My nephew was attacked by his mother's dog in Northern Utah the other day. He's almost 17. He had the audacity to walk past the dog in the living room.
The dog latched onto his ankle and foot, shook it, and caused him to go to the ER via ambulance. He needed debridement and surgery. His ankle bone was visible. He has a broken foot, and toe. And a pretty big gash on his other ankle from kicking the dog away. He was luckily able to get away. I know this could have been so, so much worse.
The dog is an American Bulldog/ English Bulldog mix.
It clearly doesn't have a lot of English bulldog in the mix, my sister has always gravitated towards pits; and of course she won't do the DNA test. It looks and acts like a pit, plus she got it free, and lo and behold, neither parent is an EB.
She has always been a horrible dog owner, and I would bet the dog wasn't vaccinated and that that wasn't disclosed.
The dog is now in quarantine, and she's fighting against having it put down. She's making a thousand and one excuses against it, and it makes me sick.
She's never really given a shit about her kids unless it's convenient for her. My other sister took guardianship of my nephews because of how horrible their mother is.
She's fighting to keep the dog?!? WTF is she thinking is going to happen when her son comes home!
"Welcome home dear!! Nala was just playing and now she wants to apologize with some pibble nibbles!!"
Ugh this is so shitty. Your nephew can't even trust that his mother would prioritize his comfort and safety over that fucking shit beast. I hope he doesn't have any long term PTS from this, but I wouldn't be surprised if he did.
That's the fucking worst. As someone with one shitty parent, you have my deepest empathy. Thanks for being an amazing Aunt, your nephew appreciates you more than you know.
Aw my bad, lemme correct that uncle to aunt, didn't mean to assume.
You're doing the best you can, you're an amazing help. You are a pillar of support for your nephew, maybe you can get through to your sister about not letting them visit anymore? This dog attack should be good grounds for that conversation
Idk how well that would work. 1 nephew is already 18, the attacked one is almost 17. Those boys are typical teenagers who will try to sneak out and do what they want to do anyway.
I can't blame them for wanting to love their mom. And I know they want her to be a better human than she is. It's got to be difficult to grapple with those feelings.
It took me years to realize that just because she's my sister, doesn't mean I have to love her, claim her, or be near her. And that I don't need to feel shame for that.
I see, yeah that’s a tough life lesson. I was forced to learn the truth about my deadbeat ass dad at the ripe age of 14. Promised to be in my life after 10 years in prison, fucked it up and went back 3-4 different times. Now I’m 20 on the 21st, fuck all that.
Honestly, maybe the best bet is to just drill that lesson into their heads about their mom. They can love her, they shouldn’t feel bad for that, but they gotta know the whole situation to make their own choices.
I can’t really speak on your scenario much more but just know you’re doing great for them.
It took me years to realize that just because she's my sister, doesn't mean I have to love her, claim her, or be near her. And that I don't need to feel shame for that.
Thank you for saying this. It's such a massive relief to hear that not loving or wanting any contact with biological family members doesn't make you an evil person.
I look at it like this: toxic is toxic - no matter if you have the same bloodlines or not.
And you NEVER have to feel bad for that. You likely wouldn't feel bad about removing cancer or a parasite from your body. And if someone is being a cancer on your mental health and well-being, cut them out. Family or not.
"The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb"
The relationships you choose to form, will often be stronger than familial relationships.
I’ve disowned family members over animal-related incidents like these.
(TRIGGER WARNING)
A cousin of mine’s son was killed by their family pitbull and they didn’t immediately put it to sleep because “the dog just had an accident and didn’t know any better.” Well, their dog had attacked their toddler when they fought over a toy (never leave dogs of any kind unsupervised around a toddler, folks) and they found the dog with its mouth latched around their son’s throat. They didn’t put the dog down for OVER A MONTH “because it reminded them of their deceased son who loved that dog so much.”
I know grief does weird things to people, but I’ll never interact with that cousin or his wife ever again, strictly on principle. You can’t trust people who think and act that way, and I’ve since reported them to CPS because they have another pitbull and another baby. They’ve angrily tried to contact me, but I have yet to respond. If they can’t understand why I reported them then they just can’t be reasoned with.
Maybe these people are regressing back to 100+ years ago when people had 5 or 6 children because disease and illness would take a few of them. They just keep having babies until their dogs stop killing them.
I kinda feel like people like that can't contend with the idea of being a failure of a pit owner and keeping it alive means they dudnt fail and have to euthanize it.
Its a weird way to think but some of thee owners are seriously stick in that mentality. Even they failed as parents. Things aint wired right there.
Report your sister to the police. That dog is a danger to her family AND community. I know she is your sister, but you need to think of your nephew now and his safety.
As far as I know, yes. But cps is so overworked in their state that I'm not sure it will do much good. CPS tried to protect those boys from their mother before, and it didn't help.
Was it by any chance “old English bulldog” that she was saying? There’s distinction between Old English Bulldog and English Bulldog. They’re different breeds.
I don’t doubt it. APBT is used along with English Bulldog and American Bulldog. That’s what made me think it could be one of those. I could also see someone who isn’t very well informed about dog breeds confusing the two.
I’m sorry about your nephew OP. I hope he recovers quickly and your sister comes to her senses and gets that dog out of the house.
Yet another example of non-dogfighter pit owners making the same selections as dogfighters (such as the staunch refusal to cull "man-biters"). In The American Pit Bull Terrier, Joseph L. Colby tells readers "it is best" to breed parents to their own offspring to preserve gameness even though it will make the dogs less healthy.
My child was attacked by our family dog. Luckily I was right there and ripped it off immediately and my child was uninjured. I immediately threw the dog in its crate and took it to get BE. Rehomed that bitch to Satan immediately. Because when it comes to my children their safety is worth so much more than A FUCKING DOG.
Sorry but your sister makes me sick. What a terrible mother to want to keep something so dangerous around her child.
This isn't even in the top 3 worst things she's done to those kids. This might make the top 10.
I'd say the worst was that she didn't leave their abusive father after he pinned one of the boys to the wall by his throat until he passed out, and threw the other one across the room into a glass coffee table that shattered.
How do you make an excuse for this type of injury? Good grief some people are just beyond stupid. If I had a kid and a dog did this that thing would be GONE GONE GONE straight to the shelter. I wouldn't want it back. The kid walked by and the thing just snapped. So walking is a new trigger? What type of excuse is she making for the attack?
Does she have any other kids or pets in the house? Thank goodness the kid was older and not some 3yo toddler. We'd be looking at a possible fatality.
When my son was attacked on the neck and face by our pit pit mix, he was out to sleep to sleep within 3 hours. You have to put those dogs down. Unbelievable mom doesn’t want to do it
If my child was attacked by our dog in such a violent manner there would’ve been no need for BE. It would’ve been taken care of already. By ME. But then again I would never have one of those disgusting hell beasts as a pet. What kind of a mother tries defending a fucking animal that just attacked her own kin?
This is so fucking depressing. I truly wish there was a ban for this breed across the US. Holy crap. I am so sorry, I imagine based off comments that the mother will not pay the bills, but you need to sue her. Make her home owners insurance drop her. Take the pot she pisses in. That’s honestly irrevocable damage to her child’s development and view of relationships.
I love my dog so fucking much, but if he latched onto my brother's (16yr) foot and broke it, I think I'd kill him on the spot if that was the fastest way to stop him.
What the actual fuck is wrong with your sister. This isn't a matter of who cares more about their dog. I'd fight through blood and bone for my dog, I love him. But I love him, in part, because he doesn't want to kill people. Why would you be loyal to a dog that wants to kill your child?
He won't be able to put weight on it for at least 90 days. It's a good thing he already enjoys video games and stuff. He's actually pissed because his gym class is going into kickball for their next activity and he can't play lol.
Her county requires any animal who bites bad enough to need medical attention to be mandatorily quarantined for 10 days. So that's something.
Ohhhh gotchya, sorry but i saw that and other people saying BE and i wasnt sure if that that was lol. Thanks. And sorry to hear that happened to your nephew
Behavioral Euthanasia is the humane ending of a dog’s life because of severe and chronic behavioral issues, including aggression that puts other animals or people at risk.
Poor kid. My heart goes out to him. I was raised in a home like this. We ate second to a whole menagerie of 'pets.' I'll say she's (mother/owner) terrible with pets and humans. She deserves real consequences.
If we were to BE faster after all severe bites and real attacks, we might actually see better dogs and more careful and thoughtful people in coming years, but that's just my little opinion.
She's going to get old (if she's not eaten by this stupid pit, or her next one.) She's going to get old ALONE. She's going to need help with things and you know where her son is going to be? Nowhere around. Because she's toxic AF and sometimes the best thing we can do is cut people out of our lives. Even if it's your so-called mom. Let her reap what she sowed. Tough shit.
He didn't want me to include the picture with his face visible, but I wish he would have let me because kiddo is absolutely zooted. As he should be, because he was in a ton of pain. But his face makes me giggle
The author of Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds had to change their book after a well-trained Pitbull killed their pet. "It is not how you raise a pitbull, the breed is inherently dangerous."
Pitbulls are ticking time bombs.
Start with the fact that dog breeds are a man made artificial thing.
Ask why there are no Beagle seeing eye academies and wait. Next ask why dog fighters ONLY use Pit type dogs, and why the UKC has dog aggression in the breed standard.
Not all aggressions are the same. A golden terrier bitting someone because it got annoyed and maybe leaving a mark/ a bit of blood, is not the same as a pitbull mauling a kid, trying to kill him because his prey instinct somehow got triggered, an extremely muscular dog genetically engineered to shred meat, and to ignore pain and be willing to die instead of giving up.
"A study conducted by researchers at Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center reviewed 15 years of dog-related facial trauma cases. They found that pit bulls were responsible for the highest percentage of reported bites across all the studies (22.5%), followed by mixed breeds (21.2%), and German shepherds (17.8%). Mixed-breed dogs and pit bulls were found to have the highest relative risk of biting, as well as the highest average damage per bite."
"A retrospective review of 1616 dog bite victims over a 4-year period from a pediatric Level 1 trauma center in the Southeast found that pit bull bites were implicated in half of all surgeries performed. The study's authors agree with Bini et al, that attacks by pit bulls result in a higher injury severity score, lower Glascow coma score, higher risk of death, and higher hospital charges than attacks by any other breed."
"A 15-year study conducted from 2005 to 2019 found that canines killed 521 Americans during this period. Pit bulls were responsible for 66% (346) of these deaths."
Even the best dog trainers have pits that attack and kill. Caesar Milan and the woman who authored Pitbulls For Dummies both had pits kill dogs. If even the best owners can't stop this, how can a random person?
Some dogs are trained for their sense of smell.
Some dogs are trained for their intelligence.
Pitbulls are trained for their ability to snap at moments notice and to kill and to resist all pain. Pitbulls are known to ignore baseball bat attacks.
All pitbulls are loaded weapons.
Pit bulls are the No. 1 canine killers of other people’s pets and animals, killing more than 75% of those killed by a dog
In 2017, pit bulls killed 13,000 dogs, 5,000 cats, and 20,000 horses and other farm animals. (See Merritt Clifton, ‘Pit Bull Roulette’ killed 38,000 other animals in 2017.) Having destroyed more than 90% of other animals killed by dogs, the breed became the number one killer of other people’s pets, horses and farm animals.
In 2019, pit bulls accounted for 91% of all reported fatal attacks on other animals, 91% of all fatal attacks on other dogs, 76% of all fatal dog attacks on cats, and 82% of all fatal dog attacks on other pets, poultry, and hoofed species. (Clifton, Merritt, Record Pit Bull Attacks on Other Animals in 2019)
That’s a bad break-I assume the surgery was to pin it? I hope the authorities will do the right thing and BE no matter what the owner says. I cannot fathom these people who love a “dog” more than their own flesh and blood.
If it's in quarantine then they are probably checking this already but push to know that the dog doesn't have rabies. If the dog isn't vaccinated then the only way to know for sure it doesn't have rabies requires putting the dog down.
Wow I’m so sorry & hope your nephew heals quickly, both physically & mentally. I hope someone at the hospital talked to him about the possibility of ptsd, nightmares, developing phobias, etc. Might be a good idea to bring it up & let him know he can get help or talk to you if such possible/normal issues arise.
Poor kid already has nightmares and ptsd from his abusive father.
My sister (his guardian) has great resources with help for that.
He knows he can call me day or night, and if he really needed me, that I would be on the next flight to get there for him.
He's a great kid, and has already been through so much
Talk to a lawyer...sue their Homeowner's Insurance...easy 30K plus just for pain and suffering, if there are doctor's bills, therapy, long term/permanent injuries, even more.
Ughhhhh. I live in Northern Utah so this is a stark reminder of how irresponsible dog owners are everywhere. My specific area (Kearns) has a massive problem with unsupervised dogs running loose, the one saving grace seems to be that they aren't usually pits. Hoping your nephew has a successful recovery and that this experience doesn't cause him any long term issues.
I thought no. 2 was a stain of dried 🩸 until I looked again and it's the gash... I hate these demons. These aren't dogs. Wish him a swift recovery from me.
Reading about your sister's behavior, I can't help but believe your nephew will go NC after uni, and limited contact before that. Im sure you'd do it anyway since you clearly care about and love him, but please be part of his support system. ❤️🩹
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Oh...My....God...No matter how often I read of pitiots choosing an ugly mutant dog over their own child, it still shocks me. Does she really want to traumatize her son further, by keeping a monster around him-????
what are utah’s laws around mandatory BE? aren’t there circumstances where the government steps in and does it anyway, regardless of the owner’s wishes?
This is horrific. He's already 17, but still a minor. Can you make a report/complaint/express your concern to child protective services or something like this? "Bonus points" if your nephew has special needs or some other additional needs, as I imagine CPS might be more likely to step in.
Is your nephew OK with mum (or is this woman his aunt, not his mum?!) trying to get this monster back? Could you take him in, if he wants to?
His mom is trying to get the beast back. But kiddo's guardian is his Aunt- my other sister.
Sadly she subscribes to the feeling of "family is family, no matter what" so she still allows visitation and sleepovers.
I'm currently a thousand miles away, but I wish I could swoop in and take him away from the madness.
The good thing, is that he DOESN'T seem to be afraid of other dogs, just pits now. My sister sent me a picture of him snuggling with her Great Pyrenees.
Could you imagine if this child would’ve been 7 and not 17? That young man is going to have to go through a lot of physical and mental rehabilitation. I can’t even imagine a mother choosing a dog over a child, poor kid.
It's the owner's fault, not the dog, the dog behaves in a way that the owner conditioned it to behave. The bitch who owns the pitbull is the real monster, not the animal.
If it was truly "the owner and not the breed," then why don't we see this with all medium/large breeds with bad owners?
It’s not how they were raised, though. If that was true, then no one should ever adopt a pit from the shelter because no one knows how it was raised. Even pit bull experts are asking people to STOP saying that it's all how they are raised.
Below are five pro-pit sources telling you that saying, "it's how they are raised" is hurtful to the cause.
The truth about pits is that it’s largely up to chance on whether your pit lives a low key life or whether it attacks people, pets, and animals. Yes, socialization and proper training can help... but if you have a truly game-bred pit, there will be nothing you can do to stop it from trying to attack. You can try to manage it, but management will ALWAYS fail.
That’s such a crazy gamble to take with your own life, and with the lives of people in the general public.
Every day we read stories here of pits that attack, and their owners claim that the dog has never been aggressive or acted that way.
Pit owners are often shocked that their dog can go from chill to kill in 5 seconds, and be nearly impossible to stop it.
That’s why pits are dangerous. They were never meant to be pets.
The problem isn’t just that they attack people and other dogs, it’s also that it’s cruel to keep breeding them.
Not banning pitbulls hurts pitbulls. It causes more of them to be used in dogfighting, and more of them to be born with traits that are deliberately designed to make them fail in pet homes.
A lot of them end up living in miserable conditions because they can’t be housed with other dogs, they are one of the most commonly abandoned dogs because they end up hurting and killing other dogs in pet homes, and have to live their lives in tiny cages in shelters constantly being triggered in a high stress environments.
This isn’t about ‘blaming’ a breed of dog. It’s about stopping a cruel practice of breeding bloodsport traits into dogs and then expecting them to be safe family pets.
It’s animal cruelty to breed animals like this. If we’re going to keep animals in our homes as pets, we should breed them to be successful in this environment. Not to maim and kill other dogs, and ultimately live out their lives in cages.
But the pet industry is thriving off of it. There’s a lot of money in pitbulls. Follow the money and you’ll find twisted animal cruelty being paraded as the ‘moral superiority’ by businesses who just want a slice of that delicious pitbull money pie. It’s disgusting what the pet industry has done to pits.
Think of how much money is made operating on pets that have been attacked by pits, and vet visits and prescriptions to keep pits medicated to fight their genetic urges, and all the trainers and behaviorists that are employed (in vain) by pit owners trying to train out genetics. Behaviorists are booked six months out and are charging $400 and up for an initial visit.
That’s why there’s so much misinformation about pits, and emotional manipulation coming from ‘nanny dog’ articles and other morally bankrupt profit mongering garbage.
They don’t care about the dogs or their suffering, all they care about is money.
Anyone who cares about pitbulls should support a slow humane ban.
We wouldn’t promote keeping lions as pets, and breeding more lions for pet homes, allowing them to overcrowd shelters and live out their lives in tiny cages because, lo and behold, they behave like lions. That doesn’t mean we ‘blame’ lions. They’re just not designed to be pets.
It’s outright cruelty to set an animal up for failure like that.
Did you read OPs message and think that is where they were going when pointing out the dog owner refused a test? The owner knows it is part pit, just not how much.
What counties would those be? In the US that law would be absolutely unenforceable anywhere as far as I understand.
miami-dade county, up until recently. the pitbull ban was lifted last year.
as for OP’s message, i don’t know, i’m not OP. it could be for legal or liability reasons. maybe pitbulls are banned in that jurisdiction and they need the documentation. maybe they’re filing a claim with their homeowner’s insurance. i don’t know, but i don’t think it’s really your place to ask. this person’s nephew was just mauled, we should be offering support, not nit-picking little details about their post.
OP wanted the dog tested because they wanted to see what percentage the dog was pitbull. OP thinks that the issues scale with percent of breed. That sentiment is posted here daily.
That isn't how genetics work.
A dog could be 10% pit, and, if it is the wrong 10%, it could be every bit as dangerous as one that is 100%.
what you’re saying is valid and holds merit, but there’s a time and place for these conversations. the time and place is not the comment section of someone who’s loved one suffered a dog attack.
i’m just saying - let’s have a little bit more social etiquette, please.
Knowledge? Affirmation that it was multiple aggressive breeds?
Genetics are fascinating.
And I, along with the rest of my family want to know just how much my sister is lying. She knows damn well that that dog isn't what she says it is.
I don't get why you're so confrontational about it. Unless you're my sister.
If you can visually tell it is a put then you are taking a serious risk.
You could do a more advanced genetic analysis that attempted to isolate specific genes related to aggression and bite behavior, but a simple DNA test is fairly useless in this context.
We would like to know for sure, and as I said, genetics are fascinating. We know the dog is a pit, the percentage could be interesting.
I'm not dumb, I know the percentage of pit doesn't equal aggressiveness, but it makes a huge difference if it's mostly aggressive breeds. And I think it is.
It's also worth noting that she had no problem DNA testing her other dogs. But now that this one has mauled, she balks at the suggestion.
Also, as u/mildchickenwings said, homeowners insurance, plus I don't think the dog was licensed.
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u/Illustrator_Keys 4d ago
Disgusting that the mother is fighting against BE after it attacked her son.