Pit Bull Named SPCALA’s Hero Dog Of The Year - story w/pics

[Kadie]

Pit Bull Named SPCALA’s Hero Dog Of The Year
May 4, 2011 11:00 AM

LOS ANGELES (AP) —

snip...
On Wednesday, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles awarded Diamond with their 29th annual National Hero Dog Award.

When her family’s Hayward apartment caught fire in October, the dog barked to wake owner Darryl Steen. He rushed to save his daughters, grabbing 9-year-old Darahne and dropping her out a second-story window.

But he couldn’t get through the smoke and flames to reach 16-year-old Sierra. Diamond not only wiggled through but shielded the teenager beneath a mattress until firefighters rescued them both.

Sierra and her father were treated for burns and received skin grafts. Diamond spent six weeks at a veterinary hospital recovering from burns and smoke inhalation.

http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2011/05/04/pit-bull-named-spcalas-hero-dog-of-the-year/



Darryl Steen kisses his 15 month-old pit bull, Diamond, before receiving the 29th annual National Hero Dog Award from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Los Angeles on Wednesday, May, 4, 2011. When her family's Hayward apartment caught fire in October 2010, the dog barked to wake Steen. He rushed to save his daughters, grabbing 9-year-old Darahne and dropping her out a second-story window. But he couldn't get through the smoke and flames to reach 16-year-old Sierra. Diamond not only wiggled through but shielded the teenager beneath a mattress until firefighters rescued them both. Sierra and her father were treated for burns and received skin grafts. Diamond spent six weeks at a veterinary hospital recovering from burns and smoke inhalation.« Read less (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

[hlthe2b]

1. Wonderful.... The breed's vocal detractors need to take note.

[tridim]

7. I can't believe I was worried about living with my brother's pit/boxer mix

He is the kindest most happy-go-lucky dog I've ever met.

[hlthe2b]

12. Good for you... They certainly are tremendous dogs...

when allowed to be.

[Blue Owl]

2. It's just what dogs do, no biggie

But are they awesome creatures or what???

[tblue37]

6. It is no accident that god is dog spelled backwards! nt

[xchrom]

3. Good girl, Diamond! Nt

[alsame]

4. Good girl, Diamond!

[calimary]

32. Looks like this Diamond is worth her weight in pure gold.

:hug:

[tblue37]

5. Pretty, sweet-faced baby! I am in love! nt

[Abq_Sarah]

11. She is a beauty

I have a pitbull mix rescued last year and he's the sweetest, most non aggressive dog I've ever owned.

I can't believe I agonized over the decision to take him.

[KittyWampus]

8. Is this the family that had a hard time finding a rental cause of the "dangerous" pit bull hero dog

GOOD DOGGIE!

[RebelOne]

9. Believe me, pit bulls and Rottweilers are the best of dogs.

I have owned both breeds and all have been sweethearts. I can't stand it when the media focuses on pit bull and Rottweiler attacks. I have yet to see any media coverage when a cocker spaniel or other breed mauls anyone. And when some obscure breed does attack and maul anyone, somehow the media always says it is a pit bull mixture.

[orwell]

14. +1,000 for Rotties...

...I've owned two.

I've never had the pleasure of owning a pit bull but the ones I have met were sweethearts.

WE LOVE OUR PUPS!

[rasputin1952]

10. WAY TO GO DIAMOND!!!!

:woohoo:

[lunatica]

13. I'd love to kiss her too

I kiss my dogs every day and they lick me back at the same time. It's a veritable love fest!

[guitar man]

15. Awesome dog!

I've had APBTs,Staffies and mixes thereof since I was a boy and have always found them to be loyal and brave to a fault when it comes to their people. I'd describe them as heroic when they need to be ;)

[donheld]

16. shine on you crazy Diamond

[johnaries]

17. Good Girl! What a brave puppy! nt

[Scurrilous]

18. K & R

:thumbsup:

[PVnRT]

19. I wonder when the pitbull-haters are going to show up

End the breed! They're cold-blooded killers! Dogs larger than 20 lbs. are dangerous! Blah blah blah!

[rfranklin]

21. You seem to be looking for a fight...

Perhaps you are part pit bull?

[baldguy]

24. They're too cowardly to show themselves.

[AnneD]

20. Pit Bulls...

Are the quintessential American dog. Fierce, loyal, protective, and loving. You don't need a hand gun for safety if you have a pit bull.

I felt it was so important for my daughter's safety that I paid the pet deposit and vet bills so I could have that piece of mind. Her dog Stella is the most laid back sweetie. Good around kids other dogs and people. But I know she would lay into anyone attacking myself or my daughter.

[NOLALady]

22. Is there an update?

Have they been able to find another apartment? It seems they cannot find an affordable home that will let them take Diamond.

[Kadie]

23. I found this...

snip...
Mr Steen and his daughters are living with his sister in Hayward, and Diamond is staying with their other relatives because they haven't been able to find an affordable apartment that will take Diamond.

Some people worry that she weighs nearly 50 pounds and others are concerned about her breed, he said.

But Mr Steen, who will be able to return to his job at a warehouse in June, won't give Diamond up, so he keeps looking.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1383608/Pit-bull-Diamond-saved-girl-burning-house-wins-National-Hero-Dog-Award.html#ixzz1LVzkueTU

[TorchTheWitch]

29. It's not easy finding a rental that allows dogs even houses with yards

and especially if it's a large breed dog. Pit bulls are more medium sized but they've been so stigmatized I would imagine it makes it that much harder. I've found that the best bet is to rent from a landlord that only has one or a few units. You run much more of a risk ending up with a kooky landlord (which has happened to me a few times) but they're much more willing to negotiate about pets and other things, too. It helps a LOT if you let the prospective landlord meet the dog... once they see that it's calm and friendly - and ESPECIALLY - obedient, that almost always makes them relent though they may make you pay a higher security deposit or add a small "dog fee" in with the rent. I've been able to change a landlord's mind about having a dog several times. It also helps to let them know that with a large dog around the property isn't going to get robbed or vandalized... something the average landlord doesn't even consider but is a big plus since it costs them money and maybe a tenant.

I really think it's having the landlord meet the dog that makes the difference though. Even people that don't particularly like dogs can't help but have their heart melt a bit in the face of a friendly dog wagging their tail and looking at them so imploringly.

[bertman]

25. Great post. Thanks, Kadie. nt

[rpannier]

26. Kick Too late for a rec

Sorry

[bread_and_roses]

27. Good girl! Good girl!

I am a great fan of this breed, which - given good owners - is loyal and playful and smart and agile and natural clowns. They do require a strong "pack leader" human, good training, early socialization to other dogs and humans, and ideally a chance to "work" at something. But then, so do most other dogs.

As long as we have totally unregulated ownership and breeding of our wayyyyyyyyyyyyyy to many dogs (millions - MILLIONS! - put down every year in shelters, millions more abused and neglected and abandoned, millions more living miserable lives tied up, millions more with clueless or deranged owners) - there will be horrific instances of bites and attacks. Having known a good few Chihuahuas, I am quite sure that were they larger, they might top the "dangerous dog" list.

[Odin2005]

28. AWW, good doggie!

[Name removed]

30. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[flvegan]

31. Speaking of bs...

[dana_b]

33. YAY!! I wonder if the family ever got their new home in Hayward

that would take pit bulls? I contacted some people I know in the area to see if they knew any landlord that would take the ENTIRE family in. The human family did not want to move into a new place that wouldn't take Diamond.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

34. This is what a pit bull can do with the right owner.

Mr Steen is clearly the right kind of owner. Diamond is certainly a gem!