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“Really nice dogs”

Following up on a submission by KaD last week, “[Pit bulls] are really nice dogs if you’d just give them a chance,” we now focus on the first part: “really nice dogs.” Variations, such as “really good dogs,” “really great dogs” and “really sweet dogs” are found ad nauseum online. However, “give them a chance” is the heavy hitter term due to the endless number of unwanted pit bulls sitting in shelters awaiting death (If only the public would give them a chance!). The term, “really nice dogs” and its variants are often used by owners after their dog violently attacks and by breed enthusiasts as a propaganda tool.

Lesson #1 — Parents often learn through their kids...
Dad: “So how was school today?”
Johnny: “It was Ok. Oh, a lady came and talked to us about being kind to animals. She brought her dog. That was the best part!”
Dad: “Really, what kind of dog was it?”
Johnny: “It was a pit bull named Sampson.”
Dad: “A pit bull? Were you scared?”
Johnny: “Nah. He’s a really nice dog. I got to pet him and give him a treat too.”
Even if Dad decides to call Johnny’s teacher out of concern, the message will just be reinforced. Sampson is a nice dog. – Pit Bul Propaganda Promoter
People that, like you and I, want a well-behaved family companion in an urban or suburban setting. They go to training classes, hire a private trainer, and do anything to proof to “everyone” that a pit bull or Amstaff can be a really nice dog. – Messed-up “Bullies” Don’t Always Belong to Thugs.
She and others in the Alta Vista area neighborhood can hardly believe that a pit bull running loose could lift her gate off its hinges, enter her back yard, kill her tiny dachshund, and then be reunited with its owner … Lauren Olivas said her live-in boyfriend owns the dogs … “She’s actually a really good dog,” Olivas said of the female involved in the killing. “When I heard there was a dog attack, I knew it was her.” – Lauren Olivas
the mailman who delivers on this route, and another neighbor, are swearing up and down that the dog was a really nice dog. So how can the public trust all the testimony of all the pit bull owners who claim their dog is a really nice dog? Some of the worst mauling cases involve dogs whose owners and family swear the dog was great. – Anonymous
they turn on people based on how there treated.! & actually beast was a really great dog this was the first time he ever did something like that now tell me just over one mistake do you really think he should be put down – West Side Milinos
Following a vicious dog hearing in December, the pit bull involved, Cali, was deemed “vicious” and was taken to the Warren Animal Shelter …  “She can be a really sweet dog.  – Animal Control Officer Heidi Garrity
Sterilize all pit bulls now and let the breed die out. There are too many kids around with a half a face after someone’s, “it’s a really sweet dog” has ripped their little faces apart. Pit bulls are not essential to the biosphere continuum. – People First-Dogs Second
However, Sgt. Wiggins said when the officer could not fend-off the dog, he made the decision to fire his gun at it … “The dog was a great dog,” said Junior’s owner, Tony O’Hare. “He would never hurt anybody; he was just a real sweet dog.” – Larry Carver

“Give them a chance”

A recent submission by KaD came in containing two Maul Talk terms: “These are really nice dogs if you’d just give them a chance.” We separated the terms into: “really nice dogs” and “give them a chance.” Tackling the latter term first, Google Search results show that the query (“pit bull” and “give them a chance”) has over one million results. This term often centers around the obscene number of unwanted pit bulls — about a million annually — that arrive in open admission shelters of which 800,000+ are euthanized. The plea, give them a chance, is echoed gratuitously despite the breed’s unmatched, killing record.

Submission:

I always cringe when some pitiot says “These are really nice dogs if you’d just give them a chance…” That’s the whole problem. Pits are the number ONE breed for FAILING a second chance after mauling or killing a person or their pet. Pit bulls have had 30 YEARS of chances — resulting in 30 years of maimings, killings, maulings, disfigurements, dismemberments, scalpings, amputations, life flights, dead pet dogs, dead horses, dead sheep, dead alpacas, dead kids. Pit bulls have had far too many ‘chances’ already. Add to this the fact that pit bulls were bred to be fighting dogs, not pets, and that there are over 400 registered dog breeds and no damn reason anyone needs to own a pit bull. - KaD

References:

Many adopters won’t even give them a chance. They hear pit and they run. They are scared.  – Kristina Campbell
the reason there is so much in the pound is because people don’t give them a chance.  thats why there so many in the pound, shelter, and even dead! – Eric13
Fighting Pit Bulls being put down – why not give them a chance? – Alice
Pit Bulls are an amazing loyal loving dog if you people would just give them a chance! – Amanda Thoman
“I encourage people not to wrinkle their nose and get all scared when they see a Pit Bull. I encourage you to give them a chance,” – Shannon Bagby
Why rescue a Pit Bull: “Because they can change minds, touch hearts, and save lives…if someone would just give them a chance.” – Pit bull rescue
PEOPLE ARE THE CAUSE OF BAD PITS.  IF ONLY PEOPLE WOULD GIVE THEM A CHANCE. – Repellent pit bull breeder
Pits – Give them a chance – Facebook page
Give them a chance — I know a lot of people are afraid of pits, but they are really great dogs if you just give them a chance. – Ashley Gilbert
When cared for and treated responsibly…Pit Bulls are the best dogs anywhere…give them a chance. – Bailey West
This pit bull single-handedly changed my misinterpreted belief about the breed. They are great dogs if you just give them a chance – Jennifer

Close Combination References

They are really, really good dogs, wonderful dogs, if people would just give them a chance. – Danielle Black
I CAN GUARANTEE THIS DOG WILL NOT BITE U IF U RAISE HIM WELL! Pit Bulls are super sweet! I HAVE NVR SEEN ONE GO CRAZY ABOUT ANYONE OR ATTACK ANYONE! They are really good dogs! GIVE THEM A CHANCE! – Jessie Muniz
I wish more people like you would give them a chance. They can be really good dogs if you raise them with love – xxangiielovexx
I know a lot of people are afraid of pits, but they are really great dogs if you just give them a chance. – Ashley Gilbert
I must say thank you so much for adopting a APBT, you are saving two lives. The one who you adopt and the one that takes its place at the shelter. They can be really great dogs if people just give them a chance and they just want to be lap dogs! – Rogue Bullies

“Use them as pillows”

After the horrific dog mauling death of 21-month old Monica Laminack by her family’s seven pit bulls, relatives told investigators that the toddler often played with the dogs and would “use them as pillows” while watching TV. Google Search results show that Laminack’s relatives are not unique. The term, “use them as pillows,” yet another disturbing pit bull myth rife with dangerous propaganda, is spread across the Internet by numerous Nutters (See related myth: Nanny dog). Authorities anticipate charges against the adults who were home “napping” while the seven pit bulls tore little Monica apart.

He said relatives insisted the toddler would play with the dogs and even “use them as pillows while watching TV.” – Nutter family
keep the dog ditch the husband he sounds paranoid i have pit bulls and when my grandchildren come over they use them as pillows to watch tv – Karen B
I think its awesome how most of these points to ban the breed are based on social stigma and not personal experience. I love my loyal loving cuddling friendly pit bulls. They let kids pull their ears, ride their backs, use them as pillows. – Anna Jones
Who does this cowhead think he is? Pit bulls r the most sweetest, kindest, & the most gentlest breed of dog there is. Wut other dog breed would just lay there & let children climb all over them & let a person use them as pillows without attacking. – Teresa Cornwall
Same. I used to have 2 pits. They were the sweetest dogs ever. They let u use them as pillows! – ElviraTepes
Blame the deed not the breed! There is no such thing ad a bad dog only bad owner. I own 5 pitbulls and 1 American bulldog and they all let my children jump on them pull tails pull ears (yes I discurrge my children from doing so) they even let my children use them as pillows. – Tipsy
ANY DOG CAN ATTACK … these dogs are the most LOYAL nad protective that I have ever owned … my 8 stay inside at night and are outside at least 6hrs a day,they sit in the floor when we watch a movie or the kids will use them as pillows while watching T.V – luv my pit bull
My aunt has owned three pits, and when she went on vacation, we would watch them. I used to use them as pillows when I was younger, and they had no problem with it. – FlyersEnforcer
The APBT’s in our family were always like having a nanny around we could ride them and use them as pillows to take a nap with and when outside playing they were always right with us on guard protecting us – sw_df27

After publishing this post, a user sent in the below information to show that pillows aren’t always innocent fluffy objects used to lay your head upon. Pillows, however, do not kill people spontaneously, without specific direction from those who use them.

• Daily World, The (Aberdeen, WA) – March 27, 2013 — Man says he ‘committed a father’s worst sin,’ pleads not guilty to shooting — Michael League called 911 early Sunday to report he’d “committed a father’s worst sin,” authorities said.League, 69, told police he took his .22-caliber Ruger pistol and shot his adult son and daughter in the head as they slept in his Puyallup home, court records show.He allegedly used a pillow to muffle the sound of the gunshots so as not to wake his wife and two young grandsons, who also were asleep in the house.
• Clear Creek Courant (Idaho Springs, CO) – December 5, 2012 — Investigator: Elmgreen confessed to killing father,  Judge finds probable cause at preliminary hearing — During a preliminary hearing in Jefferson County Court on Nov. 30, a homicide investigator testified that defendant Kenneth Elmgreen admitted to killing his elderly father and then attempting suicide.Evergreen resident Elmgreen, 53, was arrested in early August on charges of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree arson and two counts of crimes of violence.Last Friday, Jeffco sheriff’s Investigator Kathleen Battan testified that Elmgreen said he used a pillow.
• Bismarck Tribune, The (ND) – October 3, 2012 — ND murder suspect scheduled to change plea — DICKINSON (AP) – Trial has been canceled and a change-of-plea hearing scheduled for a North Dakota man accused of killing the mother of a child he believed was his daughter.Dirk Huber of Belfield had pleaded not guilty to murdering Nicole Radebaugh in her apartment bedroom in August 2011. He was scheduled for trial beginning Oct. 15. Court documents show that he will appear in court to change his plea instead.Authorities allege that Huber used a pillow to suffocate Radebaugh.
• San Francisco Chronicle (CA) – July 20, 2012 — Woman charged with murder – Bible possibly a weapon — A woman smothered a romantic rival with a pillow and beat her – possibly with a Bible – while chanting religious passages as part of what she called an exorcism, a prosecutor said Thursday. Karla Kuhl, 35, of El Sobrante has been charged with murdering 58-year-old Patricia Medeiros, said Contra Costa County prosecutor Harold Jewett.Sheriff’s deputies responding to an early morning medical call on June 5 found Medeiros dead in her home.
• Herald-Dispatch, The (Huntington, WV) – February 8, 2012 — Man accused of trying to kill daughter, Father allegedly used pillow in an attempt to suffocate girl, 11 months old — HUNTINGTON — A local man found himself behind bars Tuesday, charged with trying to kill his infant daughter.Authorities charged Larry James Thomas, 40, with felony attempted first-degree murder, along with misdemeanor domestic battery and carrying a concealed weapon without a license. Criminal complaints describe Thomas as a convicted felon wanted out of Boyd County, Ky.The incident with Thomas’ 11-month-old daughter happened just after 11 p.m. Monday.
• Dickinson Press (ND) – November 8, 2011 — Officer: Pillow used to suffocate Radebaugh; Huber pleads not guilty to Belfield homicide — Nov. 08–Dirk J. Huber is believed to have used a pillow to kill his former girlfriend after allegedly arguing over the paternity of her daughter, officials said during his pretrial conference in Dickinson on Monday. The 41-year-old pleaded not guilty Monday to murdering Nicole Lynn Radebaugh, 39, by suffocating her in her Belfield apartment in August.
• Associated Press Archive – September 14, 2010 — UK reporter sentenced for fake mercy killing claim
  A veteran British TV reporter has been sentenced after he admitted making up claims he killed a former lover who was dying of AIDS. A judge gave BBC journalist Ray Gosling a 90-day suspended prison sentence for fabricating his confession and wasting 1,800 hours of police time.The 70-year-old Gosling drew media and police attention in February when he said on a BBC TV documentary that he used a pillow to smother his dying lover in his hospital bed.
• Grand Rapids Press, The (MI) – January 13, 2009 — Life sentence ‘what I deserve’ — GRAND RAPIDS — Against the advice of his lawyer, 41-year-old Andrew Neal pleaded guilty Monday and accepted a lifetime in prison for murdering a woman he called his close friend. “It’s what I deserve, your honor. There is no excuse,” Neal told Kent County Circuit Judge Paul Sullivan after admitting he used a pillow to suffocate Mashonda Griffin, 35, in her Wyoming home, at 2940 Union Ave. SE, on Oct. 27.

“I don’t understand it”

After the catastrophic pit bull mauling of Linda Henry, 54, of Westwego, Louisiana, her boyfriend Clarence Allen said, “I don’t know why they did it … They never had a fight. I don’t understand it.” Three of the couple’s four adult pit bulls ambushed Henry after she walked into her home. The woman lost an eye, ear and both arms to amputation in the horrific assuault. The pit bulls also ripped off the entire back portion of her scalp. The response by pit bull owners, “I don’t understand it” is complete denial of well documented pit bull attack traits revealed over and over again in serious and fatal pit bull maulings.

The toddler killed by a family dog in Orange County has been named … Mike Hicks, the victim’s cousin, told reporters, “Friendly dog, I mean, I don’t understand it. Just don’t understand it. Words can’t describe how it happened,” Hicks said. – DogsBite.org
“My dogs mind me when I tell them to go in the yard and lay down, they do. When I say go on the porch and lay down, they do. I don’t understand why this happened” – Donny Hays
I don’t understand what happened. It was almost like he was cursed or something, like somebody had him under a curse.” – Derek Malcom
“I just don’t understand it. He is such a sweet dog, just a big ol’ puppy. I leave him alone with my kids all the time. The 4 year old must have provoked him.” (sarcasm) – Glock23
Every single solitary pitbull owner whose dog has mauled someone has said the exact same thing as you; they are wonderful, I’ve never had a problem, I just don’t understand it, this is the first time, etc. – Anonymous
All pit bulls are as sweet as pie and every time they bite or kill someone, the fool owner says “I don’t understand it. My dog has never bitten anyone before. The child must have been doing something to provoke him because he’s always been as sweet as pie.” – Hank
Maybe he is… but it’s amazing how often, following a vicious pit pull attack, the responsible party says, “I don’t understand it… he’s a nice dog.” -bikeboy
Most pit bull owners whose dogs attack another animal or human with no apparent reason are wont to say that they don’t understand it because their dog was the gentlest, most loving dog one could imagine. – Barbara Kay
And to add to 26’s posting, how many times have you read in pit bull attack stories that an owner says, “I don’t understand it. He’s always been such a sweet dog”? – LAB
The remarks frequently heard after such an attack “I don’t understand it….he’s always been nice to everyone…..he plays with all the neighborhood children….he’s not an attack dog…..he’s never been abused….” certainly bear that out. It is mind boggling how many here will make all kinds of nonsensical excuses for pitbulls – AA#5

“Could not stop it”

After a pet pit bull violently attacked Ryan Maxwell killing him, the owner of the dog, Ashiya Ferguson, emphatically declared: “Oh God, it was so horrible. I couldn’t stop it. I couldn’t stop it. I couldn’t stop it.” Ferguson is hardly alone in the inability to stop a tenacious pit bull attack, which is Part One of why many communities regulate this dog breed. Part Two is the damage this breed inflicts during its assault. In the case of Ryan Maxwell, the dog clamped onto the boy’s throat and refused to release. The dog was still clamped on when police arrived. As usual, to “disengage” the pit bull, officers had to shoot the dog.

“Oh God, it was so horrible. I couldnʼt stop it. I couldnʼt stop it. I couldnʼt stop it.” While Ashiyah and her sons scrambled to try to free Ryan, Susan called the police. “How do you call someoneʼs mother and explain this?” Ashiyah asked. – Ashiya Ferguson
An officer said he was forced to shoot a dog Sunday after he could not stop it from attacking another canine. “The pit bull showed no signs of stopping, no matter what they tried,” – Police officer Kevin Wyatt
My babies just started fighting!… Help!! … This time i was home alone and could not stop it. They were literaly tearing each other apart!! I got them seperated with all my might and theyd break free ad keep going. I was scarred, horrified, and helpless. It started in the living room and ended in the front driveway. I even got my pistol and fired the entire clip into the ground next to them … They never missed a beat. – csixer66
I’ve had othwise lovely pits get into dogfights where the owner could not stop the fight no matter how hard they tried….and that includes hitting them with a hose, hitting them with a baseball bad, etc. Sorry, but when pits get into an aggressive fight, there is not much you can do to stop them. – DuikesMum
Boo, a four-year-old pit bull, broke free from it’s leash and ran into Lombardo’s yard. The Lombardo family said they could not stop the attack on their own. Charles Lombardo told sheriff’s deputies that he tried to separate the animals by yelling, kicking and hitting them with a cane before be grabbed a 12-gauge shot gun and shot the dog twice, then called police. – Charles Lombardo
A condo neighbor of my in-laws was not so fortunate, their young 4 year old daughter was riding her tricycle on their sidewalk when a neighbor’s two Pit Bulls attacked her. A group of male neighbors rushed to help her with hammers, shovels and tire tools and could not stop the dogs from ripping the girls throat out killing her … – Ken
Police considered charges Tuesday against the owners of two pit bull terriers that killed a retired Veterans Administration hospital chief surgeon in a 25-minute attack that neighbors could not stop. Witnesses said about nine people tried to subdue the dogs with poles, pipes and brooms while the animals mauled Dr. William G. Eckman, 67, as he left his home… – Los Angeles Times

“Super Nutter”

As opposed to just a plain old pit nutter — now commonly seen shortened and also capitalized to the single term “Nutter” — a Super Nutter was coined by writer Snack Sized Dog in a December 2012 blog post on Craven Desires, Who will be the Austin TX Next Top Nutter? The post names three Super Nutters, persons and organizations who have demonstrated or advanced exponential Nutter endeavors: Austin Animal Services, Christopher Grant and State Representative Eddie Rodriguez, D-Austin (District 51).

Austin Animal Services – You couldn’t find a more pit bull lovin’ & promotin’ organization than Austin Animal Services and their little buddy Austin Pets Alive! You’d also be hard pressed to find an organization so audaciously and brazenly contemptuous of the hand that feeds it. It takes major balls to take tax payers’ money for the stated purpose of adopting out more large dogs with behavior problems back into those tax payers’ neighborhoods…
Christopher Grant – ‘handicapable’ GRANT has trained his own dogs, including the two service pits himself. Look at these training videos. First, as a responsible owner, he builds a very high fence (Title of video: Freestyle walking). And then he trains his dogs to scale it. And in this one, he teaches his service dogs to pull him around on a bike (Title of the video, Urban Sled).
State Rep. Eddie Rodriguez – He could have looked at the carnage CHRIS ‘walking clusterfuck’ GRANT has wrought and publicly demanded that the full force of Lillian’s law be brought to bear … He could have decided to file a bill that penalizes people for fraudulently claiming their pets are service dogs … RODRIGUEZ is now set to file a bill that will make sure that the next CHRIS GRANT will be allowed to force the City of Austin to spend tax-payer money to fight an appeal to keep the mauling pit bulls in their neighborhood.

Other Super Nutters that come to mind prior to this enhanced terminology include Greg Napora whose pregnant wife was brutally killed by the couple’s pet pit bull. Napora told the media after her death that he planned to bury her (and her unborn child) with her murderer.

“A day after the family’s pit bull fatally attacked his pregnant wife, Greg Napora said Friday he doesn’t blame the dog. He even plans to bury his spouse, Darla, with their pet’s cremated remains in her casket. “They are the most loving animals I have ever had in my life. Whatever happened right now was not the breed’s fault,” said Napora, who found his wife dead when he returned to the couple’s Pacifica home from his construction job with plans to take her to lunch Thursday. “It was just a freak accident.” – Greg Napora

“PBAM”

Writer Barbara Kay of the National Post, who does not shy away when writing about the dangerousness of pit bulls, recently penned the Maul Talk Term “ambulatory grenade.” In the same article, “Beauty queen becomes target of the pit bully lobby,” Kay created a new acronym for the pit bull lobby, calling it the pit bull advocacy movement (PBAM). Kay dutifully remarks that the PBAM, oddly enough, only exists to promote the denial of the pit bull breed’s proven vices: continuous maulings, maimings and deaths.

but the fruit of a well-oiled, extremely well-funded propaganda campaign by the pit bull advocacy movement (PBAM). The PBAM is wedded to the fiction that the pit bull, sadly victimized by a biased press, is a gentle, affectionate, child-loving dog … The PBAM is a powerful lobby group that has successfully coerced complicity in the propagation of pit bull myths from kennel clubs and humane societies, and shamefully misled gullible media … Only the PBAM exists to promote denial of their beloved breed’s proven vices. – Barbara Kay

“Must have been the weather”

Maul Talk reader JoannaDW sends in new phrase after the fatal pit bull mauling of Debra Wilson-Robert. The phrase, “Must have been the weather” has been used before, but in a slightly different context. In February 2010, after a series of brutal pit bull maulings in Philadelphia, including the horrific death of Christine Staab, pit bull propaganda devotee Karen Delise suggested the attacks were caused by the “snowy winter” and “cabin fever.”

This one was inspired by the story told on September 11 about the woman in Jefferson County who was killed by her pet pit bull. Marla Glover, the woman’s friend, actually blamed the attack on a storm that blew over, as if it’s totally normal and expected for domestic animals to suddenly launch a bloody, fatal attack on long-time owners and friends. Most wild animals don’t even do that, but this does not faze the dedicated pit nutter. “Must have been the weather” is the sort of response you give to someone whose allergies or arthritis is acting up, or to someone whose plants have grown twice their original size in a week. It’s not the response you give to someone who was eaten alive by their own pets. – JoannaDW

“Ambulatory grenade”

Writer Barbara Kay of the National Post, who writes sharply crafted prose about the dangerousness of pit bulls, recently penned two Maul Talk Terms in a single paragraph. The article, “Beauty queen becomes target of the pit bully lobby” concerns the recent announcement by Miss Universe Canada, Sahar Biniaz, that she supports a provincial pit bull law in British Columbia. The first term by Kay is “PBAM” and the second is her description of a pit bull as a “genetically manufactured ambulatory grenade.”

The petition against Ms. Biniaz is not a spontaneous phenomenon, but the fruit of a well-oiled, extremely well-funded propaganda campaign by the pit bull advocacy movement (PBAM). The PBAM is wedded to the fiction that the pit bull, sadly victimized by a biased press, is a gentle, affectionate, child-loving dog. They are — until suddenly they aren’t. And nobody knows when or why they will strike with their rending, crocodile teeth and implacable to-the-death grip, except that the answer lies in their genes. The pit bull is a genetically manufactured ambulatory grenade and deserves every bit of condemnation it receives. – Barbara Kay

“Navigate the yard”

In what may be one of the finest comments ever left at the DogsBite.org Facebook page — noted as biblical in fact — a reader sarcastically responds to the many nauseating Maul Talk phrases used by pit bull owners to deny the breed’s responsibility in the continuous onslaught of maulings and killings. In a dazzling metaphor, the reader hits all of the highlights: It’s all in how you raise ‘em; pit bulls don’t snap for no reason; images of pit bulls cuddling with babies; and last but not least: Don’t ban the breed, ban stupid owners!

I have live land mines in my yard. They’re safe. They’ve never exploded. It’s all in how you navigate the yard. Land mines don’t explode for no reason; something has to set them off. I even have pictures of my kids sitting in my land mine strewn yard and smiling, set to “Angel” by Sarah Mclachlan. Don’t ban land mines, ban dumb, inattentive walkers!” – David

“Unfortunate accident”

Like the terms freak accident and tragic accident used by pit bull owners to deny responsibility after a violent or deadly attack, “unfortunate accident” was recently voiced by Adam Pollack, who runs a pit bull breeding operation from his home, after his three leashed pit bulls attacked a 9-year old boy. The attack occurred as the boy and his mother, Jessyca Petell, were walking into the entrance of a multi-family home in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Petell said when her son opened the door, “the dogs burst out, dragging him down the steps and continuing a ‘violent, relentless and ruthless’ attack.” The dogs inflicted 35 puncture wounds and a 3-by-3 inch section of the boy’s scalp was torn off.

In 2007, after a felony-filled domestic incident, Adam Pollack was allegedly attacked by one of his pit bulls. He told police officers then, “You guys better shoot that dog or I will.” So the officers shot the pit bull to death. Pollack is currently appealing the order of Pittsfield Police Chief Michael J. Wynn that deems his three current pit bulls vicious after attacking the 9-year old boy. (Owners of pit bulls who are attacked by their dog routinely order officers to shoot it. When their dog attacks an innocent person, pit bull owners like Adam Pollack routinely go through the appeals process to get their maulers back. Notably, while in quarantine after the attack, one of Pollack’s pit bulls had a litter of puppies).

An unfortunate “accident” indicates an “unforeseeable event not caused by misconduct or negligence” yet in this case, Pollack couldn’t even hold onto the dogs’ leashes allowing his animals to violently attack. Pollack blamed his loss of control over his dogs because the little boy “flung open” the door, spooking the dogs. What is unfortunate is that no matter what a judge decides in the upcoming appeals hearing, Pollack still has a round of new pit bull puppies coming back to his home. What is unfortunate is that new victims of Pollack’s pit bulls lie on the horizon. And finally, what is indeed unfortunate is that Pollack is “prime material” to file bankruptcy if sued by the victim’s family to escape liability.

If Pollack is a renter, however, the boy’s family may have hope.

The owners of three pit bulls implicated in the injury of a 9-year-old boy say they feel terrible about the attack, which they characterize as “an unfortunate accident.” – Adam Pollack
Griggs reiterated that the attack was the result of “a bad decision” … “This was an unfortunate accident.” During the trial which lasted four days, DeKalb Solicitor General Sherry Boston portrayed Vaughn as a negligent dog owner. “An accident didn’t happen on March 9, 2010,” Boston said. “A vicious dog attack that was avoidable happened on March 9, 2010,” – Solicitor General Sherry Boston
Owners of a pit bull in Cheyenne have surrendered their pet to the Cheyenne Animal Shelter after it attacked a 10-year-old neighbor a second time within a year. The dog’s co-owner Duane Padilla said Monday it was an “unfortunate accident.” – Duane Padilla
We spoke with the dog’s caretaker, who says she’s being harassed by people through phone calls and emails, calling her a bad mother for keeping a violent dog when she has small children … The dog belonged to her ex-boyfriend and was never fully socialized, she calls it an unfortunate accident. – Caretaker of pit bull
DEXTER CLARK says it was an unfortunate accident in one breath and in another acknowledges that he is the only one who can control the beast and still another implies the victim did something to provoke dog. – Dexter Clark
As stated before, even though unintentional, you entered the other dog’s territory when you entered their room. They protected their owners just as any dog who is worth it’s salt would do… including yours. Neither you, the hotel nor the dogs were at fault. It was an unfortunate accident  – Richie H
Best quote from the comments section of the article: “This is an unfortunate accident, but it could have been any breed of dog. I agree that owners of dogs have a responsibility to train and maintain control of a dog on a leash. However, I also believe that runners and cyclist need have a responsibility for their own safety when they approach a person walking a dog.” – Blogger commenting on Nutter comment
I agree it is an unfortunate accident but the people who own those pit bulls r my aunt and uncle. Those dogs have always been the most loving and well behaved dogs. They have had many pit bulls in over 25 years and have never ran I to any problems. – rbkirtiely

“Pit bull denialism”

The term “pit bull denialism” was recently used by a blogger at scientopia.org. The post, “Pit bulls are inherently dangerous,” by DrugMonkey comments on the recent Maryland Court of Appeals decision that holds owners and landlords accountable when a pit bull attacks. Like many of us, DrugMonkey is sick of reading about pit bulls attacking people. “Pit bull denialism” describes the blind Nuttery of pit bull owners and the many ways in which they distort the truth about the breed in hopes of persuading people that despite being the top maiming and killing dog breed, pit bulls are trustworthy and loyal pets.

The term appears to have originated at Dr. Joan Bushwell’s Chimpanzee Refuge blog in 2007. Pit bull promoter Erv was offended and promised to never read “Dr. Joan’s” blog again. (We know the truth hurts Erv, but closing your eyes to the well-documented 30-year track record of pit bulls maiming and killing people doesn’t make the truth disappear!)

Pit Bull Denialism
“He won’t hurt you”. Check out this thread which popped up after a report of a child being killed in a pit bull attack. We can thank commenter scorp1101 for jumping right into it with the pit bulls are just fine and I know because I own one argument … It would be naive to assume that a dog’s behavior (or that of pretty much any animal) is entirely or even largely dependent on training and environment. To discount inherent biological factors is specious. The reality is that pit bulls have the “biological equipment” to inflict damage that other breeds, say basset hounds, do not… – Doc Bushwell

“Coddling crappy dog owners”

This unforgettable phrase comes from a member of the Pit Bull Regulation Project. The term refers to the overwhelming coddling of owners of dangerous dogs by law enforcement and municipal officials. In some instances, dog bite victims file civil lawsuits, as such continuous coddling can turn into negligence claims. It is true that the coddling of crappy dog owners can in part be blamed on crappy local and state dog laws, but at some point the authorized enforcer of these laws is left holding the malodorous poop bag.

(2010) Dog owner Virgil C. Mitchell, Delaware, Ohio – Prior to his dangerous dogs nearly killing a man, Mitchell was cited at least 10 times for being an appallingly unsafe dog owner. Below is a laundry list of Mitchell’s offenses leading up the near fatal mauling of 67-year old James Bright, Jr. In the end, authorities were able to stack up enough charges to construct a jail sentence of three years. Mitchell later pleaded guilty in a plea agreement.

(2001) Complaint for dogs running loose, police investigated
(2002) Complaint for dog running loose, officers dropped charges after Mitchell agreed to purchase state required insurance for one of the dogs, a pit bull, caught at large.
(2004) Complaint for dogs running loose, police investigated
(2004) Complaint for dogs running loose, police investigated
(2005) Complaint for bite upon human being, victim declined to press charges.
(2005) Complaint for dogs running loose and menacing. Mitchell was charged with having dogs at large.
(2006) Complaint for dogs running loose
(2006) Complaint for bite upon human being. Mitchell was ordered to pay victim’s $2,000 medical bills and a $418 fine for court costs.
(2006) Court ordered to not have any dogs over 20 lbs for two years due to 2006 biting incident.
(2008) Charged with failing to register and vaccinate his dogs.
(2009) Mitchell pleaded guilty to a felonious assault charge and was sentenced to 60 days in jail.
(2010) Complaint for bite upon human being, victim declined to press charges after Mitchell agreed to pay the victim’s medical bills.
(2010) Charged with 4 misdemeanor charges and 12 minor misdemeanor charges after the violent attack upon James Bright, Jr. – DogsBite.org

(2007) Dog owner Charles Smallwood, Knoxville, Tennessee – In the several months leading up to the brutal attack that killed Jennifer Lowe, 21, animal control officials had visited Smallwood’s home 5 times. Knoxville County later settled a civil claim that was brought by the victim’s family. No charges were ever brought against Smallwood. Note the “reminder” in the last paragraph three days before the attack that ended Jennifer’s life.

The first visit, in August, followed a complaint by a neighbor saying her dog had been attacked by one of the pit bulls.
Subsequent to this, the dogs attacked two police cruisers, which is when officials deemed the dogs “dangerous.”
On August 23, Smallwood’s brother was cited over the dogs and sent to court.
On August 28, Smallwood signed papers stating he understood the county’s requirements.
On September 14, animal control checked to make sure the county orders were followed.
Three days before the fatal attack, the dogs were found running loose in the yard with the owners. An animal control officer stopped and reminded them that the dogs needed to be muzzled and on a secure chain. – DogsBite.org

(2007) Dog owners Shellie Wilson and Zachary Martin, Pierce County, Washington – Prior to the pair’s pit bulls entering Sue Gorman’s house while she slept and attacking her and her dogs, animal control had visited the home of Wilson and Martin 16 times due to dog complaints. The dogs could have been declared “potentially dangerous” four times prior to the attack on Gorman. In 2011, Gorman won a $2.2 million award against Pierce County.

The two dogs, Tank and Betty had a history of problems. According to records, animal control officers cited Wilson twice in 1998 at her previous residence and made 16 visits to her current home since 1999 for dog complaints from at least eight neighbors. They cited Wilson a total of 10 times for roaming or unlicensed dogs. – DogsBite.org

It doesn’t pay to coddle crappy dog owners!

“Going pit bull”

The pop culture terms “going pit bull”, “go pit bull” and “get all pit bull” are used to describe dramatic acts of aggression, violence and excitement (see: extreme tail wagging) that pit bulls display during an attack. Notably, it appears Cesar Milan attempted to usurp this phrase by creating a blog post titled “Going Pit Bull: How We Can End Prejudice.” The USPS, however, who invented “going global” to commandeer the term “going postal” after a series of deadly shootings in the 80s and 90s, easily dwarfs Milan’s effort.

According to Wikipedia, between 1983 and 1997, about 43 people were gunned down in post office-related shootings. During this same period, the Fatal Pit Bull Attacks website shows that pit bulls “going pit bull” took the lives of 69 people. “Going pit bull” and its derivatives warrant a space as a verb and adjective in modern pop culture dictionaries, as well as in conversations used to describe sudden acts of aggression, violence and mayhem that leave people and pets permanently disfigured, maimed and dead.

I guess I’ll start taking out the trash myself cause you just ever know when my perfectly good kid is going to go “pit bull” on me – Sharon
let’s not forget about actress Lisa Raye going pit bull on her husband Mike Misick for only God knows what, and rapper 50 cents baby mama drama which resulted in the house getting burned down – Soulful Beauty
A tiger just *might* go tiger someday, and a chimpanzee just *might* go chimpanzee someday, and a Pit Bull just *might* go Pit Bull someday. It’s the genetic potential of the beast … the code can explode, can’t it? And the code is not the same for all animals, is it? A “Tiger going Tiger” is well within the bounds of normal. So too is a “Pit Bull going Pit Bull.” – Terrierman’s Daily Dose
THEY, have been remodeling for over a month now … so today, is the FINAL day of workers ruining my morning regis & kelly, bella {pooch} going pit bull on them & sharing the guest bath with the hubs – Shugart & Spice
“They got me going pit bull in here”-@IamChampionship – King David
I would only shoot a dog if it was one I had repeated run-ins with and the owners did nothing AND I feared for my health. The first time I would hop off the bike and try to make friends unless it was “going pit bull” on me. – RobRoy
Dylan should have been there … he might have suggested they give Pete Seeger a better part than going pit bull psycho-ward crazy at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival where Dylan went electric – Ross Altman
Dud, I’m not taking sides so don’t get all pit bull on me, but how is the situation in california any different than you living in tornado alley? – mrtwistys
Comic: No Need to Get All Pit Bull On Me – Instances of the word “pit bull” being used as a noun to describe politicians (Biden, Giuliani and Palin) continues to grow. This comic strip uses the term as a verb. – DogsBite.org
No need ta go PIT BULL on me. – XXDosEquis
understandible … I wouldn’t want anyone hitting on my lil sis … I was kidding though … *hiss* Don’t go pit-bull on me – blondautumnangel
Hello. I was slightly upset with your small blurb in the “why don’t you…” section. It stated in the bottom section about going “pit bull” on the barista. – Pit Nutter complaining to Cosmopolitan magazine

“Pit bull just snapped”

This term is often used by persons who witness or experience a violent, unpredictable pit bull attack. Unfortunately, there are decades of documented evidence about the dangerous unpredictability of pit bulls (fighting dogs). Part of the unpredictability of an attack by a pit bull is that the breed often fails to show warning signals, such as a growl, bark or direct stare prior to its attack. Pit Nutters like to “educate” readers that “pit bulls never snap.” There are always warning signals they claim — AKA blame the dog owner or the victim.

When you hear in the news that a pit bull just snapped and attacked somebody but never showed any signs of aggression that is a myth – Pit Nutter posting on Yahoo’s content farm
I was guilty of always saying, its how they are raised. INCORRECT. Jake was a family member, always relaxed. The evening he attacked me had just been laying beside me in the kitchen. I was his “grandmaw”… I loved him. I will forever believe what happened that evening, he had no control over it. Something snapped. – Denise Hill
“From what I understood was that the kids were playing in the backyard when the [pit bull], I don’t know what the word would be,” said Gay. “Kind of snapped.” – Charles Edward Gay
“Itʼs all just horrible. Itʼs all still horrible,” Ashiyah said. “Iʼm not going to question anything. I was responsible for that child. I loved that child. And now heʼs dead. Heʼs dead because my dog snapped and did something I had never, ever seen in him do before.” – Ashiyah Ferguson
When a family member’s pit bull, who baby Jayden has grown up with snapped … just attacked her face and would not let go … Jayden has undergone six hours of surgery to repair a fractured jaw and damage to her nasal passages, tear duct, eye lids and bridge of her nose. She also lost five teeth in the attack – Pit bull loving grandfather
The Stewart family said they are at a loss at why Chance suddenly became vicious … She continued, “Something snapped. He had Abby in his sights and he headed right for her. Ronnie threw her so hard up on the trampoline; it threw one of her shoes off.” – Lisa Stewart
“I took him from being an abused dog to being a house dog,” said the pit bull’s owner, Justin Sostre, 18, who plans to have the animal euthanized. “He just snapped.” – Justin Sostre
Noah’s mother was at her boyfriend’s home when his normally loving pit bull snapped. The dog clamped down on Noah’s head, ripping off his scalp and his ear. “It saddens me when people say: ‘my pit bull would never do that, I’ve got the sweetest dog in the world.’ – Kim Durall, mother of victim
my neighbor babied his pitbull too. It was supposedly a “big baby” also. Then out of the blue it decided to break through the screen door and attack my other neighbors dog … Also have a co worker whose “lovable” pit bull just snapped after years of being babied and it attacked his friends dog – KTM rider
The dog was being really nice to all of us for about 10 minutes and then he just snapped.” Elena’s parents took her to the hospital where doctors used 26 stitches to sew her upper lip back on. – DogsBite.org
A Bronx tot was mauled yesterday when her pet pit bull snapped and tore into her cheeks, police and witnesses said. Makailah Barnett, 3, nearly had the side of her face ripped off … “The dog just lost her mind” – Daily News
I once thought pits could be kind and gentle, and just had a bad rep……. till the one we had turned on my daughter 2 weeks ago … He never showed any signs of agression … I dont know why he snapped that night but it is a nightmare we will all live with for the rest of our lives. – Mandy, CC, USA

“My dog might lick you to death”

To understand the experience of owning an outlaw dog breed, Tufts Center for Animals and Public Policy did a study on pit bull owners (Managing the Stigma of Outlaw Breeds: A Case Study of Pit Bull Owners). The “sympathetic” researchers found that owners of dangerous dog breeds directly feel the stigma targeted at their breed and resort to various tactics to lessen it. One of the tactics included counterbalancing the pit bull’s “killer” reputation with overwhelming “affection,” such as: “My dog might lick you to death.”

I’ve found little dogs are more snappy… My Shih Tzu would bite you a lot quicker than any of the other dogs, and my bully will lick you to death, or knock you over leaning on you for a scratch…. – Mollie’s Nana
ALL ANIMALS ARE UNPREDICTABLE. IVE OWNED A PITBULL FOR 7 YRS NOW AND THE ONLY THING HE AS EVER DONE IS LICK MY 4 GIRLS TO DEATH AND KNOCK THEM OVER PLAYING. – Nothing2little
So nice to hear there are people who believe that a pitbulls are a special breed and not all vicious and need to be destroyed. I love my pit as if he were my child. I know he will protect me if needed but also realize that he would probably lick to death anyone that got close enough – lizalu
Our pit bull is named “Sweetie” and it fits her perfectly. She has never met a person she didn’t like and try to lick to death. Her wagging tail is the most dangerous part of her – MyTMMO
I have a Red Nosed Pit Bull … my dog has only ever lunged at one person that came at me aggressively, I was startled and she was ready to kill them. Everyone else she may/ has tried to lick to death, but that is all. – Arkguy84

“It’s not the dog’s fault”

This term was most recently employed by Nikko-Nutter William Uhring who claimed it wasn’t the dog’s fault after it snatched an infant from a bassinet killing it. The term is endlessly trumpeted by Nutters after a serious or fatal pit bull mauling (See: Pit bull owners not showing the love and Given all the attacks, it’s time to ban pit bulls in Florida). Google Search results for “It’s not the dog’s fault”  and “pit bull” returns over 44,000 results. The child-like motto ignores the many well-raised pit bulls that unpredictably attack innocent children (after having never shown aggression before) and even kill their dear owners.

“My critics give me excuses that it’s not the dog’s fault, it’s the owner’s fault. But over my three decades of law enforcement, blaming the owner has not reduced the number of bites that are happening,” he said. – Watervile Police Chief Joseph Massey
It’s not the dog’s fault,” Uhring said on Wednesday. “That dog was put in a very uncomfortable situation, and I didn’t want to see it victimized further.” – William Uhring
It’s not the dog’s fault,” they hollered, the typical mantra among pit-bull apologists. “It’s the owner.” – Columnist Gary Stein
Spare me the argument of pit bull advocates that it’s not the dog’s fault, it’s the negligent owners who don’t train the dogs properly. Tell that to little Trinity. Society cannot monitor every pit bull owner. – Columnist Marshall Frank
you can’t judge an entire breed – much like an entire race – based on one incident. the owners of ANY dog – not just pit bulls – are responsible for the dog’s behavior, demeanor and personality … like children, dogs learn from their parent. it’s not the dog’s fault for how it was raised and you’re an absolutely idiot for thinking otherwise. – DaniHen
It’s not the dog’s fault or the breed’s fault…it’s the person who’s holding the leash!! – The Proper Pit Bull
Talk of a breed specific ordinance had pit bull owners clawing to get to metro council members. “It’s not the dog’s fault, it’s the people!” complained Lauren Claypool, a pit bull owner. – Lauren Claypool
“It’s not the dog’s fault, it’s your guys’ fault,” Rossi said. When a person gets attacked by a pit bull, Rossi said people just talk about them and do not get to know the history of the individual dog… – Luigi Rossi, Shorty the Pit Boss

“NSL”

Like BSL (Breed-Specific Legislation) and BDL (Breed-Discriminatory Legislation) — terms used to describe pit bull laws — NSL (Nutter-Specific Legislation), coined by a member of the Facebook Pit Bull Regulation Project, also describes legislation geared at Pit Nutters, persons who advocate for pit bulls. Like their dogs, their behavior is so bad — including life-threatening attacks on activists and officials — that laws ought be written to hold them accountable for their Internet flogging campaigns designed to shut courageous people up.*

Group says it will appeal order to euthanize pit bulls
- A court witness for the prosecution who testified that the three dogs were dangerous has been harassed by more than 1,500 negative e-mails. An online petition also is being circulated to have the witness recant her testimony.
- Assistant Monroe County Prosecutor Michael Brown has filed a petition in court to have two organizations remove from their Web sites pictures and videos of the dogs, claiming they are in violation of a court order. – (Group says it will appeal order to euthanize pit bulls, Monroe Daily News, July 27, 2011)

Elderly Woman Receives Death Threats From Animal Planet’s ‘Pit Bulls And Parolees’ Fans
Fans of controversial dog rescue show Pit Bull And Parolees have sunk their teeth into an elderly woman after she launched a petition to stop the show moving into her neighborhood … “She has had threats to her life,” said Vice President Buz Grantham. “She had threats from people calling and saying, ‘you could die’” (Elderly Woman Receives Death Threats From Animal Planet’s ‘Pit Bulls And Parolees’ Fans, Radaronline.com, March 8, 2011)

Police Investigate Threats To Denver Councilman
Denver police are investigating threatening e-mails sent to a Denver city councilman after he refused to appear on an Animal Planet show about pit bulls. Councilman Charlie Brown said one of the e-mails he received referenced the recent shootings in Arizona that injured U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. “You are afraid because of what happened in Arizona and you should be,” read one part of the e-mail. (Police Investigate Threats To Denver Councilman, CBS Denver, January 22, 2011)

Saginaw councilman receives letter with ‘aura of a threat’ concerning dog ordinance proposal
One council member said he recently received a “threatening” correspondence that he plans to forward to the police on Tuesday. “It had the aura of a threat,” Councilman William G. Scharffe said of one e-mail that featured an image of a pile of dead pit bulls and linked his support of the proposal to discrimination against Jews and blacks. Scharffe said he responded to the e-mail and received a second correspondence that seemed more “threatening. In light of what happened in Tucson, I didn’t like the tone of it,” he said. (Saginaw councilman receives letter with ‘aura of a threat’ concerning dog ordinance proposal, Mlive.com/Saginaw News, January 25, 2011)

Poll Backing Adoption Of Pit Bulls In Question
Shelter officials said Friday that they think those survey results were skewed. They said they have uncovered evidence that pit bull advocates who live outside the county participated in the survey posing as Loudoun residents … A shelter employee discovered a posting on pitbullforum.com that encouraged other advocates across the country to participate in Loudoun’s survey and vote in favor of lifting its adoption ban. The poster provided a list of 20 Loudoun Zip codes and instructed respondents to delete the cookies stored on their computer so they could take the survey multiple times. (Poll Backing Adoption Of Pit Bulls In Question, Washington Post, December 9, 2007)

*NSL includes Nikko-Nutters, also known as No-Kill fanatics. Just after county authorities re-seized the husky that fatally attacked an infant in February 2012, a Nikko-Nutter threatened the life of Common Pleas Judge Edward Borkowski. “If the dog goes down, you go down.” The zealot signed the letter, “The Truth.”

“post-Nutter”

As expected, there are “post-Nutters,” as well pre-Nutters and Nutters. A post-Nutter, usually, has either been attacked by a once “loyal” pet pit bull, or has participated in attempting to stop a violent pit bull assault. Post-Nutters don’t always entirely leave Nutterdom — the ethereal kingdom in which pit bull owners (Nutters) live — after submitting to the truth about the breed: Pit bulls are dangerous and unpredictable. But others do walk away and are thus saved from this dangerous disillusionment.

I used to defend the breed, too, until my own personal experience. A “very sweet”, family dog (WITH VERY RESPONSIBLE OWNERS) SNAPPED at MY face and drew blood before I could turn away. I was in shock that this dog would do this! Of course, “this never happened before!” and the owners were mortified. I guess one just can’t understand the power of this breed until you witness it for yourself. They are dangerous and unpredicatable. I love dogs and gave pits the benefit of the doubt. But now I know that they don’t have to be chained up in a back yard or trained to fight in order to cause great harm. Trust me! – greenville greenie
As a FORMER Pit Bull owner I would have to say that I feel for you. You are definitely in denial. I have a VERY loving home and have several different breeds of dogs, including a couple that were strays. I had a very sweet pit bull that I got as a small puppy. She never even barked at anyone until one day, out of the blue, she attacked another one of our dogs.. It was almost impossible to get her off of the other dog. There was $1500 worth of damage done. I have never witnessed such a terrible event in my life. At that moment I knew that it was not her fault, but mine for owning such a violent animal. It was in her blood. I immedialy got rid of her, as I now feared for the safety of my children. The dog that she attacked was one that she played with daily … I think that you are very ignorant in your thinking when you say that Pits only attack when they come from trashy homes. Pits are a breed that are very unpredictable. They can turn on you when you least expect it. – Tonya213

“Nikko-Nutter”

A Nikko-Nutter, also spelled Niko-Nutter and Nico-Nutter, was created by the DogsBite.org community after the 2012 McKeesport fatal dog attack that crossed over into the Twilight Zone quickly after its occurrence. The term is not be confused with pre-Nutter or the all-encompassing Pit Nutter, as it does not involve pit bulls. A Nikko-Nutter is a person driven to adopt a dog that fatally attacks a human being, because “It’s not the dog’s fault.” A Nikko-Nutter, such as William Uhring, has no concern for any child or entity — in this case a school — living close to this dangerous animal.

“It’s not the dog’s fault,” Uhring said on Wednesday. “That dog was put in a very uncomfortable situation, and I didn’t want to see it victimized further.”
Alan Hernandez, who lives across the street from Uhring on Greensburg Pike, said he isn’t happy to hear that the husky involved in the fatal attack is living close by.
“I have a little boy, and now I’m going to have to make him come inside if that husky is outside,” Hernandez said. “This is shocking to me. I can’t believe someone adopted that dog. That dog should have been euthanized.”
Schools and several school bus stops are located on the street where Uhring lives. Alan Johnson, assistant superintendent of the Woodland Hills School District, said he plans to contact the district’s solicitor to explore legal options. – Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Nikko, spelled in a variety of ways, is a husky dog that had recently been rescued by a McKeesport family made up of a 26-year old father, 21-year old mother, a 2-day old infant and children ages 6 and 3. In the several weeks the family had the dog, it killed the family cat, broke its leg while trying to jump a fence and then killed the family’s newborn. At the time Nikko bit the infant on the head killing it, the dog was wearing a disturbing “homemade cast.” Also loose in the house along with Nikko was a family pit bull; two more pit bulls were locked in the home’s basement.

Upon seeing the images of the “homemade cast,” William Uhring decided to become a rescue angel (of the worst kind) and “save” Nikko from being euthanized. Uhring hunted down the newborn’s father and struck a deal with him to take over the ownership of Nikko. Uhring then forked over $650 in kennel and veterinary fees to the contracting animal control officer of McKeesport, Ken Ferree, who released Nikko to him even before the 10-day rabies quarantine was complete. Fortunately, Allegheny County officials stepped in and seized the animal and remanded it to quarantine.

A Nikko-Nutter is a reckless, self-aggrandizing, dangerous animal saving “nut,” who not only places the “faultless” dangerous animal on a pedestal — above and beyond the heights of residents, children and establishments in his neighborhood — but also plays a lion-tamer, god-like role. Like an imploding feeding frenzy, Nikko-Nutters are worshiped by others like them who always believe, “It’s not the dog’s fault,” after a fatal human attack and that the dog “deserves another chance.” Nikko-Nutters are a danger to communities, as well as to the animals they rescue.

“Paroxysms of rage”

Several days before the February 2nd airing of a KGUN9 follow up story that ran back in November, What’s the Truth About Pit Bulls, Pit Nutters opened fired on the TV station’s Facebook page with new rounds of false accusations despite not even having seen the piece. KGUN9 News Director Forrest Carr again blasted back at the Nutters with a new editorial piece: Pit bull advocates attack unaired 9 On Your Side investigation. Thus the term “paroxysms of rage”, in relationship to rabid pit bull advocates, was born.

Carr’s response – [Feb. 2, 2012] By this morning, the pit bull crowd had worked themselves into paroxysms of rage on our Facebook page, posting more cute, cuddly pictures of pit bulls doing cute, cuddly things, attacking the upcoming story as biased, unprofessional, sensationalistic, unethical, etc, etc. etc. That prompted this response from Lynne Senyk Tafaro, who attempted to remind the posters that they’re going batty over a story they haven’t even seen yet: “When you attack a story that has not even aired, you lose credibility accusing past stories of being ‘fear based and completely one sided.’ What comes across, loud and clear, is a bias so deep that rational analysis and debate just isn’t possible on this topic, with many of you. And that’s a problem. Because if you can’t discuss the issue rationally, how can you properly own the dog?” – Forrest Carr

“Mutant-sitting”

This combined term was coined by the DogsBite.org community (way to to go Pit Bull Regulation Project!). The first part, “mutant,” comes from the Maul Talk Term, genetic mutant, which refers to the artificial selection of pit bulls to create successful dogfighting machines. The second part refers to the grave dangers of “dog-sitting” pit bulls, as noted by one member, “deaths and maulings are not rare” during such mutant-sittings.

Elmhurst Fire Chief Michael Kopp said ambulances took a man to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood and a woman to Elmhurst Memorial Hospital at about 5 p.m. Monday, after they were attacked by two pit bulls … the man and woman had apparently been dog-sitting when they were attacked. – CBS Chicago
The unlucky victim was taken to Staunton Community Memorial Hospital where she was treated for multiple, severe bites to both arms.
The unidentified victim told authorities she had been dog-sitting her son’s male, 1- to 2-year-old pit bull

 – DogsBite.org
A neighbor, who did not wish to be identified, said she was dog-sitting when the pit bull, named Feisty, attacked Johnson. She said she feels the dog was just doing what a guard dog is supposed to do. – Unidentified “dog-sitter”
A North Carolina woman and her boyfriend will likely be charged with felony child abuse after a pit bull ate all the toes on her 4-month-old son’s left foot while they slept. Robie Lynn Jenkins and Tremayne J. Spillman told authorities they were dog-sitting the 12-week-old pit bull – Times Union
According to the Lee County Coroner, Horton suffered severe injuries in the attack as well as undergoing a heart attack. She was pronounced dead on the scene. Her husband, Jerry Horton, was rushed to Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center with serious injuries. At the time of the attack, Ethel and her husband were dog-sitting their nephew’s pit bull named Brutus – DogsBite.org
In yet another attack, a nine-year-old boy was seriously injured by a pit bull terrier after he accidentally wandered into his aunt’s backyard where she was dog-sitting a pit bull for a friend. – California Personal Injury Blog
A woman was dog sitting a pit bull in a home in South Austin when the dog began attacking – YouTube
The two were on a walk with Tytionna’s 2-month-old brother when the pit bull the family was dog-sitting got loose. It charged the trio and bit Tytionna in the face, dragging her to the ground. Then it bit her leg and shook her. “It swallowed my earring,” she said. – News4Ajax
Jeannine Fusco, 44-years old, was killed after being bitten in the head and throat by a pit bull she and her sister were watching for a friend. Police said the dog violently attacked 44-year-old Jeannine Fusco in the garage of her home. The victim suffered severe bites to her throat, head and neck – DogsBite.org

“Noble breed”

Google Search results of “pit bull” and “noble breed” show 13,000 results today. The pit bull community often uses the term to describe the top killing dog breed to emphasize its positive traits. The term has been in use by the community for at least a century. In the 1911 Dog Fancier collection, Chas. Werner advertises his pit bulls as “Our Noble Dog.” Despite over 100 years of continuous fatal maulings inflicted by pit bulls upon innocent human beings and pets, the public is still asked to believe they are noble?

One particular thing (aside from the obvious abuse) that ticks me off is this noble breed gets officially branded, once again, as Satan’s… – Doug Giles
To inform to all people that wishes it and conform to the reality, about the wonderful and noble breed dog American Pit Bull Terrier – FIAPBT
We have spent a lifetime collecting material on this noble breed – APBT Books
Any dog labeled a “pit bull” that is human-aggressive is a perverse alteration of a truly noble breed. – Bryan T. Hughes
What nasty newspaper reporter had the temerity to defame this noble breed (in jest) – Tony Chamberlain
benefits from this positive image, which and given the negative circumstances that surround to our wonderful and noble breed… – Mariano Peinado
“Actually no. But I was raised with them” … That’s why you are so adamant about defending them. You think that they are a noble breed, that’s your opinion and you are entitled to have it. But others don’t agree… – Forum guest
Betrayal of a Noble Breed – Justice is overlooked and The American Pit Bull Suffers at the Hands of Many Breed Destroying Culprits – Husham Salih

“Shook like a rat”

A term used by the early media (1800s to 1920s) to describe how a pit bull holds and shakes its victim. The term is likely also used because ratfighting was the predecessor to dogfighting, both of which fell into high gear after bull-baiting was outlawed in Great Britain in 1835. The many press references to “vicious bulldog” and “savage bulldog” during this period refer to the pit bull terrier, whose name first became registered at the UKC in 1898. Today’s term by the press (and the public) for the pit bull bite is “shook like a rag doll.”

[1905] A Mad Bulldog Kills Baby Girl
——-
The Vicious Beast Had Been a Playfellow
——-
SHOOK HER LIKE A RAT
——-
Bullets Killed the Brute, But His Terrible Fangs Held Unmercifully to the Little Victim – Little One Torn to Pieces – Fatal Pit Bull Attacks

Shook like a rag doll

The pit bull shook her like a rag-doll, smashing her face into the floor and knocking out her two front teeth and breaking her nose. – thefreelibrary.com
“He was just shaking it like a rag doll.” – Cat owner
A pit bull had snatched Amaya out of her stroller and had shaken the toddler like a rag doll before adults could get the animal away from her. – wthr.com
Amaya Hess suffered appalling injuries five years ago when she was mauled like a rag doll by a pit bull terrier. – Daily Mail
Pit Bull Shook Terrier ‘Like A Rag Doll‘ In Fatal St. Pete Attack – TBO.com
“She just came out and got her. It was horrible,” Dickson said. “It was like watching a rag doll being shook.” – Owner of mauled pet

“Children are going to die in BSL”

In perhaps the most stunning example of anthropomorphic nonsense written by a Nutter — though “died for others sins” is indeed a whammy — user “mward” recently left a comment at The Truth About Pit Bulls blog in regards to The Nanny Dog Myth Revealed. The comment speaks for itself in attempting to elevate pit bulls to the status of human children in hopes of making listeners feel more grief for this unfortunate canine breed. It’s also a deflection technique, as pit bulls are best known for killing innocent children.

All of you have no idea what you are talking about. You want to talk about children? CHILDREN die every day by the thousands in animal shelters because no one wants them and the ones who take them abuse them. CHILDREN are going to die in BSL cities today because this blog continues to add fuel to the fire. CHILDREN are going to have to fight for their lives in a pit because someone wants money and drugs. Human children are not the only children we share this planet with. Now you leave my pit bull child alone! -mward