Pet or Threat?

October 4, 2005 (WLS) -- You have seen the news reports on pit bull attacks, and with an estimated 60,000 in the city of Chicago, one is bound to cross your path. Some people call the dogs loving, family pets; others describe them as vicious and lethal. Nationwide, a debate over pit bull restrictions rages on, and in the Chicago area, people are battling over whether to ban pit bulls.

"They're scary," said Ebony Stanley, victim.

Just thinking about what happened is difficult for 12-year-old Ebony Stanley. The child was recently mauled by a neighbors pit bull.

"He was just mauling her arm..eating up her arm," said Bernadette Shields, mother.

It took five bullets from Calumet City police to stop the dog, and Ebony now faces years of physical therapy.

"It was by the grace of God that I was able to fight these dogs," said Mary Murphy-Smith, victim.

Two years ago two pit bulls attacked Murphy-Smith in the Dan Ryan Forest Preserve. The dogs killed a fellow jogger.

And while Mary survived, her injuries are so bad she can no longer work as a midwife.

"One dog is on my legs, the other one is on my arm, and they were trying to bring me down to mutilate me," she said.

Chicago and Calumet City have no laws against pit bulls. They do, however, like most communities, have codes to protect the public against so-called vicious dogs. But in many cases those laws only apply to dogs that have already attacked.

Other cities, like Boston, Miami and San Francisco, have laws specific to pit bulls that require owners to neuter, microchip or muzzle their dogs when outside.

Right now, the pit bull controversy in Denver is heated, with a new law requiring pit bull owners, even those who have had their dogs for years, to give them up.

"I want to keep my dogs if it means moving to another house then I'll do it," said Jamie Gallegos, Denver resident.

In Chicago, alderman Ginger Rugai wants a pit bull law similar to Denver's.

"They have the tenacity to never let go even while they are being beaten ..shot at they don't give up," said Ald. Ginger Rugai, 19th Ward.

The American Veterinarian Medical Association thinks legislation specific to one breed is unfair.

"This is so much more about the person than it is about the dog," said Dr. Gail Golab, AVMA.

The AVMA also says pit bull laws are hard to enforce, because it is tough to determine which dogs are pit bulls.

"It's a collection of breeds, and depending on who you talk to, you will get a collection of lists for that breed," said Golab.

According to the American Kennel Club, the well known "pit bull mix" is not even a breed, but those mixes come from breeds like the Staffordshire bull terrier or the the American Staffordshire terrier.

Catherine Hedges owns a pit bull and runs an animal shelter. She allows families with children to adopt pit bulls, ones she believes are well-trained and safe, unlike pit bulls that many associate with dog fighting.

"I think the wrong people out there capitalize on characteristics of the breed in a negative way they like how tough it is they like how strong it is and they make the dog mean," said Catherine Hedges, Furry Friends.

It is estimated there are 600,000 dogs in Chicago. About 60,000 are pit bulls, and according to Chicago's 311 records, that 10 percent of the dog population was responsible for 30 percent of all dog bites in 2004.

"It's apparent they are a risk factor they kill disproportionately to their numbers," said Dr. Alan Beck, Purdue University, veterinary medicine.

Beck has been studying fatal dog bites reports for 30 years. He believes pit bulls are genetically dangerous and that they were bred to stop bulls.

"Pit bulls don't let go, and they don't want you to go away they keep going after you," said Beck.

Chicago's animal control vet says pit bulls have more muscles,a powerful square jaw and a more destructive bite.

"Damage is usually done under the skin not just the surface of the skin," said Dr. Marek Dygas, Chicago animal control.

Pit bull supporters insist that it's the deed and not the breed, something ebony and her aunt find hard to believe.

"I think they should be against the law," said ???

State law prohibits breed specific legislation, but Alderman Rugai says she is having attorneys see if she can try to pass her law under what is called "home rule."

It is important to note that a non-profit organization that tests the temperament of hundreds of dogs says pit bulls it tested didn't bite more than most other dogs. That group also blames owners for a high rate of pit bull attacks.

Get more News »

• Email
• Print
• Report a typo
•