SPCA issues "house rules" following Redondo Beach dog biting incident

It always makes me sad to not only read about incidents like this, but also read all the comments that follow the articles.

I think most people who own dogs, especially strong breeds, forget that owning a dog is now about simply putting them in the backyard and feeding them. Just like children they need to be taught good behavior, watched for aggressive behavior, and also socialized with other animals and humans.

A dog that is not well trained and looked after by his/her owners doesn't know good from bad. They actually become like social outcasts.

An important factor in this story as well is the fact that the kid was pulling on the dog's tail. I was bit when I was child by our family dog who was a French poodle for doing the same. What does that tell you? Children need to be taught to respect dogs and not taunt them. Just like humans they have a certain amount of tolerance. Personally, I would not like for children to pull my hair or taunt me, why do we expect for dogs to be tolerant of that?

I honestly think that when incidents like this happen it is important to see who owns the pit bull and what type of owners they are.

I love my dog, she is he most sweetest and gentle dog. For the first 5 months of her life she lived with a foster family where there was a child care. She loves children, but would I leave her alone with a child? No, never. That is for the safety of both the dog and child because both need to be supervised during interactions with each other.

I agree with the SPCA...ALL dogs can exhibit this natural behavior. Quit blaming pitbulls specifically. Dogs are like people...some are are good, some bad...depends on how they are taught! In this case, the parents were obviously ignorant of the natural instinct of their dog. I'm sure they are devastated at the outcome. I do agree that the dog should be removed from the home. The dog would be better off in a home without kids obviously.

I felt very sad for the dog when they showed it on KTLA's evening news. It was very sad and knows it will not be coming home or may even be put down. I think anyone considering having children with a pet should think first before doing so and educate themselves as to how their pet will react to a new person entering into the household. Children too should learn not to taunt a dog or cat, and I agree I certainly wouldnt want someone pulling my tail if I were a doggie. I hope for the best for this poor dog and that it will not put down and given a second chance with someone who doesnt have children and that the animal shelter will re-evaluate its behavior.

Re:Indi's Mama said:
An important factor in this story as well is the fact that the kid was pulling on the dog's tail. I was bit when I was child by our family dog who was a French poodle for doing the same.

The difference though is that a toy poodle's bite isn't deadly like a pit bulls!

I haven't seen any information about the incidents leading up to the bite or any specifics about the dog involved. Was the dog older with possible arthritic conditions? Had the toddler been allowed to get near the dog or even crawl upon it? Had there been any mouthing incidents that had not been addressed? Was the pit played with in any way (tug of war, mock attack play, rough housing, etc.) that would reinforce the dog's mind into accepting that using the mouth was an acceptable form of communicating with humans?
I try to tell friends and family who are interested in getting a puppy and have children - or plan on future additions to household - to NEVER imprint mouthing actions on their pet. Too many times, a dog resorts to using the mouth as their communication based on the input by owners.

The age of the dog and physical condition is very important, many dogs that are super tolerant in younger years simply react to age related or injury pain by using their mouths.

As far as all those comments by the pro-pit crowd? None of them address the simple fact that even though many breeds use their mouths, the pit's jaws and strength make them unique in that they don't release and can do much more damage. I could care less about the proclivity of any breed, let's just focus on the actual organic and instinctual components that make this particular breed's bites so much more damaging and horrific.

Personally, I would not choose to own any dog that receives such negative input from society. Not for my sake, but for the animal's own security and mental well being because I wouldn't want any dog of mine to suffer the uneducated mass hatred that is being focused on them. Pits do have a place in our lives, but they should never be off leash in any social setting. I say this not because I don't trust pits, but because I don't trust pit reactions to other dogs that might not be socialized or trained properly. Pits don't always start fights, but they sure do win them if involved.

Take a walk down any animal shelter row, see how the pits dominate mixed breeds these days. It's simple and what has been predicted for at least a decade - the pits are infiltrating and dominating stray dog packs winning breeding rights. It's not a pretty future and helps to stress the need for mobile spay and neuter programs.

I carry a stun gun on dog walks just for pit bulls after having someone 'sic' their pit on my elderly dog many years ago right in our front yard. I was a kid, but I kept my dog in my arms and kicked hard until my Dad came out the front door with his shotgun in arms. Never saw that punk or his dog ever on our street again, just like my father demanded since he said one more and he'd shoot on sight. My dog survived, but the scars remained on me and I had enough instances since then to reinforce my stance.

Can you find more information about the dog such as age and especially hip health or if it might have been approaching "season"? If it was a male and there was any females in the neighborhood in heat then there's another factor to consider as well.

Too much unknown to just flat out damn the dog, I'll defend this dog until I hear more details even though I'd never let a pit on my land and have put that edict out to friends and family.

After my too long post, I have to come back and stress that although I carry a stun gun on walks I've never actually used it ON any dog or living thing (except myself to test and rare mistakes of reaching into my bag with the safety off - gets my attention and that of everyone around me as I squeal). I have used it as a tool to immediately stop aggressive dogs charging before they get into our personal space, it's been very successful in that regard.
I would never hesitate to use the stun gun on any animals involved in a true dog fight, or the owner of the attacking dog if needed.
Some people carry pepper spray for the same reasons, but with the proliferation of wolf hybrids in our area this method isn't always reliable due to the genetic makeups of hybrids. One animal control officer explained it as using pepper spray on an individual under the influence of PCP, just makes 'em madder.
Be sure to note that I specifically promote stun guns, not tasers, since stun guns must be applied directly to the skin and removes the possibility of striking the wrong animal or missing the mark.
I have never used any shock collars on any dogs or any such training methods. This is purely protection based and not for every dog owner but it provides security for me to feel like I can take my dogs out in the hills and not be fearful of strays or wild animals.