Member

Posts: 86
From:clarksville tn
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 12-10-2003 04:07 PM         

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Pit bull leaps to rescue
Posted on Sat, Nov. 08, 2003
CORAL SPRINGS
A pit bull may have saved a 7-year-old Coral Springs boy from serious injury after two other dogs attacked the boy.
BY HECTOR FLORIN
Hflorin@herald.com
Anthony Romaro got the scare of his life Wednesday night when two Akita dogs, each weighing about 100 pounds, attacked him near his best friend's home in Coral Springs.
But another kind of dog -- a type also known for vicious attacks -- may have saved the boy from more serious injuries.
Witnesses said a 2-year-old pit bull named Missy played the part of hero during the attack.
Missy, witnesses say, pulled the two Akitas -- Cella and Baci -- off Anthony after several struggles during a 15-minute span.
Anthony, a 7-year-old Hunt Elementary School second-grader, is recovering after surgery at Coral Springs Medical Center. The dogs ripped much of Anthony's left ear and bit his skull before Missy fought them off of him, said Anthony's mother, Stephanie McGuire.
''He's doing better today,'' McGuire said on Friday.
Missy suffered scrapes and cuts on the shoulders and buttocks, received a few stitches, and is back home.
''Missy saved the day,'' said her owner, Scott , who asked that The Herald not publish his last name. ''She just went out there and broke the fight up.''
Coral Springs police cited Sandra Ashley, the owner of the Akitas, for not putting a leash on the dogs, not attaching dog tags, not having proper rabies vaccinations and for biting Anthony. The fines are more than $800.
McGuire, who is friends with Ashley, hasn't decided whether to press charges.
The two Akitas are at the Broward County Animal Care and Regulation Division as Coral Springs police complete a dangerous-dog investigation, said animal care spokesman Allan Siegel.
Whether or not Anthony antagonized the dogs, and how the dogs got loose, are among the issues police are investigating.
If the Akitas are found to be dangerous, one of three things could happen, Siegel said. The owner may keep the dogs if she meets certain requirements, such as muzzling them when she leaves the home, and putting a dangerous-dog sign on the property. She may also appeal the decision, or surrender the dogs and have them euthanized.
Police and witnesses said Anthony and some friends were outside Ashley's home when the dogs escaped just before 7 p.m. Wednesday.
''The dogs got out of the house,'' said Sgt. Rich Nicorvo of the Coral Springs Police Department. ''They bit him pretty bad.''
Scott, the pit bull's owner who lives next door, was drinking coffee outside his house when the attack started. He handed another witness a metal pipe to get the Akitas off Anthony.
The unidentified person used the pipe to hit the dogs, but they continued attacking.
''They were really mauling him,'' said Scott, whose son, James, is Anthony's best friend.
Scott then let Missy out of the house to break up the fight. Police did not document any information about the pit bull.
Akitas have been known to attack humans. Last month, doctors euthanized an Akita owned by Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor after the dog bit 15-year-old Jonathon Raof on the arms and legs.
The Akita Club of America Web site states the dogs have ''complex'' personalities and, while intelligent and loyal, can ''exhibit aggressive tendencies,'' though not necessarily toward people.

the police didnt document the pit saving this kid.. i wonder if the paper published it....

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Member

Posts: 114
From:Smyrna ,Tn, USA
Registered: Oct 2003

posted 12-10-2003 04:47 PM         

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I read that story on another message board I think... It's an amazing story, & it just goes to proove that Pits aren't what some people say & think they are! Naturally the cops wouldn't document it! It was a Pit! They want the general public to keep their opinion on Pits being bad...... It was an great story though. Gives our babies good publicity! I must admit.... I have 4, & none of them are aggressive towards people. Infact, they are extremely submissive & loyal around people. Strange dogs...now that's a different story.... But, it's to be expected out of Pits! Thank you for posting this article. I hope everyone reads it...

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Member

Posts: 86
From:clarksville tn
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 12-10-2003 05:08 PM         

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My pit was never vicious, and when people tell me that pits are evil. i ask them to tell me their experience with the breed to make them come to this conclusion. their respones "well, uhh, umm, i heard that.. yada yada yada!!".. i dont know about other people, but it really bothers me. do not pass judgement on somethin you jus heard..

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Member

Posts: 114
From:Smyrna ,Tn, USA
Registered: Oct 2003

posted 12-10-2003 07:18 PM         

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I agree with that. My 4 aren't vicious, they've never bitten anyone or made any attempt to. I have a 3 yr old son, & all 4 of my Pits love him to death! They are very gentle & sweet with him. They protect him, just like they would protect "one of their own". I had an English Setter & he was the vicious one! We ended up having to turn him over to a shelter because he would bite anyone or anything that came near him! He attacked me, my neighbor, my fiances old roommates, tried to attack my son etc... My adult Pit would attack the Setter, (he never hurt him though), to protect us. It bothers me as well, for someone to pass judgement on a breed in general, when they know nothing about the breed & have no experience with the breed.

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Posts: 227
From:Perth, Western Australia
Registered: May 2003

posted 12-11-2003 01:43 AM         

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super dog i say! who can tackle 2 akitas?! what was the owner of the akitas thinking? they should be more careful. each of my gates has 2 latches on them so im 99% sure she never gets out. [if akitas want out, theyll try everything] although shes gentle with me i dont trust her with strangers.

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