crazy pit bull cultists. Had your neighbor a poodle, your sweet dog would be alive. Often, the people down at animal control are nutters, what do you expect, that's the kind of dog they see most often, and of course, they all fancy themselves to be lion tamers. God bless you, hugs, keep a can of hornet spray, or Grizzly Bear Spray (Pepper spray does not work), or better yet, a gun handy. If that mutant gets out and into your yard, do not allow it to leave alive. Make sure your other beautiful dog doesn't go unsupervised, don't let it near the fence. If that man next door is a renter, call the landlord and tell them that dog scares you, and that it killed your dog and ruined the fence. Again, hugs and God bless, I had something similar happen to me, and it took much effort to get any justice. Don't be afraid to share your story, and the truth is....it matters that it was a pit bull. Pit bulls will be pit bulls, this is what they do, it's not their fault, but it's crazy to think they make an appropriate pet.

Oh, and sugar free gum is toxic to dogs, a little treat can be made especially for Mr. Pit Bull next door, and the rest of the neighborhood will cheer, perhaps even the little child who is guarded by a dog 7 times more likely to kill its own owner.

Why have a viscious dog like that to begin with? Why should she have to pay for a better fence because someone decides to keep a killer dog next door? Again, pit bull apologists expecting other people to walk on egg shell around their dog? I would ask you why THEY DON'T GET A FENCE? It's their pitt bull! She should not have to pay just to feel safe from someone's killer dog! Why are you blaming and shaking the finger at her??? Do you care about anyone other than yourself?

Jen, there was nothing wrong with my fence. It is that the beast keeps trying to get underneath it and is biting it. Why shouldn't the owner of the pit have to put up a fence of their own, why should I have to get a new fence? I have lived here for 15 years and never have had issues with my fence until this beast started trying to get into my yard. Shame on you!!

Cmassy, you are a joke!! Do not comment, if you don't have any idea what you are talking about!!

WORD! Since nobody saw, nobody knows!

Well Nancy the people who have the knowledge to make a judgement like that have all opposed breed specific legislation. CDC, ASPCA, and veterinary associations nationwide.

Nancy, you have just lost a fan, "pits" should be banned? really? If you are going to talk poorly about a dog breed lets start by getting the name correct, American Pit Bull Terrier. It sickens me to think people actually think like this. How is a dog to be punished for doing what it is in its nature to do? In the past decades Rottwieler, Doberman, German Sheppard, have all been put down and had the finger pointed at them for acts that can have been prevent if there were responsible ownership. Stop blaming the dogs, no matter what breed it is, take a better look at the owner. No matter how much a dog, of any breed, is trained or brought to be loveing in nature, it is still a dog. All dogs are decendants of the grey wolf, all have a prey drive and a pack metallity, as well as other traits that will never be taken out of the dog. This has nothing to do with a "pit", it is another case of two very irresponsible pet owners who left dogs to be dogs.

Really Anna, maybe you should look in the mirror and then re-read your comments. Heartless people say and do heartless things. Point proven.

I agree with you, Anna. Words can not be taken back, and the reflections of actions STICK. She insulted me and my parents... I'll stick with the high road.

You do, Anna, as do most pit bull owners. Pit Bulls have been bred to kill for centuries, they kill and maim far more than any other type of dog breed and they make up only a tiny percentage of the breed pool. To have a pit bull is to put yourself over other people and animals because these dogs, firstly, require immense socialization to keep them from POSSIBLY killing. You make everyone live with the risk of it. I do not hate pit bulls, but why do you care more about pit bulls than other people and animals? And why are you hurling insults at Bonnie, calling her an imbecile? There is no need to name call. True, she called you a hateful person but she wasn't name calling. Wow! Are you capable of having a discussion without getting nasty? It is one thing to become passionate about something but entirely another to condescend and insult!

Ok Lora you like to flow verbal diareah from you mouth, where are you getting all your facts from? Pitbulls kill for centuries? they need to be trained not to kill? Where do you get your facts from? The American Pit Bull Terrier, mascot for ower country in WW1 and WW2, known as the Nanny Dog in early 1900s for its nurturing nature towards children, dog used for milatary, law enforment, theropy and service dogs for years, should be banned? All dogs come from the grey wolf, thus they all have pack metality and prey drive. Masstiff's were the first breed to be used in fighting sport, as well as the Eglish bulldog and many more. Point is if this was a Jack Russel Terrier instead of an American Pit Bull Terrier, you would want it put down or banned, either way it isnt the dogs fault for being a dog and doing what is in its nature to do. This never would have happened had either owner been responsible and not left their pets unattended. If you are going to say any negative things about a breed of dog, American Pit Bull Terrier, or any dog breed, know what you are talking about first, open a book for Christ sake, American Pit Bull Terrier scored 83% on national temprament as compaired to as you stated earlier a Golden Retriver scored 79%.

told ya so.

There is nothing viscous or hateful about commenting on the danger inherent in possessing a pit bull. In my case, I have no hatred towards these dogs or their owners. But it is very strange to me that people are defending pit bulls and blaming the owner of Powder, the dog who was dragged through the fence and killed by a pit bull who was trying to get through her fence for months.

Also, Mastiffs are essentially bully breeds. I would not keep them as pets either!

Pit Bulls consistently scale their fences and go into other people's yards to massacre their pets and children. These are extremely dangerous dogs. Other dogs may exhibit such behavior but none so often as pit bull type dogs.

I know a wonderful family that lovingly and very effectively socialized their pit bull since it was a puppy with children, other dogs and cats. One day they brought home a small beagle puppy. The other dogs, a german shepard wolf mix and two huskies, mothered the beagle puppy. The pit was friendly to it and would even give it kisses.

One day one of the children was petting the beagle pup. He was supervised by his two parents. The little boy went up to his parents for a second, the parents were focused on him for just a moment. The pit bull calmly walked up to the puppy, picked it up it's mouth and broke it's neck in 5 seconds. It looked up at wagged it tail. Dogs get jealous, but how many would just kill so abruptly like that? I've seen pit bulls kill on several occasions.

Listen to yourself! The dog should follow the rules?????? Its a dog, it doesnt have rules. Irresponsible ownership, both parties period. If the dogs were never left unattended it would have never happened.

Honestly, Emma Azo! Sounds to me like you are a bit prejudice to pit bulls. American Eskimos don't kill people! I guarantee if you look up attacks, bites and murders by pit bulls you will find way more than you will for American Eskimos!! I had my Powder for 15 years and other American Eskimo for 10 years and have 2 children and they never even thought of biting anyone. Clearly, your parents American Eskimo was not a very well trained dog. I can also guarantee that you have groomed way more American Eskimos that you have pitbulls! The pitbull's owner in this case clearly wasn't a responsible pitbull owner and still isn't! If you are crazy enough to leave a child with a pitbull type dog than an American Eskimo, that is stupidity on your part. There is a lot of predjudice against bully types and your seem to big the biggest one!

The first president of American Dog Breeders Association was also the main pit bull breeder in the US. His dog killed his 10 year old nephew and yet he STILL BRED from that dog and notoriously bred pit bulls specifically for fighting!

It is a lie to say that the man killers have been bred out, they are all descendants of the most deadly, muscular dogs, the ones that were not killed off during fighting matches. They were used FIRSTLY for bull and dog baiting.

It is a lie to say that these were "nanny" dogs or that they were the most popular dogs in America. They were "guard dogs" at best. Look at the old cartoons from 1800-1900s about pit bulls. They all show the dogs attacking children.

These dogs are like no other. They will CLIMB THE FENCE, then CLIMB OVER YOUR FENCE and massacre your pets or children. Don't believe me? Just google, "pit bull climbs fence" or "pit bull goes into yard".

Better yet, just go on a pit bull forum and you will see all of these pit bull owners asking about aggression problems such as "my pit bull still kills cats? how can i stop it?", or "pit bull is aggressive toward child" or "pit bull keeps escaping"

I'm sorry, but a POMERANIAN cannot do the damage a pit bull can. I don't even think a golden retriever can.

Don't you care at all about other people and animals? Children? Elderly? These dogs always attack children, it is SO SAD! Why do you put society at risk? Do you only care about yourselves?

Google "pitt bull attacks 2012" .

definitly NOT your fault. I had an irish setter when I was a kid (way way back) he spent all day outside because that's where he wanted to be. he let us know when he wanted to come in. That's the way it should be. Our dogs should be safe in our own yards.

Newsflash: You admitted to spraying this guy's dog with the hose. That is 100% teasing. Do you believe this dog has no remembrance of you doing things like this, on top of the negative energy you so obviously send her way? I'm sorry, millions of people have in-tact animals with out behavior issues. Is it harder, yes. I find it interesting however that you have not once mentioned any of the behavior of the dogs in your home. We're not cold hearted in our comments, we're neutral - I won't speak for any one else, I'M neutral to this situation. I am also a person who has dedicated their life to learning and analyzing dog behavior; of all breeds. I love that you mentioned BSL, but I think you need to do quite a bit more research on the topic. There are 75 breeds on that list. AND THE ESKIMO DOG IS ON IT. EDUCATE YOURSELF.

That's what happened with pit mixes moved in next to me. I could no longer use my yard. I spent thousands to build a privacy fence and still won't let my dogs out unless I go out too. Their dogs still growl and bark and lunge and whine when they hear my dogs outside. Be very careful because this owner now believes she's won and will be very brazen. Before I got my privacy fence, someone suggested taking a video camera out each time I went out. I recorded the pits barking and lunging against the chain link fence and I video taped the owners doing nothing. they saw me video taping, too. If anything had happened, I would have had that to show the police about both the dogs and the owners. People keep saying these dogs are safe if the owner is responsible, but who defines and forces pit bull owners to be responsible? I feel so bad about your dog and about what you had to experience.

And to Emma
s comment that 75 dogs are on BSL lists. That list is BS. It was made by RDOWS and it includes any breed of dog that has been restricted from anywhere by anyone. And they say if they restrict by description, they'll name breeds that fit the description. So if a homeowners association says no dogs over 25 pounds, they just started listing dogs over 25 pounds. They include on the list organizations that bans any dogs from anywhere. So, parks, museums, farmers' markets, apartment buildings. In reality, they should just say all dogs, because all dogs are restricted from some places. EDUCATE YOURSELF

It is an absolute shame that the person this person even owns a "pitbull", having added another statistic against the breed. This person obviously doesnt care and learned nothing from this, since the dog is back outside unattended. It is a disgrace. Unfortunatley there are people like this and the world isnt fair, I certainly wish i didnt have to always worry about robberies and other crimes, but they happen, so i do. Animals can not stick up for themselves, so someone needs too, especially when you have a bunch of people saying unture and unfair things, such as "these dogs have killed for centuries". It was people who created dog fighting, and because of it the American Pit Bull Terrier suffered a long time, and continues to suffer everytime someone has an ill informed opioin about them. Stop blaming the animals, its senseless acts of humans that create the problems.

If it's good for the goose, then it's good for the gander, right?
If the bulldog has to be chained and attended all the time it's outside, when it didn't leave its yard, then shouldn't the remaining Eskimo also be chained while it's outside and fully attended? It was, afterall, the other Eskimo that breached the fence and was in the other yard. I'm very sorry that the Eskimo was killed. I'm sorry that the family has had to suffer with that. I'm sad for their loss. And I'm sad that Lady's family also is suffering.

Jen, Bonnie has every reason to defend herself here, and I think she is making a good case.

You don't know that the bulldog dragged the eskimo under the fence. No one does. No one was out there. Therefore, it can't be added as a fact. And from what I understood, both dogs were tearing at the fence, not just the bulldog. I lived next to a lab and the lab constantly was chewing at the plastic slat that were slid into the chainlink for my pitbull's peace of mind. And how do you explain the statements from other dog owners saying that their dogs have been in the bulldog's yard and played with the dog? You haven't a clue about what bulldogs are, and it's ignorance like the statements that you made about them that displays that. The bulldog passed all its temperment tests. American Eskimos are prone to agression and separation anxiety, as was displayed by this dog, barking all the time.

First of all, it is not a bull dog but a pit bull...Bull dog is an archaic term for pit bull used around the 1800s. Now a bull dog is an entirely different breed.

Yes, it is true that non pit bull dog breeds will chew through fences. But her her AE was not biting through the fence. It is very likely that the pit bull grabbed the dog by it's head. I have heard of people seeing pit bulls do this. It is very possible that the pit dug the hole as well.

Regardless, it is very unlikely that a golden retreiver, beagle or dachshund would have KILLED her dog. Bitten, perhaps. Maybe injured. But not killed!

Yes, a non pit breed could have killed her dog. But the chance is much less likely.

As for the dog passing the temperment test, that is very common. Pit bulls are usually very friendly toward people! Until a small dog or child or elderly person makes a sudden move. Or until they snap.

Why have a dog that has been bred for hundreds of years to kill other dogs. All pit bulls are descendants of the nastiest fighters that killed the most amount of dogs and were often prized as man eaters.

However, I have seen several very friendly, well trained pits snap and kill small animals or attack children. Several in my old area have scaled fences and hopped a neighbor's fence and massacred their pets in their own yard! These pit bulls were not abused or neglected,either! They were "lick you to death, kissing machines."

There is no such breed of dog as a pitbull. The term pit bull is used in reference to multiple breeds of dog. The term “pit bull” does NOT describe a specific dog breed. A pit bull is a type of dog, just as retrievers, shepherds, and spaniels describe types of dogs.
"It's very likely" does not equal facts. No matter how you twist it or will it, no one can say.
Her AE wasn’t biting through the fence… but you don’t know that. Her owner escalated the problem by not correcting her dog’s aggressive problems of arguing at the fence and his separation anxiety of barking all the time.

The dog was subjected to two temperament tests which include small people and small animals. It passed. Other owners’ statements that their dogs had gotten into the Bulldog’s yard and played with her negate your statement. The bulldog was not “bred for 100’s of years to kill other dogs”. You really don’t have a clue what you’re talking about.
Just because you don’t like them doesn’t mean that you have to be vocally biased against a situation that you have no information on. Even the owner of the AE can’t even say definitively what happened, because she wasn’t there.

You know Raine, you are right in saying that it cannot be proven whether or not the pitt bull(not bull dog!) dragged Powder under the fence. And I didn't see the part where it says that the pit bull passed a tempermant test with small animals.

However, I wonder how extensive the test was? What kind of small animals? Did they just let the pit bull and small animals play together? That would not make sense.

Pit bulls are very unpredictable. It is common for them to behave perfectly normally with other animals and children and then to randomly attack. The fact is, if that had been a poodle or beagle, Bonnie's dog would still be alive.

You are completely wrong in saying that there is no such breed as a pit bull!

You just said that you HAVE a pit bull. Pit bulls are a dog type. Several breeds fall under the pit bull category. Thus, pit bulls are essentially a breed. They all have certain traits that are exclusive to pit bull types dogs. Hence, you can identify a pit bull. Always!

Raine: Should I say there is no such breed as a foxhound or blue heeler or beagle? All fall under the hound category. What about no such breed as a collie? Border collies and American Collies and shelties are collie dogs.

English Staffies, American pit bull terriers, American staffordshire terriers, American Bully...All fall under the category of "pit bull". It is essentially a breed.

Sorry, do the research. Pit bulls were bred to fight bulls and dogs since the very beginning. Just read about it. Look at the old drawings of pit bulls fighting. Look at the huge jaws and muscles belonging to all the pit breeds. All of those attributes were bred into them for fighting...

Lora, I don’t think you don’t know much about temperament testing.
It is not common. Get off the antibully websites. AE had a severe problem escalated by the owner (not correcting AEs behavior, attacking bully with ). Not attacking, but AE, by her own admission, was territorial (it barked along the fence, was “yappy”, ,a clear sign of separation anxiety)
Not “essentially a breed”,a classification. These dogs were initially bred in England and arrived in the United States with the founders. In the United States, these dogs were used as catch dogs for semi-wild cattle and hogs, to hunt, to drive livestock, and as family companions. My dog is a bully mixed with other breeds, not a pit. Not a pit, because there is no such thing as a pitbull except for uneducated brainwashed folks and the media.
What you guys “think” you know, and what you read on websites that are for breed specific control is not reliable. It’s obvious that you are against any bullies. I’m sorry that the AE lost its life but the owner of the AE is not free of blame. Sorry.

I'm not going to continue this conversation any farther. I can give people information, attempt to bring perspective, but I'm not going to attack the owner of the AE for her faults, nor am I going to continue what started as a debate, and has evolvd into an arguement with someone who is guided by emotion, instead of facts. Have a great day.

"Attacking bully with a hose. If she had sprayed my dog, there would have been a lawsuit against her, a paper trail a mile wide, and this wouldn’t have even been news, because the trail of information states that her dog had behavior issues.

Raine Carr: Pit bulls are a type of dog. Period. It is very easy to spot a pit bull. They are all related. Period.

Pit Bulls were rarely if ever used to drive cattle because they would KILL the cattle. They have been selectively bred to fight and kill bulls and other dogs.

Do you care about Bonnie at all? Do you care about other people?

Ok, so you would seriously try to sue someone because they sprayed a hose at both your dog and her own dog when they were fighting? That pit bull was trying to bite through the fence! Do you have a heart, do you only care about yourself?

My knowledge of pit bulls comes primarily via personal experience and through other pit owners, not anti bully sites! I have seen perfectly well cared for pit bulls snap and kill other animals and people.

Why would you keep such a dangerous dog,Raine? I ask why you would choose a dog that could do sooo much damage over, say, a collie or a beagle or other non-lethal dog. Of course these dogs can bite and possibly kill, but they cannot do the damage that a pit bull can, nor are they as likely to!

Have you even expressed that you feel sorry for Bonnie, Raine? Do you care about children and elderly, the main victims of pit bulls? Do you care about little dogs like Powder, who would probably have been alive if that had been a beagle next door? Why do you care more about pit bulls than other people and animals? Why do you want everyone to defer to pit bulls and walk on egg shells around them?

Thanks Lora!! To Raine Carr, I'm not sure where you received your information about my dog or the neighbors dog. Not sure where you saw that this dog has gone through the type of testing you say it has. My dog certainly was not going through separation anxiety and the hose was never sprayed directly at the dog! It was the neighbors dog that has been biting at my fence. (my powder didn't have many teeth, and wasn't nearly as big as the neighbors dog). The neighbors dog has always been aggressive and as far as keeping my other dog out of her backyard and chained up, seriously. She won't even go in the back yard now. I'm sure that is because she fears doing so. The fact is we are mourning the loss of our family pet and my other dog and children are afraid to go in their own backyard. It's a very sad situation and I don't see you placing any blame on the neighbors dog, wonder why that is???