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Orange County toddler killed by family dog Date published: 9/29/2009
BY ROBIN KNEPPER
An Orange County toddler was attacked and killed by her family's longtime pet pit bull after she wandered into an area where the animal was chained, authorities said yesterday. The child, who would have been 2 years old next month, was found by a family member a short distance from Sheriff Mark Amos said the girl's mother told deputies she had been preoccupied for a short period of time, then noticed the child was not in the house and went to look for her. The Sheriff's Office received a call around 6:40 p.m. When deputies arrived a short time later, they found the girl unresponsive, with multiple injuries over her body, Amos said. The girl was transported to the University of Virginia Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead at 9:11 p.m. The family surrendered the dog to Orange County Animal Control and it was euthanized, officials said. The Sheriff's Office did not release the name of the child or her family yesterday, at the family's request. According to Amos, the family lives in the Mountain Track Road area in the southern part of the county. The dog had been a family pet for 10 years. Amos said his office had not received any previous complaints about the animal. The sheriff said the investigation is ongoing and no decision has been made about charges. Robin Knepper: 540/972-5701
My therapy pit bull has been to the hospital only twice, but there is a cane corso mix that visits, and to the general public he looks like a pit mix and could be considered one if the breed were banned. I'm sorry you've missed them while working there. Also, although my dog doesn't visit the hospital, she does visit the libraries as well as an elementary school and Gateway academy which is a school for autistic children. If you think pits are inherently bad, go meet one and you'll be pleasantly surprise!
it spoils their character and makes them aggressive.
Dont forget Dorthy Sullivan who was killed in Spotsy a few years back. Yes, some pits attack due to bad owners, some attack because of bad breeding, but ANY can attack just because they are pits. A chihuahua, collie, or hound even if it attacked wouldn't usually kill. These vicious dogs DO and WILL! I am an animal lover but wouldn't own one and think ANY parent who would take a chance with these around kids is not much of a parent..its simply TAKING A CHANCE that it WON'tT attack..what if it does?
It is very sad to hear of anyone, especially a child that is hurt or killed by a dog. The parents should have used extra care and precaution with their child and their dog, regardless of the breed. I'm sure the parents feel very guilty that they didn't keep closer watch on their child and that child is now gone forever. We should focus on their heartache and pain rather than the breed of dog. Not all pit bulls are vicious killers. My prayers go out to this family.
I can tell you that working for medicorp for 15 yrs NOT ONCE has a pitt shown up with the many thaerapy dogs that come visit!!!
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