Pit bull controversy erupts anew after dog critically mauls owner

Are pit bulls safe? The issue has sparked controversy after a pit bull mauled his owner.

CREATED Aug. 4, 2011 - UPDATED: Aug. 4, 2011

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  • Tammy Vo reports from UMC Video by kgun9.com

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Reporter: Tammy Vo

TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - A 61-year-old man remained in critical condition late Thursday after being mauled by his pit bull on Wednesday at his west side home. The man's dog, Butch, was sedated Thursday afternoon at Pima County Animal Care & Control after being examined by veterinarians. Staff reports that the dog seems stressed.

On Wednesday, neighbors listened in terror as the man screamed out for help at his home just off west Valencia. Drexel Heights Firefighters say that Butch got into a fight with a smaller toy sized dog at the home. That's when the owner jumped in to break it up and ended up getting attacked.

"I can say that the pitbull breed has a stable temperment. If it has been raised and socialized well, you have a solid temperment. I'm not concerned with this being the norm" said Justin Gallick who rescues what he calls "bully breeds" which includes Pit bulls. Gallick adds that not all Pit bulls should have to pay for the actions of one.
 
But not everyone agrees. A 9 On Your Side viewer wrote in an email, "Pima County should impose a ban... anyone who has one or more pit bulls should have to carry $500,000 liability insurance."
 
On Craigslist, some Pit bull owners are trying to get rid of their dogs because some apartment complexes have banned the breed. Some homeowers even say that their insurance copanies dropped coverage because of the dogs.
 
 
Several websites track dog attacks including dogsbite.org. It reports that in 2010, of the 33 people who were killed in dog attacks, 22 came from Pit bulls.
 

Gallick responded by saying, "I would have to see the numbers and I would say that we have to look at what the individual case is and the circumstances surrounding it."

If the man recovers, animal investigators hope to speak with him to find out what exactly happened and what to do with Butch. The Pit bull will remain in the care of animal control until then.