The Pet Tree House - Where Pets Are Family Too : Pit Bull Mix The Pet Tree House - Where Pets Are Family Too : Pit Bull Mix
Showing posts with label Pit Bull Mix. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pit Bull Mix. Show all posts

Friday, December 18, 2015

Washington, DC: MPD Officer Shoots Service Dog Outside of Dog Park in Greenbelt, Maryland


Greenbelt, Maryland - Greenbelt police are investigating the shooting of a service dog by an off-duty Metropolitan Police Department officer outside the Greenbelt Dog Park on December 13.

The service dog, a Pit mix named Cleo, was wounded and is recovering, according to her owner LaToya Plummer of Greenbelt.

Plummer, who is deaf and depends on Cleo to alert her to visitors, is demanding that charges be filed against the unnamed police officer.

According to Greenbelt police, the off-duty MPD sergeant told investigators that Cleo ran towards her and her dog aggressively.

The off-duty officer reported Cleo was "bearing teeth", and the officer said she feared for her safety, according to Greenbelt Police spokesman George Mathews.

The off-duty officer immediately reported the shooting to police.

Plummer said because she is deaf she did not hear the gunshot and wasn't aware how Cleo got injured. At first, she thought Cleo had been in a fight.

Plummer said she did not know the woman was an off-duty police officer and she did not see a gun. Plummer said she left the dog park before police arrived to get Cleo to a veterinarian.

She called police later in the day after learning from the vet that Cleo had been shot.

Plummer said she was at the dog park with Cleo and two other pets and preparing to take her dogs out of the fenced enclosure to her vehicle when the shooting happened.

Plummer disputes the claim that Cleo was aggressive.

"She is the most calm and gentle of my dogs," Plummer said through an interpreter.

Investigators said Cleo was outside the park fence and was unleashed.

The incident happened on Sunday at 6:30 a.m.



FOLLOW US!
/

Friday, November 13, 2015

Homeless Man breaks into San Luis Obispo County Animal Services Center and Steals His Dog that Was Ordered to be Euthanized by Judge


One day before his pit bull mix was scheduled to be euthanized for reportedly biting two people in separate incidents, a homeless man broke into San Luis Obispo County Animal Services Center and retrieved his dog.

Now, the Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in locating the two, warning residents that the dog has a history of attacking people unprovoked.

On Tuesday morning, deputies received a report that a burglary at the animal center in the 800 block of Oklahoma Avenue on the outskirts of San Luis Obispo had occurred during the overnight hours. A staff member there said someone broke into a kennel and took a brown-and-black pit bull mix named Sid, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff’s spokesman Tony Cipolla said Thursday that the dog had been quarantined at the kennel since July, following separate incidents in May and June in which Sid bit a person, resulting in injuries severe enough to require hospital treatment.

A San Luis Obispo judge issued an order in October to have officials euthanize the dog on Wednesday.

Investigators identified 24-year-old Logan Timothy Wilson Stoffle as the main suspect in the break-in. Stoffle has no known city of residence and had regularly visited the dog at the center since July.

Prior to the euthanization order, Stoffle was given an option by the judge to find a permanent private kennel for Sid, but he was unable to do so, Cipolla said.

Cipolla said that despite residents’ feelings toward euthanization, “the fact is, this is a public safety issue. (The dog has) been shown in previous attempts that he will attack unprovoked.”

Officials had not located the pair as of Thursday evening and asked anyone with information of their whereabouts to call 781-4550.


FOLLOW US!
/

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Pit Bull Saves Owner from Getting Hit by Train



A dog frantically pulled its owner from the tracks in Shirley, Massachusetts, moments before a freight train came barreling through, hitting the canine.

According to reports, 8-year-old Lilly, a pit bull, dragged her unconscious owner out of the train's path on May 4, but was unable to move in time to avoid being hit herself.

While her owner, Christine Spain, was okay, Lilly lost the muscle and skin on her right foot, broke her pelvis in multiple places and suffered from internal injuries.

The train's conductor told Shirley police he saw the dog drag Spain away from the oncoming train, and after being hit, stayed by Spain's side until help arrived, despite her injuries.

According to police, Spain passed out while walking the dog, on the way to a friend's house.

The dog was taken to an animal hospital in Acton, and then rushed to the Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston, where emergency veterinarians examined Lilly.

Doctors there had to amputate the dog's right front leg because of the extensive injury it sustained after being hit by the train.

Lilly had a second surgery on Sunday and is now recovering at Angell's Emergency and Critical Care unit.



According to reports, Lilly was a present to Spain, given to her by her son, Boston Police officer David Lanteigne, for therapy.

"Lilly's recovery from this horrific ordeal is my top priority right now and I'll do everything possible to get her back home to us," said Lanteigne.

Doctors at the MSPCA said bills for Lilly's medical treatment will run thousands of dollars, so they have started a fund for the inured animal where people can donate to help her get better.

"Lilly's selfless bravery has captured the hearts of our entire staff.  Her injuries are very serious and her road to recovery will be long.  But she's got the character and spirit that sometimes trumps all of our medical advances when it comes to recovery," said Dr. Meg Whalen, a staff criticalist at Angell's Emergency and Critical Care unit.

If you would like to make a donation to help with Lilly's medical treatment, click HERE.



Please Share!
FOLLOW US!
/

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Help Protect Maryland Dogs - Maryland Court Finds Pit Bulls are 'Inherently Dangerous' - This Decision Hurts Both People and Dogs



The following letter is from Wayne Pacelle, Humane Society of the United States.

Dear Friend,
As you may have heard, the Maryland Court of Appeals just issued an opinion declaring that all pit bull-type dogs are "inherently dangerous" potentially making owners, landlords, veterinarians, kennels, animal shelters, rescue groups, and anyone in custody of a dog automatically liable, regardless of whether they know a dog actually poses a threat. This decision hurts both people and dogs, and could force thousands of law-abiding dog owners to choose between their homes and their beloved pets.

Please call Governor O'Malley at 410-974-3901 to urge him to pass legislation to help overturn this breed-specific rule during the special session. And don't forget to send a follow-up message.

Sincerely,
Wayne Pacelle, President & CEO

Act Now


FOLLOW US!
/

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Maryland Court Finds Pit Bulls are 'Inherently Dangerous'



A new ruling makes it easier for anyone attacked by a pit bull or pit bull mix in Maryland to take legal action against the dog's owner.

The Maryland Court of Appeals ruling declares pit bulls as a breed are "inherently dangerous," and the owner of a pit bull or a cross-bred pit that attacks is strictly liable for damages, as is any landlord who rents to a pit bull owner.

The Maryland SPCA, which arranges adoptions for dogs that need homes, currently has three pit bulls under its care: a five-month-old Brutus is scheduled to be adopted this week, Ayoki is available and Valentina will be put up for adoption soon. But the SPCA is concerned that it may be harder to find adoptive homes and families may abandon pit bulls after the recent ruling.

“We believe that an animal’s behavior should be the determining factor in whether or not the animal is considered dangerous,” said Cheryl Bernard Smith, of SPCA. “We don't believe that a particular breed should be pinpointed for that."

"All dogs, if you don't train them and show them love, can turn out to be mean animals,” said Rodney Taylor, of Prince George’s County Animal Management. “It has a lot to do with the owner and how you raise the pet."

The Maryland Court of Appeals decision dealt with the case of a young boy who suffered life-threatening injuries when he was attacked by a pit bull.

Pit bulls are banned in Prince George's County.

"Back in 1997 they passed a law saying you could not own or harbor a pit bull or a pit bull mix in Prince George's County,” Taylor said. “If you happen to have one or are caught with one you could be arrested. It does carry six months in prison and a $1,000 fine for having one."

Now the law finds pit bull owners throughout Maryland absolutely accountable for the behavior of their dogs.



FOLLOW US!
/

Fallout from Ruling that Pit Bulls are ‘Inherently Dangerous’



Erica Carter’s move from Pasadena, California, to Baltimore was difficult, she said, not because of the lack of housing options, but because many places would not allow her pit bull Bailey.

Though Carter has settled into a rental near Patterson Park, she said the search was daunting. And she fears it will only get worse with her next move after last week’s Maryland Court of Appeals     ruling that pit bulls are inherently dangerous animals.

A court ruling in Maryland found that pit bulls and dogs that are part pit bull are “inherently dangerous.”

The court’s decision could have far-reaching implications for landlords and dog owners who rent. Landlords could opt to ban pit bulls or all dogs to avoid future liability, or they could see increased insurance costs, industry experts said. In turn, as pit bull owners have difficulty finding housing, animal advocates fear more dogs will be left at shelters.

The ruling in a civil case brought by the family of a child attacked by a pit bull in Towson in 2007 means victims don’t need to prove a dog’s owner knew it had a history of being dangerous. They just need to show that the owner or landlord knew a dog is part pit bull to make a claim.

“That’s absolutely ridiculous,” Carter, 20, said as she watched Bailey trot happily through the mud with a pack of other dogs at the Canton Dog Park. “Pit bulls get judged by their look and the actions of other people,” she said, referring to owners who train pit bulls to fight.

Howard Carolan, 28, who brought his pit-mix Annie to the park, was surprised by the ruling. He said he and his fiancee recently rescued Annie. “That’s got to be half the dogs in the city,” he said of pit mixes.

“We just got this girl. She’s been sweet,” he said. He added, however, that the ruling “does concern me about keeping her.”

Carter said she would never give up her dog. “I plan on adopting more,” she said.

But many are concerned about the ruling’s impact on pit bull ownership.

“We’re getting calls from people who are getting calls from their landlords telling them to move out,” said Jen Swanson, executive director at the Baltimore Humane Society http://www.bmorehumane.org/ in Reisterstown.

She said the humane society has been advising callers that leases are legally binding contracts and landlords can’t change them until the lease ends. “Landlords can stipulate what they want in a lease, but what’s unfortunate now is this is really breeding fear and ignorance,” she said.

The ruling also is causing concern among landlords and property managers.

M. Arnold Politzer, a commercial and residential real estate lawyer, said the ruling puts landlords who have leases that permit pit bulls in a difficult position.

“If you have a contract that says pit bulls are okay, you’re looking at a breach of contract” if a property owner tries to force tenants to get rid of dogs before the lease is up, he said.

But Robert H. Lande, a University of Baltimore law professor, said a landlord’s options depend on the terms of the lease.

“You have to look at the lease and see if there is any general clause that says you can’t do anything dangerous,” he said, which could be considered enough to allow a landlord to require a tenant to remove a pit bull.

Some said the ruling could lead property owners to not only prohibit pit bulls but all dogs.

“As a landlord, I have no idea of the breed,” said Benedict Frederick III, president of the Property Owners Association of Greater Baltimore http://www.baltimorepropertyowners.org/. He said that for years, he has prohibited dogs because his liability insurance policy won’t permit them.

A fellow association board member, Jacob Danyali, said he also has opted to exclude all pet owners from his properties because of the potential destruction of property. But he said the ruling seems unfair to landlords.

“It’s like saying the car company is responsible for a drunk driver,” he said. He predicted that the market would be driven by the cost of insurance, if insurance becomes too expensive, many landlords won’t accept pit bulls.

Anne Binary, an animal law expert, said one of the consequences of this ruling is that “insurance companies will cancel insurance policies and raise policy costs. … Anybody who carries an insurance policy will be discouraged economically from adopting these dogs.”

Many animal advocacy groups have reacted to the ruling by starting online campaigns, including a Facebook page called “Stop Pit Bull Discrimination in Maryland,” which had garnered more 1,300 “Likes” by Tuesday. A petition also is circulating, asking Gov. Martin O’Malley to prohibit policy that singles out specific breeds.

Eileen Gabby, executive director of the Maryland SPCA http://www.mdspca.org/, said the group is looking at their options. “We hope the case can be reconsidered,” she said.

“People are concerned,” she added. “We want both pets and people to be safe.”

FOLLOW US!
/