I don't see no stinking bites!

[Watson's Mom]

I knew Watson had been attacked, but I had no idea it was this horrific. I am so-so glad to see him looking so healthy. He is a beautiful little boy and I too loved that second picture, gave me a giggle! Continued prayers for a speedy, full recovery.

It was hard to imagine when I picked him up that day (it was three days after the initial incident) that things would look so, so much worse thatn this before they started too look better. The doctor warned me that tissue would die. And die it did- those holes grew wider and seemingly deeper, though that may have just been the dead tissue expanding under the surface making them seem deeper. She wants to use the pictures I took on a talk she plans on giving at the new clinic on wound care and progression... Hopefully if anyone else has to go through healing out deep, unsuturable puncture wounds, this will help prepare them for what they are going to see-- I've got a background in biology and animal pathology so I understood what would happen, but it's way different to see it when it's your own beloved pet.

He is looking good!! How are you and BF doing?

We are both doing alright. I've still got the nerve damage in my finger and he some scars. He's taken, what I think is the wrong stance, and now hates all pit bulls. I continue to take serious issue with people who obviously have no control of their dog, regardless of breed.

That look he's giving me in the second picture has a touch of stickeye in it... he had to poop... I wanted to get a couple shots before he turned into Tigger and started bouncing around.

Here's a happier Watson--- two weeks pre-incident with a full coat, touring Cadillac Mountain in Maine.

 

[JLSOhio51]

... He's taken, what I think is the wrong stance, and now hates all pit bulls. I continue to take serious issue with people who obviously have no control of their dog, regardless of breed.

I am delighted to see the progress that Watson, and each of you are making. I tend to agree with you, the issue with dog behavior is primarily with the control or lack of control on the part of the owners. The issue is individuals, not breeds. I'm not a Pit Bull type of guy (and wouldn't be terribly upset if they didn't exist), but I also recognize where the fault lies with any dog that is not in the owner's control. That said, I also understand your BF's point of view since he had an up close and personal encounter with the Pit. Staring into the teeth of an angry, charging dog can change one's perspective.

 

[jomuir]

He's taken, what I think is the wrong stance, and now hates all pit bulls. I continue to take serious issue with people who obviously have no control of their dog, regardless of breed.

Your boyfriend is a smart guy. The problem with being too generous to pitts is the simple fact that the breed is so grossly over-represented in unprovoked attacks for the number of them in existence. Add in the severity of injuries (see your own dog for this). Common sense should tell us there is a big problem when one breed is now commonly known to jump out of car and home windows, break through fences, etc, to attack innocent people walking by them. Cops are having to shoot them nearly every day when they just won't quit mauling, they are so game for the fight bullets hardly stop them. There aren't ANY Shelties mauling other dogs to death, or killing babies or little kids. Every month or so! Or poodles, or beagles, or even the breeds pitt owners like to try to cite as once viscous GSD's and dobes can't hold a candle to the sheer destruction wrought by pitts. No way can we ignore the fact that the breed is terribly unstable.

I would cite the fact that they're known for mauling even their own owners (often to death), but I really don't care about the owners anymore. I care about walking my dogs & getting home unmolested. I am so glad your guy has recovered so well from his mauling.

 

[Watson's Mom]

Even after all we went through, I can't demonize and entire breed; not when I have met more happy and friendly pit bulls than I have individuals that attack. I do think that there are individual animals (of any breed) that have something just not right going on in their brains... something that no amount of socialization or training can overcome. Add in an irresponsible owner who is unwilling (or unable) to take measures to keep people and animals safe from potential attacks and there is a disaster waiting to happen.

In our instance, from everything I hear about the dogs' owners this was a perfect storm waiting to happen: dogs that had strong guarding tendencies (growling at the owner when they tried to put their toddler to bed for instance... she found it funny), irresponsible owners who despite prior attacks a.) kept the dogs and b.) thought keeping them on a flimsy rope outside unattended was just the perfect set up, and who also apparently kept them locked in a garage most of the day with little to no attention. There is talk that at least one of the owners was involved somehow with drugs-- could these two have actually had their behavior encouraged or even trained? We just don't know.

I think there is a certain macho aspect to having dog pit bull or a cane corso types. Thus, a certain segment of the population is going to be more drawn to them and will encourage that type of behavior through training and maybe even breeding. Perhaps yet another reason why you hear a lot of police dog shootings being pitbulls and not so much shelties... Just last week I saw two intact pitbull bitches walking down the road... there are so many in the shelters that I really can't fathom a true need for these dogs to have been breeding.

If any of you have facebook... I encourage you to check out this cool dude.. https://www.facebook.com/HudsonTheRailroadPuppy

Sometimes I think people take the stance well I have a beagle, or a cocker spaniel, or a chihuahua, or a mutt or whatever breed that isn't a bully breed and go "meh, it doesn't matter how it acts, it's little, it's cute, what harm could come from it." That is the attitude I have issues with particularly when they have their adorable little PITA on a retractable leash and thinking nothing of letting it charge over and get in Watson's face.

 

[ghggp]

I am so glad to see how well Watson looks. I guarantee I would have been a basket case if that had happened to any of my boys! Thank goodness you have the background and understanding that you do!

In Michigan we had a pair of cane corso dogs that killed a jogger!

http://blog.dogsbite.org/2014/08/2014-dog-bite-fatality-cane-corsos-kill-jogger.html

What is worse the people that owned them were not even American citizens! These dogs had a history of aggression!

Well, I am just glad that both of you are doing better... Thanks for all the pictures so we can become educated.

 

[Watson's Mom]

I'm a runner- if I run on the roads, I plan my routes and time of day I run carefully. But I generally avoid the roads if I can. I've been chased a couple of times but no attack. Not long ago we had a huge St. Bernard running all over the roads like Cujo... I don't know him and I don't know his personality.

I've posted pictures of the Good and the Bad... now I'll post the Ugly. (And maybe go watch me some Clint Eastwood...)

 

[SheepOfBlue]

I'm a runner- if I run on the roads, I plan my routes and time of day I run carefully. But I generally avoid the roads if I can. I've been chased a couple of times but no attack. Not long ago we had a huge St. Bernard running all over the roads like Cujo... I don't know him and I don't know his personality.

I've posted pictures of the Good and the Bad... now I'll post the Ugly. (And maybe go watch me some Clint Eastwood...)

Most St Bernard's are a big bundle of slobbering joy though I did know who was mean. He liked us though (we rode motorcycles by his house) and was my hero because he got the @#$!@#$!@#$!@# that stole our incredibly nice St Bernard. I try not to wish evil on anyone but hearing that blood was shed made me smile that day.

 

[Watson's Mom]

Most St Bernard's are a big bundle of slobbering joy though I did know who was mean. He liked us though (we rode motorcycles by his house) and was my hero because he got the @#$!@#$!@#$!@# that stole our incredibly nice St Bernard. I try not to wish evil on anyone but hearing that blood was shed made me smile that day.

We have friends who have one and he is a giant slobbery goofball. Cujo on my hill though? He had something shady in his eyes and the way he carried himself I just didn't like. And if he lives where I think he lives- they have a whole big pack of random dogs that never see the inside of the house... who knows how he is.

Ugh- on the other hand, we were waiting to pick up Petey the cat from a couple of tooth extractions and doesn't poor Watson have a bit of a meltdown because of another dog... a gigantic sheltie no less. He was being a complete jerk and was definitely not respecting Watson's stress signals. Poor little guy was quite taken aback.