'Best friend' bites tot

Although, I personally, do not agree with the manner that was taken after the dog bit the child, they chose to euthanize him. Although, the cause of the bite was not aggressive, as the dog wanted food, the future of the dog could have been different versus euthansia. I believe that the dog could have found a home with another family.


Wed, December 12, 2007
By JENNIFER O'BRIEN, SUN MEDIA

MOM MEDICINE: Melissa Price kisses her 22-month-old daughter, Ava, the day after child was bitten by Mugsy, her family's pit bull. (DEREK RUTTAN Sun Media)

A London toddler is recovering after the family pit bull terrier ripped into her cheek, leaving her with about 25 stitches.

Ava Price, 22 months old, spent several hours in hospital, 45 minutes getting stitches and will likely need reconstructive surgery by age 10.

The pit bull, Ava's "best friend," is to be put down.

The attack occurred Monday when the girl was left alone in a toy room with the dog, as she had been "100 times before," only this time the dog had a bone, said Melissa Price, Ava's mother.

"We had this dog for eight months and we all loved and cherished this dog and at no point did we think that she was aggressive or going to be aggressive," said Price, who has three other kids at home.

"But now, I truly don't think a pit bull should be a family pet," she said.

London police investigated, and no charges were laid.

Price said a visit from Children's Aid yesterday went "fine."

She agreed to talk to reporters about the case, hoping to provide a warning to other families with pit bulls.

Ontario banned the squat, muscular dogs in 2005, the first North American jurisdiction to do so, after a series of highly publicized attacks on humans and other dogs.

Pit bulls already in Ontario before the ban took effect were spared, but subjected to tough restrictions under the law, such as mandatory muzzles when the dogs are in public.

"I love that dog to pieces -- I still wish she was here with us -- and I still do not support the ban on pit bulls," Price said.

"But I do not think a pit bull is a good family pet, especially if you have small children."

Ava Price, 22 months old, received 25 stitches on her face; the pit bull will be put down.

Despite a painful looking gash yesterday, Ava happily sipped back juice and climbed around her mom's legs.

"They were best friends," said Price of Ava and Mugsy. "She would hop on (the dog's) back and ride her like a horse, and they would chase each other all around the house.

"She's going to miss her."

As her mom spoke, Ava puttered around the living room coffee table, eating and dropping some hot dog pieces.

"She's dropping hot dogs on the floor for the dog," said Jenny, a community support worker that visits the family through the city's Hostel to Homes program.

Like other relatives and friends in the busy home yesterday, Jenny -- who declined to give her last name -- praised Mugsy as a good- natured dog loved by Ava and Price's other children.

Ava's siblings said they were devastated to learn Mugsy would be destroyed.

"I'm sad," said Nicholas, 9.

Added seven-year-old Mariah: "I want (Mugsy) to come back, but we can't have a doggy."

On Monday, Mugsy had a bone in the toy room, said Price, who thinks Ava must have tried to take the bone.

She imagines Mugsy bit Ava in an attempt to get the bone, but instead tore into her right cheek, which was left hanging.

Price was in the kitchen, about two metres away, and said she didn't hear anything.

But a cousin who was visiting heard a whimper, went into the hall and found Ava sitting on the floor and holding her cheek.

Mugsy was in the corner, "looking frightened," said Price.

"I truly, honestly believe the baby was playing with the dog . . . Judging by the bloody trail marks, it looks like the baby was trying to take her bone and (the dog) bit her face," said Price.

"I always had an understanding there was a chance of a pit bull being dangerous, but I gave this dog a chance."

Mugsy has been quarantined with Animal Care & Control, said Jay Stanford, London's manager of environmental services.

"The owners have signed over to have the dog be destroyed, so they have taken responsibility, " said Stanford.

The family could be charged under a city bylaw since the dog wasn't licensed, he said.

THE LAW ON PIT BULLS
- Ontario banned the powerful, broad-shouldered dogs in March 2005 and slapped restrictions on existing ones.
- In London, the dogs make up about four per cent of the city's 25,000 licensed dogs, but chew up a quarter of the time spent on animal control, a city report says.

San Antonio City Council Approves Controversial Ordinance (Texas)

New Pet Ordinance Approved San Antonio City Council Approves Controversial Ordinance

SAN ANTONIO -- Local pet owners take notice – the city of San Antonio has a new ordinance with many new rules.

City Council members spent most of Thursday discussing the ordinance before unanimously passing it.

The ordinance includes new definitions defining dangerous animals, fines for animal cruelty, licensing for breeders and other fees.

Thirty residents – both for and against the ordinance – spoke before the council voted.

Effective immediately, animals deemed dangerous will have to wear a special collar, be kept in an enclosure, be muzzled when outside the enclosure and will have a microchip implanted by the city.

Owners will also have to post warning signs alerting of the dangerous animal.

Jef Hale, the director of Animal Care Services, said his staff will do their best to balance public safety as well as the rights of pet owners.

Jodi Preis
Bless the Bullys - Defending Dog - Bull Breed Alliance of Tennessee

Pet Names

Pet names can be important in how people see your dog. So, when choosing a name, there are different things you may want to consider.

Think about personality.

Make it short so that the dog won't confuse its name with commands.

Consider uniqueness. (Think about your favorite book, movie, band, car, food, drink, etc.)

When it comes to naming an American Pit Bull Terrier, you always want to consider what image you want to portray. I mean if you name a poodle, 'Killer,' it doesn't give the same connotation as an APBT with the same name. In many situations, giving American Pit Bulls a strong, dominant name can, and more than likely, will strike fear on others.

There are so many names that are in-between names. You know, those that are vicious sounded yet not whimpy, either.

You can consider a variety of names for you APBT, in many cases personality is the key.

American Pit Bull Terrier Forums

APBT lovers may want to converse with others with the same love... Their dog... Well, I found a wonerful forum that allows just that.

You can talk about bloodlines, share pictures, share information, ask questions, and MORE!

Go Pitbull

Puppy Thieves

I bet you thought I was giong to write about people stealing puppies.... Nope...

Puppy Thieves are the puppies who are the thieves. They have this bad habit of stealing and running, or stealing and destroying the forbidden items that you would rather them not have or touch.

How do you correct the behavior?

The Illusive APBT

"Pit bulls" have been a part of American history for a long time, but not for what you may be thinking... Attack people, but as celebrities or the pet of a celebrity. Yes, the American Pit Bull Terrier, itself, was once a widely known figure on television and on movie screens. Famous APBT's covered advertisements, magazines, television shows, music videos, and movies. Famous movies to include The Little Rascals. APBTs have been highly decorated military dogs, search and rescue, and pet therapy dogs.

And, all this coming from a dog breed with dog fighting in its history. But, if you actually looking into the ancestry of the "pit bull" it is a classification of dog that was bred to for game and dog aggression. Human aggression was highly frowned upon. Dogs that had any sign of human aggression were not allowed to fight or breed.



Because of their history of pit fighting, many American pit bull terriers are found dead, dying, and injured daily from the horrors of dog fighting. Most of these dogs are euthanized, but it is in high debate of rehabilitating these fighting dogs because SOME of them can actually be saved in order to live a happy life with a loving family.

Unfortunately, Breed Specific Legislation has gotton ahold of the "pit bull" and has ruined their reputation. People now forget about the beloved Petey, from The Little Rascals, and see a Cujo from Steven King's novel. BSL has been implented in many counties across America. Due to dog fighting, media protrayed "pit bull" attacks, and other incidents involving the American Pit Bull Terrier and its other pit dog counterparts, now a part of established breeds, these dogs must suffer.

Dog Fighting

Dog Fighting is a large part of the American pit bull's history and ancestry. If you are interested in caring for an APBT or if you currently care for one, it may be best to fully understand the history behind the great breed.

Knowing the breed's history and background can help you fully understand your dog and why he does the things he does.

Look at the Australian Shepherd. Sometimes they're found nipping the feet of small children and running around them as to herd them. Why? Because it's what their ancestors did... Well, not children but sheep and other wildlife.

I'm one of the biggest American pit bull advocates. I would not by any means condone the acts of dog fighting traditional or not. I do not condone breeding for game. I do not condone the mistreatment of dogs. And, I do not condone egos in combination with dogs.