[bunkalapa]

I found this gem while looking through some really old newspaper articles in a town not too far from where live.

NEIGHBORS CONCERNED ABOUT PRESENCE OF DOG

Daily Hampshire Gazette (Northampton, MA) - Tuesday, July 16, 1996


NORTHAMPTON - The presence of a pit bull named Buddy in the Gables condominiums has some residents worried that their children are in danger of being attacked.

Concerned residents say they hope that a meeting Thursday 7/18 with the condominium association's trustees will lead to the dog's ouster.

Their concerns have escalated in the wake of a dog attack in Orange this month, in which a chained Rottweiler attacked and killed a toddler.

Although the dog at the Gables has bitten no one, these residents say they are unwilling to wait until it commits an aggressive act. attempts by the owner of the dog to reassure them of their safety have fallen on deaf ears. The complex is located off Bridge Road near Meadowbrook Apartments.

Pearl Wilson, whose son Seth owns the animal, said they have been trying to give the dog away, but there have been no takers.

"We'd like to see him get to a nice home where he can have room to run and play," she said. "But you say it's a pit bull and everybody is turned off."

Wilson says that while her neighbors' concerns about their small children are understandable, they should be placed in context.

She said that Buddy is kenneled inside her house, and never goes outside without a leash.

"He does not run loose," she says. "He doesn't bark. He doesn't growl."

Wilson, who is a trustee of the Gables condominium association, notes that the group has no rules against pit bulls.

Dog Officer Nancy Graham says neither does the city.

She says Northampton has a leash law which requires that dogs be restrained. That law is in addition to state law covering complaints about dogs that create a nuisance through their "viscious disposition."

But Graham said that the half-dozen calls she has received regarding Buddy are more information-seeking than complaints.

"There have been no complaints of anything specific of what this dog has done," she said. "It's just been based on people's fears. I hope people will look at the whole picture, which is owner responsibility, and not get into an hysteria over different breeds."

Lori Malanowski, who lives next door to Wilson, said she is petrified about her 3-month-old and 3-year-old children being near a dog with "dominant aggressive" tendencies.

"I'm concerned the dog would feel his territory is being invaded with my children out playing and would attack," she says. "I don't think we're an hysterical community up here."

Glenn Chunglo said that knowing the pit bull is around has forced him and his wife to watch their 5-year-old daughter "a lot more closely."

Gables resident Beverly Newman, however, said she didn't even know a pit bull was in the complex.

"But pit bulls are nice dogs if they are raised properly," she said. "I worked at a veterinary hospital for 11 years. I met a lot of nice pit bulls."

She said, though, that she wouldn't trust any dog 100 percent around her 8-year-old son.

"But as long as (the owner) is responsible and keeps that dog on a leash and obeys the laws, it doesn't bother me," she said.



To add to the ridiculousness, the dog attack they're talking about that killed a toddler wasn't even covered in this paper!

[zlopikanikanz]

Jesus christ to me people who say this stupid shit are along the same lines of ¨Im afraid of the black man in my apartment complex. we all know blacks are prone to crime and Im not willing to wait until he snaps¨

same shit, only with dogs. and theres TWO words for it: racism and ignorance!

[Rffkwfct]

Wow, what a bunch of hysterical whiners!!!

Course, I'm not too fond of the owners, either. They are trying to rehome a dog because the neighbors don't like it even though there is no legal reason for them to have to do so?? Really? Jesus H Christ on a popsicle, grow a pair and tell the neighbors to mind their own business and stop being such hysterical whine asses.

[zlopikanikanz]

Wow, what a bunch of hysterical whiners!!!

Course, I'm not too fond of the owners, either. They are trying to rehome a dog because the neighbors don't like it even though there is no legal reason for them to have to do so?? Really? Jesus H Christ on a popsicle, grow a pair and tell the neighbors to mind their own business and stop being such hysterical whine asses.

yeah I agree, like HELL Id agree to get rid of my dog just because of some pussy neighbors lol. Id say shes a good dog so shove it up your a$$!

[mylittlejewelaa]

Well, I'm TERRIFIED of my neighbor's hamsters. I heard from a friend of a friend, that they sneak out at night, and chew on your ear lobes...so I'm starting a petition to make my neighbors get rid of their hamsters....o yea, and I'm mad that I'm "forced to watch" my toddlers more closely, least they end up being hamster food.....I just don't think it's right to have vicious animals as pets around any other humans, and I know lots of people who have friends who have been attacked by hamsters recently.

smdh...people, in general, are idiots. lol

[Rffkwfct]

yeah I agree, like HELL Id agree to get rid of my dog just because of some pussy neighbors lol. Id say shes a good dog so shove it up your a$$!

Right!?!?!

A couple summers ago I was outside with the dogs doing some yard work. The neighbor kids like to come over and visit the dogs. I was chatting with a few of them when the lil girl across the street, who was about 9 years old, walked right up and said "My daddy says those dogs are dangerous and he doesn't think you should have one."

I said "Well, then it's a good thing your daddy's opinion doesn't matter at my house."

The shock on her face was priceless.

No way in hell I would ever get rid of my dogs because the neighbors didn't like them. Ever.

---------- Post added at 01:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:11 PM ----------

Well, I'm TERRIFIED of my neighbor's hamsters. I heard from a friend of a friend, that they sneak out at night, and chew on your ear lobes...so I'm starting a petition to make my neighbors get rid of their hamsters....o yea, and I'm mad that I'm "forced to watch" my toddlers more closely, least they end up being hamster food.....I just don't think it's right to have vicious animals as pets around any other humans, and I know lots of people who have friends who have been attacked by hamsters recently.

smdh...people, in general, are idiots. lol

I hear hamsters are nothing but small rats with good PR. And my kid was bitten by a hamster. Drew blood and everything! Those rodents are dangerous and should be illegal!!! If her thumb would have been infected she could have lost it all because someone thought it was ok for kids to pet small, furry, pets. It's gotten so bad I can't let the kids go visit friends because so many have hamsters, gerbils and guinea pigs that randomly attack. Damn irresponsible parents for keeping dangerous pets.

[zlopikanikanz]

I hear hamsters are nothing but small rats with good PR. And my kid was bitten by a hamster. Drew blood and everything! Those rodents are dangerous and should be illegal!!! If her thumb would have been infected she could have lost it all because someone thought it was ok for kids to pet small, furry, pets. It's gotten so bad I can't let the kids go visit friends because so many have hamsters, gerbils and guinea pigs that randomly attack. Damn irresponsible parents for keeping dangerous pets.

I had a hampster once when I was a kid and it BIT MY FRIEND. Im surprised her mom didnt sue my mom for letting me keep such a vicious pet around. It truly was a threat to the whole neighborhood!!

[_tppga_]

Whatever happened to common sense?

[ebonytipchik]

People are such morons.
I live in an apartment complex with my bully mix.
I play with him in our large grass area in front of my apartment every single day and tons of people are always coming up to us to ask if they can pet him or play with him and every single time, like clock work, someone will walk up and say "oh so you have a pit bull puppy? better train him well he's gunna grow up to be a big mean dog" people even gave him the nickname "Thug Life" because their convinced he will be this huge menace. No one even bothers anymore to ask about his temperament, his training, anything, because apparently everyone in the fucking planet is a dog expert. He isn't even a pit bull, HE IS A BULLDOG MIX! Ugh, some people are morons.

I hope the people who own the pit say SUCK IT and keep their dog. It hasn't done anything wrong and it's sad to read that their trying so hard to give it away.

[_tppga_]

I hear hamsters are nothing but small rats with good PR. And my kid was bitten by a hamster. Drew blood and everything! Those rodents are dangerous and should be illegal!!! If her thumb would have been infected she could have lost it all because someone thought it was ok for kids to pet small, furry, pets. It's gotten so bad I can't let the kids go visit friends because so many have hamsters, gerbils and guinea pigs that randomly attack. Damn irresponsible parents for keeping dangerous pets.

LOL. My friend growing up had an "attack" cat. Seriously you walk in the door and bam you would get the hell scratched out of you. Of course he knew what was coming to him lots of unwanted pets and hugs and kisses and dress up. But he kept coming back for more. All us neighborhood kids were "attacked by this cat". Amazing no one ever banned cats after that. After all if one cat scratches they must all be evil scratchers.

Again seriously our society is lacking one important thing: Common sense. Just because one dog bites doesn't mean they all will.

[mylittlejewelaa]

I say, let's start a website promoting the banning of all small, furry, vicious biting critters! (rabbits, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, etc.) Keep our children safe!!!

lol sad thing is, I bet anything TONS more kids get bit by these pets then do by "pit bulls". Let's just actually solve the problem, and ban bad owners. lol banning the dogs is exactly like making bullets illegal because they "shoot people"

---------- Post added at 01:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:40 PM ----------

Isn't there a video series called "When Rodent's Attack"? If there isn't, there should be! lol

[zlopikanikanz]

I say, let's start a website promoting the banning of all small, furry, vicious biting critters! (rabbits, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, etc.) Keep our children safe!!!

lol sad thing is, I bet anything TONS more kids get bit by these pets then do by "pit bulls". Let's just actually solve the problem, and ban bad owners. lol banning the dogs is exactly like making bullets illegal because they "shoot people"

---------- Post added at 01:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:40 PM ----------

Isn't there a video series called "When Rodent's Attack"? If there isn't, there should be! lol

Exactly. But like others said, people just lack common sense. And people ENJOY hating. thats why racism and breedism (breedism?? lol) exist. SOLEY because people ENJOY pointing fingers.

[mylittlejewelaa]

Breedism: (n) to discriminate against an animal solely because of it's breed, and faulty information.

There, now it's an official word.

[zlopikanikanz]

Breedism: (n) to discriminate against an animal solely because of it's breed, and faulty information.

There, now it's an official word.

YEAH! urbandictionary.com here I come..

[Dstyeglm]

I stopped reading at the ACTUAL complaints.

Oooooooooh you have to watch your FIVE YEAR OLD "much more closely" now? Oh shit! Did kidnappers just happen in your neighborhood? How about a child running into the road? There are much more dangers for a five year old that their parent should ALREADY be watching them.

Three year old and three month old? What the hell? You putting your infant on the ground and going inside to cook some rice? Like WTH?

This has NOTHING to do with owner responsibility and EVERYTHING to do with IGNORANCE of already unfit (seeming) parents.

[Rffkwfct]

LOL. My friend growing up had an "attack" cat. Seriously you walk in the door and bam you would get the hell scratched out of you. Of course he knew what was coming to him lots of unwanted pets and hugs and kisses and dress up. But he kept coming back for more. All us neighborhood kids were "attacked by this cat". Amazing no one ever banned cats after that. After all if one cat scratches they must all be evil scratchers.

Again seriously our society is lacking one important thing: Common sense. Just because one dog bites doesn't mean they all will.

Ugh, don't get me started on viscous cats. My buddy had me stopping by to feed and water her pets while she was on vacation. She had one of those evil cats that loves her and hates the rest of the world. I had to go into the house in the dark for the night feeding because of where the light switches are located. Rotten ass cat attacked me from the second I walked in until I actually poured its kibble. Just clawing and gnawing on my ankle. I was not sad when the bugger died.

[bunkalapa]

I love it when people compare pitbulls to guns.... I always say: I believe it's my constitutional right to own a gun so if a pitbull is like a gun then is it my consitutional right to own a pitbull??

---------- Post added at 02:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:55 PM ----------

i stopped reading at the actual complaints.

Oooooooooh you have to watch your five year old "much more closely" now? Oh shit! Did kidnappers just happen in your neighborhood? How about a child running into the road? There are much more dangers for a five year old that their parent should already be watching them.

three year old and three month old? What the hell? You putting your infant on the ground and going inside to cook some rice? Like wth?

this has nothing to do with owner responsibility and everything to do with ignorance of already unfit (seeming) parents.

lmao!

[veizKinquiz]

This makes me really appreciate my neighborhood. I've noticed a few apprehensive looks from a few people but the neighbors right around me have all met Amy and love her. The people next to me have a toddler and I let him feed Amy giant milk bones and pet her (with the parents watching, of course).

One of my neighbors did tell me one day that her her husband came home and said there was a mean looking dog that just moved in and they should be careful. And the neighbor lady was like - is it a tan and white dog named Amy? That's the sweetest dog ever! And told her husband to get over it

I seriously can't stand busybodies. This sounds like a bunch of bored folks with nothing to do but gossip and spread rumors. Seriously, 6 calls to an animal control officer? GET A HOBBY.

And as for the dog's owners? Shame on you. If my neighbors had that much of a problem with my dog and were still being assholes after my best attempts, I would probably put a chain and mean-looking studded collar on the dog, rename it "Killer" and walk it all the time.

[Juersdodfs]

BOY... some peoples kids!!! just think they grow up, get in office then become president!!!haha

[Rffkwfct]

If my neighbors had that much of a problem with my dog and were still being assholes after my best attempts, I would probably put a chain and mean-looking studded collar on the dog, rename it "Killer" and walk it all the time.