7-year-old girl mauled by dog returns home from hospital

pappilli0n said on February 21, 2010 at 10:15 AM

Am I missing something here. This little girl was "mauled" by a pitbull. What kind of dog is that in her lap in the video? As I watch her rubbing the dog's ears round and round, the poor dog has to tolerate that kind of petting....until eventually, when he sees her coming, he too will bite and golly gee whiz, the mother will blame the dog. EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED.......

suetwo said on February 20, 2010 at 6:49 PM

BTW, regarding shepards, they aren't used forthis type work as much as they used to be because of their general habit of walking around eating things off the ground. I have one. While they're great at scent following, and finding things and people, this is a hard habit to break. They now use labs, mostly, although pit bulls and pit mixes are popular, too because they're pretty tough and are usually smart and pretty easy to train for this. Dogs that are tied up all the time and don't have enough human interaction have a tendency to be aggressive and extremely territorial. For house breeds, the most vicious ones are small terriers. Chihuahuas and poodles are the bitingest dogs I run onto doing in-home service work, followed closely by yorkies.

suetwo said on February 20, 2010 at 6:28 PM

For all of you "good pitbull is a dead pitbull" folks, it'd really be hard to have to think beyond somthing that would fit on a bumpersticker, wouldn't it?

johnd38 said on February 20, 2010 at 4:09 AM

The animal lovers sure are quiet on this one. Kind of hard to defend how good your animal is when this happens, isn't it? This should be front page material to remind all of these people of the damage & destructions that animals do.

linkupammo said on February 19, 2010 at 10:44 PM

I don't buy into the arguement that the 7 year old girl entered the dog's domain (chained up area) so it's her fault....Would the same reasoning apply if I have a 600 Lb male African Lion chained up on my property and your kid (or you) entered my property and my tame, loving, docile kitty ate him, her, or you?.................Same logic..... Pitbulls, rottweillers, and several others are KNOWN to be dangerous and should be treated as such....Keep them locked up in a building or in a heavy gauged and locked kennel....People like me do not hesitate to eliminate, on sight, ANY animal I deem ANY kind of threat on my land - no questions asked or anwsered.

ashley25 said on February 12, 2010 at 3:36 PM

IM JUS READING THE COMMENTS YOU PPL WROTE WTHELL R YALLS PROBLEM.FIRST OFF NONE OF YOUS WAS THERE SO HOW CAN U SAY SUMTHIN JUS BY WAT THE NEWS SAID THE TWISTED MY AUNTS WORDS.MY COUSIN IS TAKEN CARE OFF ND WATCHED SO U GUYS NEEDA TO BE QUIET IF U DONT KNO THA FACTS.BUT U HAVE UR OWN OPINIONS I CANT SAY NOTHING JUS DONT GO BY HEAR SAY OK .

suetwo said on February 11, 2010 at 11:33 PM

The dog was chained up and the kids "were involved in a snowball fight." Don't any of you get a picture of a dog who was pelted by snowballs thrown by children, a short-haired dog who was left outside all of the time? Maybe it had a little frostbite here and there and was in pain. And then in the middle of this hell, comes a kid who gets in a little too close, maybe even to throw yet another snowball at the dog, and the dog lashed out because it couldn't escape? Then comes mom, who didn't stop it and probably thinks there is nothing wrong with pelting a chained dog with snowballs and she says that the incident happened inside a home, which is pretty clearly a lie. The difference between a pit and a poodle is the amount of damage that the bulldog can do in a short time. If that was the case, and I think it was, any dog would have bit her. You should bring this up to the next parent you see calmly watching their child kick a dog or cat. Some can fight back. Yes, I have kids.

whoever said on February 11, 2010 at 7:05 PM

hey people can we say alittle thanks to the grandfather that had to endure getting the dog away from lexy please he has nite mares every nite just sicking to find out how lexie is doing same as the girl that she was playing with so all in all we have three people to pray for so lets get together and help these people please i know for shure that the granddad and GABBY the other girl would like to go seehow shes doing so if anybody reads this have one of the other family members get ahold of them please also i hpe these to family that live so close to one onther can stiil get along cuase they both are realy realy good peolpe with little kids that need to get along as well SO LETS PREY FOR THESE FAMILY'S UNFORTUNATE ENCOUNTER THANK THAT HAVE ALREADY WHO HASN'T NEEDS TO

iedelen said on February 11, 2010 at 12:18 AM

Everybody needs to just take a breath and calm down! The only two who really knows what happened is them, the dog, and Lexi. Whether she was in the house or in the backyard, the dog felt threatened. Any dog (from the smallest to the largest) who feels threatened, scared, or startled will attack. You know who ever killed the dog while the police had it quarantined is appalling. My question for the police department is who had access to where the dog was being held? Are they even bothering to look into this? My sympathy goes to the people who owned the dog. When any animal attacks a child, it is terrifying, horrifying, and disheartening. I know everyone should be praying and contributing to her fund. People need to grow up and see what is important. Fighting amongst each other is not going to help Lexi who is lying in the hospital. For Lexi and her mother, my prayers and thoughts are with you in your time of grief. May God be with you and with your daughter.

lt1ttop95 said on February 10, 2010 at 11:31 PM

no one can be blamed here as has been posted. lexis family are good ppl and im sure that the brooks family is to they play together alot but what i can say is that accidents do happen and can happen to anyone. stop talking smack on the middelton family and the brooks family for they have both just had a bad thing happen. loosing a dog is like loosing a kid. nothing that we can do about it all now. todays the history tommorows a mystery. and thats the game we call life everyone is waking up to see the sun tommorow so we forgive and forget. as was posted we are all here in this small comunity and are going to support the familys involved and as for the other dog attacks they probably wherent attacks they where probably someone getting bit by a dog here and there wich does happen every day. god bless both familys and the things they are going through!!!

lt1ttop95 said on February 10, 2010 at 11:25 PM

all it comes down to is that a lil girl got attacked by a dog that has a history of being bad because of all the ppl that like to bread there pits to fight!!! thats not saying that every pit is bad. lexi called her brother that is in the video today and one of the things that she asked him was how her dogs where doing and she told him that she loved them and to let each of them know that she missed them and she asked about her hampster. lexi is a tuff lil girl and with gods grace she is gonna be just fine and i know that if she could read these post herself she would be very very unhappy about all the bs talk that has been going on on here. another thing we all can tell by these posts is that HENRYJAYMELITO is a raging redneck ill give you my address and tell you right now i have a pit bull and he is king of our house you can come here and try to get you gun out on my dog and i will gaurentee that you will end up with the first bullet and every other pit owner will agree. GOD BLESS LEX

nosocialism said on February 10, 2010 at 7:45 PM

Correction....Most dogs, even if chained or fenced, will NOT attack a child.

nosocialism said on February 10, 2010 at 7:43 PM

You are more likely going to be hurt or killed by a pitbull. They have a gene like no other dog. Great pet that in many cases flip out and mame or kill. They should be removed from the planet. There are plenty of other dogs, breeds, that make great pets. Most dogs, even if chained or fenced, will attack a child. 99% of the time these stories are a pitbull that attacked, usually children are their victims. Pitt owners whine about their poor Lil phyco dogs being steriotyped. It the facts people. Kill all Pitts and outlaw them in the USA.

sassy4man1310939 said on February 10, 2010 at 5:59 PM

BENEFIT FOR LEXI MIDDLETON WILL BE - FEB 19 CORKBALL CLUB - (314-452-8192) 3972 WALSH ST ST LOUIS MO 63116 STARTS 3PM MUSIC BY KEVIN TIPTON 6pm to 8:30pm STREET WISE BAND 9pm to 12 pm

sassymom1 said on February 10, 2010 at 12:42 PM

I also say that everyone on here is forgetting the big picture the little girl needs the prayers, and all you people can do is blame someone or blame the dog. IT'S THE LITTLE GIRL THAT EVERYONE SHOULD THINK ABOUT AND GIVE HER THE PRAYERS THAT SHE NEEDS OR HELP WITH THE FUND RAISERS THAT THEY ARE HAVING FOR LEXI

sassymom1 said on February 10, 2010 at 12:34 PM

@gotgame36 I have a clue and it's people like you and all the others on here that like to but blame on one or the other of these families that don't have a clue no animal should be trusted 100% no matter how u treat them. It's people like you who I hope GOD WILL KEEP YOU IN MIND WHEN YOU NEED HIM MOST!!!! It's also people like you that should have pets or ever get them cause you when be one of them that wouldn't care if someone got hurt cause you would trust them 100% which would be wrong, The key word when you look at it is ANIMAL!!!! SO YOU GET A CLUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

gotgame36 said on February 10, 2010 at 8:16 AM

@sassymom1 said on February 9, 2010 at 3:16 PM I have a sortment of animals and I don't trust any of them 100%. When I say a sortment I mean lizards,dogs,cats,horses,cows, and others so don't just blame on type of animal. ____________________________________ You don't trust any of your animals 100%??? Then when you, your child, or a neighbors child get's bit then the only one to blame is YOU !! Get a clue.

gotgame36 said on February 10, 2010 at 8:02 AM

I feel sorry for the little girl but if the dog was chained and she entered his "territory" then how can you fault the dog? However, this is just another example of why you should not have pit bulls as a pet and keep them around children. If the dog was not chained then the dog along with the owner deserve what they get. I for one would not have shot the dog.....I would have looked at my child's mangled face and beat the dog to death with a baseball bat.....shooting the dog would not cause the same pain my child was going through.

wildcat said on February 10, 2010 at 2:38 AM

Lexi is such a Beautiful Girl!! May the snow heal her and may God wisdom guide the Doctors HEY EVERYONE PRAY TO GOD THAT A LIGHT FROM HEAVEN WOULD HEAL THIS LEXI MIDDLETON. GOD BLESS THIS AWESOME BEAUTIFUL CUT AND CUDDLY LITTLE LEXI . I PRAY THAT ALL MANDKIND WILL BE BLESSED BY THE RAIN AND ALL THIS SNOW EACH DROP OF RAIN AND EACH SNOW FLAKE .

speedy1092829238 said on February 9, 2010 at 10:52 PM

Truely sad that the little girl is going threw so much pain. I being a pitbull owner have 4 little boys myself and he does great around ALL other people and animals. Punish Ignorance not the BREED!! Its all how they are raised just like your kids you smoke crack in front of you child and evientually they will do the same, just like if you beat your dog they will become violent..Pitbulls are a amazing breed of dog, people that say they all should be shot is why they get such bad names.People like you guys shouldnt be allowed to buy them! They need to find out who shot that dog and arrest them for animal cruelty. The animal is dead now and whos to say that they animal that got shot was the one that truely caused the harm to the little girl..Dont always believe what you see on the news!

henryjaymelito said on February 9, 2010 at 10:29 PM

http://www.dogsbite.org Thank you very much ---science is part of entropy itself

henryjaymelito said on February 9, 2010 at 10:22 PM

@clementa--thank you for your comments based in reality and truth. Hear hear--Bravo

clementa21 said on February 9, 2010 at 9:53 PM

Look at http://www.dogsbite.org The suffering that pit bulls cause is enormous. Pit bulls have problems that other breeds don't have.

clementa21 said on February 9, 2010 at 9:51 PM

Pit bulls are NOT drug sniffing dogs, they are NOT military dogs, they are NOT search and rescue dogs, because they are unreliable and aggressive. Military housing BANS pit bulls. These "service dog" myths were created by the pit bull lobby to try to legitimize pit bulls, and cover the fact that the ONLY reason that pit bulls have been bred and are being bred is to be FIGHTING DOGS.

clementa21 said on February 9, 2010 at 9:48 PM

The people that are blaming the victim and trying to hide the fact that this was a pit bull are PIT BULL breeders and those connected to them. The pit bull breeder lobby (and general breeder lobby) spends many hours and much money trying to hide the fact that pit bulls are purpose-bred to be vicious and to kill. Pit bulls are NUMBER ONE for killing and mauling people. But breeders and pit bull "rescuers" make a lot of money from pit bulls, and they don't want regulation to reduce their profits. So they lie about pit bulls, cover up the problems, blame the victim, blame the parents. Breeders are protecting their $$$.

henryjaymelito said on February 9, 2010 at 7:40 PM

I must concede--I thought we were getting comments from the country Cuba--there must be a city out there (Illinois) with that name--and besides--because of the HERO Che and Fidel, most Cubans can't afford computers and freedoms like that. Hey folks--we don't need any mean dogs--we need some more MARINES and safer schools for our kids. Sincerely, the Troll

henryjaymelito said on February 9, 2010 at 7:14 PM

@ uptowngirl and leyerte---Yes--the inhabitants of Cuba are mostly Spanish and they DID kill millions of Taino and other Indigenous people(directly and indirectly). Google the Taino Massacres and you will see that the Spanish killed off most of the Taino and because many were not fed and were used as slaves they died from sickness--what is the difference--Cubans --predominantly are Spanish ---OH --by the way--they replaced the Taino with black slaves from Africa. This is why Haiti (where Columbus landed first) is mostly of African decent. AND the Spanish explorers used vicious dogs to kill many Indigenous and even fed Taino baby's to their dogs---the history here was written by the Spanish Catholic monks who did not condone the slaughter.

todd25 said on February 9, 2010 at 6:47 PM

I hope she recovers and gets help with the medical bills. "THE ONLY ONE THAT GIRL'S MOM SHOULD BE POINTING THE FINGER AT IS HERSELF!" That would only work in a world were poeple take responsability for themselfs and thier children. I have no problems with pittbulls. And no I don't own them. But any dog chained up in a yard has problems. What if the child got ahold of a gun and shot herself. You can't blame the gun, you can only blame the owner.

mohuntingrl said on February 9, 2010 at 5:13 PM

I live in the Cuba area. My heart goes out to both familys and we pray that Lexi makes a speedy recovery! Accidents happen people and that is what this was a Horrible Accident. Both familys will have to live with this for the rest of their lives. The dog owners didn't mean for this to happen and I bet if they could they would take all Lexi's pain and suffering away and I bet the Middleton family would change the way the day went if they could but yknow what neither can... all they can do is deal the best way they know how and pray that Lexi heals and recovers... Don't forget people this isn't just about a bad dog it is about a CHILD who needs your prayers and support not this finger pointing..

devildogz said on February 9, 2010 at 4:30 PM

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2000) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published in 2000 a study on dog bite-related fatalities (DBRF) that covered the years 1979-1998. The study found reports of 238 people killed by dogs over the 24-year period, of which "pit bull terrier" or mixes thereof were reportedly responsible for killing 76, or about 32 percent, of the people killed by dogs in the attacks identified in the study. The breed with the next-highest number of attributed fatalities was the Rottweiler and mixes thereof, with 44 fatalities or about 18 percent of the study-identified fatalities. In aggregate, pit bulls, Rottweilers, and mixes thereof were involved in about 50% of the fatalities identified over the 20-year period covered by the study, and for 67% of the DBRF reported in the final two years studied (1997-1998), concluding

reader146 said on February 9, 2010 at 4:24 PM

I could be mad all day at the comments being made on here but where's it gonna get me? Absolutely nowhere. The people in our community, where Lexi lives and attends school, will be here for her and continue to pray for her. That's the great thing about being in a small community. We won't spend our time pointing fingers and placing blame. Instead, we'll pull together, have fundraisers and support Lexi and her family. And when the rest of you move on to the next article that tricks your trigger, we'll still be right there with this little girl.

devildogz said on February 9, 2010 at 4:23 PM

so if i contain a violent dog on a chain that can be broken as long as it is on the side of my house in a neighborhood with kids that roam freely its ok???what planet are you from, do your research pit bulls have no place in homes around children... and the guy in the video states if she comes home and is terrified of the pit bulls in her house they will get rid of them...wtf.. shake your head do you hear rocks?? i do...child services should remove her from the home...wow unreal i share the world with idiots, and the dog should have been taken to a cage in a shelter with animal control, somebody didnt do their job, then after rabies test shot in the head.....probally thge same people who have three cats roaming the streets and getting in my garbage.... animal control in missouri is a joke.....and genius in the video ALL DOG ATTACK VICTIMS ARE TERRIFIED OF ALL DOGS FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIFE...GET A CLUE...

sassymom1 said on February 9, 2010 at 4:16 PM

I happen to be relative of the owner of the dog. I don't know the other family, but I can say that both families are having a hard time with this. I also don't think people need to get on here and start bashing one or the other families. It's not anyones buisness ecept for the parties involed and the police. If you feel that you would like to help lexi's family by making a donation than do so, but don't go bashing the owner and the other family for what happened. Like most people have said all animals can trun at any given time. I have a sortment of animals and I don't trust any of them 100%. When I say a sortment I mean lizards,dogs,cats,horses,cows, and others so don't just blame on type of animal.

annabellasue said on February 9, 2010 at 3:36 PM

THE ONLY ONE THAT GIRL'S MOM SHOULD BE POINTING THE FINGER AT IS HERSELF!

stlg40 said on February 9, 2010 at 3:33 PM

i want to thanks people on here askining about lexi she is my niece had people need to stop with all this arugement and yes she does have dogs but they aint full blood pit i should know that they r mixs thanks any question. thanks people for praying for my niece.

whoever said on February 9, 2010 at 2:51 PM

there also has been three other dog attacks in the cuba area but we havnt heard anything about them so its just not eddies pit ist ur commen mut they where chained up as well they just felt there live threating so they attack whats there so in this case it was a 7 yr old girl so the people that wants to judge the pits there just as friendly as the commen dog there is no reason to harm them unless the kind of thing happens I JUST WANT TO SAY IT CAN HAPPEN TO ANYBODY ANY DOG

crazy4news said on February 9, 2010 at 2:45 PM

We do not need to breed pit bulls in this state. Especially in any area where there are children. Pit bulls are bred for aggression. I hope Missouri passes a law about restricting these animals. I see them as wild predators that can't be trusted. It's like having a tiger or a lion on the premises. My heart goes out to the little girl and the family.

whoever said on February 9, 2010 at 2:41 PM

i know the onwner of the dog that attact the little girl and i know his very sorry that happen i have home video of the dog play with his 8year old doughter as well as his 3yr old and som other kids and the dog never showed any proplems toward the kids he was just as friendly as the victoms dogs. this is for the ones that say they know him they should aready know that SCRAPY BELONG TO HIS 8yr old the one that lexy was play with i also know that eddie would have dun anything they ask of him he has already has dun some work for ray so c eddie is not that bad of a guy and i hope the family knows that we all should be praying for the little girl and quite talking smack between the to familys yes there has been a tragitly so lets all help them please for the little girls saec

noni1963 said on February 9, 2010 at 2:07 PM

Reading over all the comments--it seems EVERYONE has lost sight of the big picture!!! A 7 YEAR OLD IS ON A RESPIRATOR!! You know I am a dog owner and lover I feel the breed of dog is only as good as the owner. Pit bull or poodle everyone NEEDS TO STOP placing blame on this and that---WHO REALLY CARES WHO IS TO BLAME a 7 YEAR OLD IS ON A RESPIRATOR!! I think the dog should have been put down--and I AM BETTING the owner would have done that himself as soon as the POLICE was done with the investigation! It really doesn't matter that the dog is a PIT BULL or that the 7 YEAR OLD went into the dogs "area" what does matter is A 7 YEAR OLD IS ON A RESPIRATOR!! The dog and the little girl are just both victims of a HORRIBLE ACCIDENT that left the dog dead and the LITTLE GIRL ON A RESPIRATOR! Lets stop placing blame and start PRAYING THAT THIS 7 YEAR OLD RECOVERS!!!!

kingbuzzo said on February 9, 2010 at 1:27 PM

ok, going by the logic of some brainiacs here, since some people are aggressive and commit murder, all people should be shot right? Idiots. ANY breed of dog can be aggressive and violent if they're raised to behave like that.

flomo said on February 9, 2010 at 11:45 AM

All dogs are animals, every single breed is an animal. You are not supposed to trust an animal. I have 2 dogs as pets, I would never trust my child to be alone with either one of them. They are 2 of the most friendliest, gentlest and loveable dogs - don't 100% trust them - ever! Dogs are not humans (including the small "purse dogs") no matter how humanly you treat them (pretending they are your baby). My dogs are definitely family, but even so I respect the fact that they are animals and do not think or react the same way humans do. Simple as that.

upset70 said on February 9, 2010 at 11:06 AM

I agree reader146. Just as the parent of this little girl cannot watch the childs every move nor can the dog owner be at the dogs side at all times. The child was told not to go on the side of the home where the dog was but did it anyway. Its a very unfortunate tragedy that took place and Im not trying to lay the blame on anyone but I just cannot believe how many people are trying to blame the pet owner. The dog was chained up. Also for henryjaymelito, The little girls parents own 2 pit bulls. First thing on the news she claimed the couldnt even afford health insurance so Do you think they play the RESPONSIBLE GAME as you put it and put up there 401k or retirement plan or home equity. I feel the reason this story even made it to the news so quickly was for the charity they may receive from others. I know when I had a sick child in the hospital the least of my worry was how to pay the medical expenses. No at that time I could'nt afford insurance either.Least of my worries.

ilside said on February 9, 2010 at 10:48 AM

The lack of intelligence here is amazing. You cant even read an article and watch a video and come to the conclusion that the girl did not trespass on a neighbor's property, it was her family's dog. That would be why the majority here defending these vicious animals own them, lack of intelligence. You can defend them all you like. The numbers and facts about pitbulls do not lie. No responsible parent should ever own one. And in this case, look at the dogs... battle cropped ears, rural area.. what do you think these people were doing with those kinds of dogs? Its true that no dog should ever be trusted 100% but a pitbull should never be trusted at all around children or any person for that matter. People own them for the same stupid reason that gets their children killed, because they are mean.

nramember said on February 9, 2010 at 10:29 AM

Now that's what I call justice! All of these aggressive breeds should be put down. I had a meth lab next door in Maryland Heights. They had 9 pitbulls that literally ate through the backyard fence. Maryland Heights police did nothing (as usual) except make them bring their house back to code and then let them move back in. City code states no more than 4 dogs, yet they allowed them to keep 9 and move back in AFTER a meth lab was uncovered. I eventually drove them to move out after feeding the dogs some tasting meatballs. Maryland Heights has become a sanctuary city for illegals, drug dealers, car thieves, you name it. Police Chief must be on someone's payroll. I talked to detectives who told me that every time they would get a little closer to being able to bust the meth house they were called off by the chief. Something really smells in Maryland Heights and it's not the landfill.

reader146 said on February 9, 2010 at 10:22 AM

Most of what has been posted on here is about the pit bull. Sorry, but who really cares right now what kind of dog it was. It could've happened with any breed. The main concern should be LEXI!!! Those of you who choose to use this as an place to argue about the pros and cons of pit bulls or to bash the families involved should find another place to do it. My daughter is a very close friend of Lexi's and I have been fortunate to get to know this little girl. She's a beautiful, always smiling, full of life little girl who will have to deal with this the rest of her life. How about you think of her and what that baby is going through? Her parents are good people who love their daughter dearly. Seriously, is the mother expected to watch over her every move? I'm a mom and I can tell you it's just simply not possible, and I'm extremely over protective. Lexi needs our love and support so if you have enough time to argue over nonsense, please take the time to say a prayer for her.

leyerle_2002 said on February 9, 2010 at 10:09 AM

Funny....most of the population of Taino Indians were killed off due to famine and disease. These factors decreased the number of the natives to several thousand...so how could the Cubans kill millions if there were only thousands left? I think henryjaymelito may be a troll and just on here to cause problems.

uptowngirl61 said on February 9, 2010 at 9:19 AM

@henryjaymelito....[Cubans killed and mauled the Taino Indians (millions of them)----] WHAT????????? I'm not a history buff, but I sure don't remember ever hearing that this happened in our little town of Cuba.

henryjaymelito said on February 9, 2010 at 9:07 AM

By the way--there are many wild dogs all over the world that were not bred for anything---they kinds look like dingos from Australia--- Lets breed some real bulls to be killers and see what happens to the ranchers that own them as well as people who have to work for them. Hello----- Like I said--I shoots em when I sees em.

henryjaymelito said on February 9, 2010 at 8:57 AM

@ladynight space cadet----breeding dogs for killing is what we have here---put your little girl in my sisters place and you will understand---and maybe your right--its un-natural to breed dogs--maybe we should stop doing that for our selfish entertainment.

ladynitewolf said on February 9, 2010 at 8:54 AM

@henryjaymelito Name me one dog that is from nature. Every single breed of dog was bred into what they are today. The only natural dog is the wolf.

henryjaymelito said on February 9, 2010 at 8:53 AM

Cubans killed and mauled the Taino Indians (millions of them)----of course you would defend the dog owner. Yorkies don't kill and maim little kids---DUH

ladynitewolf said on February 9, 2010 at 8:51 AM

@retphxfire: Pits and Chows are great dogs. My uncle has a pit and so does my cousin both are friendly and playful. My cousins were raised with 2 chows and they never attacked them or us or anyone else that came over. Pits are not bad dogs. Hell, I've heard of more Rottweiler and Labrador bites than pits but those don't make the news. Only Pit Bull attacks make the news. If the dog was in his own yard he was not at fault. Period. Kids should learn to stay out of other people's yards. And if it was chained up all the time the parents should have told her not to go near it. Keeping any breed chained up all the time will make them attack for the simple reason that they can't run. So instead of getting a choice of fight or flight they only have fight as an option. I hope the little girl makes a fast recovery and also shame on her parents for allowing her to be put on the news in her condition.

uptowngirl61 said on February 9, 2010 at 8:47 AM

I live in Cuba. I am saddened by the tragedy, as we all are. I am praying for Lexi. I am ALSO praying for the dog owners, as they too, will have to live with this the rest of their lives. I can't see where they did anything wrong. They had a family pet that they kept chained up on their property, not because it was vicious, but because that's what responsible owners do. The dog was in his territory, the kids were playing and screaming, having a snowball fight. The dog was surely agitated already, because of all the commotion. Dogs are dogs. They can't stop and reason with their instincts, like (some of us) do. They protect their family and their territory. ALL dogs have this instinct, not just Pit Bulls. Heck, I have a Yorkie that does this! The owner was told to keep that dog ALIVE for 10 days, had the dog not been shot, Lexi could have possibly forgone the painful shots. Children should be taught to stay away from animals (pit bulls or any breed) that are in their own territory.

henryjaymelito said on February 9, 2010 at 8:46 AM

OK--lets play the --BE RESPONSIBLE--game. If people want to keep dogs or anything else that can maim or kill others --especially kids. Let them put up their 401K or other retirement plans and their home equity to compensate the families who have loses in the matter. Put your money where your pit bull mouth is. I think the owner should forfeit his retirement and home equity to the child and family in this case. Now--if you cant pay--don't play. What is wrong with our legal system here? Has anyone been mauled by a marijuana cigarette that you know off?--Marijuana is illegal. DUH !!!!!!

jimjoe said on February 9, 2010 at 8:19 AM

If it was my child I would of shot the dog.

reader74 said on February 9, 2010 at 6:53 AM

Well if everyone watched the news they now know that the litille girls parents owend that kind of dog ,i am the sister of the dog owner and the dog was and always was chained to a tree in the back yard ,i know the first insticnt is to shoot the dog but the police dept. said wait 10 days and that is what they where doing the dog was going to be tested on monday ,but someone took it upon them selfs to get rid of it in a way that it didn't deserve ,it was a 8 year old's dog ,I WILL PRAY FOR THE LITTLE GIRL HOPE SHE GETS BETTER,AND THE DOG WAS GOING TO BE PUT DOWN AFTER THE TESTING THE SHIREFF WANTED SO EVERYONE NEEDS TO BUT OUT IF YOUR NOT RELATED TO THE GIRL OR THE DOGS OWNER

henryjaymelito said on February 9, 2010 at 6:41 AM

Here is a helpful hint to those of you who don't own guns. Go to the local farm supply and buy coyote poison. It will work well and its quiet.

henryjaymelito said on February 9, 2010 at 6:17 AM

I agree with those of you that think we should be humane to pit bulls---so kill them quickly and don't let them suffer. I definitely shoot them in the head with a shot gun.

henryjaymelito said on February 9, 2010 at 6:04 AM

If pit bulls were from nature like sharks, I might feel different about them--but pits are bred to fight and kill. They are not a natural selection type of dog and I agree that they might be good for the military to use. We can let them maul terrorists. Just know that here in America, people will not put up with having their kids and grandkids being mauled by one of these dogs. After my mother and sister were mauled by a pit--- Say what you want--but--i shoots em when I sees em.

kiddo3983 said on February 9, 2010 at 5:54 AM

You watched the video? Did you also see that the little girls family themselves have pitbulls????? Yes it's very sad and terrible what has happened to this little girl. But that dog was chained. Probably protecting his territory OR a snowball fight can seem very violent to a dog. The owner was doing his part. Even worse this little girl now has to endure a painful series of rabies injections because the dog can no longer be tested, it was SHOT IN THE HEAD NUMEROUS TIMES! As a veterinary technician I know how this works. Quarantine 10 days if signs develop euthanize, send HEAD for testing. I've seen smaller breed dogs try to attack more so than pitbulls and other large breeds. THERE ARE NO BAD DOGS JUST BAD OWNERS! A dog is what you raise and train them to be. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the little girl as well as the family of that pit bull who now waits at rainbow bridge after all they have lost their loved one. http://www.petloss.com/poems/maingrp/rainbowb.htm

henryjaymelito said on February 9, 2010 at 5:50 AM

I shoots em when i sees em--- After my 80 year old mother and and down syndrome sister were attacked and mauled in their own back yard, then the pit bull attacked their dog and killed it. The owner was able to get his pit back from the dog pound a week later. That along with all the pit bull attacks i have seen made me into a pit killer. I went to the owners house and shot and killed ALL 5 of his pits. If I see one running free in my neighborhood I kill them without question. There is nothing anyone can say here that will change my mind. Yes--I think they can be used by the military--but so can nukes and missles. Until they are illegal like in England, keep em chained up and violence free or someone like me will end your dogs days. Thats a promise.

whoever said on February 9, 2010 at 12:36 AM

i know the owner of the dog that attact the littlie girl and for the people that say they now him already truly know he cept his dog close to the house on a chain and that it realy belonged to his 8 year old doughter that ways her buddy i have home video of the dog playing wit her and other kids and never acting in a harmful way around the kids the dog ways as loving pet as the victims dogs oner tells me yes he wanted to shoot the dog himselve but the sheriffs dept. says thats not the way the lab in jeff.city wants the dog fresh say the proper test and act can be taking the father and his doughter. r very sorry about her.now iam affaird of the victoms dogs are they gonna turn on them to any dog can do this mutal attack so whoever reads this its not just pits i also hear there has been three other dog attacks in cuba area havnt seen nothing on them within this month myself know the owners they wish the best 4 the little girl hes doughter ask him every day how is lex wishes the family

annabellasue said on February 9, 2010 at 12:17 AM

First of all, the dog isn't at fault and the little girl isn't at fault. The only one responsible is the adult or adults who should have been watching her, presumably her parents. What kind of parents would let mutilated pictures of their young daughter to be put on a news website? Not responsible ones, that's what kind. Now the mom is pointing fingers when she wasn't doing HER job.

lt1ttop95 said on February 8, 2010 at 11:26 PM

how about this i live in the town this happened in and this a very close family to me and i know the dog and the owners of this PIT BULL dont take care of there selfs more less there dog and no there is no signs and i know for a fact that this dog is never on a chain lexy knows how to act around pits considering they have two at there house and the dogs are only as bad as there owners train them to be i have a pit because of this family and there love of there awsome dogs this is a very trajic avent and the dog deserved to die and the owner if he didnt shoot it his self he should of the day it attacked this little girl. and if you guys watched the news that you are commenting on they made it plain and clear that it was a pit bull for the last two nights in a row and they even showed her big brother ray with his beautiful dog tank the red noise the enterviewed him with today!

ashleycans123 said on February 8, 2010 at 10:21 PM

omg,you ppl saying pit should be shot.Well not all pits are mean i had one she was loving and she was a sweet.I know a little girl got hurt i feel really bad the dog would of gotten put to sleep they didnt need to go and shot the dog there selfs and that aint right

retphxfire said on February 8, 2010 at 10:14 PM

For smarterthanyou, et al. First, I have never known an Urban Search and Rescue Team to use Pit Bulls. In fact, I don't know any firefighter who would want a pit bull part of their life safety team. The dog attacks we respond on are primarily pits or mixed with pits. Second, many of you may have 'sweet' pits, but so have every single person who has either been attacked or owned a dog that attacked. They all said how sweet the dog was before the attack. Its not the dogs fault, but they have been bred and are preditors, that's their 'job', they are not good pets. Too risky. Third, kids go into yards to retrieve toys, etc., posting a sign isn't going to stop the dog; dogs and small children can't read... If you have viscious dogs then put locks on your gates, that is reasonable, not just chaining them. Two breeds you don't have with kids or leave accessible to the public: Pit Bulls and Chows.

justareader69 said on February 8, 2010 at 9:39 PM

unfortunately we will never be able to truly know what sets off any dog that bites/attacks someone. i am sure that there was plenty of squealing and loud noises going on with the snowball fight and little children, possibly stray snowballs who knows. all i am saying is if the pet was truly restrained in his/her own yard properly then the owners did their part. it was obviously known to many people that the dog was there including the child. i was "attacked" by my grandmothers rather small dog because i simply was being a child and ran past the dining room table the dog happened to be under that table.. ANY dog can bite/attack. and yes i've had a dog who would bite you if you came into our yard, he was also always on a chain and signs were posted everywhere and his shots were up to date he weighed less than 20lbs. it is not the breed all the time. pets are constantly made to put up with things that would set off a human. only diff is, we humans can speak up about it. animals can't. :(

rmsbl4 said on February 8, 2010 at 9:26 PM

@smarterthanyou. In my 40= years associated with the military I have never seen a pit bull used. I have never seen a police department or border patrol/customs use pit bulls. I have never seen any film of any pit bulls used in search and rescue. I don't know where you got your info.

reader74 said on February 8, 2010 at 9:22 PM

I think some people should have all the facts before they put there faces on TV ,yes i'll pray for the little girl but everyone should know that the dog is always chained up and when you put a bunch of kids screaming and running around where the dog is something or anything can happen , also the girl was told not to be on that side of the house any way becouse the dog was on that side ,SO AS FAR AS YOU PEOPLE THAT WHANT TO JUDGE SOMEONE BEFORE YOU KNOW ALL OF IT NEED TO WAKE UP AND LIVE IN THE REAL WORLD

leyerle_2002 said on February 8, 2010 at 9:18 PM

smarterthanyou.....you need to get your facts straight! You want to make claims, where are your citations? It's not hard to do research when it's all at the tips of your fingers. I don't care what people think about which breed of dog, they are entitled to their own opinions, but don't go spouting about stuff that you have no clue about because someone out there is going to take what you say as fact when, in fact, it's all nothing but BS!!!!! http://www.edgarsnyder.com/dog-bite/statistics.html http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/HistoryAndHonour/MilitarySearchDogToReceiveAnimalsVictoriaCross.htm And there is much more where that came from!! Who's smarter than who now?

upset70 said on February 8, 2010 at 7:41 PM

I personally know both parties that are involved and to the person that stated the owner of the pit bull ought to be shot and the dog drug behind the vehicle should also know that the little girls parents own three pit bulls that run freely. Yet his dog was on a chain and you feel that he should be shot because the little girl went into his territory. All the facts are not being given in this situation. The pit bull was never inside the house. He has always been chained. So even the mother is trying to make this situation worse than it already is. The dog should of been kept alive for testing but someone took matters into their own hands and decided to kill the dog. The little girl will more than likely have to get rabie shots. I also know where the parents were, the little girls mom was at home and the owner of the dog was taking the little girls dad to pick up his vehicle from the repair shop. What I consider being a good neighbor.

freemb62 said on February 8, 2010 at 7:16 PM

So Pit Bulls found people trapped on 9-11-2001 ? I thought the DOGS that did that type of rescue work were (are) German Shepards (also sniff out drugs and help catch criminals on the run)

stlg40 said on February 8, 2010 at 6:56 PM

thanks to the people who put comments on the page .im the little girls aunt and the little girl alway go over there to play and the owner of the dog was not even there he was with my brotherinlaw at the time when his dog did that to her and for people talking smack about her mother. and talk stuff about who shot the dog people saying on here it could be her dad i dont think so all the family members been up there scene she got bitting and the dog was not quintine by the cops people outhere even said it was it some pits is ok some aint

devildogz said on February 8, 2010 at 6:32 PM

let me guess i didnt even watch the video it was a PITBULL, and im sure jeffery dalmers parents said he was a nice young man also... i would have shot the owner..... then drug the dog behind my car until its rotting corps was gone... justice served..

187onamfcop said on February 8, 2010 at 6:26 PM

If the dog was chained up and the little girl entered the dog owners property, than there is no foul here. It's sad that had to happen to that girl, but it does not give anyone a reason to kill that dog. It was most likely the girls father who shot the dog. I'm positive he will face more charges, as well as more serious charges, than the owner of the dog. In fact, the owner of the dog did not violate any laws or rules and will not face any charges, if in fact, the details of the story are factual.

jazzminesmama said on February 8, 2010 at 6:13 PM

i feel for this child and her family but i also feel for the owners of the dog. this was their pet the police said the dog was being quarantined which means it had responsible owners and up to date on shots if it was still at the home also for someone to shot a pet thats just not right. yes the child was seriously injured and its sad. ALSO PIT BULLS ARE WONDERFUL DOGS GREAT WITH KIDS AND MAKE WONDERFUL FAMILY PETS. THEY ARE LOYAL PROTECTIVE LOVING. THE ONLY THING WE EVER HEAR ABOUT THESE BEAUTIFUL DOGS IS NEGAITIVE WHY NOT LOOK AT THE GOOD THINGS ABOUT THIS BREED. AND FYI TO ALL THE PPL WHO SAY ALL PIT BULLS NEED TO BE SHOT OR KILLED YA NEVER KNO WHEN UR LITTLE PURSE DOG WILL TURN ON YOU OR MAYBE YOUR LAB OR BEAGLE MAYBE EVEN YOUR MUTT WILL TURN ON YOU OR A NEIGHBOR THEN DO WE GET TO JUDGE YOUR DOG AS WELL

smarterthanyou said on February 8, 2010 at 5:44 PM

Only good pitbull is a dead pitbull? Odd I bet all the people that were saved from ruble after 9/11 by one of the worlds top search and rescude teams might not agree, also the #1 drug sniffing dog in the world.... and up the highest award millitary dog in US history.... I could go on.... sadly it wont matter to folks like you... all those amazinbg life saving world changing dogs should be dead...

jackal said on February 8, 2010 at 5:21 PM

The only good pitbull is a dead pitbull. Kudos to the shooter.

findinge said on February 8, 2010 at 5:13 PM

Yeah, where does it say Pit Bull? Many dogs will attack if their "territory" or yard is breached. It is an intuitive reaction in breeds that are considered good "guard dogs". I wish the little girl a speedy recovery and am truly sorry for any pain she will endure in the process but if someone in her family shot that dog - that wasn't right, sorry. The dog probably would have had to be put down anyway and now charges might be brought against the shooter by the dog's owner. Not the best way to handle the situation, but I understand how upset a parent would be as a parent myself if something like this happened to my kid. My husband might very well react the same way, I still wouldn't think it was the best way to handle it.

justareader69 said on February 8, 2010 at 5:03 PM

ok the video stated pitbull. but there are plenty of pitbulls out there that are loving pets. my best wishes and prayers for a speedy recovery for the child.

justareader69 said on February 8, 2010 at 4:56 PM

yadayada you seem to forget or did you not read that the child went into an area where the dog was contained by a chain "According to investigators, the girl went into an area where the dog was chained up, and was attacked by the animal." and nowhere in the article did it state that the dog was a pitbull. it is sad that the child has been hurt indeed. where were the parents of this child? the dog owners were in their right to have their pet chained and restrained. I'm betting they have signs posted to stating there is a dog. patience and quit condeming.

yadayada34 said on February 8, 2010 at 4:41 PM

Forget the dog! That child's life is more important and the dog owners should be brought up on Manslaughter or something worse! I am tired of people getting dogs and allowing this breed to be bought and sold knowing that they attack as they do is stupid to put it simply! Pit Bulls need to all be shot!