Pit bull owners typically describe their dogs as loving and faithful pets, and most probably are. But pit bulls are also one of the most dangerous dog breeds (if not the most dangerous), responsible for more deadly and serious attacks against children than any other breed. Here are some of the stories:
Pit Bulls Attacking People
Woman Mauled in hotel
In Mystic, Connecticut, a woman settled with a pet-friendly hotel for $300,000 after she was attacked by a pit bull during her stay there. She suffered disfigurements and now has only limited use of her right arm. (USA Today, 2-13-2017, 4A)
Stories of Pit Bulls Attacking Children
Child Killed
In Atlanta, Georgia, police arrested the owner of two pit bulls that mauled one child to death and seriously injured another. The children were walking to the bus stop on Tuesday when the animals attacked them. (USA Today, 1-20-2017, p4A)
Girl Attacked While Playing in the Snow
In Terry, Mississippi, a 5-year-old girl was attacked and killed by a pit bull as she played in the snow. Anastaisa Bingham was mauled to death outside her home just days before her sixth birthday. Nobody has come forward to claim ownership of the
animal. (USA Today, 2-15-2010, 7A)
Boy Mauled Outside Home
In Abilene, Texas, two people faced second-degree felony charges after their pit bulls got loose and mauled a boy to death. Seven-year-old Tanner Monk was attacked while playing near his home in Breckenridge. (USA Today, 5-30-2008, p. 8A)
Preschooler Survives Attack
In Santa Clarita, California, a 4-year-old boy was hospitalized in stable condition after being attacked by a pit bull. The boy was playing with other children outside his apartment complex when the dog approached him and bit him at the base of the skull. The owner could face charges. (USA Today, 6-14-2010, 9A)
Dog Pack Attack Joggers
In Cutler, Indiana, 4 pit-bulls attacked and mauled 2 young women last week as they walked along a country road and through a field. One of the women was critically wounded. A passing motorist drove to the women and and the dogs scattered from the car, giving them a chance to get inside. All the dogs were either killed or euthanized.
Pit-bull Jumps Fence to Attack Boy
In Birmingham, Alabama, a 9-year-old boy was attacked by a pit-bull while playing in his back yard. The dog apparently jumped over a 6 foot fence in order to attack the lad. He was hospitalized for his injuries.
Attack on the Beach
In Fort Myers, Florida, a little girl and her dog were attacked by 3 pit bulls while walking along Fort Myers Beach. The family was trying to find the owner of the dogs to see if they were up-to-date on rabies vaccinations.
Of note:
In Tulsa, Oklahoma, a report showed that of the 33 vicious and aggressive dogs shot by city police officers since January of 2007, 26 were pit bulls. The other dogs included one Rottweiler, one German Shepherd, and 5 dogs whose breeds were not identified. (USA Today, 6-17-2008, 6A)
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Learn more about dog safety for kids