tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33244618.post2841907750373891065..comments2023-12-16T00:39:47.007-08:00Comments on Lassie, Get Help: Pit bulls, dog bite statistics, and the Merritt Clifton reportLuisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04042236324318156854noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33244618.post-19386163114685768522015-04-26T22:01:50.373-07:002015-04-26T22:01:50.373-07:00My classmate's relative, a little boy, was att...My classmate's relative, a little boy, was attacked by a German Shepherd. The attack was unprovoked, the dog woke up from a nap, and ran over to the little boy and attacked him.<br /><br />"One time is too many." That's true. But it's true regardless of breed.Aspie Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14024556509322510058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33244618.post-84099754639785102782015-04-26T22:00:19.298-07:002015-04-26T22:00:19.298-07:00Nothing against German Shepherds, but why the heck...Nothing against German Shepherds, but why the heck is Clifton so in love with them?Aspie Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14024556509322510058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33244618.post-46781507652846397142013-08-30T19:18:41.878-07:002013-08-30T19:18:41.878-07:00is this thread still monitored at all ? is this thread still monitored at all ? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33244618.post-44883523138910468132011-11-23T14:41:16.133-08:002011-11-23T14:41:16.133-08:00Clifton is without Merritt.Clifton is without Merritt.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33244618.post-12892139122532034452011-11-22T04:15:21.371-08:002011-11-22T04:15:21.371-08:00Lassie, I'm surprised you didn't mention (...Lassie, I'm surprised you didn't mention (or maybe it wasn't in the report when you reviewed it) the death attributed to "a leashed Pit Bull running after it's owner pulling a person behind it, and both the dog and the person on the lead getting hit by a train. Unless "pulling people in front of trains" is another one of those Pit Bull specific traits that I'm unaware of.<br /><br />It would be better if the public in general had a better idea of how statistics really work (or don't work in some cases).Colourful Medusahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03079822035575088498noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33244618.post-68796297224001330192011-08-12T04:29:29.729-07:002011-08-12T04:29:29.729-07:00There was a news story released today about a pit ...There was a news story released today about a pit bull killing its owner today in the San Francisco bay area. I was looking at the comments posted to the news article on SF Chronicle and was appalled by the overwhelming number of negative comments. I see pitties all the time with responsible looking owners, and thought that there must be a large number of people who would log on and come to defend the breed. I was sad to learn that wasn't the case, and decided I needed to post a comment with a convincing argument. <br /><br />Apparently hardheadedness comes with ignorance. You just can't reason with them. In all my frustration (I literally could not sleep), I came across your post, and I must thank you for helping to spread the truth in your light-hearted, humorous way. I hope one day pit bulls will be seen again as the loyal and loving dogs that they are.Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33244618.post-24869384605810680612011-07-01T10:02:31.725-07:002011-07-01T10:02:31.725-07:00Poking holes in bite statistics, especialy the Cli...Poking holes in bite statistics, especialy the Clifton Report always amuses me lolerichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11433585249997193079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33244618.post-39144925726247648352011-04-30T09:41:27.036-07:002011-04-30T09:41:27.036-07:00Oh, for the chance for me to have a "bad mome...Oh, for the chance for me to have a "bad moment" on Clifton....hehehe. And I'm only tote bag sized...Social Mangehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14135369986061367480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33244618.post-43971296612230532122011-01-24T15:56:58.256-08:002011-01-24T15:56:58.256-08:00Finally...I'm am glad to see the truth emanati...Finally...I'm am glad to see the truth emanating from another website! Any dog can bite. Any dog can be dangerous if not properly trained, socialized and/or cared for. All dogs are naturally "aggressive" to an extent, such as gaurding territory. This is why we even domesticated wolves in the first place, was to have them protect our territory and hunt. Also, "Pit Bulls" have never and were never bred to be a guard dog. Ha. Another myth floating around. Clifton is a complete idiot. I really cannot believe how he even can't think the way he does.Kerstannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33244618.post-28439320589713794062010-10-07T20:09:56.797-07:002010-10-07T20:09:56.797-07:00In an encounter more than 15 years ago I was shock...In an encounter more than 15 years ago I was shocked to find that Mr. Clifton was hopelessly opinionated and uninterested in the experiences and viewpoints of others--hardly qualities of a professional journalist. I completely stopped reading his output. Others should do the same.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33244618.post-9634780655074581472010-09-06T15:58:43.008-07:002010-09-06T15:58:43.008-07:00Animal Lover
As stated any dog can bite. I would...Animal Lover<br /><br />As stated any dog can bite. I would venture to say more small dogs bite. I was bit once by a neighbors Chihuahua. Not much damage. However, when a larger dog bites more damage can or may be inflicted. As a nurse I once had to do wound care on a child attacked by the family Rottwiler. It was pretty ugly. The child was fighting with his sister in the yard and the pet was protecting her. That dog was put down. It's a very sad situation. Bottom line is pet owners need to be responsible for training their pets and family. And some peoople don't deserve to have pets.<br />Please spay or neuter your pets and be an advocate to stop animal cruelty.Animal Lovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33244618.post-90590586250602936402010-08-29T06:31:10.027-07:002010-08-29T06:31:10.027-07:00Thank you for the great explanation of some of the...Thank you for the great explanation of some of the reasons that report is so ridiculous. It is sad that people feel the need to come and spout off even more myths, but at least it's an opportunity to provide rebuttals for the more open minded who may read this in the future.Shanenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33244618.post-18902602276695061562010-08-24T08:05:53.380-07:002010-08-24T08:05:53.380-07:00I'm so glad to see educated people speaking ou...I'm so glad to see educated people speaking out and giving the facts about these breeds. I think people should know about how many of the "bad breeds" are doing good in there community. Such as K-9 good citizens training, therapy dogs, and drug sniffing dogs. We own 1 lab/pb mix, and 2 pb. All three of our dogs came from a rescue and all of the are either working on or have there K-9 good citizen. Which alows us to go into hospitals and nursing home and visit the sick and elderly. Also I was shocked that a resent article was recently about Michelle Vicks PB and most of the have there K-9 good citizen. I was so excited to see this "bad breed" reading with children and being "good citizen". I have always said " A dog is only as good as there owner".Doing Goodnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33244618.post-62873023441075034992008-12-24T08:32:00.000-08:002008-12-24T08:32:00.000-08:00Your comments make me laugh....if pit bulls are kn...Your comments make me laugh....if pit bulls are known to be dog aggressive...it is a fact that they are widly used in dog fighting....they are frequently used as a guard dog....<BR/><BR/>Why would we not want tighter controls on Pit Bulls. When I was young lad...I fought a dog....it was my dog...and he kicked my butt...he was a 40 pound lab/collie mix....he was going after a mouse in the house and he dragged me from one room to another trying to kill that mouse...people have no idea the power of an animal....and this was a small boned...small muscel dog....imagine what a pit bull could do at 55 pounds coming at you....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33244618.post-75651030306600506622008-12-21T14:57:00.000-08:002008-12-21T14:57:00.000-08:00What an excellent, informed review of Merritt Clif...What an excellent, informed review of Merritt Clifton's "report" - thanks! I would laugh, but sadly, many supporters of BSL cite Clifton and subscribe to his brand of lunacy. It seems that no one knows how to think critically any more .. it's so much easier to have the media tell them what to think.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33244618.post-14688318066998489952008-11-22T09:46:00.000-08:002008-11-22T09:46:00.000-08:00Thank you for bringing to light the inaccuracies a...Thank you for bringing to light the inaccuracies and outrageous conclusions Mr. Clifton tries to draw based on incomplete and inaccurate data. <BR/><BR/>Moses Lake, WA is proposing breed-specific restrictions be added to their current dog ordinance after a child was attacked by a "pit bull" (cannot confirm actual breed...but that is what the newspapers are saying). They are basing a lot of their decision on the Clifton study.<BR/><BR/>Please contact them and urge them to adopt tougher enforceable laws that target dog behavior and not appearance. They will be voting on the ordinance change 11/25/08.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33244618.post-43144628559706434462008-07-29T13:33:00.000-07:002008-07-29T13:33:00.000-07:00Dear Anonymous,It's very sad your dog was attacked...Dear Anonymous,<BR/><BR/>It's very sad your dog was attacked. I hope she recovers. However, dog aggression and human aggression are two totally different things. <BR/><BR/>Historically when pitbulls were fighting other dogs in a "pit", it was imperative that their handler be able to handle them while in the middle of a fight. Any dog that turned and redirected aggression onto their handler was euthanized. Pit bulls were specifically bred NOT to be human aggressive. Yes, they can be dog aggressive, but please do not confuse the two. <BR/><BR/>You are angry and sad about your family dog being hurt and that's understandable. But your mistatements do not do anyone any good. <BR/><BR/><BR/><BR/>AMKLexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05543152891298145478noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33244618.post-48094851469782931882008-07-23T20:42:00.000-07:002008-07-23T20:42:00.000-07:00Dear Anonymous One -- You have no "stats." An aut...Dear Anonymous One -- You have no "stats." An authentic, non-anonymous dogbite expert at the CDC explains: "If anyone says one dog is more likely to kill," that person is talking out of his ignorant, cowardly, anonymous elbow.<BR/><BR/>OK, what Dr. Gilchrist really said was, " - that’s not based on scientific data." In other words, Anonymous One, you're making your "stats" up. They're a fantasy of your fevered, anonymous imagination. <BR/><BR/>This anonymous behavior is 1) profoundly dishonest and 2) not helping the tens of thousands of people hospitalized as a result of bites and attacks by non-pit bulls each year in the U.S. <BR/><BR/>I'm glad to publish your anonymous falsehoods, though. The public can only benefit from reminders that "statistics" like yours don't exist, and from the sobering fact that at last count over 60,000 people were hospitalized in the U.S. in a single year as a result of dog bites. Most victims were children. Most of the dogs involved were resident dogs or dogs the children knew.<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://www.avma.org/public_health/dogbite/dogbite.pdf" REL="nofollow">These guidelines</A> are infinitely more useful than hate- and fear-mongering, if your hope is to save children and small pets from trauma and injury. "[Laws] banning breeds will not make you safer, and the illusion that they will do so is dangerous to humans and unfair to dogs," says Dr. Karen Overall. She’s an expert, Anonymous One. You’re just a dishonest little troll.Luisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04042236324318156854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33244618.post-33764949345647731672008-07-23T10:34:00.000-07:002008-07-23T10:34:00.000-07:00The stats on how many maulings and deaths (of pets...The stats on how many maulings and deaths (of pets and people) were committed by PBs who had NEVER shown any aggressive tendencies before is all the more reason to not trust the breed EVER.<BR/><BR/>Labs swim, Beagles follow their nose, PBs bite and shake until the victim STOPS MOVING.<BR/><BR/>Think of it this way: Leopards purr and you can even teach one to use a litter box... but a leopard will never, ever be a house cat. It will be the most gentle, cuddly, loving pet... until one day it isn't. PBs are like that.<BR/><BR/>You can try to cover it up with "we don't know how many dog bites there are because some are not bad enough to be reported" is silly. Who cares about little nips on the ankles? Not fun, sure, but totally different from having a PB kill your leashed dog as you walk your neighborhood. Declaring the dog dangerous after-the-fact is too late. Ban PBs and other dogs that statistically attack and maim and kill pets and humans more than other breeds.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33244618.post-21386173139951286152007-11-14T21:31:00.000-08:002007-11-14T21:31:00.000-08:00I am terribly sorry that some careless idiot let h...I am terribly sorry that some careless idiot let his dog get away from him, and even sorrier that your dog was attacked. But generalizations won’t change the fact that the great majority of pit bulls never bother anyone. And other breeds also attack and cause serious harm. <BR/><BR/>As Bad Rap says, supporting stereotypes is so 1950s.Luisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04042236324318156854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33244618.post-54027718701556709992007-11-14T11:57:00.000-08:002007-11-14T11:57:00.000-08:00I just experienced an unprovoked attack on my dog ...I just experienced an unprovoked attack on my dog on a leash by a pit bull, 20 yards from my residence. It was not a "bite" it was an extreme mauling, without warning. It could just as easily have been one of my two boys (7 and 10) who were a couple feet away and witnessed the traumatic struggle as I tried to beat off the dog who had finally clamped down on my dog's leg like a bear trap. <BR/><BR/>I am disgusted by all the double speak used by people defending any breed of dog that has been bred and selected for attack and a death grip bite. <BR/><BR/>One time is too many. get real people.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33244618.post-18248600665806132022007-08-26T08:10:00.000-07:002007-08-26T08:10:00.000-07:00Terrific article! I love your analysis of Clifton...Terrific article! I love your analysis of Clifton's nonsense. Now, if only some people would get a second synapse and fire a neuron...Social Mangehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14135369986061367480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33244618.post-89659627723718553842007-08-25T20:47:00.000-07:002007-08-25T20:47:00.000-07:00I'm laughing so hard I can hardly see to type this...I'm laughing so hard I can hardly see to type this.<BR/><BR/>Well done! You are one funny lady....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com