Shooting of pit bull 'terrible mistake'

[Chemisse]

(edited for copyright purposes-proud patriot Moderator Democratic Underground)

By SHAWNE K. WICKHAM
New Hampshire Sunday News Staff

MANCHESTER – Adam Lamotte, a Manchester man who turned himself in to police yesterday for shooting his dog, says he "made a terrible mistake" when he decided to euthanize the animal himself instead of taking him to a vet.

Lamotte, 39, is charged with one felony count of animal cruelty, which carries a possible sentence of 3 1/2 to seven years in prison, according to Auburn police. Lamotte's 5-year-old pit bull, Buster, was found Thursday afternoon, tied to a tree and dying from gunshot wounds in a wooded area off the Route 28 bypass in Auburn.

Lamotte, who works in maintenance, yesterday said the tan and white dog he'd raised from a pup was "the greatest dog in the world." Buster always slept in bed with Lamotte and his wife. "He had to be covered up and everything or he'd whine," he said. "He was a big baby."

But about a year ago, Buster started going after family members when they started to leave the house. "He would basically attack us, try to grab our ankles or our hands or whatever," he said. "We had to lock him in a room if we knew somebody was leaving."


"I should have went to the vet and just had him euthanized," he said.

"I wasn't trying to be cruel to my dog. I know that doesn't make any sense, but it's true. I wasn't trying to leave him tied to a tree all night. That wasn't what I set out to do."

"He's my dog. And we loved him."

(snip)

http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?articleId=5c2361ac-2813-44b7-ba64-abbfa82aa7e0&headline=Owner%3a+Shooting+of+pit+bull+%27terrible+mistake%27

[Chemisse]

1. The guy really screwed up this task, BUT

In my opinion, the only thing he did wrong was foiled the shooting so the dog suffered (and of course, just left the dog like that).

Since when did it become wrong to put a dog down yourself? Clearly this dog was potentially dangerous, so he would not have been placed in another home if they had brought him to the Humane Society. If he had gotten a clean and lethal shot, it is no different than have him euthanized at the vet's.

[Codeine]

6. When I was young

that's how animals were put down. Of course, we had a greater working knowledge of firearms than this fellow seems to have.

Having just put my 17-year-old Maine Coon down last week (fucking emotionally devastating, btw) I really can't muster any ill will to this poor guy. Give him a hug and send him on his way with a warning to use the vet in the future.

[Chemisse]

13. I completely agree with you

But in this neck of the woods, any tiny news blurb about a mistreated animal is met with a pretty intense anger, seemingly in excess of reactions to a mistreated child!

If he had simply shot the dog cleanly, people still would have been upset. So I don't see a lot of mercy aimed his way. Perhaps those in the court system will have cooler heads.

By the way, my condolences to you. It must have been heart searing. I live in trembling fear of the day my 'baby' has to be put down.

[Warpy]

15. I have a feeling the guy needed a little Dutch courage for it

and that's why he was such a terrible shot. His dog deserved better, a sober owner who knew what he was doing and made a clean kill.

Leaving the animal to die alone and in agony was the worst part. If it had been a clean shot, or even two shots resulting in a quick death, I see little difference between a bullet to the brain and an IV of phenobarb.

[seabeyond]

18. you have NO idea if there was drinking. i hate killing things. i have broken 5, 6 windows

swinging a flyswatter, totally missing the fly. everything inside rebels when i go to kill a fly. my ability to hit the damn thing becomes like a 30% chance. and i am not drinking.

[Warpy]

27. Flies aren't a problem, just open the door, wait until they hit the screen

and shoo them outside. Likewise spiders and roaches that get trapped in the tub, scoop em up and evict them. Roaches outside the tub are playthings for the cat.

I can't imagine killing a pet without oiling up and I suspect (and worded it that way) that was the case here.

I have, however, held pets in my lap while they were euthanized by the vet.

[seabeyond]

29. held pets in my lap while they were euthanized

that would have been the thing. thing he would have been at peace with the death....

and no, i am not going to get close with my spiders and roaches. i have two boys and hubby to take care of that stuff. talk about the female privilige. (sorry, in those other threads too much. have been giggling over the male/female thing for a couple days now)

[vadawg]

22. yup its better to get someone else to do it for you, its emotional euthanizing your pet or animal

always better especially when it comes to using a firearm to walk away and have a friend do it if possible...

[conservdem]

17. Agreed.

[FreakinDJ]

34. He forgot to pay the Vet Bill - that was his crime

sorry - but when an animal becomes a threat to family you have to make decision

[Codeine]

2. I actually have some sympathy for the guy.

He just sounds like a simpleton, not cruel. Even turned himself in, which speaks to some fair degree of remorse and regret.

[Political_Junkie]

8. Agreed.

It's sad all the way around.

[seabeyond]

3. well, it makes sense to me. sad story for all.... nt

[Chemisse]

5. I know - I can't fathom the guilt and grief this owner is feeling - nt

[seabeyond]

12. with kids, had them in private school that spanked. i told them dont even think they could

if kid did anything bad enough for that i would. (i knew we would never need to go there). i felt doing it in love rather than a stranger important. rw christians argue use a rod on the kid. then it isnt part of you, hence allows it to be distance or something. never made sense. my opinion was hand had to contact so felt the pain too.

now, i have never needed or would ever be able to use physical assault as discipline. but i understand how a person can think, i love ... so i must do it.

then, he is so inept cause that isnt who he is.

it would be like me trying to spank my kids. probably wouldnt do it well anyway. cause i am opposed to hitting, causing pain

[Chemisse]

4. Leader of the pack

Another comment I have about this story is that the behavior of the dog (not letting family members leave) indicates the dog considered himself to be the alpha of the group. By leaving, members of the 'pack' were defying his authority.

Calling this 'separation anxiety' is kind of silly, attributing a human-like motive to a dog.

[seabeyond]

7. excellent. thanks. nt

[KittyWampus]

11. I didn't know that.

[sharesunited]

9. Do pit bulls ever make good pets?

Or is there a demon in their nature which inevitably reveals itself?

[conservdem]

23. IMO, No! They belong in the zoo along with tigers and lions.

Too may children and adults will be killed and injured by these animals, before the needed change will occur. It should not take the death of a Senator's child or grandchild to wake people up. I do not hate dogs. I have two. But, yes I was attacked by PB, thankfully this dog who "does not bite" gave me only a minor cut.

[vadawg]

24. every dog bites, its a good thing to know in the future...

[conservdem]

28. I do not think many can kill the way pitbulls can.

[vadawg]

30. any animal can kill its just easier for a dog than a rabbit :)

but im sure someone somewhere has been murdered by their rabbit.. :P

[MadHound]

31. Another one who is ignornant of pit bulls

And using your own personal history to color your judgment as well.

I've had pits and pit mixes all of my life and not one has ever bitten me. I used to work as a vet assistant, handling literally thousands of dogs, and the only one that bit me was a dachsund.

By the numbers the two most likely breeds to bite are poodles and cocker spaniels. Shall we put them in zoos?

Oh, and the AKC for decades rated pit bulls as the best dog for a family because when raised in a normal, regular loving home these dogs are gentle, loving, kind and playful. They can take the roughhousing of kids (pulling on tail, ears, etc.) without becoming angry.

Even when these dogs aren't initially raised in a loving home, but rather as fighting dogs, when they are rescued and rehabilitated they are absolutely wonderful dogs. I've got one in my household (three dogs, six cats) and she is the sweetest, gentlest thing.

You are letting the sensationalized reports of the media and your own personal history to color your judgment.

[conservdem]

35. Going by the numbers which are the breeds most likely to kill humans?

Do cocker spaniels and poodles kill humans very often when they attack?

Are you letting your own personal history color your judgment?

[MadHound]

36. No, I'm actually letting logic and reason color my judgment

Something that you obviously can't seem to do in this regard. Yes, larger dogs are more likely to kill a person or do serious damage when they attack. So should we put all large breeds into zoos? Or shall we do the more sensible, humane thing and punish people for how they raise and treat these dogs rather than punishing the dog, or an entire breed, for the stupidity that humans demonstrate towards them.

Again, until the whole pit bull "scare and hype" started taking over, the AKC rated pits as the best dog for the family. But I suppose that isn't valid information in your eyes.

[conservdem]

38. I appreciate the info regarding larger dogs are more likely to kill.

I do not know where you get your numbers, but does your source identify which breed is more likely to kill a person?

I do not think size is all that matters. I do not have too much knowledge about Saint Bernards, but I do doubt your source will show them as being high on the list of likely killers.

I agree with you that some people need to be punished for how they treat dogs, but I think that's beside the point about whether pit bulls should be pets.

In my opinion they are more dangerous than a handgun in that they have a brain of their own and can go off without being touched.

Two facts from the article above are worth noting. This dog had been raised as a pup by the family before it began attacking them. Second, it was shot in the head and still lived. I have read other articles about pits being shot and continuing to attack, as well.

Concern for my wife and children's safety influences my view. I also do not like reading about tragic deaths caused by this breed.

In Wikapedia I found the following:

Clifton report (2009)

Mr. Merritt Clifton, editor of Animal People News,<41> has compiled from press reports a log of dog attack deaths and severe bites in the United States and Canada from September 1982 through December 22, 2009. The study methodology counted attacks "by dogs of clearly identified breed type or ancestry, as designated by animal control officers or others with evident expertise, have been kept as pets." Mr. Clifton acknowledges that the log "is by no means a complete list of fatal or otherwise serious dog attacks" since it excludes "dogs whose breed type may be uncertain, ...attacks by police dogs, guard dogs, and dogs trained specifically to fight...."<42>

The study found reports of 345 people killed by dogs over the 27-year period, of which "pit bull terrier" or mixes thereof were reportedly responsible for killing 159, or about 46 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 70 fatalities or about 20 percent of the study-identified fatalities; in aggregate, pit bulls, rottweilers, and mixes thereof were involved in about 66% of the study-identified fatalities.<42>

Mr. Clifton has concluded that

"Temperament is not the issue, nor is it even relevant. What is relevant is actuarial risk. If almost any other dog has a bad moment, someone may get bitten, but will not be maimed for life or killed, and the actuarial risk is accordingly reasonable. If a pit bull terrier…has a bad moment, often someone is maimed or killed--and that has now created off-the-chart actuarial risk, for which the dogs as well as their victims are paying the price."<42>

Fatalities reported in the United States (2005-2009)
Main article: List of people killed by dogs in the United States
The following table summarizes the number of pit bull-related fatalities in the United States from 2005-2009 as reported by news organizations:

Dog Bite-related Fatalities in the United States.<43> Year Total Involving pit bull-type dogs
2005 28 16 (57%)
2006 30 16 (53%)
2007 35 20 (57%)
2008 23 15 (65%)
2009 31 14 (45%)




You seem to suggest the AKC no longer rates pits as the best family dog. It maybe that this change came from further information, not just scare and hype.

Do you think you might be letting your emotional love for the breed color you judgement?

[MadHound]

42. No, because letting my emotions color my judgment would have gotten me maimed or injured long ago

As many dogs as I've handled over the years. You think that a particular breed is harmless, treat them as such and next thing you know you've got a scar for life (much like the one that aforementioned dachshund gave me).

You claim that pits are more dangerous than guns, yet you there are far fewer deaths or injuries from pit bulls, or dogs in general, than there are guns. Yes, pits have brains, but they also have upbringing and training, which, in a properly raised and trained dog overrides a dog's instincts and actions.

What has happened over the past thirty years is that pit bulls have become the bad boy dog du jour, the breed that assholes and idiots like to latch on to in order to make themselves look tough. This has happened before with German Shepards and Dobermans. I was raised with German Shepards and I remember as a kid hearing about cities and towns wanting to ban the breed. It was foolish then, it is foolish now. If you ban pits what is going to happen is that the idiots and assholes will simply move on to another breed, something in fact which is already happening. My prediction, in another ten years we'll be sitting here discussing whether or not we should outlaw Presa Canarios or some other such breed because the assholes and idiots have turned them into the bad boy dog du jour.

The reason that the AKC no longer recommends pits is indeed because of the hype. There was an article in the AKC Gazette about twenty years ago that pretty much stating that they weren't going to recommend pits anymore not because the breed had declined in their eyes, but because the hype surrounding them had made the name "pit bull" toxic. It wasn't the breed that had changed, but the public perception.

As far as the dog in the OP article goes, it sounds like two things were going on. First and foremost nobody in that family had ever truly established that they were the alpha dog. The dog perceived this and stepped into the spot. First mistake, never, ever allow your dog to think that it is the alpha. Every single dog that I get I make sure that one of the first things I do is wrestle it down to the ground, in a doggy playful way, put my jaws over its neck and growl. This is essentially doggy talk for saying "Hey, I'm the big dog here, I'm the alpha". I do this a few times and it works. You don't have to use this particular method (though I've found it is quite effective) but you absolutely have to establish who is the alpha dog, otherwise you're in for a world of trouble. It also sounds like this dog was indeed suffering from separation anxiety. First thing, you don't treat separation anxiety with drugs, that's stupid. You do treat it with training and love, and lots of chew toys. Having multiple dogs, or companion cats also helps.

Now hard head, yes, pits, along with most bully dogs, have hard heads. I watched one of my pits run into a tree at full gallop, bounce off and keep going. This toughness is actually one of the reasons why the AKC recommended them for families, because they could take the rough and tumble play of kids (Think of one of the most famous pits, Pete, from Lil Rascals). This same dog of mine that ran into a tree was wonderful with kids, letting them wrestle him around, pull his ears and tail, and the worst that he would do is lick (and yes, pits do lick, a lot). But just because they have a hard head is not a strike against them after all many breeds in the bully family have hard heads. Hell, there are even humans that have heads hard enough to take a bullet and keep coming.

As far as you Wiki evidence, well, that's one reason that I don't like using Wiki for a reference. They let almost any yahoo out there quote the most outrageous things without much if any fact checking. Merritt Cliffton is a certifiable loon when it comes to the topic of pits. Let me include this refutation of his work, expressed much more elegantly than I could
<http://lassiegethelp.blogspot.com/2007/08/pit-bulls-dog-bite-statistics-and.html>

A couple of other things you need to know. First, the media. They just loves themselves a good juicy pitbull story, and will even make up shit if it isn't juicy enough. To them virtually any dog who bites is a pit bull and furthermore if it isn't a pitbull attack, they won't report it. Have you heard about the killer Pomeranians in the past ten years? No, I didn't think so because those two deaths (babies) were hardly reported on at all. Besides, Poms are those cute little accessory dogs and they don't get as good as copy as a good old fashioned pit bull attack.

Another thing is that people in this country have a hard time, especially under duress, identifying breeds. Thus pit bulls get blamed for a lot of attacks that are actually carried out by other breeds of dogs. Here, let me show you, take the following test <http://www.pitbullsontheweb.com/petbull/findpit.html>

What we're doing to this breed is a crime. What's sadder is that as soon as some other breed becomes the bad boy dog du jour, we'll do the same thing. This hype is simply being used to issue breed specific bans, a horrible solution that simply won't cure the problem. What is needed is a concerted effort to educate all dog owners on how to train and live with a dog. Much of that is simple common sense, but we all know how uncommon that is.

[jtuck004]

43. Numbers?

I don't mind discussing that - everyone let's their personal history color their judgement, and they acknowlege it if they are honest. And I don't get paid to advocate for bull terrier type dogs, but I do like dogs, and I do like to be as accurate as I can in what I think I know. I realize that not everyone wants to dig that deep, but if one is really concerned about safety, not to mention accuracy, they need to be responsible because getting this wrong can get people hurt.

1. Breed ID is terribly unreliable. There are at least 4 dogs in the category of bull terriers, all quite distinct, yet "pit bull" is often employed to describe them and others, including any big, scary dog (typical weight on a purebred "pitbull" is about 30-35 lbs - if bigger, is likely a mix of something, maybe not even bull terrier types). Problems with this are illustrated by the two dogs, one looks like a boxer and the other a Brittany or Border Collie, picked up by the brown shirts in Brampton, Ontario after being accused of being "pit bulls". Not for behavior, for looks. And the only result may be a heartbroken family and a little less trust in government.

2. Take a look at the CDC report - http://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/images/dogbreeds-a.pdf - kinda old, but these good people who do some very good work in public health say that any evaluation based on breed is problematic. The numbers are interesting - for Purebred dogs, pitbulls leads the category (though all the other breeds together killed more), but when you drop to mixes, which far and away, by any measure one chooses, decribe most of our population of dogs, there are 4 that were responsible for more deaths. Check a site like http://canineaggression.blogspot.com/ and read the background of the attacks. Dog after dog, regardless of breed, associated with being chained, never around people, allowed to make his own decisions as if Lassie wan't a movie.

3. Ask any reporter - they get paid to sell stories, not educate people. Any headline into which they can slip the term pitbull can get reprinted repeatedly nationally and even globally. But "Jack Russell kills toddler" just doesn't sell, and may not even make it out of the state. If they can get some beered-up neighbor to say that the little white curly-haired dog that bit someone was a pitbull, they get the lead on the sheet that day. Read "The Pit Bull Placebo" by Karen Delise, or just read the stories on KC Dog Blog if you have any question at all about this one.

4. More numbers? From the text "Dogs Bite: But Balloons and Slippers Are More Dangerous" By Janis Bradley - "A child is more likely to die choking on a marble or a balloon, and an adult is more likely to die in a bedroom slipper related accident. Your chances of being killed by a dog are roughly one in 18 million" And based on the report from the CDC, is is clear that most of the breed identificaiton is terribly unreliable. But again, "big strong dog kills" doesn't sell as well as throwing some contrived label into a discussion as if it lends some validity.

No, cocker spaniels and poodles don't kill people very often - we think. But life is short, and our time is limited, and actual kills are so infrequent that perhaps one should first teach their kids (and friends) how to be safe and how to act around strange animals, how to safely cross the street, and perhaps think about growing into a career where they can help a group of people, who think they need a big dog on the end of a chain so they can look like a person of respect, that there are other, better ways. And worry more about someone choking on a marble or tripping in their home than being killed by a dog.

[LWolf]

32. Yes.

I've known some wonderful pits who lived their lifetimes with their families as loving, loyal pets.

I had a pit/whippet mix who did the same.

My neighbors have a pit who visits frequently; she's about 4 yo and an escape artist. Since we live rurally, on a dead-end private dirt road, there's not much around for her to harass. When she escapes, she comes to visit. She plays with my dog, ignores my free-range chickens, my horses, and my sheep, and looks longingly at the doggie door, which my dog will not allow her to use. Play? yes. Come into the house? No.

[KittyWampus]

10. there are veterinarians who make house calls. I had one come to help my beloved pass over.

She was afraid of car rides. I didn't want her last hour to be spent in fear.

[Chemisse]

16. I need to find out if that can be done for my girl when the time comes

She weighs 225 pounds and is terrified of going to the vet's.

[KittyWampus]

19. Some vets have their vans. Some primarily do basic medical stuff in people's homes.

[LWolf]

33. I did the same for my old Springer.

I sat on his bed, with him in my lap, to make that last journey as peaceful and secure as possible.

It's been 15 years, and I still cry, thinking of it, and I'm grateful that we had a vet who did ranch calls.

[northernlights]

14. if you ever find yourself having to euthanize a dog or cat afraid to go to the vets

a lot of the times, they will come out to your car and do it there. Some even will come to your house to do it. Just ask, please. Don't try to euthanize an animal unless you know the proper way to do it. I can't imagine that man's guilt suffering, but also that poor dog, dying alone like that, not understanding why his person turned on him. And leaving him tied to a tree? :cry:

[Chemisse]

20. It must have been a long, sad night for the poor creature - nt

[Inspired]

21. This makes me want to cry. Damn.

The poor guy. I don't think he meant to do anything other than what he thought was the right thing. I bet he feels very low right now.

[TwilightGardener]

25. Best thing to do in this case is to go to the shelter, explain that he's vicious--they will put him

down. Feel bad for both the dog and the man.

[Subdivisions]

26. I once had a pit bull. I'm not a pit bull guy but I took the dog for a

friend who had moved to an apartment that didn't allow pets. She was a good, sweet dog. But, sometime later, she got very ill. She wasn't eating and she was listless and thin. I called a vet even though I couldn't afford to pay for one. The vet was kind enough to speak with me on the phone and had me describe the symptoms. He said it sounded like she was diseased and without veterinary care would certainly die. He said that the only other option would be for me to either bring her in or put her down myself. I discussed the options with my dad, who advised me to put her down. I asked him to do it but he said that I should do it. So, I took his .45 revolver out to the kennel. She was too weak to even lift her head to acknowledge I was there. I comforted her as I said goodbye. Then, I stood over her, aimed at her head, closed my eyes, and pulled the trigger. In an instant, her suffering ended. It was one of the most repulsive things I've ever seen. But, it was the right thing to do.

[greatauntoftriplets]

37. Per Democratic Underground rules, please limit yourself to just four paragraphs.

Otherwise, it's a copyright violation.

Thanks very much,

greatauntoftriplets
DU moderator

[conservdem]

39. Thanks pointing this out. I did not know.

[Pavulon]

40. What an idiot. The animal shelter will do it for free.

Even if done properly with one or more hits to the brain why subject yourself to that. The guy should take his felony and loose his rights to own firearms until a judge agrees he should again.

It appears he has already reproduced, passing his stupidity on to another generation.

[Pavulon]

41. Turns out this moron lived in an apartment building. My bet on the real story.

not like he is out on the farm and the vet is 2 hours away. He fired a handgun at a dog tied to a tree behind an apartment complex. This person is to stupid to breed. "never shot anything before" so lets start with the family dog.

So why not get a shovel and bury it after you finally shot it and killed it?

So my bet:

Numbnuts got drunk and decided to shoot the dog. Numbnuts fired the weapon, realized how loud a handgun really is and left. He should be barred from owning a weapon or a domestic animal for a very long time.

Regretfully the state can not classify people as to stupid to reproduce.