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ANIMAL WATCH - Another California child has been attacked by Pit Bulls, with alarming photos published of 6-year-old Scarlett Corona in the Orange County Hospital for Children with tubes in her mouth and her head wrapped in bandages.
Again, Pit Bulls have savagely attacked an innocent child who was no threat to them. There is no excuse! This is a growing national crisis that needs to be seriously addressed locally and soon by the U.S. government, regardless of the claims made by major national non-profit organizations which receive millions of dollars in donations to “save” them and allege they are just “misunderstood”--with no knowledge of the individual animal.
In Scarlett’s case, two Pit Bulls breaking out of a kennel, going to a separate location and savagely attacking a small girl who posed no threat, is hard to “misunderstand.”
Scarlett suffered at least three bites to her back, a severed main artery in her leg and several cuts on both legs, according to reports. She needed reconstructive surgeries quickly, and a GoFundMe has been set up to help the family with these unexpected expenses.
“She was a ballet dancer who loves to help others,” her mother said. She’ll now spend at least the next month in a hospital.”
Although the family does not know much about the attack, the mother learned that, “the dogs were supposed to be in a kennel. They somehow escaped.”
Why is there no comment by any local or state official responsible for the safety of constituents, statistics demonstrate that Pit Bulls are a growing safety hazard and there needs to be a special registry of ownership and rules for keeping any breed of dog intentionally developed for animal-fighting.
If one child’s safety seat fails, there is a federal investigation and potential recall of all of that model sold, as a safety precaution. So why is it that the increasing number of Pit Bull attacks that seriously injure or kill receive no attention in the state or federal legislature?
National organizations, including Best Friends Animal Society, the ASPCA and HSUS—taking in multi-millions of dollars each year to protect animals—continue to actively endorse this breed-type, ignoring indicators and reality. See: 'Best Friends' Pit-Bull Politics Ignores Attacks, Deaths, Cruelty
Is this failure of government to care about Pit Bull attacks due to the fact that there is no huge specific business entity for the U.S. government to cite/fine in the event of attacks? Or, could it be because there are those at high levels in U.S. government who have an investment in the very well-organized underground dog-fighting industry and benefit from political contributions which subtly imply attacks should be ignored. The more plentiful pit bulls are in society, the less chance there is of dog-fighting operations being identified.
(See: Pentagon Official Faces Up to 5-Years in Prison for Charges Related to Dog Fighting, Gambling Ring)
TRAGIC PIT BULL ATTACKS TELL THE TRUTH ABOUT THE BREED
XL Bully Kills Beloved Jack Russell Terrier as Owner Watches, Fights the Dog—then Sadly Carries Pet’s Dead Body Home dog Daisy and his hand injury (Image: Sean)
(Not original photo of XL Bully. Other photos taken by victim’s son.)
On July 13, 2024, John Lawrence Kane, 83, was strolling with his beloved Jack Russel Terrrier, Daisy, in London, England, on a daily walk, when he noticed a woman on the street walking two XL-Bully-type dogs. In a moment, one of them broke freefrom its leash and charged toward him and Daisy.
The dog had grabbed Daisy in it jaws and killed the beloved family pet, despite the elderly man’s efforts to free her. Daisy died before his eyes.
According to the repots, the massive dog then attacked Kane, grabbing his hand in its jaws and severely injuring him.
The distraught 83-year-old then had to carry Daisy’s lifeless body, alone, to his home.
His son, Sean Kane, who was at the home, told the reporters, “When my sister opened the door and they saw what had happened, my mum, who is unwell and on oxygen, almost ended up back in the hospital again.”
He also said, “I've never seen my dad cry like that. My dad's a pretty tough character. He couldn't get this dog off [Daisy].”
The elderly man was taken to hospital by police officers because no ambulance was available at that time. Later medics assessed the gravity of his wounds and said he is facing the possibility of needing plastic surgery.
A woman, who was not identified, but “believed to be the owner of the dog” surrendered to the police on July 16 and a thorough investigation is being conducted, according to the MSN report. However, no investigation can bring Daisy back.
Describing their beloved pet, John’s son said: “Daisy was a lovely family dog, very good-natured, and wouldn't hurt anyone. She had a unique way of asking for treats by sitting on her backside with her paws up.”
Pit Bull Attack on Milwaukee Woman Recorded by Father While Trying to Fight Off the Dogs
On July 19, 2024, a Milwaukee woman, Toni Braaten, went to an upper duplex off N 33rd St. just before 9:00 a.m. to visit a friend and was attacked immediately by his four Pit Bulls, according to TMJ4 News. Her father witnessed the horrifying event and recorded it on his phone but was unable to do anything to stop the vicious dogs. She suffered wounds all over her body, so severe her father said, “I could hardly look at her.”
Toni was in surgery until about 7:30 p.m., according to the report. Her family spent Thursday and Friday by her side.
“They tore a chunk out of her head,” said Thomas Braaten. “Her arms are torn up. She's got a huge chunk missing out of her hand, and it looks like they just took a bite out of her. Her legs are chewed up. Her breast is chewed up.”
Thomas told reporters that police officers stated, “Toni threw herself down the stairs to try and get to safety, using her arms as a shield from the biting.”
The downstairs neighbor, identified as only “LaDale” told TMJ4 News that “when he heard the screams, he had to do something. I maced them, and I hit them to free them up from the young lady,” he said.
Photo by Mike Beiermeister
LaDale also talked about the dogs’ owner, saying that this was not the first time the dogs had “caused trouble.” “He lost control. They turned around and tried to bite him.” He added that the neighborhood lived “in fear” of the dogs.
TMJ4 reported that the owner did not want to go on camera.
Milwaukee Animal Care and Control (MADACC ) confirmed that four dogs were taken from the scene and are currently at the shelter in quarantine.
The family shared a photo of Toni below, taken before the attack.
They expected her to be out of the hospital by the next week. However, it appears that the PTSD has already set in. “Every time she closes her eyes, she sees the dogs coming at her,” her father said.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help with medical bills.
TMJ4 reported it has not heard back on its inquiry to Milwaukee Police to determine if the Pit Bulls’ owner had been cited.”
Boy, 3 in Critical Condition after Pit Bull Attack in Brooklyn Park, Minn.
On July 19, 2024, a 3-year-old child was reported in critical condition after being attacked by two Pit Bulls in Brooklyn Park (MN), according to the Brooklyn Park Police Department. When officers arrived at the scene at 12:45 PM at the 7500 block of Brooklyn Park Drive North , they discovered the boy being viciously mauled, which led to officers shooting both dogs, instantly killing one and injuring the other.
The boy had been playing at on playground equipment outside the home when he was attacked, police say.
According to the police report, “Quick intervention is credited with allowing the child to be rescued and immediately “receive life-saving efforts before being transported to a nearby hospital.” The condition of the child has been updated to “critical,” at the last available report.
According to police, several officers discharged their service weapons and hit both dogs. One of the dogs was killed and the other was injured. The second pit bull, which sustained injuries, was secured and is in the care of an area animal facility.
DogsBite.org reports that the incident is still under investigation on July 20, and states that “Video from WCCO shows the wooden fence that police stormed through to reach the boy. The boy was visiting the home when he was attacked.”
The child was taken to a nearby hospital. Andrea Ferrario
Authorities have yet to disclose details about the dogs' owner or any prior complaints or incidents involving the animals. Meanwhile, the community has been left reeling, seeking to understand how such a traumatic event could unfold in their midst.
The Brooklyn Park Police Department says it will continue its investigation to determine what may have led to the attack and whether charges will be brought against the owner of the dogs.
Family Pit Bull Mauls 3-month-old baby to death in NJ, Injures Mother
A story that cannot be left out of this tragic series of recent attacks on children occurred on March 14, 2024, when a 3-month-old baby was mauled to death and a mother was left seriously injured in a savage attack by the family’s new Pit Bull in New Jersey, reports state.
Police were called to a home in the Middlesex County town of Woodbridge at about 6:15 a.m. Saturday, where Daymon Balbuena, a 3-month-old baby boy, was found unresponsive, according to the Courier News.
The mother — who sustained serious wounds — and the father were both brought to the hospital for treatment, the prosecutor’s office said. Both were released later that day, according to the report.
A veterinarian euthanized the dog after the incident, authorities added.
“The love he brought to his family during his short life will never be forgotten,” it said.
GoFundMe organizer Kayla Gil wrote of the parents, Henry and Sierra Balbuena, “We cannot imagine the pain this family has had to endure the past couple of days and the pain they will carry as they cope with the loss of their beautiful baby boy, Daymon.”
The tragic incident was said to be still under investigation at that time, reports said.
The tragic increase in attacks by family Pit Bulls is alarming, and an indication that those who promote the adoption of Pit Bulls for families may want to rethink the wisdom and the possible ramifications to their credibility or lack thereof, and potentially their liability—whether monetary or moral, because this is increasingly becoming an issue of not whether a family Pit Bull may attack, but when?
(Phyllis M. Daugherty is a former Los Angeles City employee, an animal activist and a contributor to CityWatch.)
