Normally I despise pitbulls, but I have to say, the pitbulls' owner tells a much more plausible story than the original Chihuahua-walking victim. Methinks this attack is more about neighbors behaving badly and less about vicious dogs.

I vote for the death penalty.

Don't put the pit bulls to sleep, put the totally brainless people who train them to be mean out of THEIR misery.

So DAS finally does something when there is an attack on a human and a pet death? Incompetence.

Ban pitbulls in Collier County!

I vote we euthanize all who so mentally crippled as to write "methinks" and give the pit bulls one more chance.

Thank goodness the sweet, loving pit bulls were there to defend against the threat of the deadly chihuahuas. Who knows what the extent of the damage would have been if it were the chihuahuas would have been allowed to run amok.

I read that in northern states, Chihuahas are a the top of the food chain, feared by all, even the great Grizzley Bear walks in fear... her daughter was bit by a chichuaha trying to break up the fight and is traumatized.... PLEASE, you cant be serious, that is like defending a a bear from a trout swimming upstream... are people really that stupid ???? Im with Jeff Foxworthy.. HERES YOUR STUPID SIGN

“My dog was in no means trying to bite the lady, only the dog,” Reneé Damphier said in an e-mail."

Still shouldn't happen.

"Domestic Animal Services has had complaints about the pit bulls running loose before."

Should have permanently removed the dogs then.

“I believe the dogs thought I was under attack.

What a bunch of crap!

The lady never reeled in the leashes, she just kept screaming and making matters worse.”

Yeah, lets blame the victim. Coward!

Damphier said her daughter Jeneé was also a “victim” in the attack because one of the Chihuahuas bit her while she was attempting to break up the dog fight.

Get a life! You probably were bit by your own dogs.

Jeneé Damphier doesn’t believe the pit bulls are dangerous to people.

Whoops, wrong again!

lavendalou ...... Poor dogs being harrased, your kidding right ? numoerous complaints the dogs ran loose, there were 3 chihuahas not 2, shows your inteligence right off the bat when 3 is a DUO...

You must be voting for OBAMA to right ????

If Pit Bulls were so vicious I don't think Helen Keller, President Theodore Roosevelt, President Woodrow Wilson, General George Patton, Mark Twain, Thomas Edison, Mary Tyler Moore and Rachel Ray,just to name a few, would have owned them.
"Chihuahuas are prized for their devotion, ferocity, and personality." "Chihuahuas are not well-suited as small children's pets because of their size, temperament, and tendency to bite when frightened." "Chihuahuas also tend to have a 'clannish' nature, often preferring the companionship of other Chihuahuas over other dogs." (Wikipedia)

A chihuahas' bark and occasional nip is a nuisance and annoyance. A pit bull's bite and death grip is life threatening. If you have not seen a pit bull in a violent rage, believe me, it will shock you. Great for protection if trained properly. Dangerous if the owner becomes passive and allows the pit bull to dominate any situation.

a good pit bull is a dead pit bull.

Anyone wondering why they named one of their dogs "Mary Jane"? To the person talking about the victims boyfriend, you should check out the rap sheet for the villians boyfriend. Good luck getting your money for damages, they will pay for the release of the dogs first before doing what's right!!

3 little barking, snarling, noisy dogs on RETRACTABLE leashes! I've been around numerous nasty, out of control little dogs. I wasn't there but I can certainly imagine what took place. Forget the breed involved, take a look at how the owners acted. A responsible dog owner should be in control at all times.

Ever wonder why the one of the dogs name was Mary Jane?

The pit bulls got out when a door was opened. They were allowed to play in the back yard unleashed with another pit bull! Thus allowing them to charge and attack three other dogs that were NOT on their property.
When the door was opened and the pit bulls GOT OUT they should have been called in. If the owners wanted to let their dogs out to play they should have made sure they couldn't escape. Its a law that ALL dogs must be leashed while loose. Unless of course they are behind a fence! The small dogs where leashed the PIT BULLS were not. The Pit Bull owners should be charged with negligence and what ever else possible.
Did I mention I have three dogs of my own. Ranging in size from 10 to 100 lbs. Oh yea....and I spent 3,000 dollars on a fence so I could let them "run loose". In my YARD! When we go out of the yard we use a leash!!!

Everyone who blames the dogs, either the pit bulls or the chihuahas, is obviously uneducated and ignorant pertaining to animal behavior. Do some research on pit bulls. You will find that they are some of the most kind, affectionate dogs that you will ever meet. But they can be very protective of their family. Both owners are to blame. The owner of the chihuahas for letting her dogs walk onto someone else's property, crap in their yard and raise hell. "bark bark bark bark bark" Also the owner of the pit bulls for not properly training them and letting them get that close to the chihuahas knowing that smaller dogs usually provoke any other dog that they see. Did you people know that THE MOST REPORTED BITE CASES ARE FROM COCKER SPANIELS? Look it up. And until you do a little research on the subject, you shouldn't write ignorant comments.

ggestres, by the way, it sounds like the chihuahas WERE on the other persons property close to the road.

#16 Get educated on animal behavior! Take a few classes.

y dont u people reseach them n realize the media blows everything up as we allll know???? even most of Micheal Vick's "fighting dogs" were still friendly!!! what does that mean!? they arnt vicious! stop being so ignorant. they have been used by so many famous presidents and people like Helen Kellar and used to watch kids! yeah they were bread to kill vermin too... im sorry but chihuahuas look like vermin especially when they're as vicious as they are as well. look em up. yes a pits bite will do more harm but when owning a dog id rather have one that can protect me rather then not. but again most of the time theyre tooo friendly!!!

and as for "tiredofbs" guy.... get a life. whos going to euthenize or at least jus take someones dogs just for running the neighborhood!?? in that case they should have taken the chihuahuas as well. because as someone else here said, if you dont live here ZIP IT! but i believe LavendaLou does live here, clearly...

If anyone else has anything bad to say about a certain breed, you can call DAS and they will give you some facts or point you in the right direction. Dog breeds are not the problem.

FACT:
They attacked they should pay!!

If the owners told the dogs to "stay" then they should have listened. If they didn't then they were not trained by "THE OWNERS", then "THE OWNERS" are responsible PERIOD!!! It doesn't matter how nice they are, they attacked, then wagged their tail at the DAS guy. WOW

Poor dogs !!!....

Listen to everyone on this panel. No one is perfect. I hope everyone that has pets learns a lesson from this incident and stop being so critical and grow up. I had the Mary Jane and Philly living with me for a month, I have a cat and cocker spaniel, boxer, and teacup poodle and a Great Pyrense. The Pyrense is the most vicious and attack dog. Mary Jane and Philly NEVER bothered the cat and the other animals. Do not judge the Damphier's because you do not know them like I do.

Why not just make people who have dogs have a fenced area for them to live in?

We have a dog and would never think of letting it run the neighborhood like we see other dogs doing!

What is the old cleche about good fences make good neighbors?

If the pitt bull owner would have had her yard fenced her dogs would not have gotten out and gone after the Chihuahuas.

swampparadise

Not much you can do when you are a renter. I bet the landlord doesn't even know she had dogs.

If your gonna own three dogs it would make sense to have a fence. If your gonna walk three dogs at a time and they like to bark at everything that moves I would suggest using shorter leashes. Who walks such a little dog anyway. Thats cruel. They can't even keep up. Lucky a hawk didn't scoop it up. LOL Also I would suggest for anyone walking dogs to carry somesort of pepper spray.

I live in GG City, last night I was walking my Pitbull around the neighborhood while on a LEASH, and while doing so 2 dogs ran after us (hound dogs) ... My Pitbull took off running with me AWAY from the other dogs!!! Pitbulls are NOT horrible dogs! Its all in how they are raised! I think if you own ANY kind of Dog they should be leashed at ALL times... I feel bad for the lady with the Chihuahuas, which i have one of my own.. but my question is why didnt she pick up her little dogs when she saw those big dogs coming after her??

Most people here are right, but the main point is the dog owners are responsible. The dogs need to be put down before they get out because one of the neighbors children is in the yard and they feel a threat to the owner. I have a neighbor that was bitten by a pit while riding his bike. He now carries pepper spray, but that wont always work either. Dogs are dogs and they stop to pee in everybodys yard, but they didnt deserve to die.

#17 Posted by 3i3am3
**QUOTE**
THE MOST REPORTED BITE CASES ARE FROM COCKER SPANIELS
**END**

I would rather get "bitten" than mauled!

Most dogs bite to ward off annoyances and then retreat, pit bulls attack to KILL and will cover large areas to continue!

Cannot compare!!!!!!!!!

Below is the published statistics of canine homicides in the United States from July 2007 to April 2008.

THEY ARE HUMAN FATALITIES!

July 2006: 3 canine homicides, all by pit bulls.
August 2006: 2 canine homicides, Involved were 1 Presa Canario, 1 Boxer.
September 2006: No persons were killed by dogs in the USA.
October 2006: 3 canine homicides, 1 Rottweiler, 2 Pit Bulls.
November 2006: 7 canine homicides. 7 Rottweilers, 5 Pit Bulls, 8 unidentified dogs.
December 2006: There were no canine homicides.
January 2007: 4 canine homicides, 1 Pit Bull, 1 German Shepard, 3 Rottweilers.
February 2007: 1 canine homicide by a Pit Bull and Mastiff mix.
March 2007: 2 canine homicides, 3 unidentified dogs.
April 2007: 1 canine homicide, 1 Pit Bull.
May 2007: 5 canine homicides, 3+ pit bull, 1 Doberman, 1 German Shepard, some unidentified.
June 2007: 2 canine homicides, Chow, Pit Bull.
July 2007: 3 canine homicides, 2 Huskys, 1 Rottweiler, 1 Pit Bull.
August 2007: 3 canine homicides, 2 Pit Bulls, 1 Chow mix.
September 2007: 4 canine homicides, 1 Rottweiler, pack of bulldogs, 2 unidentified.
October 2007: 2 canine homicides, 2 Pit Bulls, 5 - 7 unidentified.
November 2007: 2 canine homicides, 2+ Pit Bulls.
December 2007: 3 canine homicides, 7+ or - Pit Bulls.
January 2008: 3 canine homicides, 1 Doberman. 1 Jack Russell, 2 Pit Bulls.
February 2008: No Americans were killed by dogs.
March 2008: No Americans were killed by dogs.
April 2008: 1 canine homicide, 1 Huskey.

51 canine homicides
33+ Pit Bulls
13 Rottweilers
3 Huskeys
2 German Shepards
2 Dobermans
2 Chow
1 Boxer
1 Presa Canario
1 Jack Russell
1 Mastiff
? Bulldogs
18+ Unidentified

Well, assuming that ALL owners of different breeds have good owners and bad owners equally, the Pit Bull by far has caused more deaths in the U.S. in the time span listed.

little yippie dogs are annoying for sure. whether or not the owners were respectful of their neighbors is another matter. i love big dogs! and use to read meters for the fpl. i saw pits that were teddy bears and some that were viscious. i got bit by a shepherd, a lab, a schnauzer mix and had some close calls with a few pits and as well as other breeds. you want to own a dog then take responsibility for it! put up a fence, walk them on a leash or tie them when they are out. the pit owners set their dogs up for failure and they should be held accountable for the damage done.

I would suggest putting the dogs down and throwing the renter off the property. Why in the workd would a renter have 3 pit bulls! They are causing a potential liability for the landlord. They can't put up a fence because it is not their property.

I would suggest putting the dogs down and throwing the renter off the property. Why in the world would a renter have 3 pit bulls! They are causing a potential liability for the landlord. They can't put up a fence because it is not their property.

Bottom line: Pitt Bulls running loose attack leashed dogs on public property.
To the lady bitten: Send a certified demand letter for all damages, including vet and doctor bills, the replacement cost for a new dog of the same kind and quality (unfortunately, Florida law considers a pet property), and your pain and suffering, as well a permanent scarring. If they don't pay, sue. Either they or their property insurance company will pay. That's the only way they will learn a lesson.

Unfortunately in this case the landlord or his insurance company may end up paying any claims. This is a prime example why most landlords dont allow dogs. Most renters are irresponsible and could care less about protecting the homeowner from liabilities such as this.

"I had the Mary Jane and Philly living with me for a month, I have a cat and cocker spaniel, boxer, and teacup poodle and a Great Pyrense."

How can you possibly support and take care of all those pets and hold down a job at the same time? Or are you living on state benefits? You seem just as irresponsible as the pit bull owners. I would suggest getting rid of some of those animals and paying off some debt. Sounds like you are an accident waiting to happen as well!

Unleashed dogs attack leashed dogs and woman. There is no debate here. The Pitts and their owners are at fault. The rest is just fluff.

Any owner that has any dog that hurts anyone or their pet in anyway should be fined a minimum of $10,000 for pain and suffering or at the very least all the expenses incurred plus $5.000 pain suffering.. It should be made an ordinance.

#40 Posted by Ryu
**QUOTE**
Look at the Michael Vick dogs, they can be rehabbed
**END**

I'll wait and pass judgment on that later, after they have been around people and other animals for awhile.

I hope they are being individually watched and studied for long term reasons.

FYI...2 pitbulls broke into my lanai and MURDERED my cat. (Who was minding his own business, SLEEPING on a chair!) It was horrific! The owners never even got fined! This is not fair. They were wagging their tails and smiling with their tongues sticking out when i found them on the lanai. They lived 3 blocks away and escaped from their so called fence. I have HATED pitbulls ever since! they are violent!

First I want to say TiredoftheBS that you might be my hero on this issue.

Getting attacked by a dog is the fifth most common reason for going to an emergency ward. More than 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs. The majority of the victims are children under 15 years and the body part most likely to be bitten is the face.

And yes, the pit bull is the #1 most likely to attack and cause the most damage (Rottweilers are #2). A small dog's jaws don't lock and clamp down like this breeds do.

The number of fatal dog attacks in the USA has been going up. The yearly average was 17 in the 1980s and 1990s; as stated above, there were 32 deaths in 2007, which is roughly double the average in the prior two decades. Anyone want to bet those fatalities aren't from Chihauhaus.

Let's be honest with ourselves. I'm an animal lover too, but the amount of fatalities and the rise of the popularity of these two breeds is no coincidence.

And I noticed a trend. I've worked and lived in a rough part of town up north. It seemed to me that every hoodrat or trailer park inhabitant has a pit bull these days. Which means they often don't have insurance to pay for any of the damage their dogs cause.

Now I know there are people that are exceptions to this, but I can't deny that I've seen this trend personally.

I think people that own these breeds of dogs need to have extra insurance. If not, the dogs gets destroyed if and when they attack.

All dog owners should be held responsible for damages their pets cause, but I suspect there will be less fatalities inflicted by a Yorkie, Bison or Corgi.

I should point out that a 70 something woman was recently found dead. She was mauled and attacked in the face. The neighbor's pit bulls were believed responsible for the attack. Nobody should have to die like this in their golden years.

Note that nobody suspected a vicious attack of feral cats.

Remember this story in this paper?
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2008/m...

Here's my source for a previous comment.

http://www.dogbitelaw.com/PAGES/stati...

Use WHAT for target practice , techie?

I think those type of dogs pose a very serious threat. Fence or no fence, a determined dog will find a way to escape and viciously attack helpless animals and more often, kids. I know for a fact Pitbulls are banned in Miami-Dade and in many other parts of the state. I think it's time Collier county took action and start protecting its citizens against these vicious dogs. I see them advertised FOR SALE on Craigslist posts. It's a shame how many thoughtless and small-minded people are out there. And what really irks me is how they always justify....."Oh, my pitbull is an angel, so sweet and loving"...yeah, right!!!

HOLD THESE PITBULLS & OWNERS ACCOUNTABLE!
Most humorous of this mess is the funny reference of these dogs on DAS's lil show...whenever there's a pitbull on...it's a mixbreed terrier to be adopted.

R U KIDDING ME?

PASS ON THIS PROBLEM TO ANOTHER FAMILY IN NAPLES DAS?

We don't want these pitbulls eating our kids alive.

A PITBULL IS A PITBULL IS A PITBULL IS A PITBULL IS A PITBULL IS A PITBULL IS A PITBULL IS A PITBULL

But thanks 4 tryin! U R INSULTING US!

Adopt these animals out to another STATE or COUNTRY...but to say they're a mixbreed is false advertising.

Please keep families here safe...no matter what color they are, the type of breed, the status.....people should B able to walk the streets here and feel safe!

I know both the Pit bull owner and the Chihuahua owner. Sherry the Chihuahua Owner was just walking on the street and the pit bull owner was not out side as she stated. Sherry and mark the Chihuahua owners are nice HARD WORKING people!!!
Mark Who is italian Not Mexican is part owner of Splish Splash Pools. hE IS NOT 36 as stated, and not a boy toy. But it is nice that you think a 50 year old man is 36 and a toy. See people are making this personnal. Its not, its simple. Sherry walked her dogs on the street not in mean pit bull owners yard. Mean pit bulls attacked and pit bull owners lied saying there dogs are not trouble. Truth is dog officer was out there 4 other times and warned pit bull owner. With the number of pit bulls this unemployeed person had I would wonder if they were not raising them to sell as fighting dogs.
Sherry and Mark own there house and Do many good things in area.
Mean pit bull owner is not working and her boy friend who are renters, not home owners, He collects scrap and cans for money around Naples.
See if you look and get to know there are 2 sides...
The honest hard working people like mark and sherry who like to walk there little safe friendly dogs and talk to friends and neighbors and there is the mean hearted pit bull owners who do not get along with neighbors and own attack dogs and do not care who gets hurt. THINK ABOUT IT

Its amazing how easy it is for people to say just euthanize the animal. Make IT pay for its owners stupidity. Why not get yourself certified to euthanize and do it a few times and see if that doesn't get to you.
Certainly not saying that ALL pits are NOT vicious. They have the ability to be turned into fighting dogs yes, but before anymore rediculously ignorant comments come about, how about Micheal Vicks dogs (yes fighting dogs)for instance. Do you realize they use pits not only as fighting dogs but as BAIT dogs? Yes GOOD pits who don't have a vicious bone in their bodies pretty much being handed out as an afternoon snack.Those PIT BULLS fortunate enough to have been rescued have turned around and are NOW USED AS CERTIFIED THERAPY DOGS! So such a "vicious" dog can be capable of unconditional love as well. The fact that everyone apparently stereotypes pits as horrific dogs that should be shot on sight or as one of you so kindly put it "used as target practice" shows how very ignorant a majority of people are. If you want the breed banned then how about people being more respinsible with breeding the animals themselves. This entire incident is NOT only a matter for DAS but also CCSO as well as CODE ENFORCEMENT but where do you see anyone on here bringing any of that to light? No because of course DAS should be ripping down your doors? While DAS may have certified Animal Control Officers it doesn't give them the right to knock down your door and take your animal. That is why there are the other agencies (i.e. CCSO and Code Enforcement). Go ahead and take a shot gun or 9mm with you while walking. If you're well versed in the law then obviously you know that unless there is a felony crime occuring it is illegal to discharge a weapon in the open, if someone is breaking into your home and you don't provide them with a way of escape you WILL be tossed into prison for shooting and kiling that person. So yes give yourself a pat on the back for killing that pit but then kick yourself in the butt for getting yourself thrown into not jail but PRISON 10-20-life is not just a nifty little catch phrase. Instead of sitting online go to the Facility itself and complain or better yet why not go and volunteer and see some of these bully breeds in person and realize that its not a dog made for fighting biting or killing. I own a bully breed dog that can be by reputation noted as being a killer and if i were an IRRESPONSIBLE owner it would be. I have had more Chihuahuas or Cockerspaniels take a chunk out of my 100lb dog because they have owners that let them run at large but as much as my dog might look like a killer he would let the dog mawl him before he opens his mouth. So again the fault lies with the owners stop blaming a dog that obviously has no trainning and look to the people responsible for it. Put yourselves out there in the position of the staff at DAS instead of pointing the finger.

#54 "HOLD THESE PITBULLS & OWNERS ACCOUNTABLE!
Most humorous of this mess is the funny reference of these dogs on DAS's lil show...whenever there's a pitbull on...it's a mixbreed terrier to be adopted.
R U KIDDING ME?
PASS ON THIS PROBLEM TO ANOTHER FAMILY IN NAPLES DAS?
We don't want these pitbulls eating our kids alive.
A PITBULL IS A PITBULL IS A PITBULL IS A PITBULL IS A PITBULL IS A PITBULL IS A PITBULL IS A PITBULL
But thanks 4 tryin! U R INSULTING US!
Adopt these animals out to another STATE or COUNTRY...but to say they're a mixbreed is false advertising.
Please keep families here safe...no matter what color they are, the type of breed, the status.....people should B able to walk the streets here and feel safe!"

Well if you do your research which it doesn't look like you do, a pit bull is in the family of terriers. American Pit Bull TERRIER; Pit Bull TERRIER; American Stafforshire TERRIER. And as most owners out ther let their dogs randomly breed and then turn around and let them go there is no assurance of what is pure-bred and what is not. If you would be sure then why dont personally exted the $700.00+ per animal to have its DNA tested for breed specifics. If the show irritates you so badly because YOU think its incorrect how about taking a few classes referencing breeds or breed specifics or even animal behavior, other wise I suggest picking up your remote and tuning into a different channel, problem solved. If you don't want your kids eaten then I suggest you teach them manners and remember a majority of dog attacks and children (NOT INFANTS AND TODDLERS) are because children taunt and tease animals -not always bully breeds- so your neighborhood chihuahua is just as likely to take a Asian-American of Chinese descent out of your kids as the pit next door. Get educated and get your facts straight.

Excuse me i meant take a chunk out of your children I must have pasted by accident!

I hope we hear the end result of this case.

The women with the chihuahua's was minding her own business. If two pitbulls came charging at me if would be impossible to pick up all 3 dogs who were on retractable leashes when they were probably barking and getting excited seeing other dogs. In fact if two pitbulls came running at me,then i might even freeze up. It was necessary to put down the dogs because what happens if the next day a woman was outside pulling her child in a wagon and the dogs thought the child was a threat. what then?

#10 Posted by HappyClown
**QUOTE**
Chihuahuas also tend to have a 'clannish' nature, often preferring the companionship of other Chihuahuas over other dogs.
**END**

Well they make no attempt to learn the language of the other dogs, so what do you expect?