(warning, I am terrible with spelling)
I am the owner of Chloe the pitbull on the over crowded and unwanted episode, (the girl with the braids). Sangha was my boyfriends dog. I understand that they cannot show everything in part of one episode, so obviously quite a bit of our story was cut out.

The story began for me when my boyfriend spent the night with his dog Sangha, Chloe and Sangha were just as attached to each other as Chad and I are. Anyway, We were getting ready to leave the house, me to work and chad to run an errand, We have a baby gate at the top of the stairs to the entry way because our front door after being fixed by us over and over and requesting it be fixed to our landlord, still will blow open on occasion if it is not shut securely.

Chad and I put up the baby gate, and securely close the door when we left. A bit later that morning, my roommate was running late for work and in a hurry to catch the bus, he took down the gate, to get to the front door but neglected to put it back up, also in a hurry, he did not securely shut the front door and it blew open.

At this point no one is in the house, and the dogs are standing on the front porch, alone. I can only theorize what they were doing from the time they stepped on the porch til the biting incident. But my guess would be that they were protecting what they thought to be thier territory (the porch of our house) The porch is up a flight of stairs, and the dogs are able to look over the ledge at people walking by and at our neighbors stairs. When the woman and her husband began to ascend the stairs right next to ours, the dogs ran down and began to bite the woman, the man then hit the dogs with the womans purse, and the dogs ran up the stairs through the house to the backyars.

So a bit more history, neither dog has ever been aggressive, I have had Chloe (pitbull/boxer mix) for over 6 years, I have taken her to work with me for most of those 6 years, she would sit at the front desk of the veterinary office that I worked for and greet customers, she had several different training classes and up to that point the only complaint anyone ever had about her was how she jumps on people when she's happy to see them.
Sangha, Chad got during undergrad, he had Sangha for over four years, Sangha lived with chad in a house that he shared with 10 other college students, (all male), he had never been aggressive, he was a loving, loyal sweet dog, with a very loud bark. Chad took Sangha with him everywhere, Sangha went to the dog park usually twice a day for hours at a time. Sangha was a Blue Heeler/Cattle dog mix. The only complaint you would have heard about Sangha up to that point is that he likes to bark, and his bark is a loud one.

My other roommate called me, (not the one who left the door open) to let me know that the dogs had been taken to ACC but he didn't know exactly why, he thought that they might have knocked someone down the stairs as they were running down.. This was all the information we had. I assumed that was the case, because we both had absolutely no reason to think that our dogs would be capable of biting anyone, it was not even a thought in our minds.

The first person we saw was the officer that was on the scene and when he told us what happened, I could not believe it, there was no way, it couldn't have been our dogs.. I still to this day can't believe this wasn't just a bad dream, never would I have ever even kind of thought something like this could have happened. Anyway, it was true, the woman had been bitten in 5 different places on her body.. They both say that it was both dogs. Now knowing both dogs, knowing how social they both were, I mean, I had 4 roommates and there were usually at least 6-8 people in my house at all times, (friends and such) and sometiems, we'd have parties with both dogs there, strangers coming in and out.. not one worry about either dog biting, oh yeah and I have two cats, the dogs don't even care about.

Put yourself in my shoes, I'm not an irresposible owner, I do own a pitbull who I fully trust, I don't take her to the dog park because I realize that she is a pit, and a responsible pitbull owner, even though you trust your dog, you realize that that one dog that might somehow set off an emotion in your pitbull if the pit does anything resembling vicious behaviour, you have a big problem, because of its bad rap. Now again, I trust chloe, I don't know what made this incident happen, but it happened, and I live with it every day. Sangha sadly was destroyed, he was an amazing dog and we miss him so much. Chloe (I think) misses him too. We did pay the $800 to have the behaviourist come out. It wasn't worth it in Sangha's case, but I understand that the victim would want to see justice served and destroying one dog, must have made them feel that it was

There is so much more to this story, if I continue it this post will be a mile long. But I do want to mention this. We had issues surrounding this entire situation, While Vicky was really sweet and obviously cares for animals. I appreciated her compassion. I do have to say that Chad and I had the hardest time getting any information out of ACC as to what happened. There was another officer, Officer Brown who I have to say was the biggest problem. On top of giving us wrong information about what happened, he denied that he did and lied during our court hering. My one complaint about acc, was that I would call both Vicky and Officer brown, and leave messages, and never get a return call, sometimes I would call up to 5 times a day leaving messages with questions I had and I'm not exaggerating, not one call back, it drove me crazy, I was living the nightmare of my life and these people could not call me back. Again there is more to the story but if you've made it this far, then you must be really really bored.

Thanks for listening, if you'd like to hear the full story hopefully I can make it less wordy, let me know

Tawnya

[This message was edited by dharmabumgirl on 02-28-05 at 03:05 PM.]

[This message was edited by dharmabumgirl on 02-28-05 at 03:17 PM.]

How many people got sued?

Thankfully none if we would have had all of the details we would have contacted the victim and willingly pay for any medical cost and other damage.

I can tell you the reaction of a roomful of people that watched your show

they felt you didn't care about those people at all.

And that you weren't taking care of the dogs (For example, a couple of people mentioned that no one who really is responsible would leave the back door open for the dogs to go into the yard at will. They could get out of a fenced yard, or stand out there and bark all day.Or get stolen. Or whatever.)

In fact, it seems like you came here to complain about animal control.

Someone in the room felt that you had a "selfish" attitude.

And that you were blaming the neighbors for your problem.

I can tell you that you better make sure your dog doesn't get loose again (or any future dogs) because I don't think a jury would be really supportive

In this case, I have complete sympathy for animal control and those neighbors.

You are lucky they are such nice people. Where I live, you'd be paying for lawyers for a long, long time.

I understand how you can feel that way. And its ok, it only proves my point that the whole story is not told in that 30 minute episode.. its impossible to recount the month that we and the victim lived through or each detail.

So you have very little of the truth to base your opinion on. Also, there were over 20 people in the trial with me and they all spoke out for us

I'm not going to convince you that I care, but I will tell you that you missed a whole lot of what happened. We tried effortlessly to find out who was hurt by our dogs and ACC would not help us. They said it was our downstairs neighbor, but it wasn't When we contacted them, they called us and said, that it was not them. So that left us again searching to try to send our aplogies and help..

As far as the backyard, our backyard is elevated and completely closed off, our fences are over 6 ft high, no one can see in or out and the only way out is through our house..

Animal care and control have come to our house and looked at our yard and deemed it safe..

I have worked with animals most of my life, so I understand the situation I am in with chloe for the rest of her life.

-tawnya

As far as if they get out again its not possible. We have since moved into a very secure place and chloe doesn't leave the house and if she has to go to the vet, she wears a muzzle..

i lived in the apartment ith chloe and her owner, along with two other males, when all of this happened. needless to say, i was shocked. ive heard pitbulls can turn on you even without any prior history of visciousness. i can attest that this was definitely NOT the case here.
i dont discredit the attack or the womans injuries. but i have to strongly disagree with whoever mentioned that chloes owner was selfish and neglectful.
1. the front door had problems staying closed. and we had called the landlord countless times. the dogs were so well trained that we thought a baby gate to keep them in would be enough until we found a permanent solution.
2. when the woman's son came over to discuss the attack, we were ALL under the impression it was the neighbor downstairs, rather than the next door neighbor, due to lack of information, and thus it seemed as if the woman's son was poking his nose where it didnt belong. it was only after the interaction with him that we learned more information. you have to understand that no one got all of the information, not for lack of trying.
-a side note to prove that the ACC was LESS than helpful is the fact that Chloes owner had been calling them to find out the cost of the behavioral test and the date so that she could be financially prepared and also request off work. it wasnt until the day OF that they called her back saying she needed 800$! If anything, the ACC, in this situation, made matters worse. You dont see that in the 30 minutes.
The woman was bitten. I dont blame the ACC. I dont blame the officers. For some reason the dogs attacked. But things were overdramatized for tv. I think the woman exaggerated her mental stress in hopes that they might sue. And I think the ACC was worthless in getting all the information to the parties involved.

And still more blaming and complaining.

Here's what a responsible person does. They say "hey, I screwed up. I made a mistake."

the blaming stuff just looks really bad!!

That woman had every right to sue. She should have. Thank your lucky stars she is a civilized human being.

I'm thinking that maybe dharma is getting some bad karma after this incident, and that's the point of posting?

Makes you look better if you just say "hey, I screwed up" and leave it at that.

Its amazing that you can pass judgement on my explanation of what happened based on a 30 minute episode with a sound track.
If you would have READ everything, you would have noticed that I state that I DONT blame the officers or the ACC or the woman, but they didnt make life any easier.
And its easy to sue someone who has NOTHING. She would have paid more in court costs than she would have made.
You are more than entitled to your opinion, but try not to pass judgement on someone, something, or some situation that you only know about from an episode of animal cops. It just "looks bad."

and it seems to ME, someone involved, that dharma is posting because she doesnt want people to make snap judgements based on a tv show.
its totally working.

"She would have paid more in court costs than she would have made."

A court could have garnisheed all of dharma's future earnings and assets.

And how can you testify to anthing if you weren't there?

Hey, I'm making snap judgements based on her post!

Hi Warrensto,

Listen I don't want to argue, there is no need to be so judgemental. I assure you that I know that my dog bit someone its is not the victims fault, it is not your fault it is not even my roommate who left the door open's fault. I have said I was sorry over and over, and I really and truly am.. as far as the blaming stuff, I really don't know where your getting that from... I blamed someone for not getting me information not for the situation..

I did include ONE paragraph expressing my views on animal care and control but not all bad.. the only complaint was the lack of communication but I said nice things too.. I think you seem to be one of those people who doesn't read all of the facts or take into account things that you just might not have been privvy to and judges based on half or askewed truths.. thats your prerogative. But really again I cannot stress how you have no idea what actually happened. I didn't post that to complain I posted it because animal planet did not even at all tell the story correctly.

The funny thing is that everyone I meet thinks I am a very nice and quite possibly overly considerate person in that I put the feelings of others before mine.

I cannot stress enough that you people don't realize that this cable program was put together in a way that was supposed to entertain you and unfortunately America has proven that the only way they are entertained is when they see the worst part of situation, they want tears and destruction and anger and the more drama the better.. so this show has done what it was supposed to and that is to skew the truth and make it entertaining to you.

You are misguided and judging based on what you see on tv..

do you belive everything you see on tv?

-tawnya

I felt so badly for that couple. I assume they came here from another country...and this is the impression of America that they get? Man, it's embarrassing.

you know what, youre right.
you definitely know more about how selfish dharma is and how poorly those dogs were looked after. especially after watching it on TV with yuor buddies.
My explanation is ONLY to state what I KNOW to be true- about how much she cared for the animals; about how much she was concerned for the person who was bitten, but was misled by the lack of information from the ACC thus making her seem heartless; about how I SAW her call the ACC to no avail, only to look heartless on tv. It was in response to your friends thinkign she was "selfish."
I saw the episode. I know how it came across. Im simply posting my opinion and knowledge so that people dont take the story at face value.
She IS greatful the woman didnt sue. Please do not let my opinion mislead you. I am not dharma, but I was there through it all, save the attck, and I know what happened. You, however, were not and you are basing your opinions, and I cannot state this enough, from TELEVISION- a made for TV drama.

Dharma, it was your fault. Accept it and be at peace. You learned a lot from this. Turn it into a positive experience.

Things happen. You learn. Everybody does. It's a part of life.

I feel so sorry for the woman who got bit. I do not feel sorry for you... you should feel bad. Because you have no money you think you should not be sued? This is exactly why insurance companies don't want to insure pit bulls. OMG I'm too upset to say anymore!!

Way to go warren I totally agree with you, and your opinon with this thread.

To the owner of the dog I dont think it was so called JUSTICE the victim was seeking, I think it was rather the comfort of knowing that this couldn't potentially happen in the future. I understand you've know moved away and are taking precautions but the fact you admit the door was broken does in my mind show YOUR negligence.

Can you please quote me when I said that it wasn't my fault? then I will feel that you have some valid points but at the moment I just feel that you are speaking simply to cure your boredom.

Chloe is my dog, I take absolute full responsiblity for her actions and you know what thats only like the 12 TIME I'VE SAID IT" but you wouldn't know because you don't know me or this situation...

I don't know who you are but you obviously like to take people who have never meant to harm anyone and when it happens they feel bad, and make them feel worse.. does this make you a good person? do you feel good doing this?

Also,I sign my posts Tawnya.. I am not "dharma" if you bothered to read anything you'd look back at your posts and realize that you really do look ignorant on this particular post and should probably stop while your ahead..

You said you were posting a reply, your opinion based on my post.. its so obvious that you either A. didn't read it or B. misunderstood what you read. in eather case, you have proved that you know nothing.

What I've learned.. Chloe IS possible of biting, I never knew it before and now I do, and I will never let it happen again, why? because its a terrible thing to be bitten by a dog, NOT because I'm afraid of what will happen to me or her.

FYI,

I was diplomatic in my responses, I tried not to have any emotionally charged replies, I've had a really hard time with all of this and I just learned that it only takes some ignorant like you to bring it all back up..

congrats, you got the drama that entertains you once again warren...