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Loose pit bull raises dog bite concerns

Photos: Unruly dogs in Warren County

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By Lawrence Budd, Staff Writer Updated 12:03 AM Tuesday, June 16, 2009

LEBANON — Warren County dog wardens were still searching for a pit bull that had slipped from their custody almost three weeks ago after biting a neighbor in Franklin when a call came in Thursday, June 11, about a stray pit bull in a nearby neighborhood.

“It’s not the same dog,” warden Nathan Harper said by cell phone while still pursuing the subject of Thursday’s call. “I wish it was.”

This time of year, Ohio’s dog wardens and animal control officers are busy with everything from harmless strays that wander away from home to dog bite complaints.

Last year, more than 14,000 Ohioans reported being bitten or otherwise potentially exposed to rabies by dogs, according to the Ohio Department of Health.

While at its lowest level since 2000, Montgomery County — where officers also handle cruelty complaints — reported 663 cases last year, almost four times the activity in Warren, Greene or Miami counties.

In Warren County, dog wardens take in about 2,000 dogs a year, including 1,300 strays and 700 turned in by their owners. More than 800 are adopted, about 700 euthanized, 400 claimed by their owners.

Each year, the wardens log about 80,000 road miles, responding to between 350 and 400 emergency calls and 100 bite reports.

Ohio laws offer limited protections for people attacked by dogs.

A week ago, owner Jennifer A. Jimenez — who’d had two previous contacts with wardens over the dog — was fined $50 for owning the vicious pit bull in the Franklin case, according to court records. The judge ordered the dog be put down — if he’s ever located.

Jamie Paynter, the neighbor bit in the face, was left to seek damages or reimbursement for the costs of his trip to the hospital through civil courts.

Paynter was more fortunate than the Zubas, a Springboro family whose Yorkshire terrier was shaken “like a chew toy” to death by a Labrador retriever that wandered into their yard four days after Paynter was bitten.

Ohio law is silent on dogs attacking other dogs. Victims are left to pursue civil cases or seek compensation — or to have the dog euthanized — through failure to confine charges. Vicious dog charges don’t apply in dog-on-dog cases.

“If it attacked a human being, it would be an entirely different matter,” Warren County Administrator Dave Gully said.

While family and friends attended to the stricken Yorkie, its attacker wandered off. Attempts to match the attacker with neighborhood Labs have failed.

“If nobody’s come forward by now, it’s not going to happen,” Harper said.

Other cases end better.

On Wednesday, Bear, an 80-pound Great White Pyrenees who’d evaded wardens for eight months was relaxing in a kennel, his wild side socialized by shelter volunteers.

“He’s ready for adoption,” Harper said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2261 or lbudd@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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I think this is the link to which Matthew is referring: http://gprime.net/flash.php/thepitb...

lolinaz
7:58 PM, 6/17/2009

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Ktown, I'm glad you find it funny to talk about taking a dog's teeth out.

I find it funnier that this article uses the language "vicious" to describe the pit bull yet pretty much glosses over the Labrador (with no adjectives) who attacked the Yorkie.

Temperament testing proves it's the owner, not the dogs. Labs score a 92%, while American pit bulls soar past them with a 98. Now THAT'S not very vague, is it?

Sage
3:17 PM, 6/16/2009

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matthew i checked out that web site and it was absolutely the best thing ever for someone who has doubt. everyone should watch that i think i am going to make it a permanent part of my myspace page. thank you for sharing that. i think others should follow

bridgett
3:02 PM, 6/16/2009

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matthew i can not load the page you gave to check out is it thepitproblem.com or pitproblem.com let me know i want to check it out... i think its awesome that you are trying to spread awareness and get this out there...

bridgett
2:55 PM, 6/16/2009

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When a Pit Bull is raised as "Lassy"..."Peety">>(Our Gang Fame, a Pit Bull, look it up), "Rin-Tin-Tin" (German Shepherd), the dogs will act/behave/perform/please as we all expect dogs to be. Humans infect/train/bludgeon/harass the dog to become a four legged teeth machine. Pit Bulls have this reputation as vicious because???? Well, valued reader...if you can't figure it out, call the White House. Of course, they'll give you an excuse for the present form of viciousness...

Pit Bull Demise...
2:47 PM, 6/16/2009

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