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Pit Bull Shot and Killed in New York by Police: Were they Right?

Pit bulls once again find themselves to be the center of animal news controversy.

by Ryan Karpusiewicz
Published August 14, 2012

Getty Images

A pit bull was recently shot and killed in New York by police fearing the dog to be a danger to the public. Editor's Note: This is not the pit bull from this story.

Do you feel that pit bulls are inherently dangerous? The question is one that lingers among animal lovers, and is once again at the center of an animal news case concerning the much maligned breed. Yesterday, news broke that police shot and killed a pit bull in New York's Lower East side, fearing the dog to be a danger to the public.

While the facts are murky, this much is known: police responded yesterday to an emergency call where they found a homeless person passed out on a sidewalk on 14th Street and Second Avenue. Looming over the man was a pit bull, which according to a CBS New York story was the homeless man's. While police tried to approach the man to give him care, the dog stood it's ground. According to some at the scene, the dog appeared to lunge at police, warding them away from the unconscious man.

How the events transpired exactly isn't crystal clear. On one hand, witnesses at the scene seemed to think the dog was not posing a danger to the public. Rather, they believe that the dog was just protecting his owner from unknown passersby, a logical conclusion given the devout loyalty of the breed. On the other hand, though, some witnesses did feel the pit bull posed a credible threat. The CBS story quoted one source named Mark Anthony as saying that the dog wasn't on his leash, that he was growling at onlookers and went so far as to snap at a nearby woman.

Regardless of the interpretations of the onlookers, the conclusion is the same. Fearing the dog that appeared to be lunging at them and bystanders on the sidewalk, police shot and killed the pit bull. Afterwards, police indicated that in this type of scenario, they have no other course of action other than the one they carried out.

As someone who was not personally there, it is difficult to say whether or not police were in the right. What can be said though is that, in all likelihood, the reputation of the pit bull had as much to do with the shooting as anything. I find it difficult to believe that police would have taken the same course of action if they were dealing with a breed perceived as more docile, such as a Golden Retriever.

What are your thoughts? Did the police act accordingly? Tell us in a comment and in the poll below!

POLL RESULTS
Yes
26% (157 votes)
No
64% (384 votes)
Undecided
9% (55 votes)
Total votes: 596
Author's profile photo
Ryan Karpusiewicz Ryan Karpusiewicz is the Assistant Editor, Lifestyle, for Digital Works @ NBC U, whose main…

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Comments (35)

Blueboyo (Unverified)
Added 12-25-2012 10:13pm
I am a dog-lover - have always had one. Have one now. But there several breeds, pit-bull among them, which really need to go extinct. Every day a Pit Bull somewhere attacks someone, and often, especially in the case of little children, kills them. The huge and vicious dog originally from the Canary Islands is only one of the other breeds not needed for any of the things dogs are needed or wanted for. The owners of these dogs breeds, because of their notorious viciousness and power should be held both criminally liable and liable to large law suits.
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Prim (Unverified)
Added 03-18-2013 02:49pm
I don't think you are an animal lover if you believe the pitbulls should go extinct. You are an idiot.
Anonymous (Unverified)
Added 02-22-2013 04:06pm
What exactly do you need/want your domesticated animal for? You are obviously ignorant to the caring, loyal, and very gentle nature of pit bulls. Yes, their ancestors did wrestle bulls to the ground in a pit, hence their name. However, when a dog is raised the right way they do not pose any sort of danger to society. I've had a pit for three years now and he has coexisted with my three year old nephew the entire time. They are the best of friends and my dog has never attempted to hurt my nephew. Also, there are more reports of attacks coming from breeds such as Dalmatians and Doberman Pinschers than from pit bulls. The pit bull cases are the only ones you see often in the media, because they draw more attention and give networks higher ratings. Check your facts, educate yourself, and free your mind of prejudice.
Anonymous (Unverified)
Added 02-22-2013 04:05pm
What exactly do you need/want your domesticated animal for? You are obviously ignorant to the caring, loyal, and very gentle nature of pit bulls. Yes, their ancestors did wrestle bulls to the ground in a pit, hence their name. However, when a dog is raised the right way they do not pose any sort of danger to society. I've had a pit for three years now and he has coexisted with my three year old nephew the entire time. They are the best of friends and my dog has never attempted to hurt my nephew. Also, there are more reports of attacks coming from breeds such as Dalmatians and Doberman Pinschers than from pit bulls. The pit bull cases are the only ones you see often in the media, because they draw more attention and give networks higher ratings. Check your facts, educate yourself, and free your mind of prejudice.
Anonymous (Unverified)
Added 03-06-2013 02:33pm
YOU ARE AN IDIOT. these dogs are not dangerous, there not even the most powerful breed. they are judged by thier looks and the media attention surrounding them. just like that other idiot Obama and the anti gun crowd you base your opinions on what you see and what the rest of the sheep tell you to think instead of gaining the knowledge on your own and presenting an argument that makes sense. educate your self. or at least stop breeding.
Wolvin (Unverified)
Added 11-29-2012 06:14pm
They could have used one of the animal control poles to move the dog. They decided to kill it instead. I think firing a gun on a crowded street to kill a dog that's protecting its family is wrong. For all we know that dog was the mans only family too. How is it going to effect him to wake up and find out his friend is died trying to protect him? Killing should not be in the top 10 options.
Blueboyo (Unverified)
Added 12-25-2012 10:17pm
Next time I find you being attacked or threatened by a Pit-Bull, I will be sure to remember your wishes and summon an animal control officer with an appropriate animal control pole and won't worry that it is ripping your throat out while the officer arrives. Didn't you notice the accompanying article about the Pit-Bull which attacked a horse ?
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