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There are certain topics that should be avoided in casual conversation because they ignite a rash of different emotions. Religion and politics are two topics that usually are avoided and the pit bull breed is fast becoming such a topic. On one hand you have those that will defend the pit bull insisting it is the environment and owners that dictate their behavior. While on the other hand you have those that believe all pit bulls are dangerous and should be banished all together. Pit bulls have a very distinctive muscular build due to their origins of the European Bulldog and eventual breeding with the terrier. The European Bulldog was used for baiting bulls, bears and holding down large animals. When baiting was banned in the 1800’s European Bulldogs were then used in dog fighting, but a more agile dog was desired and thus they were bred with the terrier. Pit bulls are now known for having a very stocky and strong build while being able to maintain extreme athleticism. They currently … [Read more...]
Deputies shoot, kill dog attacking Lakeland meter reader
http://www.abcactionnews.com/news/region-polk/lakeland/deputies-shoot-kill-dog-attacking-lakeland-meter-reader LAKELAND, Fla. Feb 13, 2017 - Polk County deputies shot and killed a dog attacking a city of Lakeland meter reader on Monday morning. At approximately 11:18 a.m., Lakeland Electric employee, Linda Dionne, 59, was at a home located at 941 Fish Hatchery Road when a dog attacked her. She hit the panic button on her radio to call for help, which alerted the Lakeland Police Department communication center. Deputies with the Polk County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene and when they arrived, the dog was still mauling Dionne. The deputy was able to get the dog off her, but it started to attack the deputy. The deputy shot and killed the dog. At that time, another dog aggressively approached the deputies and a Lakeland Officer. Shots were fired at the dog and it retreated under the home. "There could have been another way than to kill my children's dog," said Alex … [Read more...]
Polk County FL meter reader attacked by Dogs Lakeland Electric worker
POSTED:FEB 13 2017 01:27PM EST LAKELAND (FOX 13) - A Polk County man was arrested after one of his dogs mauled a Lakeland Electric meter-reader this morning, then turned on a deputy who had arrived to help, the sheriff's office said. Deputies say Linda Dionne was working along Fish Hatchery Road when she activated the emergency button on her radio. When Lakeland Electric and Lakeland police officers could not get a hold of her, deputies responded. The deputy arrived to find the "pit bull-type" dog attacking Dionne on the front porch of a home. He was able to get the dog off the woman, but then had to shoot the dog after it attacked him. Deputies kill dog that attacked Lakeland Electric worker A second dog in the yard "menacingly approached" two deputies and a Lakeland police officer, who fired at the animal, but missed. The dog ran under the house and was later captured. Dionne, 59, was treated at the scene and then taken to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center with … [Read more...]
SRP Employees Get Trained On Dog Bite Prevention By Bulli Ray
Click the link to see the full article and news video from our visit to Salt River Project in Tempe AZ! http://www.12news.com/news/local/valley/srp-employees-go-through-aggressive-dog-biting-training/328938991 TEMPE, Ariz. - Each day, field workers with SRP face numerous dangers and obstacles including dogs protecting their territory. Tuesday the company held some classes to help employees learn what to do when faced with an aggressive dogs. "Our main objective is to make sure that we can teach them what to do when getting into situations where they are attacked by one dog," said Mitzi Robinson with Bulli Ray Enterprises, "or by a pack of dogs." The two-hour course included a Belgium Malinois biting workers wearing protective gear. "If I had not had all of the years of reinforcement," said Roger Pedersen, a meter tech with SRP, "I might not have gotten out of their alive." Three years ago Roger Petersen was visiting what appeared to be a vacant house to check on a … [Read more...]
Service Dogs in Public Buildings
A valued client asked a question on service dogs being brought into public buildings: Question: I’m getting our attendance list together for Bulli Ray training, and the Tax Collector’s office has posed a question about “service” dogs that seem to be increasing exponentially here. We realize there are limitations about what we can ask of their owners, but do you have any experience or advice on how to handle dogs being brought into public buildings? thanks Answer: Behavior is the best indication whether it’s a well-trained team or not. If a “Service Dog” is interrupting a business’ daily operation with its behavior, causing problems in a housing situation, is a danger to anyone or its conduct is NOT conduct acceptable in a Service Dog (barking, growling, stealing food from other clients, knocking people over, jumping, or many other behaviors), by law, the manager or business owner has every right to ask the person to remove the dog from the premises, “Service Dog” or … [Read more...]
A Look Into Bulli Ray’s Dog Hire Process Part 2
Do you look for dogs that have shown past aggression issues? No, aggression is not a good thing. We look for a dog with balance of drives, defense, prey and play. If the dog possesses mostly defense/aggression the dog will be dangerous. An aggressive dog will look for a way to win the fight, and usually in a dirty manner. The dog will go for the face or leg, especially if the volunteer challenges him by staring eye-to-eye or leaning over the dog. The dog cannot be sound or sight sensitive leading him to react to their surroundings. Dogs that are evenly balanced between their defense and prey or play, will bite all day and never have the intent to hurt the person in an obvious play activity (the class). This type of dog will look forward to the “fight”, and he wins in every class, always getting to keep the sleeve. The dog wins the tug of war every time, which makes him come into each class stronger and looking forward to the fight, but really it’s just a game. We manipulate the … [Read more...]
A Look Into Bulli Ray’s Dog Hire Process Part 1
1. Are you looking for specific breeds when hiring dogs for Bulli Ray? Yes, we look for working breeds such as German Shepherds, Belgium Malinois, Rottweilers, and Dobermans. Every once in a while we will find a Pit Bull, American Bull Dog or Cane Corso that is suitable for our classes. These dogs are great for the class because they are the breeds employees are confronted by in the field. 2. Are there any breeds you would never consider for hire? No, unless they are too small or their mouths will not fit around the sleeve (protective cuff the employees wear). We have used a Blue Heeler, Japanese Tosa and a Labrador Retriever because they were safe and strong enough to do the work. The same goes for dog handlers/trainers, it is hard to trust a trainer no one has heard of or knows of personally and these dogs are also not usually cultivated or professionally trained for the working sports. 3. What type of specific traits are you looking for in a dog? The most … [Read more...]
Pit Bulls
There are certain topics that should be avoided in casual conversation because they ignite a rash of different emotions. Religion and politics are two topics that usually are avoided and the pit bull breed is fast becoming such a topic. On one hand you have those that will defend the pit bull insisting it is the environment and owners that dictate their behavior. While on the other hand you have those that believe all pit bulls are dangerous and should be banished all together. Pit bulls have a very distinctive muscular build due to their origins of the European Bulldog and eventual breeding with the terrier. The European Bulldog was used for baiting bulls, bears and holding down large animals. When baiting was banned in the 1800’s European Bulldogs were then used in dog fighting, but a more agile dog was desired and thus they were bred with the terrier. Pit bulls are now known for having a very stocky and strong build while being able to maintain extreme athleticism. They currently … [Read more...]
The Importance of Reporting Dog Bites
With dog attacks becoming more and more prevalent in the media many states have adopted breed specific laws in an attempt to help prevent vicious dog attacks. There are Facebook pages and websites dedicated to nothing but displaying videos of dog attacks and comments ranging from blaming the owner to outright blaming the victim for “provoking” the dog. There are so many different opinions on whether breed specific laws are actually effective. The argument is often made it’s the owner not the dog. This notion ignores the fact that dogs were bred for specific purposes and knowing the history behind the breed is important. It is crucial to understand that any dog can bite and aggressive behavior in dogs should not be tolerated or taken lightly. Studies are not able to provide an accurate number of dog bites, only estimates, because so many attacks are going unreported. The specific reason victims do not come forward is unknown, however, one can assume it has much to do with loyalty to the … [Read more...]
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
When many people think of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) the first thing that comes to mind is a battle weary soldier, however, anyone who has suffered a traumatic event can have symptoms of PTSD. Post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental condition that can occur after a devastating event, causing an individual to experience extreme anxiety. Having a traumatic event occur to an employee doesn’t guarantee they will suffer from PTSD, however, depending on the severity of the event it can occur. For instance, if an employee is bitten by a 6-pound Yorkshire terrier it may have little-to no effect on them, however, if a 85-pound pit bull were to bite them the effects could be devastating. For employees that have suffered a life-changing event such as a dog bite the long-term consequences can be debilitating. Even after the physical wounds have healed, the emotional recovery from a dog bite can be felt for years and years to come. In such an instance, the simple sight of a dog may … [Read more...]