Since this is near my walking area (Maria/Culpepper Drive), I am posting the recent letter below that I found on this site. I think the victims didn't do enough to make sure this dangerous pit bull doesn't harm anyone in the future. Did they get an address? Did they report this to the authorities? Many children live in that neighborhood! ! ! !

>>>Dangerous Pit Bull

Published: Monday, November 24, 2008 at 2:54 p.m.
Last Modified: Monday, November 24, 2008 at 2:55 p.m.
Editor: I would like to sincerely thank the residents of Culpepper Drive who came to my friend and my rescue Sunday evening the 15th of November while we were walking our dogs and were suddenly being attacked by a pit bull.

As we rounded the corner of Flanigan Way on to Culpepper Drive we noticed an object in the road. This object turned out to be a pit bull. It raised it haunches and sped toward us. The pit bull was headed straight for the dogs we were walking, when I was abruptly knocked to the ground with unbelievable force by the pit bull. My friend started hitting the pit bull on its back and started yelling for help as it was attacking our dogs. This all happened so quickly and I too started yelling for help after I regained my senses. People started coming out of their homes to render assistance. One man got the dog by the collar, getting it away from us and the dogs we were walking.

When the dog owner was summoned by one of the neighbors, he came out and took control of his pit bull and walked it back to his residence. The owner of the pit bull said nothing to us. There was no asking if everyone was OK or is anyone or a dog hurt. This man only cuddled the pit bull and assured it that everything was just fine; reassuring the pit bull that it was a good dog. Who in their right mind would dismiss the well being of two humans over the well being of a pit bull? I don’t know the name of the owner of that pit bull but he lives in the 1600 block of Culpepper Drive. You should be very afraid of walking in this area of Petaluma with pets or especially with children.

Thank you again to my neighbors for coming to our aid. You don’t know how much we appreciate your not looking away and not being afraid to get involved. I dread to think of the outcome had you not come to our assistance.
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Unleashed dogs are a constant problem insofar as my experiences are concerned. I see them all the time and they either present a hazard to drivers (trying to avoid hitting them), pedestrians, or bicyclists. Pepper Spray or Mace does deter them but I am not sure if it works on a pit bull.

Pepper spray will work to a point, chemical Mace will not as dogs do not have tear ducts like ours. There is nothing in the dogs anatomy that Mace will affect. The pepper spray is more a general irritant, and there are animal specific formulations such as Halt which postal workers are issued that are very effective.

And for those who might be reading that walk their dogs off leash on the Washington Creek trails... knock it off and clean up after your animals. Last weekend I encountered a woman and her child behind Safeway with their German Shepherd off leash. She leashed as I approached with my two leashed dogs, and when her dog reacted violently toward my dogs in passing by she said, "he's not like that."

Well guess what... he can be so you need to control him at all times.

[QUOTE]... there are animal specific formulations such as Halt which postal workers are issued that are very effective.

Thanks for the tip! I'll add it to my "arsenal."

I walk quite often and I am getting tired of the dog owners who use those long retractable leashes. Dog owners: when you are approaching other pedestrians, please shorten your leash! Not everyone likes to be approached by your "friendly dog". Thank you!!!

all you scared people are just as dangerous as loose pit bulls. are all dog attacks started by pit bulls? four days ago, two elderly folks had their bishon off the leash. it ran across the street and attacked my pit bull. i walked away. i should have contacted the argus SO THEY COULD PUT IT ON THE FRONT PAGE. stupid people should just stay indoors.

The dog was identified as a Pit Bull because that was the breed of the dog. If it was a German Sheppard or another breed, then the dog would have been identified as such.

The writer of the article contacted the victim in this case not visa versa. The photograph was the idea of the writer of the article, not that of the victim.

The victim in this case was a woman who barely weighs over 100 pounds. The charging Pit Bull knocked her to the ground. Was she very shaken by this incident? You bet! Had it not been for the neighbors coming to her aid, who knows what would have happened. She does NOT blame the breed or the dog for that matter, she blames the OWNER of the dog, who is an uncaring and insensative individual who puts his dog ahead of humans.

This was NOT the first incident with this Pit Bull. Just a few weeks earlier there was another woman walking her two dogs, same place. The Pit Bull attacked her dogs, knocking her to the pavement, face first. Yes, she sustained some bruising and bleeding. Her glasses flew from her face and landed in the street where a passing car ran over them. Again, no sympathy from the owner....NOTHING!

Yes, a formal complaint was submitted to Animal Services in the second incidnet, not sure about the first. The outcome of the formal complaints is unknown.

solemang, people, whether they're stupid or intelegent, have the right to walk safely on our streets. In both of these cases involving this particular Pit Bull, neither of the women are stupid...perhaps the shoe is on the wrong foot........

It doesn't matter what type or breed of dog is off leash, it's still going to be a problem. There are at least 5 dogs I come across daily on my walks with my own dogs, so called "Pit Bulls", and mine are always on leash. Not just because there is a leash law, but because it's for the safety of my own dogs first and foremost. We've had little runt dogs come running up yapping, off leash and out of control and the owners of those dogs are ignorant and unapologetic. If you see anyone with an off leash dog, don't be afraid to say anything to them and call animal services. It does not matter what size, breed or type of dog you have, it is your responsibility to keep it under control and on leash. If you want to let your dog off leash, take him to the dog park. As a long time owner of Pit Bulls, I'm more than tired of the idiots who cannot control them and the Gang Bangers who get a Pit Bull for status like they're some sort of Bad A---, for guarding their drug houses or for fighting. The Pit Bull has been historically bred to be non human aggressive, and here we have these idiots breeding and raising dogs to be the exact opposite. Real,loving Pit Bull owners need to speak up, and speak up now, loud and clear that we're not going to pay for the crimes of the ignorant and irresponsible owners.

Patrick Bohler
Co-Founder Sonoma County Residents Responsible About Pit Bulls (SCRRAP)

Bully Offender--Well said, its not the dog its the owners!I'm 60yrs old and had pits-shepards and mutts all my life. Dogs are alot like humans, you abuse your child or dog they'll grow up to be mean. Pits have such a bad rep- but if the dog pound[bob sanchez] doesn't come out after 1 call,thats pretty bad. There are leash laws.

quote:

Originally posted by gpbutches:
Bully Offender--Well said, its not the dog its the owners!I'm 60yrs old and had pits-shepards and mutts all my life. Dogs are alot like humans, you abuse your child or dog they'll grow up to be mean. Pits have such a bad rep- but if the dog pound[bob sanchez] doesn't come out after 1 call,thats pretty bad. There are leash laws.

Bob Sanchez needs to resign and retire. He's riding it out, doing as little as possible until that day comes. Dori Villion already bailed and it's time Bob and a few others left as well.