Family alert: How well do you know your pit bull? Rachael Ray's pit involved in attack

February 13, 2010 - Most pit bull owners believe their dog would never attack a pet or human, but Rachael Ray, who has brought her beloved pit bull, Isaboo, on her show, is now grief-stricken as she faces having Isaboo put to sleep after his sixth incident of attacking dogs, this time he bit off the victim dog's ear. (Click here for Part 2, a summary of a few attacks).

In early February Ray was out walking her dog on the streets of New York City's Greenwich Village. “As the other dog walked by, Isaboo lashed out so quickly and ripped the other dog’s ear off before its handler could pull it away,” said an onlooker. Radaronline reported the ear was able to be re-attached.

Pit bulls - it seems people either love them or hate them, there doesn't seem to be much in-between.

"Mitz would never hurt anyone, and especially not our eleven-month old grand-daughter, Olivia. I know this, there's no way. He's the most loving dog I've known," says Olivia's grandmother, Karen M., from Kirkland. "I understand there have been pit attacks, but I think it's because they are provoked and their owners mistreat them."

Karen went on to say, "See, look, I can put my hand in his mouth and he won't do anything. And Olivia can pull his tail and even grab toys out of his mouth. He's never even flinched or acted like he'd attack the baby. We trust him completely, even if we're in the other room. He's just never done anything to make us think otherwise." Examiner asked Jonathan S., also of Kirkland, what he thought about this statement, he said, "Personally, I'd never own one of those dogs simply based on what I've heard and read. That's just me. I think it's insane that anyone would make a comment like that." "How does she really know the dog won't attack her granddaughter if for some reason the dog feels threatened. Kids pull tails and ears and some dogs could view that as threatening," he said, "I don't know, with all the news articles and horrid television accounts of these attacks, how much does someone have to see or read before it will register with them that no child should be left alone with a dog, and especially not a breed that's known to attack."

Sadly, this kind of trust for a pit bull, or any other dog, for that matter, is what has led to the dismemberment, disfiguration, and lives of children.

Ironically, in December 2009, a grandmother was charged when her 9-month old granddaughter, also named Olivia, was severely bitten by the grandmother's dog. The infant suffered serious injuries which left her hospitalized for nine days with facial wounds and a skull fracture. While this dog was a Rhodesian Ridgeback/Lab mix, and not a pit bull, it should send a message to people who so adamantly and steadfastly trust dogs around young children.

This article will largely focus on pit bull attacks on children (click here for Part 2). It is understood there is a difference between an attack on a dog and attack on a child. However, if a pit is prone to attacking a dog, what would prevent him or her from attacking a child? A source told Radaronline.com, “While she (Rachael Ray) loves the dog, she can’t help worrying about what would happen if Isaboo attacked a person.”

If you have an opinion about this issue or would like to share a personal story about a pit bull, good or bad, please leave your comments in the "comments" section below.

One issue with pit-bull type dogs is they often exhibit "bite, hold, and shake" behavior and refuse to release when biting, (1, 2) so some pit bull rescue organizations and advocacy groups recommend owners of pit bull-type dogs carry a "break stick" to lever their dog's jaws open if it bites a person or animal. (3, 4).

Pit bulls are not the only dogs that attack humans and other animals. However, they have been implicated in quite a few attack incidents in the Seattle area and beyond.

part 2

February 13, 2010 - Most pit bull owners believe their dog would never attack a pet or human, but as you read in Part 1, Food Network star Rachael Ray is now grief-stricken as she faces the possibility of having her pit bull, Isaboo, put to sleep after his sixth incident of attacking dogs, this time, according to Radaronline.com, he bit off the victim dog's ear. (Click here for Part 1)

Pit bulls are a highly controversial breed of dogs in the U.S. The high-energy, powerfully built dogs can be difficult to handle, and it seems people either love them or hate them, we've not heard much in-between. Some adamantly defend them, going to the extreme of saying they would absolutely trust their pit with their own infant grandchildren. But is that trust unfounded? Could they be putting their grandchild, and others, at risk of attack without knowing it? What causes a pit to turn? Some people who have suffered attacks to themselves or children have said they never believed their loving pet would hurt anyone. Below are some stories from Seattle and beyond of children and adults who have been attacked over the past couple years. In February 2008, a West Seattle girl was hospitalized after being bitten by a pit bull. The 9-year old girl suffered severe cuts to her upper and lower lips and to her chin and face after the attack by the 90-pound dog. The girl was rushed to the hospital by ambulance to treat her injuries (video below).

In June 2008, another 9-year old girl was attacked by a pit bull at her school. Luckily, she received only minor injuries when two school plumbers jumped in and stopped the attack.

In September 2008, a 71-year old woman was attacked by a pair of pit bulls and was taken to Harborview Hospital where she was in serious but stable condition.

In November 2008, an 11-year old Vancouver, Wash., girl suffered dog bites to her mouth and face when she was bitten by a neighbor's pit bull and had to have 26-stitches in her upper lip and chin to close up all of her wounds. A neighbor walking his dog allowed the girl to pet the dog and the dog quickly turned from friendly to attacking her. The owner voluntarily had the dog euthanized.

Also in November 2008, a 7-year old Happy Valley, Oregon, girl was attacked by a pit bull. The severely injured girl underwent surgery for her injuries. Her father wrestled and pulled the dog off and was bitten himself. He suffered a dislocated shoulder while wrestling the dog. A bystander and the dog's owner did all they could to stop the dog but were unable to control him. A deputy arrived and was forced to shoot and kill the dog.

In March 2009, a 10-year old boy was attacked and bitten by a pit-bull while riding his scooter on the sidewalk in front of his school in Aloha, Oregon. The boy's father and neighbor assisted the boy who suffered bites to his legs. Luckily adults were there to help and the boy's injuries were not life-threatening. Information about this case was provided by the Farber Law Group that represents people who have been seriously injured due to dog bites and dog attacks. They have offices in Seattle and Bellevue, and can be contacted here.

Oregon's dangerous dog law, O.R.S. Sec 609.098 makes dog owners strictly liable for economic damages if a person is injured by a dog.

In December 2009, a North Carolina family of four was attacked by their pit bull when they were out playing in the snow. The dog attacked their nine-year old son, ripping off his ear. His father, mother, and step-mother were all attacked when they tried to intervene. All four family members were taken to the hospital for treatment, two had to have surgeries, they all will be scarred for life. And just last month, a 3-year old California boy was killed when he was attacked by his family's pit bull. This child didn't stand a chance and was declared dead when he arrived at the hospital. Authorities say the dog was aggressive toward firefighters and was shot and killed by the sheriff. Just two weeks ago three children were attacked when five pit bulls escaped a Fontana, Calif., yard. A five-year old girl suffered severe bite wounds, a broken rib cage and a punctured lung. The girl went in for surgery and her mother wasn't sure she'd survive. One of the dogs was shot and killed when it charged at a police officer. The owners surrendered the dogs to Fontana police and were later euthanized.

The girl's mother and two of the girl's sibblings were attacked. Her 7-year old brother suffered bite wounds and received stitches while her 6-year old brother suffered serious injuries to his leg and received more than 200 staples close to the wound.

It is believed the girl will survive. There is no news as to when she will be released from the hospital.

According to the article, "Should Stronger Laws Aim to Control Pit Bull Attacks and Pit Bull Maulings?", Seattle-based DogsBite.org has recorded 88 United States deaths from dog bites from 2006 through 2008, with 59 percent involving pit bull attacks. Injury numbers are more difficult to calculate, but thousands of Americans are hospitalized annually. Preschoolers and senior citizens are most at risk

These are but a few pit bull attacks to children and adults. Cities struggle to come up with laws that are both fair and that consider the safety of the public at large. This remains a controversial issue.

If you have an opinion about this issue or would like to share a personal story about a pit bull, good or bad, please leave your comments in the "comments" section below.

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