America's Dog, then and now.

November 15, 1844  Baltimore, Maryland
The first known recorded pit bulldog fatality.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Dead–We regret to state that the apprehensions expressed by the physicians on Wednesday evening, have proved true, and Mr. John A. Dubernar, who was so severely bitten by the dog of Mr. Rozell, on Saturday last, now lies with the dead. He expired at his residence, in High street, yesterday morning. Mr. D. was a native of France, but has been a resident of Baltimore about fifty years. He was much esteemed by those who knew him. His death is a melancholy comment upon the impolicy, we might almost say, the criminality of keeping dogs so ferocious in their character as this one was, in the the yards of private dwellings. The bull terrier, and this dog was one of that species, is perhaps the very worst description of dog,   with which we are beset in our community. They are always fierce, and, it is a rare circumstance, that even their masters have control over them–when they once take hold, death has been frequently found necessary to make them loosen their grasp. Such animals should never be kept in the yards of private swellings. We have received a note from Mr. Roszell, in which he states that injustice has been done to him in our previous account of the matter. We may have, and according to his statement, did slightly, err in reference to the the mode and cause of the attack made by the dog upon the colored woman; but in the main, it was correct. We did not doubt, and do not now doubt, that every thing was done by the family of Mr. R. to prevent the catastrophe, which has ended in so melancholy a manner. But the very fact of the inability of those who lived in the house to restrain him, is evidence conclusive of his ferocious character. We would not do injustice to Mr. R.; we have no such motive–and we feel assured that no one in this community regrets more sincerely than he does, this sad affair.–The lesson, we trust, will be a profitable one to others.

Nearly 170 years later and we have still not turned a profit on the lesson Mr. John A. Dubernar tragically learned.

Dangerous By Default

vintage bull terrier (badrap loves to promote the myth of "America's Dog")

For the most complete record of american pit bulldog fatalities, see http://www.fatalpitbullattacks.com/.

Vintage Bulldog ad

Hold fast

click to view larger

The Legendary Bulldog

 

Hell Hound Forest, where hundreds of once loved dogs were abandoned. Through treacherous purging of the weak, the few strong emerge. A young lad named Thomas Gentry saves the life of one of these pups produced by a freak of nature.

Dare grows up like his master, the brunt of ridicule and laughter. Though his nature is to kill, he humbly turns the other cheek, doing his master's will -- that is, until one day he's left with no choice but to defend his best friend. Therefore, with a tenacious grip Dare goes for his foe's nose, until its ripped and all the blood flows. Because of Dare's victory he and his master no longer play a part in ridicule and laughter. Instead, Dare becomes the standard which all dogs should be judged after.

Now aware of Dare's fighting ability, dog fighters come challenging only to suffer humility. Thomas does all he can in not taking part, desiring Date nor the other to be torn apart.

Though second to none, Dare is equaled by his brother, Terror, who's fought for fun. Separated as pups, both grow up mirroring their evil and divine masters. Terror abused, is used to kill for the rich Lord's thrill. He wins as fans the fiercest females in history; Princess Elizabeth and Queen Bloody Mary.

1878 America's Dog attacked America's First People

CRAZY HORSE'S SQUAW IN TROUBLE.  – A terrible fight occurred yesterday afternoon at the corner of Ferguson and Sixteenth streets, between Crazy Horse's squaw and a young bull terrier, The terrier was brought to this city form Fort Laramie a day or two ago. At the Fort it had learned to despise Indians, and always fight them. Yesterday when the dog ran across Crazy Horse's squaw, who has been in the city about a year, and is said to be found at the corner named on sunny days, there was an instant declaration of war by the canine. At the moment of attack the beautiful Indian widow was against a post, smiling languidly upon Turck and Roberts, who were sitting in Joslin & Park's window. Her back was turned to the dog and he sprang at her well-developed calves with fury. So unexpected was the attack, and so lightning-like the motions of the terrier, that he bit both limbs before Mrs. Crazy Horse could turn around. The owner of the dog, who loves Indians less if possible than his dog seeing that the squaw was about to injure the dog, sprang upon her and grasped both arms, holding them with a vice-like grip which defied her frantic efforts to get free. The terrier was busy, and for a full fifteen minutes it was allowed to tear and rend the helpless squaw, even springing into her face, biting out one cheek and tearing off the under lip.  Satisfied at last, the pale face released the squaw, mounted his horse, and giving a shrill whistle disappeared, followed by his dog. Drs. Preshaw and Tuttle were at once summoned by M. D. Altmen, and dress Mrs. crazy Horse's wounds, which, though severe, are not considered dangerous, as the loss of blood was less than usual. – Cheyenne Leader.

 

2/21/1878
 

hats off to

Inside the Dark Dark Sick Minds of Pit Bull and Other Dangerous Dog Owners

excellent find!

I'm thankful for google, vintage and all of my secret squirrels

''A few years ago, we weren't focusing on pit bulls. A few years from now, we won't be focusing on pit bulls.'' RANDALL LOCKWOOD, 1987

a few years?

We've been focusing on the pit bulldog problem for the past 200 years and if Ledy Vankavage succeeds, we will be focusing on pit bulldogs for the next 200 years. The popularity of dog breeds will always wax and wane but the pit bulldog will remain a constant threat.


Orlando Sentinel, November 15, 1987


Occupy Maul Street

vintage post card

Safety before bull-dogs

There is super fine vintage muckraking over at Pit Bull Attacks and Dogfighting in Illinois. It's the kind of research that should be done by a "research council" rather than livestock fear mongering and the other sleight of hand tricks that KAREN DELISE has become so well known for.

Here's a taste. Be sure to check it out.

1. The bull-dog is essentially a dangerous animal, and when kept under present conditions it constitutes a perpetual menace to human life. Enough accidents have already happened to admonish all thinking men that women and children are entirely unsafe under present conditions.
2. These conditions will become even worse when these bull-dogs will have bred with the street curs, producing a generation of mongrels even more dangerous and under less restraint that the pure bred individuals.



If bull-dogs are unsafe and vicious, as they seem to have proven themselves within the last few weeks, let us get rid of them. Let us get some other kind of dog. Safety before bull-dogs.