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Pit Bull Saves Woman With Brain Aneurysm, Given 'Neighbor Of The Year' Award (VIDEO)

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The Huffington Post     First Posted: 10/25/11 04:29 PM ET Updated: 10/26/11 11:49 AM ET

When John Benton tried to leave for work one morning back in July, he was surprised to find the family pit bull, Titan, running around in circles, barking and blocking the door out of the house, CBS Atlanta reported.

"He'd run up a few flights of steps and run back down just to keep me from going, to let me know something was wrong. And that's when I followed him up the stairs to see what he was trying to tell me," Benton told the station.

It turns out John's wife Gloria had suffered a brain aneurysm and fractured her skull after falling down. Had Titan not alerted Benton of Gloria's peril, she may have not survived, the station reported.

Now, the pup is being awarded with "Neighbor of the Year" by the Vintage Pointe Neighborhood Association, making him the first canine to ever receive it.

Pit bulls don't always get a good rap in the news. In January, parents of a boy who was mauled to death by two pit bulls proposed legislation that would make it a felony to own a pit bull in the state of Texas.

The bill ignited furious debate over the breed.

Dog trainer Michele Crouse told NBC that it's not the dog's breed, but rather the dog's owner that determines the animal's aggression. "It's all upon the responsibility of the owner and not what dog they have. It doesn't matter if they have a 2-pound Chihuahua or a 200-pound mastiff."

Earlier this year, another dog became a hero when he alerted rescuers to a pup who was trapped in a drainpipe.

WATCH:



Want more great dogs? Check out the slideshow of puppies below:
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  • Two Beagle puppies play as the American Kennel Club officials announce their annual list of the most popular dog breeds in the U.S January 27, 2010 in New York. (DON EMMERT/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Puppies watch on at a police dog training base September 16, 2005 in Beijing, China. The dogs are trained by a police squad to learn identifying, catching, tracking and other skills. According to the Ministry of Public Security, there is an estimate of over 10,000 working police dogs in China. These dogs are divided into 30 kinds according to international conventions and are widely used in police work, rescue and military missions. (Photo by China Photos/Getty Images)

  • A view of a puppy at the North Shore Animal League America's Tour For Life Pet Adoption Event on April 26, 2012 in New York, United States. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images)

  • A view of a puppy at the North Shore Animal League America's Tour For Life Pet Adoption Event on April 26, 2012 in New York, United States. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images)

  • Puppies just born by a sniffer dog sleep at a police dog training base September 16, 2005 in Beijing, China. The dogs are trained by a police squad to learn identifying, catching, tracking and other skills. According to the Ministry of Public Security, there is an estimate of over 10,000 working police dogs in China. These dogs are divided into 30 kinds according to international conventions and are widely used in police work, rescue and military missions. (Photo by China Photos/Getty Images)

  • A Mastiff puppy rests during the XVIIIth International Dog exhibition on November 8, 2009 in Prague. (MICHAL CIZEK/AFP/Getty Images)

  • A three-day-old Labradoodle puppy is shown to the press at the Uri Bekman's 'World of Dogs' kennel in Pardesia, 30 kms north of Tel Aviv 07 December 2005. (YOAV LEMMER/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Three-day-old Labradoodle puppies nap at the Uri Bekman's 'World of Dogs' kennel in Pardesia, 30 kms north of Tel Aviv 07 December 2005. (YOAV LEMMER/AFP/Getty Images)

  • A seven week old Daschund cross puppy waits to be re-homed at the Cheshire Dogs Home on January 4, 2010 in Warrington, England. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

  • Three-year-old Galia suckles her first litter of six puppies on June 4, 2009 at the Barry Foundation Great St. Bernard breeding kennels in Martigny, Western Switzerland. (FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Two-week-old puppies play on June 4, 2009 at the Barry Foundation Great St. Bernard breeding kennels in Martigny, Western Switzerland. (FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Two-week-old Saint Bernard puppies play at the Barry Foundation breeding kennels in Martigny on June 4, 2009. The Saint Bernard dog was once the ubiquitous companion of monks at the monastery tucked 2,500m above sea level, guiding them through the Alps or helping them to rescue stranded or lost travellers in the snowy mountains. However, there are no longer any such dogs living permanently at the monastery these days. In fact, the monks decided five years ago to part ways with their pedigree breeding programme, as the work became too much for the four monks living permanently at the monastery to handle. The breeding kennels faced the risk of being shut permanently if not for a group of Swiss bankers and animal-lovers who set up the Barry Foundation to buy the breeding programme. (FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Two puppies play as American Kennel Club officials announce their annual list of the most popular dog breeds in the U.S January 27, 2010 in New York. (DON EMMERT/AFP/Getty Images)

  • A volunteer holds up a puppy that was born after its mother has been rescued from a truck, in an animal hospital in Beijing, China, Tuesday, April 19, 2011. Chinese animal lovers mobilized by online calls for help blockaded a truck of hundreds of dogs being shipped off for food in a rare, permitted display of social action amid a broad crackdown on most kinds of activism. (AP Photo)

  • Nine Rhodesian Ridgeback puppies from a litter of 17 look out of their box in Nauen, 50 kilometers outside Berlin on Monday, Dec. 20, 2010. On Sept 28, and 29, 4 year old Ridgeback Etana had 17 puppies. All of them survived. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

  • Seven Rhodesian Ridgeback puppies from a litter of 17 look out of their box in Nauen, 50 kilometers outside Berlin on Monday, Dec. 20, 2010. On Sept 28, and 29, the 4 years old Ridgeback Etana had 17 puppies. All of them survived. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

  • A husky puppy is transported in a child's push chair, on a snowy street downtown Bucharest, Romania, Friday, Dec. 17, 2010. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

  • A seven week old Border Collie puppy rests after frolicking with its sibblings in their garden as outdoors temperatures dropped below minus 10 degrees celsius in the village of Bodice on December 16, 2010. (JOE KLAMAR/AFP/Getty Images)

  • A seven-week old Border Collie puppy rests after a play with its siblings in their garden as outdoors temperatures dropped below minus 10 degrees celsius in the village of Bodice on December 16, 2010. (JOE KLAMAR/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Six-month old Chihuahua puppies, Ellie, left, and Gulliver, right, nuzzle together at the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, in Methuen, Mass. Wednesday, June 15, 2011. The already adopted puppies, born without front legs, were fitted with wheels made by Eddie's Wheels of Shelburne, Mass. and are training to walk and run with them. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

  • Puppies run at a playground in the K9 school and hospital of the Middle East Kennel Cub at Nahr al-Kalb area, north of Beirut, on October 27, 2010. The Club, which is the largest in the Middle East, has more than 400 dogs and clients bring their pets to be trained, bred and hospitalized. (JOSEPH EID/AFP/Getty Images)

  • In this handout image provided by Pucchin Dog's, 'Love-Kun', a 3-day old chihuahua puppy with heart-shaped markings is presented to the media with his brothers at Pucchin Dog's on August 6, 2009 in Odate, Akita prefecture, Japan. The new puppy is the brother of 2-year old chihuahua 'Heart-Kun' who was also born with a perfect heart-shaped marking on his back from the same parents. (Photo by Pucchin Dog's via Getty Images)

  • This photo provided by the Chicago Zoological Society shows 10 African wild dog puppies, six males and four females, huddling with their mother, Kim, at Brookfield Zoo in Broofield, Ill. (AP Photo/Chicago Zoological Society, Jim Schulz)

  • In this Thursday, May 19, 2011, photo, Bonnie, a basset hound, nurses her puppies at an animal rescue facility in South Knox County, Tenn. Bonnie and Clyde, the father of her puppies, are being cared for by At Risk Intervention animal rescue, after being saved from flood waters in Arkansas. (AP Photo/The Knoxville News Sentinel, Paul Efird)

  • Two adopted stray dogs play at an animal shelter on December 15, 2006 in the outskirts of Xian of Shaanxi Province, China. The animal shelter, established by Chinese animal lover Dai Shuqing, is located at an abandoned warehouse which houses some 100 dogs and costs over 2,000 yuan (about US $255) per month. (Photo by China Photos/Getty Images)

  • Golden Retriever puppies with their handlers as the American Kennel Club officials announce their annual list of the most popular dog breeds in the U.S January 27, 2010 in New York. (DON EMMERT/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Susan Thomson holds a three-week-old Chihuahua puppy named Tom Thumb on April 7, 2009 in Renton, Scotland. An unofficial measurement taken by the owner makes Tom Thumb approximately 6 inches long. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

  • A dog suckles her puppies on February 16, 2009 at Halikisla village of Kars, eastern Turkey near the border with Armenia. (MUSTAFA OZER/AFP/Getty Images)

  • A six month old Weimaraner puppy guards his master during Slovakia's national canine all breeds competition in Banska Bystrica on 6 May 2007. (JOE KLAMAR/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Portuguese Podengo puppies are displayed for the media during the launch of the Crufts Dog Show Febuary 24, 2004 in London, England. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

  • A view of a puppy at the North Shore Animal League America's Tour For Life Pet Adoption Event on April 26, 2012 in New York, United States. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images)

 
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
mollymac
nice girls seldom get the corner office
10:22 AM on 11/25/2011
humans are way more aggressive, kill more often and abuse consistently! And as parents, we breed them to be that way!
08:29 AM on 11/01/2011
Great story! There are so many like this, just not public. Pit Bulls are wonderful!!!!
04:58 PM on 10/28/2011
It's about time , i grew up with pits and i am now a proud owner of my own 6 month old pit . It's definitely based on how you raise them and treat them that makes the difference but people these days are too quick to stereotype EVERYTHING and rather blame the animal then the owner . Tea cup poodles are more aggressive then pit bulls . My mother has two dogs with two kids at home and one is a pit , my step dad has done horrible things to this dog as a puppy but he has NEVER snipped or growled at anyone in that house . They had people stayin with them for a bit and they had three pits of their own that they brought to that house and they all got along perfectly . Any dog can be a fighter it really just depends on the owner .
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
wanagiakicita
Tree huggin Earth kissin Free thinkin Liberal
12:12 PM on 10/28/2011
While this is a great story, a great dogand I'm a total lover of dogs, you need to remind yourself that this is one breed that was bred to kill....that was the only reason for its existence in the beginning. So to believe that instinct is completely bred out of even the most docile and well raised Pit, is the same as assuming that you can keep a wolf pup and raise it to forget it's whole DNA. I don't believe they are safe to be around children, but I believe the same about Chows and other breeds that have proven not to have the right temperment. Are there exceptions to the rule? Of course, but on the whole, it's not a good dog for children. One false move and instinct will take over.......and let me say one more thing.....ALL dogs BITE.....given the right circumstances.....but when this breed does it is often fatal. Be realistic when purchasing any dog.
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robadeaux
Your labels have expired....
01:05 PM on 10/28/2011
In this case the "rule" is the exception.
How many Bull Terrier breeds are there and what is the total population of those breeds?
For instance, our Staffordshire Terrier is always mistaken for an American Pit Bull Terrier, but she is not. Is she aggressive? Only if you appear to be a threat to someone. She is protective of her family and friends. Just the way she should be. We did not train her to be that way and she is loving and sweet... but if you raise your voice in anger or aggresssion in her presence, she will become protective. Just like me. She knows the difference between loud fun and loud anger. Just like me. Just ask the ex-neighbor who tried to put a gate and fence over my property. He came off yelling at me when I asked him what he was up to, and she put him in his place quick. And, I trust her with my kids more than I trust most humans.
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HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR
doglove
01:21 PM on 10/28/2011
F & F totally agree

Although they did pretty well breeding aggression out of English Bull Dogs. Took a long time.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
beckym1488
I have dislike for Libs
10:47 AM on 10/28/2011
I LOVE PIT BULLS!!! It's a shame they are so abused and get a bad rep because of bad humans.
10:27 AM on 10/28/2011
About 3 months ago there was a story of a man who came home for lunch and found his wife dead. The police came and the death was blamed on the pit bull they owned. The cop shot the dog right in it's own back yard. When the autopsy was completed they found the woman had fallen off the ladder that was in the kitchen (she was pregnant) and died from the fall. The dog must have been trying to get her to wake up when he slobbered all over her. There was never any news story about...oh we made a mistake...it wasn't the dog. If this guy had gone to work and come back to find his wife dead it would have been blamed on the dog.
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Hobay
Refuse addictive oxycodone pain meds
09:30 AM on 10/28/2011
Google "Clifton Study."
Dog attacks, U.S. & Canada
September 1982 to November 13, 2006
Breed; Bodily Harm Attacks; Child Victim; Adult victim; Deaths; Maimings

Pit bull terrier: 1110 495 397 104 608
Rottweiler: 409 231 109 58 223
Chow: 49 34 12 6 32
Akita: 48 32 14 1 39

Breeds with under 40 reported attacks excluded
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
beckym1488
I have dislike for Libs
10:48 AM on 10/28/2011
And it's a shame that it's their human owners that should have been put down for training them to be horrible tempered.
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HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR
doglove
01:37 PM on 10/28/2011
Yikes, I still think that people who want a dog that has a higher incidence of attacks, should be required to take training and obedience classes. Owner control is a big issue with these breeds.
Secondly, we need very stringent laws for all breeders. Backyard breeding has bred aggression into these dogs instead of out. If you are not sure of your pits lineage, you are asking for trouble. I have seen three pit attacks. In each instance it was the first time and the owners expressed "she is the best dog, she's never been aggressive, etc.". Like a fatal car wreck, having never had one before, won't help you. It only takes one.
When a pit jumps (perhaps yes, provoked) they are extremely difficult to stop, I have the scars to prove it.
When people say, "little dogs bite just as much, it's just not reported", that is a pretty weak argument. Little dogs = little bites. If your toy poodle snaps and doesn't break skin, you probably won't report it.
For thirty years that is not a lot of attacks for Canada & US. Unless your child is one of them.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
beckym1488
I have dislike for Libs
02:23 PM on 10/28/2011
My boyfriend was bit in the face by a dog when he was a child and it wasn't a Pit Bull. People just publicize these Pit Bull cases whereas others get swept under the carpet. We have had Pit Bulls and they are people pleasers. If they are only kept around family they will feel defensive against anyone that comes near them. People don't let people pet their puppy or let the dog near people, they get defensive around people. We had Pits that were guard dogs and some that were family dogs and it all has to do with how you raise them. If you want a guard fog you don't EVER let anyone pat your dog, Little dogs attack too, but it's not as big of a deal or reported because they are small dogs. Don't mean they do it less. simple. Actually the Maltese I had bit and the Pits didn't.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
beckym1488
I have dislike for Libs
07:49 PM on 10/30/2011
They are trying to ban Pit Bull's where I live, so if they can do it here then they should ban them where it counts...where they fight them. They aren't genetically dangerous. Dogs are trained to be that way.
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Hobay
Refuse addictive oxycodone pain meds
08:47 AM on 10/28/2011
What makes it more amazing is that in order to save this woman the dog had to disengage from his previous activity of mauling a neighborhood kid.
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06:52 AM on 10/28/2011
In the 80's Saint Bernards were considered aggressive. Take a big guess why. I grew up with a Saint Bernard; had her for 10 years. She was a sweet heart.
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Hobay
Refuse addictive oxycodone pain meds
08:49 AM on 10/28/2011
Cujo? But Beethoven made up for it in the 90s.
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04:28 PM on 10/28/2011
Bingo! Forgot about Beethoven in the 90s. Good call.
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HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR
doglove
01:41 PM on 10/28/2011
The reason is the same as now. Over breeding and bad breeding. Any breed that becomes very popular goes through the same thing. That's why all labs have bad legs now, their DNA/genetic order has bred in their weaknesses, instead of out, by inbreeding. With pits, their 'weakness' is aggression, their original purpose.
We need very stringent laws for all breeders or nothing will change here.
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04:45 PM on 10/28/2011
I watched a great documentary on how inbreeding wolves is what started the dog population. I'm a huge fan of wolves and in favor of their protection. As I understand it, inbreeding wolves/dogs over the years when certain traits appeared, that were most desired, is what gives us the variety of breeds we have today. I don't know the intricate details to breeding, but what you say I've heard before; and is indisputable among the experts.

Just another example of how the human race does what it pleases with total disregard to consequences.
02:56 AM on 10/28/2011
There you go finally a positive story on a gentle giant. Now all you pooch purse carrying people out there get those yappers out of your purses and put them on your keychain where they belong (or the dash if you have a car). I cannot believe there are people that are actually "GIVING" ANOTHER ONE of YOUR "RIGHTS" AWAY to the "GOV'T" by having them make a LAW banning a dog... A DOG. Keep it up people... KEEP IT UP... SLAVERY RING ANY BELLS???!!!!! Did they have any rights? Hmmmm... naaahhh they prob... just made a lil petition n let gov't decide n make a law on their behalf... It started with a lil right like a dog...etc...
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Hobay
Refuse addictive oxycodone pain meds
08:54 AM on 10/28/2011
Thanks for your condemnation of others pet choices. But the sad truth is these dogs are dangerous, and the debate to regulate them usually starts with the bloodshed of an innocent, not with the "Government Taking Your Rights" point, your improper linkage to slavery, or other illogical rhetoric.
09:39 AM on 10/28/2011
The sad truth is that uneducated morons like yourself believe these dogs to be more dangerous than any other breed. Do a little research and you will see that pit bulls are loving, family oriented, kid friendly dog. They are not aggressive by nature and account for less attacks than breeds like german shepherds and huskies. It is unfortunate that due to their appearance people think it's cool to own a pit bull and make it mean and aggressive. Stop spreading the ignorance.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
beckym1488
I have dislike for Libs
10:51 AM on 10/28/2011
The dogs aren't dangerous from birth. Their human owners need to be put down as well because they are just going to continue to train dogs to fight etc. You can train any breed to be aggressive. Shady people just choose Pits because they get lock jaw. It's not the dogs fault, it's the humans. There have been many dogs rescued from fighting rings and some have to be put down and some go to good homes and live a good life. A lot of it comes down to the humans caring for it.
02:32 AM on 10/28/2011
After reading all these comments I am wondering when my pit bull is going to turn, and is he going to be suddenly evil because his brain gets too big for his skull or is it the gunpowder I feed him for breakfast, if the experts from the dogsbite.org cult could let me know id feel a ton safer! Thanks!
also I feed him a vegan diet so he doesnt get the taste of blood...you know those pit bulls they cant be trusted! He is seven yrs old now so when should I expect to wake up to him eating babies eight or nine years old? Or is it only once they reach senility? Gosh I could really use some guidance from you pit bull experts that have never owned or interacted with more than one in your life at dogsbite! please help!
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Hobay
Refuse addictive oxycodone pain meds
09:28 AM on 10/28/2011
Your breed is particularly agressive with children.
Dog attack deaths and maiming, U.S. & Canada, Sept 1982 to Nov 2006:

Breed; Bodily Harm Attacks; Child Victim; Adult victim; Deaths; Maimings

Pit bull terrier: 1110 495 397 104 608
Rottweiler: 409 231 109 58 223
Chow: 49 34 12 6 32
Akita: 48 32 14 1 39
German shepherd: 63 42 17 7 38
*Breeds under 40 reported attacks excluded*
09:43 AM on 10/28/2011
Those are not accurate statistics. Any dog professional, lobbyist, etc will be able to provide you with numbers that prove that pit bulls are not the cause of the majority of dog attacks. In addition, pit bulls grow incredibly strong bonds with children and are very protective of him. I have 2 pit bulls and I have never even flinched when they have gone near my 4 month old daughter because their temperament is more kind than that of a poodle.
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
seriouslywhy
Live well until the dust settles
12:03 PM on 10/28/2011
I'm a big APBT fan. I have owned a few of these great dogs over the years. Up until about 20 years ago I would have agreed that it was primarily the owners of these dogs that make them aggressive. However I think that due to 100% bad breeding of these dogs due to owner negligence and backyard breeding, these dogs have been given bad traits that make them aggressive towards people. If anyone knows anything about pitbull history. These dogs were not bred to be aggressive towards humans. They were immediately culled if they were aggressive to their human handlers. After all you could not have your best pit dog trying to bite its master could you? These facts are plainly written in the history of the breed from the early 19th century to the late 20th century. Check out the Stratton books. Gone are the days of the intelligently bred 45lb APBT.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
beckym1488
I have dislike for Libs
10:54 AM on 10/28/2011
I'm tired of the same BS as well. People need to start blaming the dogs owners. Pit Bulls are sweethearts. Humans turn them into vicious dogs. Which can be done with any breed, but Pits want to please the human that cares for them so they adapt to what the human wants and they do it really well.
12:59 AM on 10/28/2011
I would like to share with all of you out there that I was attacked by my family dog twice at the age of 4 and 5. I had to have surgery on my face the second time around when the dog bit my face. That dog wasn't a pitbull or a large or medium breed, it was a jack russel terrier. Now I'm 26 and I volunteer at animal shelters. I don't hold a grudge towards the dog, or any animal. They like humans act out, and like humans some have behavioral issues. When you get a dog you HAVE to train them, not matter what breed they are. If you don't train them that is when you can have issues that lead to attacks.

Pitbulls get a bad rap because they seem to be the only attacks reported, people get attacked by other breeds but people don't always report the attacks.
I've worked and have known pitbulls and they are very sweet dogs. They actually score higher in temperament than a lab or golden retriever! I'm sorry to say but those out there that hate this breed have no idea what you're talking about. Any breed can attack you, heck my parents have a Pomeranian right now and he tries to bite people all the time and has. Just trying to say it's not one particular breed that does this, any breed has the capability to attack a human.
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Dee Amschler
on the edge
02:13 AM on 10/28/2011
All very good points. The only times I've been bitten were little dogs. Two were pomeranians. I can't remember what the third dog was. I've *never* been bitten by a larger dog.

Another point for people to remember about media reports is that often any time ANY dog bites, it gets reported as a pit bull - unless it's known to be one of the other "problem" breeds. It's as if labradors or golden retrievers or whatever other "family dog" breed just doesn't have the genetic capability to bite. However they can - and they DO.

I have an Akita right now as a service dog. He's one of the most gentle dogs I've ever had - and supposedly they're another "dangerous breed". His most aggressive thing to animals or people is to pat people with his paw if he wants them to continue/resume petting him. However, he's been attacked by small dogs (often chihuahuas) and their humans in some cases have screamed at me for "taking a dangerous dog in public" when reality is that he's looking at me for help with their dog holding on to his fur and no feet on the ground. BTW, the dog in training to take his place as he retires is a rottie mix. She's even more gentle than he is.

Aggressive dogs are a people problem - not a dog problem or a breed problem. If people don't socialize and train their dogs - they can and often DO become aggressive
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HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR
doglove
02:43 PM on 10/28/2011
You need to study up on DNA, science, genetics.
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TaurusRose
I.do.not.like.new.format
02:25 AM on 10/28/2011
Thanks for the share. I've had just about every breed, and the most affectionate and loving was our 75 pound Doberman.
It sounds to me like your parents have some issues with keeping nasty dogs.
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MonthlyBeast
Still working on my nano-bio.
04:26 AM on 10/28/2011
When I was 15 I worked as a kennel helper for a vet clinic in our neighborhood. The vet had taken in a Dobie who was dying of cancer whose owners could not afford to pay for her treatments and just wanted her put down. He asked if he could keep her instead and the owners agreed. Lucky was the sweetest, most loving dog there could be. I spent every free moment I had with her and she acted as though she thought I was the best creature on the face of the earth. I'll never forget how her eyes seemed to express a calm and joyous gratitude for any little gesture of affection I showed her. After that experience I never understood how that breed had got a reputation as a vicious dog that would turn on anyone unprovoked. I have always had a special feeling whenever I see an owner with a Dobie out in public and have whenever possible gone up and asked if I could pet their dog. The dogs have always been friendly and affectionate and their owners have always stated that the dog was well behaved and loving. I'm sure that pits are the same way and suffer a bad reputation for the few unlucky ones who have had evil owners who trained bad behavior into them. It's the humans that should be condemned, not the dogs.
11:04 PM on 10/27/2011
We had a female pit bull when my daughter was a teenager. My husband had been telling us about this great dog who one of his parts deliverymen had in the delivery truck; then he comes home with the dog after the guy gives her to him. My daughter and I both said "what a beautiful pit bull" and my husband said "the guy didn't know her breed (25 years ago) so take her to the vet, but if she's a pit bull, she's going to the pound". We took her to the vet who said "what a beautiful pit bull" and when we told him what my husband said, the vet said "tell him she's a rare saluki from the Middle East". We did, and she was the sweetest girl all her life. We lived on 5 acres and she was great with the horses, other dogs, let the cats boss her around, and loved when my daughter had slumber parties because she snuggled between the girls to sleep.
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HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR
doglove
01:30 AM on 10/28/2011
fanned
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Hornito
Thoughtful Progressive
11:04 PM on 10/27/2011
This sounds like "pit bull propaganda". I wonder how this one good deed compares to the dozens and dozens of adults and young children attacked, maimed, and killed by pit bulls over the years? One good deed does not undo the genetics of these dogs. They are bred to fight and kill,..... no matter how sweet they seem as puppies...
10:11 PM on 10/27/2011
I wonder how many of those stories are just lazy journalism and they callthe dog a "pit bull" or "pit-bull mix" just so the story catches people attention. I wonder how many people could even identify what a pit bull looks like.

However, pit bulls are not for everyone.
01:02 AM on 10/28/2011
THank you! Exactly bosd, there are many look-a-like breeds out there and some of them are the ones doing this damage. Such as that dog that was 115lbs that was supposedly a pit. Pits do not get that big, but like you said I think people see something that looks like a pit so they assume it's a pit. Just like people assume oh that person looks Muslim so they must be Muslim, therefore they are a terrorist. I know it's an extreme example but my point is stop making assumptions people before you know the facts.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Fran Jaime
Yo Soy 132!
12:46 AM on 10/28/2011
I have a pitbull. He is the sweetest, most loving dog! I would not change him for the world!
10:02 PM on 10/27/2011
Pit bulls have received a bad rap for many years. As a show chairman for the kennel club, I have had the pleasure of working with all breeds of dogs over many years, and have never had a problem handling a total strangers pit bull. Any dog can be trained to be vicious and this is where the problem is. Bad owners produce bad dogs. A rotti, shepherd or doberman can also be trained to be vicious. All 4 of these breeds are very intelligent and easily trained. Raised properly, all 4 of these breeds make excellent family pets
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MagicalPossibilities
Question everything...
12:19 AM on 10/28/2011
I was bitten by a German Shepherd as a kid, then years later my daughter was bitten in the face by my aunt's German Shepherd. Those dogs now terrify me. I've never had any problems with the pit bulls and dobermans I have come into contact with.
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Hobay
Refuse addictive oxycodone pain meds
09:33 AM on 10/28/2011
Well, lucky you.