I agree with your entire post! May the child RIP.

It's so hard to read articles like this. May the child rest in peace and may the family heal. Any dog can be a danger, even a tiny chihuahua, yet one breed does get all the bad publicity. In fact, this is the first time I've seen an article about a dog attack that wasn't about a pit bull, although I know there are plenty of them. My neighbor's son, when he was 2 years old (he's now 15), lost a hand to a Afghan hound who grabbed hold of it and dragged him at full speed before a bystander managed to hit the dog over the head with a baseball bat. The hand could not be saved.

what we really should realize is that all dogs no matter the breed are animals... U should always error on the side of caution with them no matter how long they have been in the family... i always keep an eye on my dog when around my granddaughter and would not hesitate to put her down if she harmed her. My dog has been with me for 15 yrs and i love her but not over my own flesh and blood..

It looks like a PITBULL mix to me.

Mt. Pleasant citizen

It looks like a PITBULL mix to me.

Mt. Pleasant citizen

It looks like a PITBULL mix to me.

Mt. Pleasant citizen

I could not agree with you more. Seems like it's always the dog's fault. "Let's just kill the dog!" When the problem could have been avoided. Thank you so much for your suggestions. Let's hope it gets people--especially parents--thinking before another dog has to pay the price for their stupidity.

I just don't understand how all these adults who were in the house could let something like this happen. Then, for the mother to drive up and see her child being mauled. What a tragedy!

The article didn't state the dogs was mauling but standing over the child. With a wild open property and it being in the evening, I'm wondering if it could have been a coyote? If the dogs did it, then by all means they should be euthanized but another outside possibility should be investigated. I'm only saying this because I live on 20 acres and lately we have been inundated with coyotes. We lock all of our animals up at dusk including our large dogs. An attack of this sort would appear to be canine also.

I agree TLC education and training, not the breed, but how to train and spot dog behaviors. You know we will be there and bring Clover.

I wonder if it could have been an Elephant?

Dogs kill on average 19 to 31 people per year. Humans murder over 18,000 people a year. Drunk drivers kill over 10,000 people a year. Caregivers & adults kill thousands of children per year. Maybe people should stop treating people as "people"--i.e.,--A child is FAR safer with a dog--than a human animal.

There are no aggressive dogs, just aggressive owners. It's all in how the animal is treated. People that aren't willing to raise a loving animal should not be allowed to own any. Michael Vick is a living, breathing example.

By far, the dog breeds that kill most are Pit Bulls & Rotweillers--with Shepard mixes & Malamutes coming in a distant second. Unaltered or chained dogs are the most dangerous. Human deaths by dogs is extremely rare. In fact, more people are killed by bee stings & aspirin (20,000) than by dogs per year. By far, the greatest threat to children & adults are OTHER HUMANS.

Many will hate me for this comment but I could never understand, truly, why anyone wants a dog...any dog. In many cultures this is not so and, in fact, dogs are eaten for human sustanance.

Jamie, you are so right. In addition, I would like to know how anyone would not awaken when their child is screaming due to the attack. With so many dogs going bad, it is not the dog's fault, it is the family for not training their dogs. I cannot fathom leaving a child so that dogs would have access to a child; I would charge the parents with neglect at least. Why is it that you have to have a license to get married, but no license to have children--that is just insane.

Mary if you read the article the mother had left the child with relatives to care for while she ran errands so it is not she who should be charged with neglect but the aunt, uncle, cousin as they sat in the house while the 2 year old was unsupervised. Who lets a toddler be outside by themselves!!!

THANK YOU --I have had ,so far 3 German Shepherds that I have had the pleasure to share my life with. Never had a bite problem either-but she guards my grandchildren with her life-count on it!!!!

Years ago I had a female collie-shephard. A friend brought her baby and playpen for a visit and set up on our screened porch (we were in the living room with the door open, just 8 feet away). I called my Queenie and told her to "guard the baby". She laid down in front of the playpen and, when my next door neighbor dropped by, she gave her "a look" that told my neighbor to keep her distance from the baby. My neighbor went W-A-Y around the porch and came in thru the front door. My Queenie was an incredible companion. I lost her to cancer in 1976, and I still miss her.

I rescued a pit mix and two female shep/lab mixes two years ago and the shep/labs are the most docile dogs one could ask for. They know when I don't feel well and stay by my side, like nurses almost, but I would never leave my grandchildren unattended with any of them. That is just something you do not do with any dog! One would think that my pit mix rules the house but he doesn't! The girls, as I call them, put him in his place early on and are also more aggressive when strangers come up to my fence.

You are glad to see it wasn't a pit bull? Were you glad to see that another kind of dog is capable of a deadly attack? What a foolish comment! Any dog is capable of attack. People should not leave babies and small children alone with any dog.

agree-

^I know what you mean Tracy...she isnt meaning it like you think, it's just OLD hearing about Pitbull this and Pitbull that..Any dog can attack, not just pits

Hi, John Lots of breeds were originally trained to kill, back in the day. Like the little weiner dog--which we just can't imagine today, can we? How about Dorothy's dog in "The Wizard of Oz"?. Now they're family pets. Yes, that gene is still in them and that's why ALL dogs still need to be trained. Anyone who thinks it can pick-up a dog from a shelter, bring it home, feed it, and love it, and that's enoung investing in it for a family is heading for disaster. A dog might be a "domestic" animal, but it needs exercise, dicipline, boundries, and love. Somehow, we think that love is enough. IT'S NOT! You are doing the dog a great disservice as well as your family if you do not begin to train EVERYONE on day one. The entire family MUST be trained and MUST be consistant. Do not feel sorry for the dog no matter what the history. His new world start today with all of you! Make it a sucessful story, invest in the best trainer you can get especially if one can come to your home. Your dog will be will you for 15+ years. Isn't she or he worth having a teacher to begin with? Good luck

There is no such thing as kill in its genes, most animals attacked when hurt or aggravated or trained to do it.A dog could even snap if its in pain or someone is around its food or it has a protective manner over its family at any rate all large dogs should be kept away from non family members and small children.We have a chihuhua if he was as big as a pit he would be a killer ...We also have small toddlers whom we keep away from him even though he is as big as a large rat.

AS I recall, it's IN THE GENES OF HUMANS to KILL (other humans and animals). So there, tit for tat!

Bet you feel salty now referring to the pit bull when in fact that wasnt even the breed. Lets concentrate on the fact a family has lost a child and stop slamming a dog breed. Any animal can kill or injure....period.

I would like to address a few things in your comment, Debbie:
I would like to address what you said about why many pit bulls aren't spayed/neutered. There are many MANY dogs who do not get spayed/neutered. Spaying/neutering is not a breed-specific issue! Yes, there are many pit bulls who are not spayed/neutered but I sincerely doubt that it is because their owners do not care about them (and this particularly insults me because I do own a pit bull, he is neutered, and he is the most loving dog I have ever had). I am a volunteer at East Valley Animal Shelter, one of the busiest animal shelters in the United States, and in my experience, the reason why most animals come into the shelter unaltered is not because the owners do not care, but rather because it is expensive. Also, there are many stray pit bulls. Stray animals are often unaltered simply because no one is taking care of them! I do agree with you that pit bulls should not be banned; however, I disagree with you in that I believe their breeding should be controlled. There should only be a certain amount of breeders for pit bulls. At this time, there are a greater amount of pit bulls than there are people who want pit bulls. Additionally, I find your beliefs on exterminating the breed as a whole extremely disgusting and inhumane.

Also, there are many breeds that are brindle. Is it possible that a brindle dog has pit bull genes in it? Yes. But it could also potentially be any of these breeds:
Boxers
Great Danes
Mastiffs
Bull Mastiffs
Chihuahuas
Boston Terriers
Bull Terriers
English Bull Dogs
American bulldogs
French Bulldogs
Presa Canarios
Gray Hounds
Akitas
Plott hounds
Basenjis
Cardigan Welsh Corgis
Dutch Shepherds
Shelties
Pugs
Staffordshire Bull Terriers
Scottish Terriers
Dachshund
Anatolian Shepherd Dog
Rat Terriers
Cane corsos
Fila brasileiros
Tosa
Whippet

You are nuts!!!!! That is the most acinine statement I have ever heard of -"Don't ban the pit bulls but do ban their breeding. Everyone sane and compassionate wins when pit bulls gradually become extinct. All dogs, especially the pits themseves, win too." Do you realize how dangerous dogs are in general if you do not care for them properly? I have 2 husky's (strays) and even as much as I work with them, they are still snippy. Do I think they would kill anyone, no, but you can never be too careful. They are food aggressive and a small child gets in the way, who knows. You have to be careful. In no way it is a dogs fault that this happens. Unfortunately a pit is one of overall stongest breeds and when they bite, their jaws will lock. Therefore causing typically a more critical injury to the person or animal they are attacking. so you think that not breeding them they will become extinct and there will be no more dog attacks? WRONG!!!! Maybe we should stop breeding people like you and there will be no more ignorant people in the world?

Finally, to address your extremely erroneous summarization of the origins of the pit bull. It is true that some pit bulls have been bred to fight. However, you do not make the important distinction of who the dogs were meant to fight. In the past, pit bulls have been used as entertainment in arenas to fight bears, bulls, and other larger creatures. It is only somewhat modern times(around the early 1800s), that the pit bull has been used to fight other pit bulls. No where in what I have read or seen has the pit bull been bred specifically to attack a person. Dogs with human aggression were not favored in dog fighting because they would turn on their owners- and if you've ever seen a dog fight, the person is in the arena with the dog, cheering the dog on as he rips the other dog to shreds. You wrote that the best pit bulls fought silently because they did not give an indication to the other dog that it would attack. I have met many MANY pit bulls in my volunteering at the animal shelter. I have volunteered there for a year now. I have only met around two pit bulls who were severely human aggressive. These dogs were put to sleep. I have met many more pit bulls who were dog aggressive. Each dog aggressive dog has it's own specific issues- some dogs don't like small dogs, larger dogs, females, males etc. Of the dogs that I have met who are severely dog aggressive, they do not care what "warnings" the other dog gives. This is the same with dog fighting dogs.

Excuse me but I have 4 children. 16,10,9,and 4. I always had a pittbull. My Ceaser(pittbull) passed away at the age of 14 2 years ago. NEVER bit or growled at any of my children, their friends, or strangers. ALL my children used to sit on Ceacer and he would run and play my children loved him. He even got out once in a while and our neighbor's had cookies for him. Its not the breed! Its how you RAISE them. Shame on you.

By the way Brindle is also the Boxer Breed

Debbie, I'm just going to assume you're as crazy as you sound and not even address the level of ignorance you've spewed.

Cindy, while I realize you were somewhat trying to help, it doesn't help to spread untruths - locking jaws are a myth and nothing more. In fact, the bite pressure was tested on a lab, shep, and pit, and the pit had the least of the three. Let's just understand that any dog can do damage, and don't allow misinformation to allow us a false sense of safety in regards to any breed of dog. Any dog has the propensity to bite and do serious damage. A chi has mauled a child in the past. We must be the wise ones. Train and care for our pets... train our children how to interact with animals and vice versa... never leave children alone with animals... never burden an animal with the expectation of thinking it should respond like a human... be educated on the issues of dog bites, warning signs (because there always is one), and what we can do to make this world safer for everyone - pets, children and adults alike.

Why is it every time there is an article on a dog attack someone has to bring up the pit bull...stick to the article and the dogs found at the scene!

It is really great to see that some people actually speak from truth, wisdom and experience. While most seem to speak from ignorance and failure to ever experience the truth. Pitbulls, and bully breeds in general are some of the most misunderstood canines. They were originally breed as "Nanny Dogs", they do not have any more aggression than any other breed of dog. All dogs have their repressed instincts that must be properly trained, maintained and watched at all times.

Please do the world a favor and educated yourself before you open your mouth and decide to spread more lies and wrong fated ideas that good people have to work 10x harder to undo for the wonderful "bully breeds". "Pitbulls" are wonderful dogs. They are extremely sweet, loving and compassionate dogs and deserve a much better understanding. Actually learn about things before you speak. Thanks

Jamie - I am not sure where you received your information about pits and not the locking of the jaw. This is not a myth, however, very true. I own a pit myself as well as many other animals. I have all rescues and my vet is world renowned. This vet informed me of this information. Now, generally I am sure their are animals with similiar strength in the jaw and most dogs, when attacking viciously, do lock their jaw. However, the point I was trying to make is that any dog is just as dangerous as the next, put in the right, or wrong, situation. I don't think that I am the person you need to be using your words on. Please let's focus on the ignorant individuals that would like to ban the breed or breeding. Not the people that are educated concerning the breed and animals in general.

Well it all boils down to this everyone needs a law to keep large dogs contained at all times.

to settle this disagreement on pitbulls and locking jaws, please read the following....
Question: Do Pit Bulls have locking jaws?

Answer: Prepared by:
Al W. Stinson, D.V.M.
Director of Legislative Affairs, Michigan Association for Pure Bred Dogs, and the Michigan Hunting Dog Federation, and a Member of the Board of Directors of the American Dog Owners Association

The following quote was sent to me from Dr. Howard Evans, Professor Emeritus, College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University, Ithaca New York. We were colleagues in the veterinary college for four years. He is the author of the textbook, ANATOMY OF THE DOG, (the world's definitive work on the anatomy of the dog). His statement was in a letter addressed to me on March 26. 2002. His quote was: "I have spoken with [Dr.] Sandy deLahunta (the foremost dog neurologist in the country) and [DR.] Katherine Houpt (a leading dog behaviorist) about a jaw locking mechanism in pit bulls or any other dog and they both say, as do I, that there is NO SUCH THING AS "JAW LOCKING" IN ANY BREED.

Haha..Debbies comment is funny..Brindle=Pitbull yeah, ok lady...

Cindy, I'll say it again, you ARE wrong. And if your so called vet told you that, HE is wrong. Do a little research and you'll find the same. My information comes from scientists, researchers, and respected veterinarians. I spent years as a national pit bull advocate for an animal welfare organization. I kind of know what I'm talking about. And I have a pit, too. Having one doesn't mean you know it all.

Cindy, your are so wrong. There is no such thing as a locking jaw on a pit bull! They just have so much muscle mass in that area that many people believe this to be true! Look it up, you obviously have internet access!

Debbie, pits were brought over as family/nanny dogs. Its the idiots that take advantage of this strong breed that lead it to fight.

Both of you ladies need to educate yourselves a little better.

My thoughts exactly-all these adults and no one noticed a 2 year old child going outside. Were the doors unlocked and wide open? Does no one pay attention to children anymore? That poor mother came home to adults she can't trust-and lost her child because of it. Thoughts and prayers to her and the emptiness she must feel in her heart...so sad.

It is incredible, not reasonable, to think that a 2 year old climbed out of bed and wento downstairs and outside, had to open the door - and all those people did not notice the child. Then what about the child's reaction when bitten, mauled? Two year olds have strong lungs and when they cry, they cry! There is something very strange about this story. It is tragic, but it doesn't make sense. Reading between the lines, I think the sheriff's people think it doesn't add up also.

It is incredible, not reasonable, to think that a 2 year old climbed out of bed and wento downstairs and outside, had to open the door - and all those people did not notice the child. Then what about the child's reaction when bitten, mauled? Two year olds have strong lungs and when they cry, they cry! There is something very strange about this story. It is tragic, but it doesn't make sense. Reading between the lines, I think the sheriff's people think it doesn't add up also.

That's right. All those people in the house are responsible! Poor baby! I would have protetcted and cared for you.

Amen

I had a pittbull almost 1/2 my life and I also have 4 Children. My Ceaser was my fifth child. lol I had him for 14 years before he passed. My children are 16,10,9 and 4. I agree with you because I was raised with German Shepards. They can both be extremely protective! but loving! I was bit by a poodle. Don't like them "ankle biters" ANY dog can do severe damge.

Not True!! I can show you pictures of ALL my children from the day they are born with my pitt. He passed 2 years ago at the age of 14. And my dog was taking care of kittens 4 weeks old when Ceaser was 12 years old and the one kitten was kicking HIS @ss! lol. My kids are 16,10,9, and 4. PLUS an average of ALL my childrens friends. They all grabbed food from his mouth or a toy. Our Ceaser sat, stayed, paw, rolled over, high fived, and crawled. It's how they are TREATED and TRAINED !! For Pete sake a Poodle will f@c# you up if they are neglated,starved, and beaten. I TRUELLY feel my heart breaking for the family suffering of this poor baby. I have four children like I said and I know where they are at all times. Thats where they have to look. 2 years old and wakling out the front door at 8.

Sorry, I have to agree with Ken. I had a wonderful gentle dog that attacked my two year old son. I was watching out the window so I ran out and saved the kid before the dog did damage. My son was walking around ignoring the dog, the dog jumped at him from behind and had him down in seconds. Animals are opportunists. I heard that years ago when watching a live animal show. The trainer said to keep all children away from the arena's edge when the animals were out because they know the difference between a child and an adult, children move differently. Even when a taller child is placed with a little person, the animal knows to go after the weaker not the smaller prey. Therefore I don't care how well trained your dog is, never leave it alone with a little kid, period. If you are going to take a nap or be otherwise indisposed, put the dog out and lock the door with the kid inside. I just don't get how people can look at those teeth and think nothing will ever happen.

we love our pits too :)

Exactly Lisa, it does not matter the size or breed of the dog. Even lil ones can be aggressive!

I LOVE MY PITS :)

WOW!!!! Your last statement is seriously disturbing! So - you are saying that only uneducated, ignorant people buy pitbulls? I am amazed then that you do not own one. I will not even give you the satisfaction of answering half of your ignorant statements but I will say this.....I am a Nurse Anesthetist for a major Univeristy hospital - I love pitbulls and currently am on my 2nd one as my first passed away. So I guess I am not sure what your definition of "uneducated" is since not only did I obtain my Masters degree - I also keep people alive for a living. I think you need to get educated and start using your brain before making more stupid statements! Oh - and confidence isn't exactly something I am lacking in!

Talk about ignorance. Read up on the breed, but you need to be able to comprehend what you read. My husband and I are both well-educated and confident people. We both hold down high paying jobs. We also own a pit mix and two shep/lab mixes. My sons, both college graduates, own pits, well American Stafs. The pit has a very large muscle mass in the head/neck area and that is why people think the jaw is so powerful that it can lock, but it cannot. As far as hanging from a knotted rope, My pit loves doing that! Educate yourself before putting up comments like you do.

just one thing to say,anna! Ive got 3 male dogs. 7yr. old lab, 12 yeat old pit and a lab 4months. They live together in harmony for one reason only. they have been trained to not be dog aggressive or people aggressive. they are socialized at least 2 times a week at the local no fence dog park. I don't think anyone posting made the statement that pits were great, just that the pits have been unfairly labeled as dangerous breeds. Remember any dog can be dangerous if not loved and cared for and trained as the breed determines. different breeds require specialized training. If you knew knew that this discussion would not be happening. just saying@ .

Amen...

@Lady Godiva: " ...way too much talk about the dog or dogs in general in this thread. A toddler died a horrible death. Let our thoughts and prayers be for the child and his family."

AGREE. way too much. kill the dog; jail the parents; pray action (by society, we the people) is taken to insure this unforgivable, horrible, act never occurs again...but;

sadly it will and will just be another news story as soon as people tell all their dog stories...we are a sick society.

Marty, there are 78 million dogs in the U.S. These tragedies are extremely rare. Dogs have been mans best friend for 1,000s of years and are as American as apple pie. There is a movement to stop dog ownership through sensationaling rare incidences.

And you John are as ass! How can you say such a horrible thing ! I pray to god you dont have children!!

Pet overpopulation today is a myth. There was a problem 20 years ago but because of educating the public there is actually a pet shortage in some areas. This misinformation is used by animal rights to promote stricter rules on all pet owners because they prefer no one own a pet and hope no more pets are bred.

How naive KC. There are over 5 million animals put to death in shelters across the United States every single year. I believe last year's # was up around 9 million. If you think there's a shortage, check out your local shelter, or better yet, their freezers. There are far too many people back yard breeding and overpopulating the shelters with unwanted animals.

Maybe in some areas but certainly not ours, or any in SC that I am aware of. I have honestly never heard anyone or any statistics that state dog overpopulation is not a problem. Maybe there are some certain breeds that are difficult to come by but that is certainly not what I was referencing. The dogs responsible in these killings are medium to large size mixed breeds- with no declared owner. If you're interested in the truth about our area take a visit to any shelter and ask the workers. It is heartbreaking how many animals are put down on a weekly basis. What's even more upsetting is that many places in the state are 10 times worse than the Lowcountry. My humble opinion is that something needs to be done at the state level.

Jamie, not naive, just very educated on the subject. Do your homework and research the truth. The numbers killed in shelters are currently quoted at about 3 million which include the very sick, old, injured and vicious. Out of over 78 million dogs in the U.S. that is fairly low, BUT to get those numbers lower shelters management must be held accountable. The problem is NOT solely the public especially when some shelters import 100's of thousands of dogs from other countries. Or shelters import dogs from over populated areas of the U.S. that are the 'cute' dog and let the less cute in their shelter or neighboring shelter be killed. I feel sorry for shelter workers because they see the worse of the worse day after day. At some point they need to take a break and see that what they know is by far the exception.