When Pitbulls Attack

Property Manager Deborah Barton knocks on door tenant doors all the time "I never expected a dog, I never expected a pitbull. I never expect that," said Barton. Last August she and a co-manager were checking on a tenant. When they opened the front door, a pitbull came running out of the bedroom. "Whenever he knocked me to the floor, I said ... `God forgive me for what I`ve done`... because I thought I was dead." Deborah sustained serious injuries and is still recovering. She says the dog gave no indication that it was going to attack until it she saw it leap toward her throat. "This dog`s name was Rage... And rightfully so." Dr. Michael Dale kept "Rage" in isolation at Caddo Parish Animal Control until he was eventually put down. The doctor says while pitbulls make fine pets for some people, owners should keep in mind that the breed was originally created as a fighting dog. " A pitt has a lot of aggressiveness. It`s not something that just happens... It`s there built in," said Dale. Dale says they are often unpredictable. "Every once in a while you`ll get one that will just turn on everything... They don`t back off. They just fight `til the last breath. That`s what they`re bred to do," said Dale. And you never know when or who they may decide to strike. "People need to take notice because it could happen to them, just as easily as it happened to me... I know that I am lucky to be alive." said Barton.