*** Quoting WAYNE CHIRNSIDE from a message to MIKE ROBERTS ***

 WC> powerful locking  Jaws, The locking jaw is a myth but with a 2000
 WC> pound bite force per  square inch there's really not much difference
 WC> and I can't see anyone  prying them loose with less than an EMT's
 WC> hydraulic "jaws of life."

Amen! To that....

 WC> I've been bitten my a large Pit Bull in rescuing my dog, a smaller
 WC> Pit Bull. My dog never reacted but did look to me for help.

Sad.. And Nothing Ticks me off more, that when they show the dogs on the news 
that they just took into the Humane Society that had been rescued from a 
fight. Usually in the city of Rochester it is Pit Bulls. But these dogs are 
huddled together in a kennel all tore up from the fight the night before and 
they huddle together like they depend on each other for dear life. Nothing 
makes me madder. I don't know what there is about me that this causes my 
blood to boil! They didn't ask for that but were forced into the pain and 
suffering by Humans.. Sorry It just gets me. Here is what some people call 
the most viscious dog, looking so hurt and magled because of people. Glad I 
am not a police officer. I'd love to nail those guys that do that.

Back to what you were saying. That must have been awful frightening!

 WC> I'm left handed and could not pick up 2 pounds with that hand for
 WC> near six months however shortly thereafter it recovered fully.

I can imagine, I have been bitten on the had where it hardly broke the skin 
and that hurt. The nerves and tendons in the back of the hand seem to be 
susceptible to Bites. But from a Pit bull? Can't be pleasant.

 WC> I consider _that_ bite to have been minor compared to what might have
 WC> happened as there was no way I could fight off that animal.

How did you get him off?

 WC> No kidding, that monster almost killed my dog in under 20 seconds. He
 WC> was fortunate the teeth missed the trachea and arteries and veins. I
 WC> was hurt far less but bled a great deal more than my dog.

Man I tell ya, thats why I don't take my dogs through the neighborhood. I do 
a lot of walking and have run into some of these neighborly dogs. I used to 
walk mine, but things got close a few too many times. Even now when I walk 
myself. I carry a nice taped up dumbell. No weights, but if I have time and 
I'm attacked. I am gonna crack a skull. No matter how I love animals. cuz 
like in your case above, it's you or them..

 WC> necrotic flesh oozed out of my wounds. Spanky suffered no infections
 WC> at all.

Whew! Thats good. Was he a pup when that happened?

 WC> Dobie is a joke, never went to a doctor. My Pit bull I've obsrved for
 WC> over 15 1/2 years and see no signs of aggression or instability.

You may not have met the right dobie  No... They are noted for not 
being manglers, but they do bite and thats why I used the example. It's just 
quick repeated bites, but usually no mangling from them. Actually they get a 
bad rap too. I had two of them. Both were very sweet animals. One I had to 
give away and it was given to a house with a baby. When the baby went along 
the porch, too near the stairs, the dobe would go drag the baby back by the 
diaper. 

 WC> Spanky serves as a companion dog for the disabled here and I cannot
 WC> for the life of me find a single bad habit or incident I'd alter in
 WC> this loyal, intelligent animal who has repeatedly exhibited the very
 WC> best of judgement.

You know Wayne, I had a Newfoundland like that. He was the best PERSON I ever 
knew. I only hope that when I grow up I can have the wonderful dispostion and 
noble traits that he had. I have had many dogs, but this one, was, well as I 
say, the best person I ever knew.

Have a Good One!
Mike

... Tagline Wrestling-"I stole it FIRST!" "No, it's MINE!!"

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