On March 29th, mom was in her neighborhood walking with her guide dog when a Pitbull made it's way out of his collar, ran away from his owners and attacked my mom's dog.
Mom couldn't get the Pitbull off of her dog. The owners finally got the Pitfull off. Mom was so shaken up, she couldn't walk home. A neighbor who heard the commotion took mom into her home and called my dad to come and get mom.
Once mom got home, the first thing she did was call me. She was so shaken up she could hardly talk. I turned my computer off, got in my car and picked mom and her dog up and took them to the vet. Thank goodness I did.
While sitting in the vets office, I noticed that mom's hand had bruises on it. She didn't even notice.
Mom's dog is a beautiful Golden Retriever with long hair. When our vet shaved Cassie's neck, she found puncture wounds and bruises. She was put immediately put on antibiotics.
The police were of course called, Animal Control has been involved and our local newspaper, The Northwest Herald reported the story.
Click the link below:
By KATIE DAHLSTROM
Cassie's wounds have now healed but she's still showing signs of trauma. She isn't guiding like she was and mom has contacted Leader Dog For The Blind to come and help. Sometimes, after an attack like this, guide dogs don't want to work any longer. They're afraid.
Seeing eye dogs are not trained to protect their owners. They are trained to lead a blind person, to keep them safe from tripping and falling over things, from running into things, from walking into traffic, getting them safely up and down stairs and so on. Not for protection. They are taught not to bark and growl. They are extremely obedient and very loving and loyal to their owners. And they know their job.
Today, this article about the incident was found on the Pitbull Attacks And Dogfighting In Illinois Blog:
It seems they picked up the story too.
I think this blog is run by Dogsbite.org .
Now, on a side note, I was attacked by a Pitbull last Summer in my neighborhood. I went for a walk down by the lake and a Pitbull came running out at me, growling, hissing and barking. He jumped on me, grabbed my shirt and wouldn't let go. I kept yelling "no, stay, no stay!". I grew up with dogs so I figured most dogs know the basic commands. This one didn't. He just kept charging at me. Luckily I didn't get bit and despite all the screaming I was doing, no one in the neighborhood came out to help me.
I knew better than to run so I stood there shouting "no, stay" and he finally turned around and went back to his house. I slowly walked backwards until I got to the lake. I sat down on a bench and called my neighbor. I too was so shaken up, I couldn't walk home. My neighbor came and picked me up.
When I first posted this story on my Facebook page (I shared the article from the Northwest Herald), I had a lot of people write to me in defense of Pitbulls.
Okay fine! I know there are no bad dogs, only bad owners. I really don't care what breed of dog it is that attacks but Pitbulls are known for this kind of behavior. Irresponsible people should not own Pitbulls!!! No dog should be able to pull out of it's collar. No dog should be outside unless on a leash. No dog should be left unattended.
The point I'm making is that my mother is legally blind! And her dog is her eyes! And not only is her dog having problems working now but the Pitbull's owners are trying to get out of paying for my mother's expenses. There is a court hearing tomorrow which my mother will be attending.
How many more innocent children, innocent dogs, handicapped people and even regular people have to be attacked by Pitbulls and other untrained dogs before this stuff stops?!!!
If you're reading this and you own a Pitbull, don't bother bashing me for my opinion. Do not defend them. I happen to know a really great Pitbull named Otis. I already know that they're not all attack dogs. I already know that any dog can bite, any dog can attack. The problem is with the owners not the dogs. But unfortunately, Pitbulls have a reputation for this kind of behavior. It has to stop!!!
