Thanks for the rest of the story. I know that the media likes to blow everything out of proportion, and I am sorry that I thought that the dog was not being properly handled. I am very glad, however, that the woman was o.k. and well enough to visit her 'vicious' tormentor. I hope that everything works out well for all parties involved and that Eli isn't put down for what now seems to be a bad accident.

Thank you very much, Minniyar, for responding to my original post! The article certainly raised far more questions than it answered like, "what is the age of the dog?", "does the dog have a history of aggressiveness?" (obviously NOT), "why was he at the show if he wasn't in it?" (he WAS a participant), "why was he apparently just 'wandering around' unsupervised?" (he was NOT), "how could he have so seriously mauled (& 'dragged') this woman in the midst of a large crowd?" (he didn't); & last but certainly not least, "was he exhibiting signs of stress or apprehension that a 'responsible' owner would have recognized thereby choosing to remove 'Eli' from the show grounds?" Obviously NONE of these apply & I resent the implcations the news coverage promotes - :-(

As the previous proud owner of a loving & beloved (ADBA registered) APBT (RIP 4/29/03), & a couple of pit bull mixes over the years I cringe when I see this type of reporting (knowing what it can do to a breed), & I sincerely appreciate, very much, you sharing "...the rest of the story". Again, thank you!

***Edited By: Lucky Lady on 3/27/2007 12:38:59 AM***
Reason: *

Wont be the last time the media jumps in with both feet without knowing the facts.
I bet though, this article has already been seen by sooo many and without the side of the owner that it is going to cause an uproar about the Akitas now too.

I hope the woman is ok and the dog is able to go home.

Thank you for the real story Minn, stupid media.

Well THAT explains it... same thing happend overhere..
I'll take that on a seperate post.

Minn Thanks for setting the record straight. Used to be that the media reported facts. Now with all the reality shows, seems like "true" stories are not that interesting. Really appreciated reading the facts.

That totally conflicts with the report given in an e-mail from a nurse on the scene....I'm not saying who is telling the truth because I wasn't there, but there is another side to this story that has been reported...I don't have the nurse's name (it is Susan, obviously, but I don't have her email address or full name--it is on my home computer), but will try to find it. Here is what she wrote:

>
> I just wanted to tell you the entire story about
> this attack before you hear any other version on the
> news or in the paper.
> Today, Sunday 3/25/07, I attended the Space Coast
> Kennel Clubs All Breed Match in Melbourne, Fl (near
> Cocoa Beach). A woman was viciously attacked by an
> Akita.
> Facts:
> * This was a rescued Akita that had been abused
> in its previous home and had a history of
> aggression.
> * The owner brought the dog to the show to see if
> it would have any aggression issues. She asked
> several people to “come at the dog” to see if it
> would become aggressive! (they wisely refused)
> * While she was talking to a group of people, she
> had the Akita on a loose lead and was also holding
> another dog. She was not paying attention to her
> dogs so she did not notice the Akita posturing to
> attack another dog in the group.
> * The Akita suddenly attacked the other dog.
> * The owner of the other dog tried to break it up
> and put her foot out to stop the Akita.
> * The Akita grabbed her foot and dragged her and
> she began screaming. The dog mangled her left foot
> so badly that it literally was hanging on by nothing
> but a small piece of muscle and was facing sideways
> in a spiral.
> * I and another registered nurse went to her aid
> as the dog let go because it had her shoe in its
> mouth. We immediately elevated her leg and applied
> a tourniquet with a dog lead to prevent her from
> bleeding out and going into shock. Then we splinted
> the entire leg to prevent the foot from literally
> falling off. The paramedics arrived and took her to
> the ER. The dog was taken by Animal Control.
> It is absolutely incredible that anyone would bring
> a dog with a history of aggression to a dog show
> with children and other dogs around that could be
> attacked. It also was amazing that the owner
> actually asked innocent bystanders to rile the dog
> to see if it would attack!!
> Then, on top of it, she had this dog on a loose lead
> and was not paying attention to its behavior. This
> is such irresponsible dog ownership that words alone
> cannot describe. The amazing fact is that her young
> daughter is a junior handler, so this owner is not
> new to dogs!
> Please pass this story on. We must reinforce at
> matches that dogs be kept close to the owners side
> and observed by their owners at all times. People
> tend to get lax at Matches and it can end
> tragically!
>
> Fondly, Susan
__________________

I guess their will be two sides to every story,kinda have to be a judge for yourself without being their

If Eli were so people and dog aggressive as that supposed nurse says he is, how would he have attained his CGC and have gotten 2 of the 3 legs needed for his Rally Novice title, and be in intermediate obedience working toward his CD obedience title?

For the folks that have asked why the dog was at the show when not entered..... At every dog show we have our dogs entered in, there are dogs there that are not entered and, for the most part, are not even purebreds. I was going through the gate at a show once and a guy in tattered jeans with a scruffy, dirty German Shepherd was going through and the girl at the gate asked him if the dog was entered and he's like uhhh... yup. And she let him through. riiiight....

Bolerame, if you had read through the posts, you would understand the dog WAS entered, in the Rally Obedience competitions. He was not entered in conformation, but as anyone who's ever been to a dog show knows, they frequently have Obedience, Rally Obedience, and sometimes even Agility performance events going at the same time.

This reminds me of a conversation I had yesterday. It's amazing how two people can see the same thing and both walk away with different accounts of what actually occurred...

In any case, I do hope this dog's reputation is restored

Im going to belive Minn. I read the story 2 times looked at the pics and I dont think it happend like the news said or like wab said.
First emails that are passed around dont mean jack, I could wirte one just like that adding on that the dog then took a tinkle on a child and ran off. They finaly had to trank him to catch him. I could also say i was the Dr who put her foot on, or the EMT who rode the whole way with her watching her foot move i though it would fall off next time we stoped or hit a bump. I dont belive 90% of the emails I get.
I couldnt see a dog chewing on her for a wile, I mean there are tones of people around no way would it have gotten the chance to chew then drag her, unless the room was full of Little kids, or paraplegics with out wheel charis.

Our news is turning into nothing but storys Just like it is in other countrys, More and more its becoming just another form of entertainment.

I'm really not surprised about the media spewing crap. With Pit Bulls I'm used to their lies! I remember one time a large black lab mauled a boy and the news said it was a Pit Bull and filmed a chocolate Pit Bull in an animal shelter. They do anything to sale a good juicy story.

I also think it is very silly to use inbreeding as a scapegoat. Bad dogs are bad dogs and being honest about it, bad tempers are usually caused by poor breeding, lack of socialization, bad training, or a combination. I take my inbred dogs to shows once or twice a month and never once have they ever shown anyone anything but a wagging tail and happiness.

I,m glad it wasn't a bully breed the attacked the poor lady.I'm glad the media didn't again show a pitbull, this time representing the Akita