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21 Reasons Why NOT to Have a Pit Bull or Pit Bull Mix as a Pet

By Sonja Patterson

Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams - BV 581856

November 07, 2010 08:27 AM

TWENTY-ONE STICHES AND TWO DRAINING TUBES...

Yesterday evening after returning home from an open house, I took my dog for a walk. She LOVES her walks. Unfortunately, one home we walked past had two Huskies and a pit bull/bull dog mixed breed. The three dogs were in their own back yard, and they made an amazing ruckus as we went by, barking, howling, and banging against the fence. The pit bull mix was banging against the gate and before I knew what was happening he was out and tearing into my dog!!! It shook my 12 pound terrier like a chew toy, and I just knew she was going to be dead. The owner raced out and grabbed his dog by the collar trying to violently shake his dog off. The dogs teeth were planted firmly. My dog was fighting like crazy...The owner of the dog had began to kick hard blows into his dog. Eventually, the dog let go. This happened at 5:30PM Saturday, and I am still in shock. All traffic basically stopped . I think people were wondering if we were going to get attacked. I got bit, and the man got bit as well...but my Sophie got the worst of it for sure. One of the cars offered to take us home for which I am SO grateful. At that point...I did not know the extent of Sophie's injuries...but I am happy to say after a 3:30AM surgery,21 STICHES, and two draining tubes, Sophie is doing MUCH MUCH better. She will be all right. It will just take some time.

I have always heard about the dangers of Pit Bulls...but had never experienced this behavior first hand. If you or someone you know are thinking of adopting a dog....please, please, please don't choose this breed. And if you are considering the purchase of a home, I would talk to the neighbors on either side and behind to see what kind of dogs (if any) they own.

SONJA PATTERSON with RE/MAX REALTY CENTER 13611 Skinner Rd. Suite 100, CYPRESS, TX 77429

OFFICE 281.213.6200 DIRECT 281.213.8039 CELL: 713.303.9463

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Tammy Lankford,

Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA

Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Sonya- I'm so sorry for what happened. I'm very happy to hear that your Sophie will be alright and I hope the owner will be covering all the medical bills. And if you also got bit I encourage you to also see a doctor and make sure it doesn't get infected. Will say a prayer for you and Sophie.

Nov 07, 2010 08:32 AM

Sonja Patterson

Keller Williams - BV - College Station, TX

Texas Monthly 5-Star Realtor Recipient for the Hou

Thanks so much, Tammy. I was going to be "tough girl" and not go to a doctor, but a lady at the animal clinic said she had tried to be tough girl and ended up with a nasty infection...so I went to one of those 24 hr. care clinics, had the wound treated, and got an antibiotic. The couple could not be nicer about paying. They are looking to find another home for the dog in the country...My son said he hopes they put the dog down. The dog found this couple...and they adopted it. I wonder if it was not taught to fight by a previous owner...

Nov 07, 2010 08:37 AM

Diane Osowiecki

Diane O and Friends - Benchmark Realty - Franklin, TN

Greater Nashville Real Estate

Sonya,

How scary. I can not imagine. Thank GOD you are both on the mend. You and Sophie are in my prayers.

Nov 07, 2010 08:38 AM

Gay E. Rosen

Julia B. Fee Sotheby's International Realty - Larchmont, NY

As Real as Real Estate Gets!

Dear Sonya: I am so so sorry........I know that pit bulls are very territorial, and he obviously saw your dog as being on this turf... Seeing the owner kick the dog makes you wonder if the owner is rough always or was just panicking in this horrific situation. I feel so terribly for you. I had a similar situation..... I would cry for months afterwards rethinking it.... I am sorry. Gay

Nov 07, 2010 08:38 AM

Sheri Salley

Century 21 HS & Associates - Georgetown, TX

Ready to Move When YOU Are !

Sonya - How scary for you and Sophie. I'm a dog lover too and honestly don't understand why people would want to own a breed that is so agressive. Best of luck for a quick healing process - both physically and emotionally!

Nov 07, 2010 08:40 AM

Tni LeBlanc, Realtor®, J.D.

Mint Properties, Lic. #01871795 - Santa Maria, CA

Tenacious Tni (805) 878-9879

I agree. I don't know why people try to have these dogs in neighborhoods. Especially when they are rescues and you don't know what kind of experiences they have had. Even still the nature of the dog is one where they will surpricse you and imagine if it had been a child's face that it tore into. It's not worth the risk. Glad your dog will recover.

Nov 07, 2010 08:53 AM

Sonja Patterson

Keller Williams - BV - College Station, TX

Texas Monthly 5-Star Realtor Recipient for the Hou

Diane, thank you for the prayers. I guess I've lived a sheltered life as I have never had anything so horrific happen. Could not put the scene out of my mind last night...

Gay, I am SO sorry you went thru something similar. It truly is awful. The owner was definitely panicking. According to his wife, a neighbor who was holding one of their Huskies suggested he kick the dog as the dog was going to hold on to Sophie until she was "conquered". Everything happened so fast...but it seemed like forever...

Sheri, thank you. The worst is over.... :)

Tni, YES I am SO glad I did not have one of my kids with me. Even though they are older (12 and 14), I don't want them to have that memory. They were very worried w/o seeing the episode...

Nov 07, 2010 09:14 AM

Joyce Godwin, Realtor, CRS

RE/MAX Elite Properties; Serving Cypress, Spring, Tomball, NW Houston - Houston, TX

RE/MAX Elite Properties

Sonja,

That's awful! Sounds like someone's WORST nightmare! You're such a nice / sweet person and I am so sorry you had to go through that! Glad you and Sophie are both going to be okay. If you can't walk your dog in your own neighborhood, where CAN you walk them? It's a good thing that people were out and that the owner was out or maybe came out when he heard the rucus! I hope both you and Sophie can somehow put it behind you and can continue enjoying your walks. I wonder if Mace would have stopped the pit bull?

Nov 10, 2010 04:25 PM

Sonja Patterson

Keller Williams - BV - College Station, TX

Texas Monthly 5-Star Realtor Recipient for the Hou

Joyce, I am glad the worst is behind us. Sophie gets her two drain tubes out today. She is wagging her tail again and eager to run around. :) Of course, she can't do all she'd like to...but in time! :) Much to be thankful for...It could have been so much worse!

Nov 11, 2010 01:15 AM

Alan May

Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL

Home is where the hearth is.

You are kinder than I am... I would be suing the man for more than the "costs" of surgery... pain and suffering... etc... and I would be demanding that the dog be 'put down'.

the fact that he was 'kicking' his dog, is an indication to me that this was not the first incident... he knew it would take kicking to get the dog to release.

Yikes... is that her 'neck' that he had her by... is that the shaved area in the photo... she's lucky he didn't break her neck... that's what they're attempting to do when they shake them like a rag doll.

Dec 05, 2010 07:48 AM

Sonja Patterson

Keller Williams - BV - College Station, TX

Texas Monthly 5-Star Realtor Recipient for the Hou

Alan, my mom, dad, and brother were pretty angry with me for not pursuing a police report, etc. The neighbors claimed they would NOT be keeping it here in the subdivision but would try to find it a home with a dog-trainer friend of theirs. The dog "owners" actually have only had the dog for 18 months. The dog adopted them, so there is no history on the dog. I am guessing it probably was raised to fight...but who knows...could just be the breed... We have thanked God many times for saving Sophie as he did have her by the neck...and if he'd grabbed her at a different angle...???

Dec 05, 2010 02:25 PM