emu2009

Mon, Oct 26, 2009 : 7:54 a.m.

I wonder if someone knows more than the reporter. It doesn't state in this article that the dogs were Pit Bulls. It says "bull dogs." That could mean any number of breeds that are bulldogs.

ownrdgd

Sun, Oct 25, 2009 : 11:24 a.m.

Hello Jeffery Fieger $$$$$$$$$$

anon505

Fri, Oct 23, 2009 : 9:44 p.m.

Pepper spray is legal if you use it in defense of your person or property. It will stop a dog; it stops bears. It also stops owners from letting their dogs loose after the dog gets sprayed only once! And it washes out easily with baby shampoo. Also, quote from a high ranking officer in the A2 police dept. regarding dog on dog attacks: "We usually do not respond to these types of reports."

snapshot

Fri, Oct 23, 2009 : 4:35 p.m.

Many dog owners are just not trained properly. They think their dogs will behave towards everybody and everything as they do towards their owners. Just because they haven't bitten the hands that feed them doesn't mean they won't bite someone elses hand. Here's a newsflash to irresponsible dog owners, dogs are animals, not people. Treat them like animals which means they are under your control at all times and they shouldn't be allowed in restaurants unless they are trained service dogs.

slagathor

Fri, Oct 23, 2009 : 4:11 p.m.

The spot marked as Abbot school on this map is incorrect. The large area bordered by W. Sequoia Pkwy, Patricia Ave. and Kuehnle St. is where Abbot Elementary is located. The attack was much closer to the school than this map would indicate. There is a school playground very close to where this attack happened. It is the playground where kindergarteners and first-graders play. I have children that attend Abbot, and it is very disturbing to me that these dogs could possibly be running loose near the school while my children are playing.

MayorGoldieWilson

Fri, Oct 23, 2009 : 2:35 p.m.

First of all I am very sorry for the lab owner. As a proud owner of a bulldog, I am very embarrassed that the owner of these dogs did not take greater precautions. This type of behavior is unacceptable and there is no place for this. When I walk my dog Thor, I am always aware of my surroundings. The scary part is this area is right by an elementary school. Had it been 3:30 in the afternoon we all would be commenting on a different story. Lets hope this owner has learned her lesson. Shame on you!

Woman in Ypsilanti

Fri, Oct 23, 2009 : 12:53 p.m.

While I can understand people's fears about these particular dogs, I can tell you that there is a difference between dog aggression and people aggression. Dogs who attack other dogs are not necessarily prone to attacking people. If we put down every dog who ever acted aggressively towards other dogs, a lot of dogs would need to be put down even though they're not a threat to people. With that said, owners of dogs absolutely must be responsible for things their dogs do, including possible criminal negligence charges when a dog attacks and there was reason to believe it likely. One would hope that in this case, even in the absence of such laws, the owner of these bulldogs realizes that the dogs are aggressive towards other dogs and leashes them when on the way to the car. As for leash laws, I often think "control" laws are better. I freely admit to walking in Ypsilanti with my dogs off leash. One of the main reasons I love Ypsilanti so much is that such behavior is tolerated, especially in the parks with the crack users and hookers. I guess as things go, a well controlled friendly dog off leash is the least of anyone's worries. I take full responsibility for anything my dogs do, leashed or not. I've owned dogs for almost 15 years and have never had an incident caused by my dogs because even though my dogs are sometimes off leash, they are friendly and very well socialized and always under my control.

justinaallyn

Fri, Oct 23, 2009 : 12:06 p.m.

This Lab holds a huge place in my heart and it's awful what not only she has been though these past 2 days but her owner. To see such a mix of heart ache and anger that has been brought up since her attack is heart breaking. The owner of these reckless dogs has yet to even contact the owner let alone pay a dime. The money is far from the focus "BORN N RAISED"... it's the danger and threat these 2 dogs have casted over the path that has been this lab has walked for years! These dogs need to be put down they are a threat... and with only a house and a street between these dogs and those small children at that school, it's another attack waiting to happening...

rrt911

Fri, Oct 23, 2009 : 10:48 a.m.

I can't believe someone would stop walking their dogs because of an issue like this. Frankly, that may be the biggest problem for the owner of the pits. So many people want a dog but aren't willing to give it the exercise and socialization it needs. Does anyone watch Cesaer Milan, it's cruel to have a animal locked up without proper exercise and pits need it the most. A bored dog is no good for your furniture or the neighborhood. I like the idea someone had of being inspected by a verterinarian, then follow up paperwork. That's tough tho, a fair number of dogs just do not like other dogs and want to prove their domination-so that's gonna be real tough.

Arboriginal

Fri, Oct 23, 2009 : 10:38 a.m.

As horrible as it would be to punish a dog for an irresponsible owner, a folding utility knife is a fine defense against aggressive dogs.

Frightened Dogwalker

Fri, Oct 23, 2009 : 10:08 a.m.

- The owner of the pit bulls may have AGREED to pay the vet bill to the cops, but she has yet to contact the owner or actually pay any of the expenses which now total over $330. With follow-up visits already necessary, this amount will surely be more. - The Lab, in no way, provoked those dogs. She is the sweetest and most gentle creature and was diagonally across from where they live SNIFFING THE GRASS when they stormed running down the street and immediately pounced on her. The two tried to attack each side of her neck while the poor Lab tried to fend them off as best she could. - This incident occurred right next to an elementary school. What if this attack would have been on a human, a child no less?! I love animals, but these dogs were like 2 violent monstersthe fact that they were off their property unsupervised twice in the same week should serve as a warning about their unpredictability--they need to be put down. - A disturbing nonchalance by the pit bull owner at the time of the event scares me almost as much as the attackers themselves. She claimed her dogs would never have acted that way around children and said OhSHUT UP when a witness commented on how dangerous those dogs were. - If you live near the area, please be extremely cautious while walking by the Dellwood/Sequoia corner...or maybe just avoid it altogether

A2Westsider

Fri, Oct 23, 2009 : 9:52 a.m.

Having been very close to this situation (i.e. at the emergency vet for 2 hrs with the aforementioned dog walker and the brave, resilient lab) I can say that the owner of these bulldogs deserves whatever penalty she gets, and probably more than she will receive. To me, the most troublesome part of this is the callous attitude displayed by the owner in her reaction to the situation. This was a dangerous attack affecting not only the lab, but also the people who had to witness it.

GoblueBeatOSU

Fri, Oct 23, 2009 : 9:12 a.m.

I can tell you right now, pepper spray wouldn't have any impact on my 120 pound dog. All it would do would upset him and the person using the spray would end up on the ground with my dog on top of him or her. Don't get me wrong my dog loves everyone and is especially careful with children. He knows his size and power. Because of his size he is great at tackle football...hmm..maybe U of M can use him this weekend on the O-line. Point being, he has never attacked anyone or any other animal. However, he will protect the family. If he feels threaten he can take care of himself. Using a pepper spray on a large animal is just going to make things worse. It might work on a little small dog, but not a large dog trained to defend. and please don't suggest a taser..it would never get through his coat. on the plus side...door to door salesmen don't like my house..and leave quick when my dog answers the door.... use the leash and keep control of your animals. No excuse for someone walking down the sidewalk and being attacked. A properly trained dog doesn't just attack.

Hans Masing

Fri, Oct 23, 2009 : 7:28 a.m.

...yet I have to have a permit and the permission of my neighbors to have chickens in my yard in an enclosed, fenced-in area. I know of exactly zero incidences of hens attacking another pet or causing substantial physical harm to anyone (unless you count the cholesterol in their delicious, delicious eggs).

sisterachot

Fri, Oct 23, 2009 : 7:01 a.m.

Leash Law-Scoffers share some basic personality traits, including justifying why it's ok to let their dog(s) run free in populated areas, whether leash laws exist, or not. Those justifications I've heard most often include: "If people wouldn't act afraid, (the dog) wouldn't bother them." (tell that to another dog or small child!); "It's 'not natural'."; "(the dog) listens to me when it really matters!" (how does the dog know when that is???); "I only let (the dog) off the leash for a minute." (that's when the attack occurred!). As well, having no dependable restraint applied to a dog places the dog at risk: running into the path of an oncoming vehicle; coming into the property of someone who is compelled to maim or kill unrestrained animals; losing the dog to someone who finds it unrestrained. These same CIs (Collective Irresponsibles - for that is what they truly are) are likely Poop-Patrol Scoffers, as well. I've heard all sorts of justifications, including: "Other animals poop and it's not picked up (raccoons, oppossums/i?, deer)."; "(Poop) is organic!"; "(Poop) decomposes anyway."; "They (other people) don't come through here with barefeet - if they do, they deserve to step in it!"; "(The dog) poops 'off the path' (it still smells and runs into the watershed)." These folks missed the 7th grade Civics class at Forsythe Junior High (Go, Vikings!) with Mr. Pincus, where I learned "Ownership implies responsibility", not just for those immediately involved but "for the 'whole', as well".

Jed I. Knight

Fri, Oct 23, 2009 : 6:42 a.m.

I cant see pepper spray as an effective defense against an attacking dog. A quick Google confirms effective on some useless on others. Imagine attacking bull dogs and pit breeds would just get riled up. The only thing I see is to carry a weapon or if you ever have to go for a row - go for the eyes and don't forget you have teeth too.

YouWhine

Thu, Oct 22, 2009 : 8:46 p.m.

@adameichner Who exaclty is going to oversee all of these processes? There is no animal control authority in Ann Arbor anymore. It was cut a few years back. Police officers now respond to animal complaints and issue violations. However they aren't really equipped with the resources to do lots of followup or study a change in a dog's behavior or personality traits over time.

susan

Thu, Oct 22, 2009 : 7:27 p.m.

Dogs are animals, and these things happen. Where is Ceasar Milan when you need him anyway?

bearlab

Thu, Oct 22, 2009 : 4:37 p.m.

Hi Can someone tell the group what is legal protection to carry to ward off dog attacks? Is pepper spray etc etc legal? thanks

adameichner

Thu, Oct 22, 2009 : 1:45 p.m.

Maybe there's a middle, non-reactionary ground here. Perhaps after one non-provoked biting incident, instead of "putting fido down" (lovely, btw), the cited dog owner is required to have the dog(s) submit to a mandatory behavior evaluation by a licensed veterinarian / dog behaviorist. The behaviorist would generate a report, submitted to both the animal control authorities and the owenr. If it recommends socialization training, the owner gets 90 days or so to prove that the lessons have started, or face a fine and /or be "put down" (as would seemingly please the less tolerant in the comment section). Further: If these folks walked into my law office, I'd tell them what a judge would. Your damages have been addressed. Vet bills were paid willingly by owner of the offending dogs. It might start to spin out of control if we start awarding damages for the "changed behaviors" of dogs. Finally, dogs are dogs. I have had dogs be on both the giving and receiving ends of attacks from other dogs. It happens. They are, in the end, animals. Love them though we do,

MMT

Thu, Oct 22, 2009 : 1:44 p.m.

My daughter witnessed the attack while she was walking her mini-dachshund. Fortunately she was far enough away they didn't see her dog who most likely would have died from the attack. I live on the same street and have never seen these dogs out of their fenced yard, but this is the second time this week they have gotten loose. The first time was this past Monday and someone shut them inside the fence of my next door neighbor's yard and called the police. I am not so sure the owner is totally irresponsible, but taking these dogs to the car without leashes was not good judgement. I am also wondering why they attacked at all? The dog who was attacked was at least two houses away from where these dogs live. Hopefully the owner will be more careful since there are many people who walk their dogs daily, including my daughter.

emu2009

Thu, Oct 22, 2009 : 1:43 p.m.

This article brings up another interesting issue with dogs in neighborhoods. Invisible fences. There are a few homes where I live that use these in their front yards. My problem with this type of fence is that a child or another dog on a leash can still wander into the yard not realizing that a dog can run up on them. I have been walking my dog on his leash on the sidewalk and had to move to the road to avoid dogs like this. My personal feeling is that these fences should be limited to back yards or have a safe buffer distance from public sidewalks. As for this story, suing the dog owner would be a waste of time. She was ticketed and paid the vet bills. Hopefully she has learned to put her dogs on a leash. The dogs shouldn't be put down for their owners mistake.

eyeonthenews

Thu, Oct 22, 2009 : 1:11 p.m.

I don't think the laws are strict enough for these people who irresponsibly put others at risk for their own convenience, or as one put it... poor judgement. I see it happen all the time in my neighborhood where Pit Bulls are the prevalent breed of choice and the owners want to walk their dogs without a leash and they get loose and roam. Mention the leash law and they think you're being ridiculous, their dog is so nice, friendly and well behaved he would never attack anyone. Yeah, right! Bottom line there is a leash law that people ignore. When moving dogs from house or yard to the car they should be on a leash. PEROID! I have dogs and would love to take them for walks as they would really enjoy it but I don't do it any more for this very reason.

djm12652

Thu, Oct 22, 2009 : 12:58 p.m.

A 9 year old Lab in the perception of the attacking dogs is not different than a 3 or 4 year old child...agressive behavior is just that. Put them down!

11GOBLUE11

Thu, Oct 22, 2009 : 12:54 p.m.

I'm with blake - one strike and your out, fido.

bearlab

Thu, Oct 22, 2009 : 12:50 p.m.

to BornNRaised Unfortunately this may not end with the paying of the bills. The lab that was attacked may have its behavior permanently changed as a result of the attack. My dog was attacked at the dog park and now has much more aggressive posture to other dogs... so much so that I don't go to the dog park any more. In many ways my dog was "ruined" by the actions of other owners...is there a lawsuit in there someplace? Perhaps there should be because without it this type of dog owner will never change.

DennisP

Thu, Oct 22, 2009 : 12:45 p.m.

BornNRaised, You have it right on the money. No attorney will take this as a lawsuit anyway because the damages are limited pretty much to the cost of the vet bills. No one is going to get rich on this case.

11GOBLUE11

Thu, Oct 22, 2009 : 12:27 p.m.

The law should be strict liability for dog owner (no lawsuit should be needed - the owner should pay all damages caused by the two dogs regardless of fault). Dog owners should be required to carry liability insurance or a bond on their animals in case they can't pay. And if the owner does happen to have some level of culpability (the dog did it before, wan't properly secured, etc) the owner should spend some time in jail. Enough is enough.

A2Writer

Thu, Oct 22, 2009 : 12:26 p.m.

@a2huron: I strongly hope so. Poor lab - such unnecessary suffering due to someone's extremely poor judgment!

Wolverine3660

Thu, Oct 22, 2009 : 12:23 p.m.

I would agree that this irresponsible owner of the 2 bulldogs needs to be sued.

a2huron

Thu, Oct 22, 2009 : 12:03 p.m.

Sounds like a lawsuit in the making.