Family refuses to turn over pit bull that bit 5-year-old boy
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LONGVIEW, Wash. - People here are on a desperate search to find a pit bull that attacked a child, badly injuring him.
The owners of the dog showed no remorse Friday for the 5-year-old, and they are still hiding their dog.
"I'm not going to give up a dog that's pregnant," said one of the dog's owners, 18-year-old Nik Vasquez. "It's like my best friend. I'm not going to just give it up."
It is crucial to get this dog because it has not had its rabies vaccinations, and the little boy will now have to go through a very painful series of shots to make sure he doesn't get the viral disease.
The dog attacked the boy in a Longview neighborhood Sunday afternoon while he was riding his bike. Families who live in the neighborhood said they live in fear of this dog.
The massive chunk the dog took out of the boy's right leg looks like a shark bite.
To make matters worse the owners refuse to tell Humane Society officers and police where the dog is now.
Vasquez argued that the boy was kicking at his dog and throwing rocks at it.
But Vasquez' neighbor, Greg Barnett, told a different story, saying, "I've never seen that. I have never seen that, no."
Neighbors also said the dog is vicious and attacks without being provoked.
Additionally, there is not supposed to be a dog like that in the apartment the Vasquez' live in, according to the complex's policy.
Neighbors and Humane Society officers said the dog really belongs to Vasquez' 39-year-old mother, Kimberly Vasquez.
The officers said Vasquez gave the Humane Society a rabies-shot record after the pit bull bit a man by the name of Robert Parker in the knee in April, but they said it was forged.
A Cowlitz County Humane Society officer said Kimberly Vasquez' name was on those documents along with the forged signature of a local veterinarian.
Vasquez, who has a long criminal record of forgeries and thefts for which she was sentenced to more than two years in prison, said she didn't forge the rabies record. She said someone else did and gave it to her, but she would not say who that was.
Nik Vasquez said he didn't know if the dog ever had any shots.
Neighbors said they are fed up with the family and their dog scaring everyone. Mike Baker said the dog has bared its teeth, chased him and his two small children back into their apartment.
The Humane Society has turned over all of its records to the Cowlitz County prosecuting attorney's office.
The landlord said the apartment is not even rented to the Vasquezes but to another woman. The landlord is posting a 72-hour notice telling everyone in that apartment to get out along with their dog.
Why are thes people not jail? They have an order and they at refusing to do so.They are just doing this just for financial gain to sell the puppys after birth.Have the police lock them up,and make them stay there until that pitt bull is turned over and the puppies.also if she has delivered. All of them need to be put down. We know what kind of people will buy them. I am sure this family is quite familar with jails!
Sadly, pit bulls are the current favorite breed of irresponsible people, who breed low-quality dogs as much as possible to earn an easy buck (as evidenced by the fact they don't even bother with vaccinations and training).
Ok, maybe the child WAS throwing rocks at the dog. bet he will NEVER do that again! IF the dogs owner saw said child throwing rocks, why didnt the owner get out there and take the dog inside and say something to the childs parent? Where was the parent of this child? Of course a dog is going to bite someone if they are being kicked and had rocks being thrown at them!!!!!!  Unless  we know ALL details we cant really be the ones to judge. If the dog has been known to attack before, why were there not reports filed?  If its been an ongoing thing, yes the dog should be put down, but to just kill a dog because some brat was kicking him and throwing rocks, the boy got what he deserved. The dog was defending himself
 @Argent Frady: How do you ride a bicycle and throw rocks and kick at a dog at the same time? Additionally, why was the dog out in the street where the kid was riding the bicycle? Pit bulls are lowlife dogs owned by lowlife people. As for killing a dog, it's just a DOG! Hundreds of unwanted dogs are put to death every day in the US and those dogs have never attacked anyone. Why is everyone so concerned about this worthless pit bull? I'm glad the landlord is evicting these dregs of society and I cannot understand why the owners haven't already been arrested. They should be held in jail until they turn over the dog to animal control at which time the dog and her killer puppies should all be shot -- not "euthanized" -- SHOT!
If people live in fear of this dog, reports should have been filed. humane society or animal control should have been called
That dog should be taken and put down, and the dog owner should be arrested and put in jail, since it is obvious she will never be able to pay for the child's injuries.  She is lucky she is not here in Louisiana bec people I know would wait until the dog is alone and take care of it themselves, they probably would never even find the dog once they done with it!!!! Don't get me wrong they do not go out of their way to hurt any animal, but an animal that hurts a child is a TOTALLY  different story!!!!!
they have every right to sue that family for every penny they got
 @stop reading this name Your statement implies they have pennies... (Well maybe they do... welfare pennies...)Â
Jail the owner(s) and shoot the dog. End of story.Sorry to say, but a Pit bull will never be nothing more than a dominant, aggressive animal. Stating otherwise is like saying some species of bears are nice and docile.
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I was at a dog park this weekend with my wife and a pit bull walked up to my dog (Miniature Australian Shepard) and sniffed. Had that pit made even the slightest aggressive move, I would have dispatched the animal right then and there.
 @Poisonous Giraffe A DOG IS ONLY AS GOOD AS IT'S OWNER.  To lump all Pit Bull Terriers/Staffordshire Terrier (The nanny dog) into one Just one group is very narrow minded.  With how aggressive and bull headed that dogs owner is, no wonder it's aggressive.  I am not defending that this dog.  I do agree that this dog should be put down and the owner pay for all medical bills. If the dog really is pregnant it should be let to deliver it's pups and the pups should be given to good homes.  Via the Humane Society.
 @Racoon Eyes So, while the pit is mauling/killing another dog or person, I should punch the owner? Ok then...... makes perfect sense.
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 @Poisonous Giraffe The problem we seem to have here is that people are responding to what you actually said. And you are responding to us with what you appear to have been fantasizing about. Pick either your words or your thoughts more carefully next time. Â
 @Poisonous Giraffe Just as someone shouldn't take an aggressive dog to a dog park, maybe your pup shouldn't bring his overly aggressive owner to the park.
 @AesopsTables Your statement is about as idiotic as they come. So should I just sit back and passively watch as another Pit mauls/kills yet another life?
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Had that dog set on my dog, or any other dog, we ALL know what the outcome would be, or do you believe that pits are just cuddly, mis-understood creatures?
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 @Poisonous Giraffe No, I just believe that "the slightest aggressive move" is too wide a range for you to start 'dispatching' animals. We all know that you are a very tough and powerful man Mr. Giraffe, you don't need to start snapping puppy necks to prove it.
I have to throw this out there... The property manager did not know the dog was there, and the people living there were not the ones renting. Sooooo, why are they still that properties manager if they are not doing their job? Kind of curious really.
Jail the owners, NOW.
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If the neighbors have lived in fear of this dog, then clearly the owners have not taken steps to keep the dog confined to their property. That, in and of itself is a violation of leash laws, but that a child was seriously hurt as a result is criminal negligence.
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They have a dangerous animal. Period.
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If that were my kid they wouldn't have to worry about me taking the dog, they would have to worry about ME period. Total garbage. I was attacked by a yellow lab (yeah I know) when I was little, those people were wonderful. He went for my throat but didn't get it, his claws opened up my chest almost all the way down. 30 years later and still have the scars. I hope this boy gets well very soon, poor baby. I'm still scared of dogs, but running with K-9's and being a quarry once helped tremendously.
I hope someone finds the dog, and the people who own it are dealt with. One way or another, I really don't care. My friend I've known since I was little is the lady who was attacked in Burien and almost had her whole face ripped off. Those people did the same thing. Trash, time to take it out, I sound really angry sorry. I'm really upset for the kid and family.Â
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With owners like these losers, that dog never had a chance.
Disgusting....
These dog owners are the epitome of trash!!!! Poor little boy. Speedy recover little guy. I hope justice comes swiftly!!!!!
Just watched the full video and strongly recommend that every property owner within 100 miles memorize the faces of those tenants, so when they come a'knockin in the next 72 hours, asking to live in your building, you can just send them on down to the dump with the rest of the trash.
They will scream discrimination in no time unfortunately. They are more protected that the other tenants that follow the rules!
Well this dog has attacked peopel not once but twice... the owners are clearly unable to control their dog and if they cannot find the dog they need to arrest the family instead. An aggressive dog that is not leashed that has attacked before needs to put down pregnant with puppies or not.. Soudns to me liek these peopel are more interested in selling puppies than safegaurding others... so they shoudl be treated as such ie. evicted, and held on charges!
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And I have been around pitbulls who are perfectly behaived and that is because the OWNERS make the dog not the other way around... these folks obviously are uncapable of handling such a dog.
It's appalling that the dog owner can get away with this! A detective needs to get a search warrant and find the dog or convince a judge to get that irresponsible POS 18year old in custody until he turns the dog over. In the 'old' days they would kill the dog and examine its brain for rabies; they don't do that anymore. The dog would be quarantined and the puppies won't be injured. There are times when it is appropriate to put a dog down and this is one of them. There are times when 18 year old men should seriously consider the advantages of getting a vasectomy, too. This is one of them.
 @Juliana I was just thinking the same thing..cop brain took over. Search warrant, pound pavement and kick in some doors. It's REAL police work and needs to be done. I'm having a hard time sitting here because I bet I could find that dog real fast, either by talking or paying, it's not that hard, people "talk" all of the time, you just have to find the right people, use the right words. Wish I could go help.
If the owner was subpoenaed (sp), and didn't tell them where the dog was could he not be held in contempt? Are there rules for contempt to be held indefinitely if it is a public safety issue? You said cop brain took over so I am thinking you are in LE and may know...
 @swansong68  @Yeah_and Thanks, I've found a bit of info..Facebook and Myspace are wonderful things ;) I didn't have anything else to do today..
Still working.
@Yeah_and , well thank you for your service in protecting our society. Knowledge is power so your knowledge in LE is appreciated here as well.
 @swansong68 I was, not currently, or ever again..too old now..:)
 @swansong68 The owner can be charged with obstruction, being on the LE, first responder side it would depend on how they present it to the prosecution. If they are written for the correct crime, it will take time but a judge could issue warrants if there is a no show for citations. If the owner is (sp) and do not respond yes, they can be held in contempt. I obviously wasn't there, but they canvased the neighborhood, time to talk to friends/other relatives. Nothing is indefinite though, unfortunately. This will be solved by someone talking, basically giving up the location.. they need to find that person who will talk.
All you have to do is crush up some glass and put in some hamburger meat. Toss it to the dog next time you see it. Problem solved. This breed is evil and needs to be wiped out. Before you all start hating ans saying "There are plenty nice family style pit bulls out there" go look at every story of a pit bull attack. They all say the same thing. "The dog is a nice sweet gentle dog and I don't know how this could have happened." Just kill them all.
Maybe you should look at the national statistics on dog bikes before you condemn a breed. ANY dog can bite. How the dog is raised and trained is how they will react. If I extrapolate your logic, then all humans should be put down because we murder and harm each other WAY more then dogs bite.
 @Barlion I find myself missing the thumbs down button...
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If anyone were to actually take up your suggestion, they would be charged with animal cruelty.Â
 @Barlion Your comment shows lack of intelligence. Kill the breed? There are maybe 100 attacks a year out of how many tens of thousands of pitbulls. The problem is not the breed it is the owners and the lack of proper training for the dog.
Shoot the dog and shoot the owner. Â Give me a break. Â If the dog has a history then it needs to be put down. Â And it sounds like the owner is just as culpable so put that idiot down as well before he infect the rest of society.
So the dog has bitten two people and it still lives because the family won't give it up. OK, then arrest the owner until the dog is given to the Humane society. If the 39 year old Vasquez mother or her 18 year old daughter we're sitting in lockup for a couple days they might sing a different song. Give the Vasquez daughter a choice the dog or your mother. If the dog cannot be held accountable, then take the owner.Â
Sounds like law enforcement is a dismal failure in this instance.
 @Thyroid I hope not, but I'm wondering how on earth they can't find the dog. At least arrest them for obstruction. We only did that when absolutely necessary and I think this is very necessary. Arrest them all, find a way. I am going to do a search of my own. Just from my computer..we'll see what I come up with.
If I were a gambling person, I would bet money this dog is being used to fight as are her pups going to be. Any sane person would have turned this dog in to help that child. I don't know, but I strongly suspect these 'owners' are into the dog fighting business - they know once the law gets that dog, they can find out from its DNA. I sure feel sorry for this boy going through all this - even IF he were kicking and throwing rocks - he doesn't deserve to go through those shots if that dog isn't rabid. But better he does than the alternative.Â
 @Elaine2 No this dog is not being used to fight. Fighting dogs DO NOT attack humans. They are beaten and bloodied and cower to humans. They WILL shred any other animal that comes near.This dog has been trained to be aggressive and needs to be sent over to the Villalobos (read: pitbulls and parolees). Assuming they would take the dog.
@Elaine2 Even IF the boy WAS kicking and throwing rocks, the dog shouldn't have been unattended to where it could attack someone. This dog has attacked TWO people. I doubt the man attacked in April was kicking and throwing rocks, yet he was still attacked.
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I don't believe all pitbulls are vicious killers that are blood thirsty and it breaks my heart to hear of ANY animal being put down but in this case, that's what has to happen. No one can guarantee that this dog won't attack again.
 @Tattooed_Angel  @Elaine2 I watched my mom's dog, a Bouvier, bite a kid on the back of his calve, in our yard. He is a friend of my daughter. She had never bit before, she was 8. He put a full face helmet on when I told him not to. Does it matter? NO! I drove him home, my mom went to the house and we asked the family if they wished us to put the dog down. They said "NO, she was being a dog and our kid didn't listen. We have our own big dog and understand". I felt like crap for that kid, and my mom. I actually love those people. We never saw it coming. She's gone now, the bite wasn't bad, could've been, Bouvier's are no joke. We took a completely different approach to training and just didn't have her around people much after that. Not worth it. People are more important.
Since they apparently know where the dog is and won't give it up lock them up and keep them in jail until they are ready to cooperate. It's no different than any other withholding of information from the authorities when you
are a party to some kind of crime.Â
If this child has to endure a series of rabies shots Nik Vasquez should get a kick to the groin for each shot. I have had the series of shots (15) and it is not fun. I feel for this little child.
This dog has attacked TWO people since April. It NEEDS to be put down. The only reason why these irresponsible owners are failing to turn the dog over is because the are hoping to get a paid day on the pups. People like this are just despicable lowlife trash who belong in JAIL. If I were the cops, I'd sit right outside the apartment while they are being evicted. If the dog is in the apartment, then they can grab it then. Then the owners need to be arrested for harboring a dangerous fugitive.
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Why the eff is the dog running around without supervision anyway and why was the dog taken when it bit the man in April? That would have prevented this poor boy from the pain and suffering he is enduring right now.
Correction. It is supposed to say "why WASN'T the dog taken when it bit the man in April?"
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Dang you, edit button.
Click, Click Bang! Dog problem taken care of!! She is darn lucky this wasnt my kid that animal bit!!!
Who are these people walking among us? Â Scary! Â Career criminals with no remorse, flouting the law yet again. breeding a dog that has never had any shots and already bitten someone. Â They come off like ignorant, complete punks. Â The apple did not fall far from the tree. Â The neighbors must be so glad they are evicted. Â Not only are those shots for that boy going to be painful, they are extremely expensive, in the thousands of dollars. Â Just shaking my head here, once again. Â People are just unreal.
Lets see, harboring a dangerous animal, resisting arrest (for not turning over the dog), and sue them although my guess they haven't a pot to doing it in or a window to throw it out of. Anyone want to guess there are drugs involved. Drugs and Pit Bull's seem to go together.
@LongBeachBum   Drugs and pits do NOT always go together. My brother has a pit and he is not a druggie. His pit is very sweet and loving, but if she was to EVER bite anyone for any reason he would put a bullet in her brain himself- he understands that while his pit is fdamily a human life is worth far more than the dog.Â
 @MomOf2 My friend just had to get rid of his pit. She was very sweet, he was the most responsible owner, loved that dog. He was walking her, she didn't get off leash or get away, but lunged and tried to go after a few people. He immediately gave her to a rescue that takes pits that need "help". She is white, which they said was an issue due to recessive genes? IDK, I just know he knew she was too much for him and she's in the right place now. In his case, it was her, the dog, OR the previous owners, he rescued her.
 @LongBeachBum They definitely don't have a window to throw it out of, they have 72 hours to get out, according to the video.  So there is SOME justice in a way, but not for the boy who was bitten, nor the guy previously bitten.  Jerks!