Oy ve. This is the fourth such write-up and it is only January 20th. I hope this is a glitch, and not a trend.
An 8 year oldPennsylvania girl is dead, apparently from a fatal dog bite.
The girl, Brianna Nicol Shanor, had been staying at the home of William J. Renda (who is reported to be a friend of the girl's mother) for the past two weeks and had recently begun school in Beaver County, PA. The girl was outside with her caretaker, Mr. Renda, and mentioned that she was going inside because she was cold.
The girl apparently went near one of several dogs on the property that was chained to an old camping trailer on the property that was used for shelter. The dog, described as a 100+ lbs mixed breed, apparently attacked the girl, and she died from multiple bite wounds, particularly to the neck.
The attack happened in a rural part of Hanover Township, near the small community of Frankfort Springs. Frankfort Springs, a township of 130 people, that has a pretty significant poverty issue.
While so many people out there want to make dog bites and attacks about breeds, we MUST evolve the conversation to properly maintaining and socializing dogs.
So far, this story has only been picked up by a couple of local media sources. My heart goes out to the family and the caretakers in this tragedy.
Update: It sounds like the young girl was staying with the Renda's temporarily while her mother searched for new work after having lost her job in a tough economic time. The dog is now being described by authorities as a Rottweiler mix.
From the comments section:
monicas wrote on Jan 20, 2009 1:07 PM:
" These tragedies happen far more often than people would like to believe. Of course such maulings only make the local news, so people have no idea how often an unsocialized, angry and neurotic chained dog unleashes his fury on an innocent child. These tragedies are just one reason non profit Dogs Deserve Better is working to end the barbaric, antiquated practice of keeping dogs in chains for their lives. My heart goes out to this child's family. Learn more about these tragedies and how to prevent them at www.mothersagainstdogchaining.org and www.dogsdeservebetter.org "
Posted by: MichelleD | January 20, 2009 at 02:47 PM
A chain is merely a tool. Look to the other end of the chain and you will find your problem.
Posted by: Michele | January 20, 2009 at 03:00 PM
Stay classy, DDB.
These tragedies happen more often than people think and don't get much coverage?
Sigh...
Posted by: Selma | January 20, 2009 at 03:28 PM
Dogsbite.org says the mix breed dog is a pit bull.
From their blog:
"It seems the only time an animal agency identifies a dog as a 'mixed-breed' is under the circumstances of a fatal pit bull-mix mauling."
The site is complete and utter BS and I simply cannot understand how people believe anything Colleen Lynn spouts.
Posted by: Canis | January 21, 2009 at 05:23 PM
Yes Canis. That's the difference between people who look at all of the available data (and the sources of those data) and those who have an agenda, that seek out only information that agrees with their agenda, and are even willing to make up information to support their already pre-determined position.
And honestly, I'm not sure more than a handful of people out there think that site is anything more than it really is...which is a woman with a computer and an agenda.
Posted by: Brent | January 21, 2009 at 05:33 PM
In an article I linked to tonight, the dog is described as a 'rottweiler mix'.
As if this is about the dog, not the sad story of a little girl who was let down by those who were supposed to protect her.
Posted by: Selma | January 21, 2009 at 05:47 PM
I love dogs but it is sad that many a times the dog is the only culprit...what about the owner? or maybe the child herself...true...what can an 8 year old do to a dog...but sometimes, a dog can be chained up for so long...they will get agitated easily because of boredom... remember, a dog has feelings too...
Linus
Posted by: Linus | February 02, 2009 at 03:04 AM