Pit bull attacks Oregon City girl
Thursday, November 20, 2008 1:12 PM PST
By The Associated Press
Printable version
E-mail this articleOREGON CITY, Ore. — A sheriff’s deputy killed a 90-pound pit bull that attacked a 7-year-old girl on a tire swing in Happy Valley.
The Clackamas County sheriff’s office says the girl, Jayda Kempas, was bitten severely on the leg Wednesday and would undergo surgery.
Deputy Greg Martin says that if the girl’s father, National Guard Staff Sgt. Steven Hehr, had not wrestled the dog away, she likely would have died. Hehr’s shoulder was dislocated, and he was bitten.
While Hehr held it down, a bystander beat the dog with an aluminum baseball bat until he was exhausted, and then the dog’s owner took up the bat. But the dog could not be subdued.
Finally, Martin arrived and shot it.
The carcass will be tested for rabies.
DUH wrote on Nov 20, 2008 2:08 PM:
" Here we go again. There are stories every week about Pit bull attacks. Oh I know, all you Pit lovers will say that its the irresponsible owners fault. What a crock! Time to send the breed into extinction! "
CRfisherman wrote on Nov 20, 2008 2:12 PM:
" I agree DUH.....get rid of them. There is no place for an animal with the reputation that these animals have. "
Gramma cc wrote on Nov 20, 2008 2:22 PM:
" Are we talking about getting rid of pure Pit Bulls or just any dog with any amount of Pit in them ???? Because my GranddDaughters have a dog with some Pit in him and he has never ever even showed signs of any agression towards anyone and is very loving and gentle towards my 3 young GrandDaughters.He really is just a Big Ole Baby. "
spete98611 wrote on Nov 20, 2008 2:29 PM:
" The state needs to make a law where all dogs are required to be insured. That way when someone is in posession of an animal without insurance it can be put to death and the owner fined. Then the insurance companies need to charge a high price for ownership of potentially dangerous dogs. This would definitely keep the breed from being owned by people who don't have the means of caring for them. Then the stupid drug dealers and wannabes wouldn't have their prized doggy. "
gracie wrote on Nov 20, 2008 2:36 PM:
" Just because the only time you read about a dog attack it is a pit bull doesn't mean that they are the only dogs that will attack. I do agree that aggressive dogs shouldn't be around to attack again but any animal will attack if it is scared. I am more afraid of a small breed dog because they are more aggressive than any pit bull I have EVER met! "
sammy wrote on Nov 20, 2008 2:37 PM:
" To Gramma cc: I pray you never have to eat your word.
To spete98611: In a perfect world that wouldn't be necessary......in an imperfect world, it will never work. Only those who respect the law would follow it. Those who do would be responsible to begin with. "
To spete98611: In a perfect world that wouldn't be necessary......in an imperfect world, it will never work. Only those who respect the law would follow it. Those who do would be responsible to begin with. "
unnown01 wrote on Nov 20, 2008 2:52 PM:
" you people make sick alot of you where the same people to crusify vick and then turn around and say a breed should be removed from the planet it's people with your way of thinking should be removed from the planet "
dogshead wrote on Nov 20, 2008 3:32 PM:
" I believe there are many more loving pitbulls than vicious pitbulls. A poodle could be taught to attack. It is the owner/trainer who is at fault. "
DUH wrote on Nov 20, 2008 4:01 PM:
" A poodle could be taught to attack. What kind of argument is that? A laughable one at best. Pit bulls have been bred to attack for centuries. It's in their nature. Pit bulls have to be taught to be lovable. Poodles will bite and run. A Pit bull attacks to the death. Real close comparison there. Two men with a baseball bat couldn't put this dog down. I wonder how long a poodle would last against a baseball bat. "
spete98611 wrote on Nov 20, 2008 4:02 PM:
" Sammy: New York, Pennsylvania and Florida are currently working on similar laws to go into effect. So, imperfect or perfect world it does work. Some insurance companies already cover aggressive dogs. My insurance company actually has policies I can purchase to protect myself in the event my animal causes any personal/property damage. Check with your insurance company (if they are national) to see if they offer similar policies. I'm not familiar with too many of this state's legislative staff so I have no idea whether or not a law is currently being planned. Soon enough I'm sure Washington State will have a law. Also, it has nothing to do with the size, breed or owner of a dog as to whether or not it will attack. Dogs sometimes snap just like humans. The ASPCA a few years back released a study that stated the most aggressive dog is a dachsund. Which I can believe because my friend had his nose ripped off by one while he was petting it. The dog and him were just laying on the couch and it just snapped and literally bit off his nose....it was pretty funny to watch but he had to get plastic surgery, twice, for the damage. Good times. Anyhow, if you're going to have a dog that could potentially kill someone be sure to have two things on-hand 1) a weapon to defend yourself or the person being attacked and 2) Either a huge amount of cash to pay the victim "
El Fuego wrote on Nov 20, 2008 4:27 PM:
" Duh and Castle Rock fisherman. I agree. Gracie, go back and read the article and, then read your posting. I quote "but any animal will attack if it is scared." Could you explain to me how a seven year old girl on a swing could scare a 90 pound pit bull? Grandma CC, I to hope you never have to eat your words. Finally, Dogshead, I am not sure your posting even deserves addressing as we have all heard it before, yet the pits keep attacking. I am waiting to read one day where the pit owner was attacked and it will happen. "
sammy wrote on Nov 20, 2008 4:49 PM:
" To spete98611: By "not working" I meant the drug dealers and wannabes are not home owners or even stay at one residence for any length of time. They won't care about licenses or insurance policies. I understand what you are saying and totally agree, in theory. But, it would be hard to enforce where itneeds the most enforcement. I had a Rott for 14 years that I loved more than anything. I paid the extra insurance, kept him contained, and NEVER took him where there could be a potential problem. I respected the fact he was NOT a poodle. "
Roudyruss wrote on Nov 20, 2008 4:53 PM:
" Remember the Little Rascals dog Petey? He was a pit and I read that during that time that pits were the most popular family dog. I am not anybody but any dog can be trained to bad. "
Beer&Skittles wrote on Nov 20, 2008 5:01 PM:
" Statistically speaking (from the insurance industry) Labrador/Shepherd mixes are responsible for more actual bites - vastly more than pits, but! And this is a BIG but - the damage done by pits is consistently greater. If you have ANY dog, make sure your insurance company is aware of it, one that is protective, but not agressive, can be an asset, insurance wise. Some insurance companies automatically charge for a dog whether you have one or not, others have lesser premiums, but WILL NOT COVER YOU if you don't declare and have a separate binder for dog(s). Bottom line, do check with your insurance agent or company. "
Buford McGee wrote on Nov 20, 2008 5:19 PM:
" Just a matter of time before one takes a dog out at the longview dog park. These dogs are not trained but have a history of breeding and instinct to be mean. Wise up and ban these dogs. Our problem is that the local humane society takes pit bulls from portland, when they would be put to death since the humane society there does not allow them, and sends them all the nice tempered dogs from cowlitz county. "
lola*in*longview wrote on Nov 20, 2008 5:58 PM:
" I agree that pitbulls should be outlawed in this state. I would never allow my children to enter a house with one in it, I don't care who the person is. If it was either of my parents the kids would not go there. I don't trust these dogs, you hear about it so often I don't know why anybody would trust them. "
golfer wrote on Nov 20, 2008 6:59 PM:
" Pit Bulls should be outlawed completely. Like some have said, they were bred to attack. Other dogs mostly bite & run, not continue the attack. It's just a matter of time before a friendly Pit attacks. I wonder how "friendly" the Pit was in the story above. "
cooky wrote on Nov 20, 2008 7:29 PM:
" I was always afriad of pitbulls till my son brought home a pit puppy one day. She ended up being the sweetest dog I had ever had the pleasure of being around. Yes some are raised wrong but I know from experience they can be raised to be a very friendly and sweet pet. I believe it is all how they are raised and treated. "
Rubicon wrote on Nov 20, 2008 7:38 PM:
" Just how many attacks will it take before some action is taken with these dogs? "
1arealocal wrote on Nov 20, 2008 10:14 PM:
" RE: Beer&Skittles, I agree with your input about the bite vs. severity comparison. From my experience being directly involved with the "business" end of these dogs, Pitts do horrific damage compared to any of the other breeds I have encountered. And to all you "my pitt is soooo loving", these dogs are just time bombs waiting to go off. Unfortunately it is usually some unsuspecting jogger, child, elderly, or other dog. That is why I dont carry anything that doesnt start with at least a .4 in the caliber when I go jogging or for a walk. "
buh wrote on Nov 20, 2008 10:47 PM:
" i work in dog grooming and all the pit-bulls that come in are very sweet and friendly with everyone. it's the mini's that bite the most. Doxies, schnauzers and chihuahuas are the ones always doing the damage but since they are little everyone just laughs and says "oh how cute." Just so everyone knows i'm not attacking any dogs or saying one dog is better then the other, they are dogs and they all have to be handled the same way or else you get bit. if you tease a little dog they are going to bite, if you tease a big dog they are going to bite.
i am really sorry a little girl got hurt in this ordeal but were was the dad to begin with? why was the little girl alone long enough for this to happen? where was the dogs owners? did this all happen in a park or the little girls property?
there is always more to a story but nobody wants to be the blame only the victim. "
i am really sorry a little girl got hurt in this ordeal but were was the dad to begin with? why was the little girl alone long enough for this to happen? where was the dogs owners? did this all happen in a park or the little girls property?
there is always more to a story but nobody wants to be the blame only the victim. "
buh wrote on Nov 20, 2008 10:58 PM:
" ohh and if you carry a gun when you jog then you must be a ticking time bomb your self.
bad day at the office so you go try and jog off a little steam. uh oh you dropped something but didnt notice, but a homeless man who saw it drop picks it up and try's to run you down to give it to you, but since your day is already going down the drain this must be a person trying to attack and BOOM! one homeless person dead because every homeless person out there is a bad one.
kinda like dogs! if one breed bites then they all do so lets just wipe them out! "
bad day at the office so you go try and jog off a little steam. uh oh you dropped something but didnt notice, but a homeless man who saw it drop picks it up and try's to run you down to give it to you, but since your day is already going down the drain this must be a person trying to attack and BOOM! one homeless person dead because every homeless person out there is a bad one.
kinda like dogs! if one breed bites then they all do so lets just wipe them out! "
DUH wrote on Nov 20, 2008 11:07 PM:
" There are over 150 dog breeds in the United States. Of all the Vicious attacks reported in the U.S. last year that resulted in severe injury or death, 75% of the attacks were by 3 breeds, Pit bull, Rottweiler, and Wolf hybrid. Of the attacks by those 3 breeds, 70% were by Pit bulls. Sure, any dog can be taught to attack but, that's because it's not in their nature. Pit bulls on the other hand do not need to be taught. They are vicious by nature. It is the reverse with Pit bulls. They have to be taught to be gentle and lovable. You can raise a tiger from newborn to adulthood and it can be lovable until one quick or wrong movement by its trainer and it will attack because it's in their nature. You will never convince me or many many others (And our numbers are growing) that Pit bulls are a gentle and loving animal. The time will come when those killers are banned. Guaranteed! "
DUH wrote on Nov 20, 2008 11:11 PM:
" buh, Pit bulls don't just bite. They attack and are in it for the kill. A far cry from what your Doxies, schnauzers and chihuahuas do. No comparison. "
ottomatic wrote on Nov 21, 2008 5:09 AM:
" I have known several pits over the years, they were just big babies. The only dog to bite me was a flying wiener dog. "
imlovinit wrote on Nov 21, 2008 7:03 AM:
" Gracie, are you serious, you're more afraid of a small dog than a pit? Picture the day your toy poodle goes nuts, compared with the day something in the pit snaps. Do you want broken skin or broken bones? Which dog do you think will kill you first? A n ip from a small dog is NOTHING compared to the tenacious bone crushing jaws of a pit. "
1arealocal wrote on Nov 21, 2008 9:33 AM:
" RE: buh, if your post is supposed to be some kind of response to mine? What is your point. Your statement is completely ignorant and your comparison has no relevance. It would be like saying I dont like oranges do I am going to destroy all the apples instead, gimme a break. "
DW wrote on Nov 21, 2008 9:50 AM:
" Dogs are animals. And sometimes even domesticated animals will act agressive. I have a cat that will bite me when she has had enough play time and gets piss off, but will spend the entire day on my lap purring if she had her way. I believe that pit bulls are, by nature and breeding, more agressive dogs than most. The difference between my cat, and a pit bull is a pit bull is hundreds of times stronger than a cat or small dog, and they know it. There should be some type of legistlation that would make sense to limit ownership of large agressive dogs. "
duckguy wrote on Nov 21, 2008 11:19 AM:
" buh- are you seriously trying to lay some sort of blame on the little girl or her dad after this attack? Are you completely insane? I guess the education that was required to become a dog groomer didn't serve you very well. These dogs are viscious and when one attacks it is swift and violent. This girl obviously wasn't alone, her faterh was there trying to fend off this Pit Bull but the dog wouldn't stop. The story stated that the fathers shoulder was dislocated and he was also bitten. How you could find fault with the father is beyond my comprehension. You should immediately go beat your head against a wall repeatedly, it might straighten things out up there. "
KristyC1978 wrote on Nov 21, 2008 12:33 PM:
" I don't think anyone is blaming the little girl, THEY WHERE SAYING THAT THERE IS MORE TO THE STORY, and I agree I have a pit/ boxer mix mutt and I have insurance, not for a bite but also If she where hit by a car and did damage to it it is my fault that my dog was out. I think that all dogs can be aggressive. I think it is sad what people did to these dogs over the years. There needs to be NO More breeding of theese dogs for people to profit or fight. They are a danger and we have no idea to know what kind of background the parents have. I would like to know more of the story, I am sure there is alot more to it than that. "
opinionated 1 wrote on Nov 21, 2008 5:55 PM:
" On the news last night it said he was inside and left the girl alone in the yard with the dog . That's an irresponsible parent to me . Who leaves their 7 year old alone outside with a 90 lb. pit bull ? Who knows if this kid was provoking the dog or not , nobody saw the beginning of the attack . Kids can be very rough to animals ( hit , kick and pull their ears ) . If you have a pit bull or any other big dog you need to have proper facilities to keep them in . None of these attacks would ever happen if the owners of these dogs were responsible . If you can't afford $400 - $500 for a secure 8 X 12 stainless steel kennel to keep your big dog in , don't buy the dog in the first place . Don't leave your big dogs alone with children , remember their animals . Less than 1% of pit bulls attack and people want to ban or exterminate them . That sounds rediculous to me . Lets say 1 out of every 100 asian people in our community assaults someone . Would you all stand up and say we should ban or exterminate all asian people in Washington ? Whether it's dogs , cats , pigs or people , to condem the whole for the actions of the very few makes absolutely no sense . "
golfer wrote on Nov 21, 2008 8:09 PM:
" buh....Very insensitive of you to try & shift the blame on the parent. How many parents have ever left their child alone to play on a swing in a yard for a little while. I am betting you are one of them if you have any kids. Most people are not clairvoyant like you might be. Plain & simple these dogs should be chained or outlawed. "
DUH wrote on Nov 22, 2008 8:29 AM:
" Ok opinionated 1, that's a stretch. A laughable one at that. Do you have a thing against Asian people? Just wondering why you singled them out. Pit bulls are vicious by nature. It's in their blood. It's their instinct to attack and to kill. People have to be taught to defend themselves. Be taught how to fight. Humans are NOT born with it in their nature to attack and kill. That is something learned. That's one of the reasons for boot camp before being sent into war. Another thing you say is to keep them in an 8x12 kennel. What kind of treatment is that for such a loving and cuddly animal? That's equivalent to a life long jail sentence for a human for doing nothing wrong. If you have to keep a dog locked up like that then you too realize that there are dangers that are unacceptable. "
Simple Man wrote on Nov 23, 2008 3:23 AM:
" If it was any other breed of dog it wouldnt of made headlines. I can guarantee you that other animals bite people but the media doesnt fall in love with vicious labs or mutts like they do with pitbulls. "
opinionated 1 wrote on Nov 23, 2008 2:18 PM:
" DUH - I have nothing against asian people . I could have said any race , I was just trying to make an example . You don't sound like you know very much about pit bulls , have you ever had one ? If a person has never raised a pit bull since it was a puppy I don't think they know what they're talking about . Pit bulls are loving dogs that are eager to please their owner . When I was using my asian person example I was only trying to say there is no difference between singling out 1 breed of dog or 1 race of people . Sure , exterminate the 99.9% of pit bulls who've never attacked anybody for the 0.1% that has because of all the media reports that makes sense . Give me a break ! The only time I see a black person on the news they are either an athlete , entertainer or committing a crime . So if I see a black person at Fred Meyer and they are not an athlete or an entertainer , they must be a criminal right . How stupid this sounds to you is how dumb the anti - pit bull posts on this thread sound to me . People who haven't raised these dogs don't know anymore about them than they do about rocket science or brain surgery . Wake up , it's the irresponsible owners you should be mad at . "
DUH wrote on Nov 23, 2008 4:39 PM:
" opinionated 1, Your posts don't make a bit of sense. You compare a vicious animal to humans. You single out Asians, and now African Americans and compare them to the killing machines known as Pit bulls. If Pit bulls are such a sweet, tender, loving, and caring breed, why do you say that the responsible thing to do is to keep them locked up in an 8x12 kennel? Doesn't sound "responsible" to me. Sounds more cruel to me. If you want to keep them penned up, you must be acknowledging the dangers of the animal. The possibility that even though they're as loving as you say, there is a possibility they may attack. You are so dead set on comparing them to humans, (which is ridiculous) then why don't we just lock humans up in an 8x12 cell from birth to death with the exception of an hour a day for recreation time? Because even though they haven't done anything wrong yet, the possibility remains that they might. "
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