Wow. Nothing kicks off dog bite prevention week like this. Late last week there was at least one fatality attributed to a 'pit bull', and there is yet another suspected on this week. Let's look at what few details are available in the cases.
Julian Slack, 3, Camp Lejeune, NC
There isn't a lot of information available about this attack (and as it will go with most military bases, not much more will ever come out). Julian Slack was killed last week. He was at home with a babysitter when the babysitter had a friend come over (who was neither a Marine nor a base resident). At some point the dog "become excited or startled by something Slack may have done" and attacked the boy.
So, in this case, we have a dog, unfamiliar to the 3-year old boy in the boy's home. The boy was apparently left alone with the animal (otherwise the sitter/other person would know what the boy may or may not have done). This is pretty much how bad things happen.
Of course, the focus has been on the 'pit bull' part of the story (so we'll never learn anything from this). The story was picked up in dozens of media sources, including MSNBC.
Tanner Joshua Monk, 7, Abilene TX
This one is still really early. In fact, they haven't even officially determined the cause of death yet and of the few facts involved in this story so far, a lot of them don't quite add up.
According to the reports, Tanner was out playing with some friends. A driver saw the boy lying along the side of the road about 150 yards from his house and two 'pit bulls' that were offleash, that were owned by the neighbors were nearby. Sheriffs that came to the scene killed the two dogs and the boy was found dead.
There are no witnesses to the "pit bull attack" -- including apparently the friends whom Tanner was playing with. The story has already been picked up by over 250 media outlets across the country.
All the best to the families of these two boys as they deal with the tragedies. More details will follow as they are released.
Hello. I just want to say that you’re doing good in your blog. I know a site where you can learn more about training dogs. It is called clicker training. I assure you that this one is superb. This was also recommended by dog trainers and veterinarians. Check it out here: http://www.DogTrainingIsEasy.com
Posted by: JC | May 20, 2008 at 12:04 AM
Sounds a lot like the weiner dog story where the two were off tristing and left the infant to get his testicles gnawed.
They destroyed precious evidence by killing the dogs - they could have tazered or darted them. Him laying by the side of the road makes me think he could have gotten hit - why would they assume it was the dogs? Oh yeah, they're pit bulls.
So many unanswered questions ... poor kids. Condolensces to the families.
Posted by: MichelleD | May 20, 2008 at 09:44 AM