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Archive through January 22, 2006

The TVClubHouse: General Discussions ARCHIVES: 2005 Dec. ~ 2006 Feb.: Hairball Haven: Dogs (ARCHIVES): Archive through January 22, 2006 users admin

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Kstme
Member

08-14-2000

Tuesday, January 17, 2006 - 8:10 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Kstme a private message Print Post    
(((Supergranny))) I am SO sorry to hear this news. Please give Sophie an extra hug from all of us here.

I've been out of touch for a while, but thought I'd take a few minutes to catch up. The stats for Sussex born in the US 2005 were 78, UK 61 and Australia 14.

Ollie has been VERY sick for the last couple of months. He has allergies and we are trying everything possible to find out 'what' they are. It's not unusual for this breed to have them, but it is unusual that they show up at four years old. Nothing in his environment has changed which makes it harder. We have him on an hypo-allergenic diet and hoping that will alleviate the problem. His poor body looks like he has measles and his eyes run so badly. We are not using cortisone yet and don't want to if we don't have to. He's on benedryl, eye meds and on and off with anti-biotics. He's lost about 5 pounds and looks awful. Because the Sussex doesn't let you know when he's sick or well, it's a challenge to know what's working for him and what isn't. We have to keep an eye out for spots. Sometimes his eyes clear up when he's still breaking out. After four months, if he isn't showing improvement through changes in food, then he'll have to see a dermatologist.

Cami is doing 'ok'. She's still very skittish around anything new or if she's out of her 'comfort zone'. She has bonded with Ollie and wants to be with him all the time. With him being so sick, we think she thinks she can make him better. lol

Mags is Mags and she's doing great! Here's a pic of all three waiting for Daddy to come home...Mags first, Ollie next and Cami.
isdaddyhomeyet

Saxywildcat
Member

05-30-2005

Tuesday, January 17, 2006 - 10:53 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Saxywildcat a private message Print Post    
Kstme: It's so good to see the dogs!! Ollie will be in my thoughts! How is Norm? I hope things are clearing up there.
I need to get some new pics of my babies to share sometime soon. I'll have to edit out the bra/underwear me in the bathtub with the dogs from bathtime this past weekend.. LOL

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Tuesday, January 17, 2006 - 4:56 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
I am ticked! Sis just called and asked me if I could watch baby niece tomorrow cuz she has to pick up Bud, our uncles dog, from the vet where he's having surgery. Uncles been living with them for a few weeks now as he waits for his house to be built.

Back the story up a bit. For over a year they've had a problem in their neighborhood with dogs, especially pitt bulls running loose. She used to call people when it was time to walk her daughter to school for a ride cuz the dogs were out. Last week she called to tell me she wouldn't be here when expected because one of the neighborhood pitts was sitting outside her fence and everytime she got close to the gate he'd go into attack mode. It's bad enough they can't let the kids play in their fenced in yard alone.

Anyways, today Bud was out in the yard playing. All of a sudden sis hears a terrible commotion and goes out to find this pitt bull in her yard attacking Bud. Now here's the scary part. This dogs owners had actually taken him off the leash, opened the gate and told him to attack, as several neighbors witnessed! He let the pitt attack for a few minutes til he saw one of the neighbor guys heading over with a baseball bat, then called the dog and took off. Sis said within the time it took her to calm Bud down and check him out and realize he needed to go to the ER vet, she'd had six different neighbors tell her they'd called either or both the sheriffs department and animal control.

She takes Bud off to the vet, sits there 3 and a half hours, then leaves to go pick up her daughter from school. Stopped by the house to see if Uncle was there and was told by her neighbor they'd seen neither animal control or the sheriffs department and they were waiting to give their statements. Her and uncle went back to the vet, and when he found out he threw a fit. He's filing detailed reports about it now.

Meanwhile poor Bud has bites, tears and gashes to his neck, face, ears, and legs. Several were stitched up and one or two has to be fixed in surgery they were so severe. Bud's 5, lab something mix (no ones really sure) and a big lover. If you're willing to scratch behind his ears he's your friend. There's no way he could go head to head with a pitt bull!

Sis called awhile ago, it's now been five hours since the attack and no one has shown up. Someone opens up the gate on a private residence, lets their freaking pitt bull off the leash and gives the order to attack and five hours later the sheriffs and animal control haven't been around??? What the hell is wrong with this? The only thing I see as being a blessing in all this mess was at least it happened during school hours and none of the neighborhood kids were out! I'm so mad I'm literally shaking.

Jimmer
Member

08-30-2000

Tuesday, January 17, 2006 - 7:46 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Jimmer a private message Print Post    
I am shaking my head in disbelief. Owners have to be in control of their dogs or there should be significant consequences. Of course, in this case, according to witnesses, the owner actually encouraged the attack. It is simply disgusting.

I sure hope that Bud gets better soon and suffers no long-term effects from this.

Secretsmile
Member

08-19-2002

Wednesday, January 18, 2006 - 5:43 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Secretsmile a private message Print Post    
Oh, this makes my blood boil! I hope things got dealt with and that owner gets a hefty punishment. Sending healing thoughts and prayers to Bud.

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Wednesday, January 18, 2006 - 10:08 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
They're still waiting on someone to show up! The vet reported to animal control last night, but still no one's showed up, so sis is taking pics of Bud, has a copy of the vet report and written letters from the neighbors who witnessed it and is heading out to both the sheriffs station and animal control this morning.

She picked Bud up awhile ago. She said he's almost completely shaved, covered in stitched wounds and has three tubes they inserted into wounds for draining coming out of his neck. She said he looks like Frankenstien and that he's very skittish right now.

They decided last night to take the girls stuff out of their play room and set it up for Bud and our uncle. When he sold his house, because he knew it'd be awhile before the new one was built he bought a new motor home and had been staying in that. Bud refused to stay there, he doesn't mind going to visit but he prefers to sleep in the house. So they're setting up the play room with his bed to keep him seperated from sis and bil's two dogs and the girls, and setting up a bed for uncle so he can stay with Bud.

Jagger
Member

08-07-2002

Wednesday, January 18, 2006 - 10:35 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Jagger a private message Print Post    
Supergranny how's Sophie doing, I hope she's doing better. I agree I wouldn't give my dog any special diet, afterall that is what my dog lives for, he just loves food. I swear that is the only thing he ever thinks of anymore.


Wargod I hope you get some response from the sheriff, I would not let this go, I would continue to call the sheriff on what they are doing about it, especially if you have witnesses.

If you don't get responses from them you may want to call some of the local TV stations, they love these kind of stories, and they usually get some action.

Jasper
Member

09-14-2000

Wednesday, January 18, 2006 - 12:24 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Jasper a private message Print Post    
Big Hug Supergranny, I hope Sophie gets well.

Kstme - great to see the doggies again.

And Wargod, your story has just really po'd me. Is this jackas! a neighbour of your sister's? He deserves to be punished for that behaviour, unfortunately he has turned his dog into a weapon, although not the dog's fault in my opinion he will have to be destroyed. Here in Ontario they have been banned along with any associated breed (unfortunate for purebred Staffordshires etc) , quite a controversial decision but many of these "pit" dogs have really been for want of a better term "turned" by some owners who want a macho nasty dog, versus a family member. And when they attack the result is so devasting. We have one across the street who scares the crap out of me. Poor bugger though has been chained in the backyard since the day they got him. I say why bother getting a dog. I hope Buddy gets better quick. And I would certainly be hounding the sheriff to do something, what are they waiting for a human to be bit before it is a serious matter? That's like throwing the baby out with the bath water.

Seamonkey
Moderator

09-07-2000

Wednesday, January 18, 2006 - 12:35 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Seamonkey a private message Print Post    
War, I think since the OWNER was witnessed opening the gate, HE should be reported to the police for animal cruelty (to both dogs, really) and use of a deadly weapon, especially since there could have been children in the yard.. Animal Control should be involved, if you can drag them into it, but he needs something stronger.

Might not hurt to call local news or some troubleshooter.. get attention.

The whole thing sucks.

Supergranny, hope they can keep Sophie going for a long time in great comfort.. Maybe see a heart specialist?

Whoami
Member

08-03-2001

Wednesday, January 18, 2006 - 1:13 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Whoami a private message Print Post    
I was thinking bringing in the local news too. If anything, to warn other pet owners in the area there is a nut case on the loose in your neighborhood. It would be wise for people to be keeping an eye out on their yards, for pets and kids too. Who knows if this guy has what it takes to open the gate in a private yard to sic his dog on another dog, he might decide to increase his jollies and sic him on a kid next.

Approach it like that, as a public service thing for the area, and then just casually mention that animal control and the sheriffs office had been contacted, with no reply or action from them yet.

Might be time to oranize a lynch mob to go after the owner. But then of course the police would probably show up, to protect the jerk.

Lancecrossfire
Animoderator

07-13-2000

Wednesday, January 18, 2006 - 2:06 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Lancecrossfire a private message Print Post    
I'm not happy about the situation War spoke of! That person needs some serious help. Given what i see with POPP, it's clear the world has a lot of very sick and twisted people.

Supergranny
Member

02-03-2005

Wednesday, January 18, 2006 - 2:34 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Supergranny a private message Print Post    
First thank you for your support. It helps to know that you are there and understand how I feel.

The Dr gave her an injection right away to take the fluid from around her heart. She had to pee every half hour yesterday but her breathing is back to normal...that horrible labored breathing just twisted my heart! Her bloodwork so far has shown a small infection and he has her on antibiotics for that. There is more extensive blood tests that he sent to a lab. Those should come back next week and he believes that we will be able to give her "enalpril" every day and that will help her live longer. I just don't know how I can stand losing her.

Thank heavens we have a fantastic vet, people come for miles to this little resort town to see him. Even other vets refer patients to him, he is also a holistic veterinarian and even does acupuncture. So Sophie couldn't be in better hands. He only works with dogs and cats tho.

Kstme, I always love to see pictures of your Sussex, you have helped educate all of us about the breed. Sophie had such awful skin problems even to the point of having to go on short periods of cortisone to ease it. She had big dark circles where the fur would fall out. We moved here and Dr Abrishami put her on thyroid pills. Almost two years now and no more problems.

Wardog, I would be so furious I would call the newspaper...tv..even my senator! Just warn your Sis not to try to deal with the owner herself...that guy is crazy and you don't know what he will do. Good luck...does she need me to come and help?

Again...thank you for your support!

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Wednesday, January 18, 2006 - 3:46 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
Aw Supergranny I sure hope Sophie feels better once the antibiotics start working on her. My thoughts and prayers are with ya'll for good test results!

Sis stopped back by to pick up my niece, didn't have much time to talk so I only got a little bit of info. She stopped by the sheriffs dept and filled out a report and left copies of the pics she'd taken, then did the same at animal control. Said she went to pick up some meds for Bud and by the time she got home animal control was out with the pitt bull. She was only home at that point for a few minutes so wasn't sure if anything else happened.

She showed me the pictures of Bud, and to be completely honest, I wish she hadn't. Judging by pics alone the other dog went straight for his throat and only bit him elsewhere on his body when Bud was able to get him away from his throat. Vet said he'd heal fine but they are going to have to do alot of work to keep the areas clean and irrigate the drainage tubes.

Supergranny, lol, have you met my sis? It took me on the phone, uncle and a friend who were at the house, to stop her from marching down the street and taking care of it herself yesterday! I think she may be madder than our uncle, though he's thinking about what is, sis is thinking about what could have been. On any other day when the dogs go out to play in the yard, she goes to sit out there while her 2 year old plays with them. Just so happened that mom had the baby yesterday and she wasn't home, but almost any other day both sis and worse the baby would have been out there too. They are fully prepared to go as far as they have to to get this taken care of, and so are several of their neighbors.

Watching2
Member

07-07-2001

Friday, January 20, 2006 - 12:18 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Watching2 a private message Print Post    
SG - Your Sophie is in my thoughts and prayers.

War - I am furious too! Boy they react FAST around here when there's a problem with a pitbull and the local news usually carries the stories, although mostly I remember when they've attacked people, but it's a real problem in the city. There's one on our street and it has always scared me although I've never seen him do anything but the "kids" who own him, well, they've been up to no good many times, but I haven't seen him lately.

I can't believe the sheriff AND animal control were so remiss in coming right away, no less her having to seek them out. That makes my blood boil! The man should be arrested and the dog confiscated. Poor dog doesn't have a chance and I when I watch Animal Planet I know certain cities always euthanize them as policy. Sad what they've done to this breed. Poor Bud. I would be absolutely sick and I feel sick just reading about him. I pray he gets well soon. Keep us posted.

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Friday, January 20, 2006 - 9:57 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
Got an update this morning and for a bit I was totally confused. The other day sis saw animal control out and assumed they'd taken the dog. Not so. Looks like huge screw ups all around....animal control took so long getting out there the guy and the dog were gone.

She didn't even know til yesterday when she got a call from the chief officer of animal control wanting to clear up some things on the report. Like in one place it had her house address listed as the place this vicious dog lives at. He first apologized profusely for them taking so long getting out there and then asked her some questions about the attack. Also told her they are doing everything in their power to find this dog, because if it attacks someone and they did not pick it up right away they will be liable.

Both the sheriffs department and animal control are looking for the dog and have orders to destroy it on sight I guess. Sheriffs department has told sis as soon as they find this guy (and they know who he is) he will be charged with felony criminal negligence and felony endangerment. And if the dog attacks a person before he's caught, the guy could face attempted murder charges.

She's been told now that if they see the dog in the neighborhood they are to call the sheriffs station first (they really want this guy) and they will call animal control and she's passed the message to her neighbors to do the same.

Watching, that has been one of the things bothering me about this. Last summer there were several pitt bull attacks on people here and they were really supposed to be cracking down on vicious dogs. That their response time is so slow is really baffeling, though sis did find out the person who took the inital report wrote down that the the pitt "almost" attacked Bud, not that it tried to rip his throat out. That was another inconsistency the chief officer found, that Bud was almost attacked, but he's also looking at the pictures of Bud with stitches, tubes, gashes, etc.

Bud seems to be doing better. She said he was up and moving around more and looking for loving. They're a little concerned that he's not eating well. He had a tooth yanked out during the attack and when they brought him home started feeding him canned (wet?) food. He hates it though and whenever he gets the chance heads straight for the dry, hard stuff, which he has trouble chewing. I suggested maybe making a broth and pouring over the hard food to make it softer and she was going to try that to get him to eat. He goes back to the vet Monday. They've been irrigating the tubes and cleaning the wounds several times a day. Hehe, they've also had him wearing tshirts to keep him as clean as possible and to keep him from pawing at the stitches and tubes.....and he hates it! Sis said it takes three of them to take one shirt off and another on but they have managed to keep him away from the wounds. He's taking pain pills which knock him out for several hours at a time, which I guess is good with him feeling better. He wants to be up and about and he really should be resting. Sis thinks he's depressed though that the girls are absolutely terrified of him. Little niece, who's been his best buddy since they moved in, won't go anywhere near him and anytime he's out in the house he heads straight for her.

Watching2
Member

07-07-2001

Friday, January 20, 2006 - 10:08 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Watching2 a private message Print Post    
Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww {{{{{{Bud}}}}}}}}

I'm so glad they're looking for this guy and that dog. They so ARE liable if someone, human or furbaby is hurt! I want to see that guy locked up. I have a feeling this dog is not all he's got going on as far as illegal behavior. I bet he's got a whole lot of illegal things since often dogs end up being part of drug houses, etc. Man, I don't even know who this person is, but I can't stand him!!!!!! He's evil as far as I'm concerned!

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Friday, January 20, 2006 - 10:39 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
He's a very bad man, thats for sure. I was half afraid he'd get a slap on the wrists...pay the vet bill, here's a fine, now go away. Free to raise another poor dog to be an attack animal. But, it seems like they're really taking it seriously and charging him. I'm glad about that. He deserves jail time.....this wasn't a dog that got out on his own and attacked Bud, he was let off his leash and had the gate opened and was ordered to attack. Granted the dogs been a nuisance in the neighborhood, running loose, growling and barking at people, but the one time he attacked the guy was the one who encouraged it to happen and he should pay for that.

Whoami
Member

08-03-2001

Friday, January 20, 2006 - 10:33 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Whoami a private message Print Post    
Giant hugs for poor Bud!

{{{{BUD}}}}

Why are the girls so terrified of him now? Because he looks so different? Or did they witness the attack? I feel bad for the girls yes, but also feel bad for poor Bud who probably can't understand why he can't get loving from his best buddy. I hope someone's loving on the poor guy.

Let's hope the guy gets some serious jail time, and gets locked up with an animal lover!

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Saturday, January 21, 2006 - 12:58 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
The girls weren't there at the time of the attack, Who. Oldest niece was in school, youngest was with grandma. For young kids he is pretty scary looking though. Caleb and Dakota are going out there Sunday for a few hours so we've been preparing them for that (don't jump or hang on him, this is what he's going to look like, etc.) We just want them as prepared as possible since they have not seen him yet. And maybe if they can handle being near him and giving him love, the two younger girls might be willing to get a little closer to him too.

I have to admit, when I first saw the pictures I had to fight throwing up and did break out in tears. It wasn't so much what he looked like but that it was so bad.

He's getting tons of loving from everyone other than the kidlets. Even with the tshirt they're pretty worried he's going to get at the stitches and tubes so they've been making sure he hasn't been left alone for more than a few minutes and making sure the puppy stays away since she's a bit playful.

Supergranny
Member

02-03-2005

Saturday, January 21, 2006 - 3:50 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Supergranny a private message Print Post    
That is so sad for Bud. This dog fighting is a horrible crime. It sounds like that guy was using Bud to train his pit bull for the ring. I think it will come to actually having to have a license to own a pit bull...complete with background check and getting bonded. This is the only way they are going to get control of this danger.

Watching2
Member

07-07-2001

Saturday, January 21, 2006 - 9:43 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Watching2 a private message Print Post    
That's a good idea SG. If you have nothing to hide, you shouldn't mind, but I fear people would get them somehow anyway.. the people who shouldn't have them. Grrrrrrr

Jimmer
Member

08-30-2000

Sunday, January 22, 2006 - 9:29 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Jimmer a private message Print Post    
It is now illegal to breed and buy Pit Bulls in Ontario, Canada. If you currently own a Pit Bull, you are allowed to keep him but there aren’t going to be any new ones (at least that is my understanding).

I don’t personally agree with this ban on the breed approach for a number of reasons the main one being that the dog owner should be responsible for his or her dogs and be responsible for any damage that they cause. I think they should have stricter laws that make the owner’s accountable. That way, the actions of a few crazy or irresponsible owners don’t affect responsible owners and good dogs.

Rupertbear
Member

09-19-2003

Sunday, January 22, 2006 - 2:11 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Rupertbear a private message Print Post    
I think the law is a good one.

Look at all the innocent people who have been maimed because people are supposed to be responsible pet owners.

It makes me shiver and cringe to even imagine being attacked and these poor people have to live with the physical damaged and mental trauma for the rest of their lives.

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Sunday, January 22, 2006 - 11:18 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
A couple weeks ago Jimmer I would have agreed with you to an extent. I don't have any problem at all with responsible pet owners, who take in a dog no matter what breed and love it as a family member. People who raise them with the loving attention and discipline they would a child. Unfortunately there are those out there who aren't lovin, responsible pet owners. And while laws like that where it's illegal to breed and buy pitts are good for those who aren't, it does hurt those that are good owners and there are some out there who are good owners of pitt bulls.

Then Bud got attacked and I'm looking at this poor dog's pictures and him and thinking how much worse it could have been. He could have been killed, my little nieces could have been out there playing not to mention all the other neighborhood kids and I'm thinking a law like that might not be a bad thing at all. It would hurt the good pet owners, but if it stopped some bad owners from getting a dog that could be trained to be even more vicious, I'm not sure that'd be a bad thing.

In our local paper yesterday was an article about another pitt bull attack. Two pitts somehow got out of their yard, and according to people who live in that neighborhood that was an odd thing to happen, and attacked and killed a Jack Russel Terrier. Animal control went out and ended up calling for police backup to help catch the two pitts. They ended up shooting both dogs when they attacked police officers. Now I have no idea what kind of owners they had, or if they were trained a certain way, but it's almost scarier the thought that up til then they may have been good dogs who showed no signs of viciousness.

Well, we had another talk with the kids today and then headed out to my sisters house. Both of them were a little taken aback at what they saw but neither of them were scared or nervous. They were much more cautious, allowing Bud to come to them rather than running straight at him. I'll tell ya'll, I think he's enjoying the attention and playing on it, lol. As soon as I sat down he came over, laid his head in my lap, got his petting and "good boys" and then climbed his 75 lb butt up in my lap! I think he knew I wasn't going to scold him over it, lol. He seems to be doing well though he doesn't like anyone to really get near the injured side of his body yet. Sis said it's been hard keeping him clean, especially when she's having to do it by herself, but they're managing.

We left the kids there and headed to lunch. We hadn't been gone 10 minutes when my cell phone rang and it was sis. She told me Dakota was deeply upset and she just wanted to let us know. I asked if she was having trouble with the way Bud looks, she said nope, she's mad!! She asked sis what exactly had happened and got upset and angry. I talked to Kota on the phone and she told me it wasn't fair that Bud had been doing nothing but playing in his yard and this guy opened the gate and told his dog to get Bud, she hoped the police caught both him and the dog and put them in jail. She was really furious over it. Was quite strange really, while the adults have been pretty angry over all of it, most of the kids have focused on Bud being attacked and the way he looks, Kota's the only one to get angry over the fact that someone allowed this to happen to him.

Whoami
Member

08-03-2001

Sunday, January 22, 2006 - 11:43 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Whoami a private message Print Post    
Gotta love that Kota! She probably doesn't remember me at all. But give her a big hug from me anyway. OK?

And a hug to you my dear cybermamma! Its obvious where MsKota gets her heart.