[nagdu] Pit Bull attacking the area, more people become scare of dogs, not good!

Larry D. Keeler lkeeler at comcast.net
Fri Oct 7 16:14:02 UTC 2011


Yah, one tried to attack Holly at Pilot as well.  she had been growling at 
Holly for a week and then Holly finally tried to fight back!  The dude got a 
dressing down and I think lost his dog.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Criminal Justice Major Extraordinaire" <orleans24 at comcast.net>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, October 07, 2011 9:34 AM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Pit Bull attacking the area,more people become scare of 
dogs, not good!


> hi, Cheryl,
> Odie was attacked by another guide dog on the last day of training at 
> Pilot on April 7, 2005.
> It took me a lot to help rehabilitate him and help him to understand that 
> there are some good dogs and great owners out there.
> A small story or two I can share is that Odie has helpped a few 
> individuals overcome the fear of dogs, especially an experience of being 
> bitten.
> I moved into Sunset Park apartments five and a half years ago.
> One evening around eleven o'clock or so, a lady came over to visit a 
> friend and was waiting outtside.
> Dale and I just finished up getting Odie outtside for another parking 
> session.
> At first, the lady became a little nervous seeing Odie, but here comes the 
> best part of it all.
> As we all got off the elevator on the eleventh floor, Odie calmly sat near 
> me and looked up at her as to say, I want you to know that I'm a nice boy 
> and am not a meany. If you give me a small pet on the head, I'll be your 
> friend for life."
> The woman asked me if she could give Odie a pat on the head and I said 
> sure and it wasn't a problem.
> Again, Odie didn't move and just remained calm while she stroked his head.
> I didn't realize it at the time, but Odie than began to smell her tummy 
> and she informed me that a baby would be on the way soon.
> Odie softly pressed his head up against her stomach, and it seemed that he 
> understood and felt the pain she was putting up with.
> When Dale and I's friend Glen Walls came out of the elevator, her friend 
> said that she wasn't afraid of dogs too much anymore, especially after 
> meeting one who ended up being a well-trained dog.
> Another encounter I experienced happened at 17th and Larimer Street here 
> in downtown denver, probably a long time ago.
> I came across another lady who wasn't fond of dogs either, but I did 
> appreciate that she was willing to admit it to me.
> Odie and I along with the other lady got on to the route20 bus and Odie 
> immediately went down underneath the chair we were going to sit on.
> Before the passenger got ofoff the bus, she told me that after seeing how 
> well-behaved and clean Odie was, it taught her a greater appreciation of 
> loyalty and respect toward the magnificence of the dog: at least with 
> seeing Odie as a whole.
> Offten sadly and way too much, all dog breeds are the victums of abuse, 
> but also made out to be mean and fighting dogs.
> It's not really the pit bull breed, but all breeds directly.
> Because there are people out there who claim that since dogs are tough, 
> they are ought to be mocho instead of a family member or consider them to 
> be a best friend.
> Another trick I use when it is necessary when people do approach me is I 
> try to have Odie lie down on the ground and will use the word "settle" so 
> he knows that he has to be relaxed.
> Biggest trouble I have with Odie is he loves to gravitate toward people 
> where as back when he was a yunger labra wolf before, he didn't want 
> anyone to bother him who we didn't know once he was in working mode.
> As he became older, it was a rough chore to put up with and Dale and I 
> still deal with it more.
> What Odie does with people directly is he will give them this sad 
> puppy-eye look and try to get them to come over and pet him, meaning 
> individuals would be caught in his "pet me trap" and then give in to him.
> He is really good at planting guilt trips on everyone here in the 
> apartment complex and  bating people really well into petting him.
> Most Dale or I will do is when he's in his vest is to tell residents to 
> turn their back on him.
> They will also go a different direction.
> As for the attacking dog, I'm sure he probably wound up getting shot or 
> else, someone immediately contacted the SPCA (Society Prevention of 
> Cruelty to Animals).
> If anything, I'd encourage you and many others to get in contact with them 
> and speak with them about how this wild dog has caused many to be fearful 
> and the much more concern of a guide/assistance dog team becoming the next 
> victum.
> Anne Marie Lucas and other control officers are really good and I've seen 
> them on Animal Cops programs many times.
> Several reasons for dog attacks which are the most common ones that I can 
> think of:
> 1. NO human contact or socialization because the owner treats dog like a 
> piece of jewelry, leaving the dog outtside in a yard all alone.
> 2. Dog reverts back to its wild canine instincts and therefore, sees 
> people or other animals as prey.
> 3. Owners really care less about what their dogs do because they misbehave 
> themselves, so therefore, dog thinks it is all right that they can behave 
> in the same manner.
> As for the part of fear, it will get to the point of where people will 
> have to put it behind them and if need be, they would be able to seek help 
> through counseling where they can come in contact with all types of 
> animals as some therapists do have animals in their offices, including 
> dogs.
> After a legually blind teacher was attacked by five rottwillers on 
> December 6, 1988 and I myself was almost bitten by a springer spaniel on 
> August 24, 1994, I wasn't too keen on dogs.
> Only way I really got over that fear was to get a guide dog and have one.
> When it came to Odie, he really showed and taught me more about the love 
> and friendship that a dog can give and we have both learned to respectful 
> to one another.
> Thankfully, I'm glad that I have not completely cut Odie off from his 
> natural doggy instincts to defend himself if he ever should have to.
> There have been times where he has almost had to defend me, but only if 
> defense is warranted.
> Another good tip I can offer for those who have experienced an actual dog 
> attack or close one with their four-legged furry partner is this.
> If an out of control dog approaches, immediately stop, have your dog into 
> a completely sit stay and stand still quietly as much as you can.
> If the attacking dog still advances, them make as much noise that you can 
> by stomping and shouting loudly.
> You can carry a can of rocks and shake it around to also scare the 
> uncontrolled loose dog away.
> One big mistake people can make is an unknown, loose and uncontrolled dog 
> approaches directly and someone starts displaying any sign of fear, that 
> can be picked up on quickly to where dog or wild animal thinks it is game 
> and even if individuals start moving around, they, themselves become a 
> game of prey.
> Lots of this I learned from watching the news and also learning more about 
> the behavior of a domesticated dog, wolf or even a cyote (kyote).
> We've been experiencing attacks here in Colorado all over, but it's not a 
> domesticated dog or more that's doing the attacks.
> This year, the cyoties (kyoties) have been very aggressive and they are 
> actually getting more bold and have made their way here in lower downtown 
> along the Platte River Trail.
> Yes, there have been sudden incidents of people getting bit by them.
> I'm sure if I ever have such encounter, Odie would fight back and shoo one 
> off.
> Although he'd substain some injuries, I was informed the cyote (kyote) 
> would end up being the loser and Odie the winner.
> I am happy to report that neither Odie or I have personally encountered 
> one yet ahd hopefully, we will not.
> Truth is you never know what can happen on a daily basis and I always try 
> to be thankful with counting my blessings daily.
> Will be keeping you and many others in prayer in the hopes that the 
> irresponsible dog owners will be found and the wild dog will be 
> identified.
> *Sad and terrible*
> At least my big woof woof knows that he's loved and well trained upon 
> being taught good behavior.
> *Smiles*
> Bibi and Odie
> the happy spirited bounty labra wolf
>
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