SAVE MAXIMUS

[jamesrobert]

Gladiator Maximus was rescued earlier this week from an icy river just outside of Denver, Colorado by the fire dept. after he fell in. The whole thing was video taped and featured on the local news. The dog's owner, Michael Robinson was invited to take Gladiator to the station for a news story, while there Mr. Robinson had Gladiator on a leash and was holding him when the anchor woman put her face right up to the dog's face, he felt threatened and bit the woman. She is doing fine and is expected back to work soon.
Denver Animal Control has Gladiator and is holding him under quarantine for 10 days and is citing the owner, Michael Robinson for not controlling the dog. If you know anything about Denver, Colorado, you will know that this city has banned Pitbull Ownership within the City limits. It is ILLEGAL to own a bully breed in Denver, Colorado.
My fear is that Maximus won't make it out alive. I emailed the director of the shelter, Mr. Doug Kelly to voice my concerns for this dog. I also let him know that the rest of the country is aware that Gladiator is there and we want him out alive. You should do the same, the more people that bring attention to this dog, the more likely it is that he'll get out alive.
The email address to the shelter is: animalcomments@ci.denver.co.us
The phone number to the shelter is: 720-913-1311
Remember: Doug Kelly is the director.



I stated in a voicemail that I fear that, with Denver's reputation, Maximus may not be reunited with his owner. I stated my name and my location so that he knows real people outside of Denver or the owner actually care.

 

[LadyLuna]

Can you link us to a youtube video of the incident? Some of us would like to see what happened with our own eyes before forming an opinion.

I tend to agree with you though- people threaten animals, then blame the owner of the animal when their own actions resulted in them getting hurt. My brother had a female akita. There was one woman who didn't like him, so she would get her son to mess with the akita. At one time, her son got bit. It happened because he put his head between her and the bone she was already chewing on. The judge ordered that the akita be locked up in the back.

Akita's, by the way, are a guard-dog breed.

 

[jamesrobert]

www.youtube.com/embed/OQVBxR8L3aA

www.youtube.com/embed/t8VEdiKbyrY

There isn't much in the bite video but she put her face RIGHT UP TO HIS and he just had a traumatic event. I understand if you feel the dog and owner should be punished for the actions, but I see a clearly restrained dog and a clearly stupid move on the anchor's part (not to attack a victim but I would never put my face in a dog's face like that and he even gave a warning snarl). It is standard for the quarantine, but I'm very afraid he will not make it out.

 

[jamesrobert]

Because I'm really good at computers.... I'll just post a link.

 

[AmberCutie]

I'm just gonna leave this here....

viewtopic.php?f=24&t=2252

 

[jamesrobert]

I'm just gonna leave this here....

viewtopic.php?f=24&t=2252

Not gonna lie, a bit embarrassed, but glad I can learn a lesson. :-D

 

[jamesrobert]

Thank you Amber! I feel very silly to have needed assistance in this.

 

[Paulie Walnuts]

It isnt a pitt bull, it's an Argentine mastiff.
This breed isn't a fighting dog, it's a hunting dog. They are bred to be hunting dogs, and as family protection dogs.

The problem is, the woman got to close to the owner, and in the dogs face. A typical Argentine Mastiff won't attack in instinct like a pitt is prone to do.... it's just not that kinda dog.

However, they are bred to protect their owner, and anyone who has ever owned one would know it's probably a good idea to put a muzzle on them when you are walking them around a bunch of strangers.

I had a dog just like this one years ago, and he wouldn't hurt a fly. He knew what a child was, and was actually scared of cats. But if you raised a hand above your head while in the house, he would make it known you did a bad bad thing. They will watch over your family like a basketfull of kittens.
:lol:

When he went to the vet, he wore a muzzle. He was a big dog out of his comfort zone.... it was just the smart thing to do.

There is a BIG difference between an AM and a pittbull. More is the pity for the dog, they look like a pittbull to most people.

 

[jamesrobert]

It isnt a pitt bull, it's an Argentine mastiff.
This breed isn't a fighting dog, it's a hunting dog. They are bred to be protection dogs.

The problem is, the woman got to close to the owner, and in the dogs face. A typical Argentine Mastiff won't attack in instinct like a pitt is prone to do.... it's just not that kinda dog.

However, they are bred to protect their owner, and anyone who has ever owned one would know it's probably a good idea to put a muzzle on them when you are walking them around a bunch of strangers.

I had a dog just like this one years ago, and he wouldn't hurt a fly. He knew what a child was, and was actually scared of cats. But if you raised a hand above your head while in the house, he would make it known you did a bad bad thing. They will watch over your family like a basketfull of kittens.
:lol:

When he went to the vet, he wore a muzzle. He was a big dog out of his comfort zone.... it was just the smart thing to do.

There is a BIG difference between an AM and a pittbull. More is the pity for the dog, they look like a pittbull to most people.

I very much agree, with all of this. The owner should have been more cautious, everyone should have. Also, mastiffs are not in the same nature of a pit bull, but I don't know if that will keep this dog from death. A lot of the local community seems raging.


I do also want to say that I've had pit bulls my whole life, as with any other dog, they can be great. If trained well. They are just more prone to accept aggression because of their nature. There are also bad breedings of pit bulls that create very aggressive puppies/dogs. There is a major issue with pit bulls in America, but they don't need to be illegal anywhere. Rant over.

 

[Paulie Walnuts]

Watch the bottom video.... this dog was showing his teeth before he bit. The reporter should have backed off when the dog warned her.

And the owner shoulda had a muzzle on him.

 

[JickyJuly]

If it was a child, I'd spread the blame between the parents of the child for not teaching pet etiquette and the owner for not muzzling or stepping between. However, a grown ass woman sticking her face into the face of a dog she doesn't know in an environment the dog is not familiar with, just learned a lesson the hard way. Since it's a lesson she should have known better than to ask for, it's on her. :twocents-02cents:
Sidenote: Those groups that run around looking for anything that resembles a pit bull waving torches send me to a serious place of rage. Dogs are good. Period. Sometimes people ruin them. Put the torches down or wave them at the humans for gosh sakes.

 

[Paulie Walnuts]

I don't have an issue with a well bred pitt bull, from a reliable breeder. Responsible breeders are not letting the aggressive ones keep their balls. A good pedigree pitt is a nice sweet dog.

If you are contemplating getting a pitt bull, don't get one from a shelter unless you have a muzzle and no kids, and a well fenced yard. It's a risk. If it was picked up on the street and turned in, chances are it's some idiot backyard bred pitt of questionable pedigree. I make people mad when I say all shelter pitts need to be put to sleep for the good of the breed. Most all of them are traumatized and for a pitt bull, that doesnt help their temperament at all.

That being said, I have to point out the meanest dog I ever owned was a poodle. That little bitch was just anger on 4 feet from the day she opened her eyes..... and nobody ever abused her. Poodles are just mean dogs.

Yes I owned a poodle... fuck you.
:lol:

Now I have a scottish terrier and a JRT. Manly dogs in miniature form.

 

[Jupiter551]

nothing wrong with poodles, it's the sometimes weird owners that give the breed a bad name lol

 

[jamesrobert]

I don't have an issue with a well bred pitt bull, from a reliable breeder. Responsible breeders are not letting the aggressive ones keep their balls. A good pedigree pitt is a nice sweet dog.

If you are contemplating getting a pitt bull, don't get one from a shelter unless you have a muzzle and no kids, and a well fenced yard. It's a risk. If it was picked up on the street and turned in, chances are it's some idiot backyard bred pitt of questionable pedigree. I make people mad when I say all shelter pitts need to be put to sleep for the good of the breed. Most all of them are traumatized and for a pitt bull, that doesnt help their temperament at all.

That being said, I have to point out the meanest dog I ever owned was a poodle. That little bitch was just anger on 4 feet from the day she opened her eyes..... and nobody ever abused her. Poodles are just mean dogs.

Yes I owned a poodle... fuck you.
:lol:

Now I have a scottish terrier and a JRT. Manly dogs in miniature form.

No laughing here! Being alone now, I have very much considered a poodle as I don't know if certain communities I may want to move to would like a pit bull. I have been dogless for almost a year and well-bred pit bulls are harder and harder to find (ESPECIALLY in the south west, AZ for me).

 

[Paulie Walnuts]

Go to the shelter, find an older dog that needs a home for the last few yrs of its tough life.

Not many people adopt the old ones, and they are often the best dogs in the house.

 

[schlmoe]

I don't have an issue with a well bred pitt bull, from a reliable breeder. Responsible breeders are not letting the aggressive ones keep their balls. A good pedigree pitt is a nice sweet dog.

If you are contemplating getting a pitt bull, don't get one from a shelter unless you have a muzzle and no kids, and a well fenced yard. It's a risk. If it was picked up on the street and turned in, chances are it's some idiot backyard bred pitt of questionable pedigree. I make people mad when I say all shelter pitts need to be put to sleep for the good of the breed. Most all of them are traumatized and for a pitt bull, that doesnt help their temperament at all.

That being said, I have to point out the meanest dog I ever owned was a poodle. That little bitch was just anger on 4 feet from the day she opened her eyes..... and nobody ever abused her. Poodles are just mean dogs.

Yes I owned a poodle... fuck you.
:lol:

Now I have a scottish terrier and a JRT. Manly dogs in miniature form.

A lot of what you say is just plain common sense, and I agree with you...except:

I make people mad when I say all irresponsible/unqualified shelter pitts need to be put to sleep for the good of the breed.

With that change, we are in agreement, lol.

I adopted an AmStaff mix from a pet rescue organization almost 5 years ago, when she was 10 months old. Even though she is not a pit bull (close cousin), and may not be 100% purebred, she has that "look", and would be subject to the same laws that some cities have enacted towards pit bull ownership.

The group I adopted her from has a strict policy of keeping any dog for a minimum of 4 weeks for evaluation/observation. Things like food aggression, child/cat/other dog aggression would disqualify the animal from adoption. This is obviously very expensive, but it does help the new owner decide whether the animal is a good fit for their home. Oh yeah, before adoption, a home visit was performed, vet references and 3 personal references were checked.

Everybody says this about their pet, but she is a very good dog. She only barks at female dogs (biatches, lol), and at people...when they have the temerity not to stop and pet her. 99% of the time she is sweet, and the remaining 1% she flattens her ears close to her head. That just means she's going to be stubborn, she wants to stay outside and will refuse to come in to the house. A half of a dog biscuit usually changes her mind.

So anyway, while I kind of agree with you, generalizations are not always 100% true. With any breed of dog, even purebred, it's a crap shoot.

 

[JickyJuly]

Pits have tons of great qualities and potential. They were actually used as "Nanny Dogs" historically because there are protective and family oriented. All dogs deserve responsible owners, but some breeds need them more than others. My girl is a pit mix pound baby, and she's a total clown. She shares her food and snuggles with the kitties gently (after being properly and slowly introduced to them). Also, she's insanely protective of me. God help my Husband if he tries to hug me or yell at me in front of her. Hehehe. That's probably not good, but I kind of like it.
Sorry. Threadjacked a bit. On topic, I think Maximus responded in a reasonable way for any rescue dog given the circumstances. Ole girl from the newsdesk needs to respect the space of animals.

 

[LadyLuna]

well, the sound doesn't appear to be working for me... all I get is static. So I only have visual to go off of.

The second clip was very short. I can't really see what happened before the bite well enough. What I do know is, yes, her head was in way too close. Unless she had an invite to get that close from the dog, she had no business doing that.

I really hate how people damn a breed. For one thing, it's not the breed's fault they are that way. They were "bred" for a purpose. And whose fault is it that such a breed exists? The humans who genetically engineered the breed that way from selective breeding programs.

I hate how, warnings that something should be handled with caution means that Americans say "it's too dangerous, we need to outlaw it". Except, there are plenty of other things that need to be handled with caution that aren't outlawed. And guess what? It means that people think "Oh, the government hasn't said this is dangerous, I don't need to be careful around it". Bullshit. CARS ARE DANGEROUS, yet we don't outlaw them. If we can be taught to be careful about driving, then maybe we should be taught to be careful with aggressive breeds, instead of punishing the dogs. oh, wait... we haven't been taught to be careful about driving. People ignore how dangerous it is, because it hasn't been outlawed, and dangerous things are supposed to be outlawed, right?

Sorry, I get really emotional about the stupidity of people.

 

[AshleyMarks]

This explains it all. Blame the humans for a change!!!!

You can't get in a dog's face that does not know you, or it will act on instinct. Not all Pitbulls are vicious. Any dog can strike if it feels threatened. People need to exercise common sense. Like remember what they taught you at a young age? NEVER ever run up on a dog that you don't know. You have to let the dog smell you and if they approve, then you might be able to pet them. Yes, I saw that the dog kind of showed its teeth before biting. That was when the anchor should have moved away. You don't know what a dog might do, so you should always exercise caution with any new animal. Granted, the dog attacked and all, but why would they have put a muzzle on a dog that wasn't normally aggressive? Muzzles are for dogs that are more likely to attack, or have shown aggressiveness IMHO. It would have been cruel to have put a muzzle on the dog just because.

 

[Bocefish]

Here is a little longer video of the incident:



Anyone that knows dogs can tell the dog was clearly uncomfortable in the situation. He was panting, his ears were back and was trying to move away but felt cornered. Not the dog's fault whatsoever and in all likelihood will be released back to the owner after the rabies quarantine. There is no reason to put the dog down just for being a dog.

I have to admit, it was kind of ironically funny that the reporter was saying Happy Valentine's just before she got nipped. People need to learn that animals do not have human emotions, especially animals you don't know.

 

[LadyLuna]

The OWNER is being cited for leash law violations? I'm sorry, but the animal was being held by his damn collar. That's a lot more restrictive than a leash.

Neither owner nor animal is at fault here. The news anchor is a grown woman who should've known better.

this video does have sound. I do have to say, I know I wouldn't have been able to react to the warning fast enough, but I also know that I wouldn't put my head that close to an animal that didn't approach me first, and is currently hiding between his owner's legs.

 

[Rose]

I saw this in the news yesterday and couldn't even finish reading the story because it made me cry. He looks so much like a pit and it makes me think of my baby. She's a rescued pitbull and she turns 4 next week. We chose her to be my guard and service dog for my health problems. When I'm sick she will growl at anyone who approaches me until she decides whether or not they are 'safe'. From my perspective, that's what this dog was doing and I feel heartbroken for him and his owner. I hope that poor dog gets to go home with his human. :crybaby: Now I'm weepy thinking about it.....Gosh. :icon-cry:

 

[jamesrobert]

I saw this in the news yesterday and couldn't even finish reading the story because it made me cry. He looks so much like a pit and it makes me think of my baby. She's a rescued pitbull and she turns 4 next week. We chose her to be my guard and service dog for my health problems. When I'm sick she will growl at anyone who approaches me until she decides whether or not they are 'safe'. From my perspective, that's what this dog was doing and I feel heartbroken for him and his owner. I hope that poor dog gets to go home with his human. :crybaby: Now I'm weepy thinking about it.....Gosh. :icon-cry:

That's how I feel. Locally we had a man who tried to get medical help for his cat and the cat was put down as opposed to the facility taking his mother's card over the phone. They have since changed their policy on cards, not sure about putting down animals who have loving owners. I know animals need to be euthanized because of human selfishness, but when the animal has a loving owner... I can't imagine. Also reminds me of the soap star/pit bull story. I have to admit I would not have the will to live if I felt I put my healthy dog down for no legitimate reason.

 

[SoTxBob]

STUPID FUCKING WOMAN!!! :angry4: :angry4: :angry4: :angry4:
This isn't her damn purse dog or even a dog that knew her.

As someone that's fostered very large dogs the last 20 years to save them from death shelters, this hits a nerve with me.
I have sent this out to all my fellow fosters as well as the national organization I work with. PLEASE .. If you have any love for dogs, email the shelter director and let them know the world is watching and that it was purely the woman at fault for threatening the dogs space.

 

[Jupiter551]

This explains it all. Blame the humans for a change!!!!

Nah I remember them blaming pitbulls in the 90s lol

 

[Jupiter551]

I saw this in the news yesterday and couldn't even finish reading the story because it made me cry. He looks so much like a pit and it makes me think of my baby. She's a rescued pitbull and she turns 4 next week. We chose her to be my guard and service dog for my health problems. When I'm sick she will growl at anyone who approaches me until she decides whether or not they are 'safe'. From my perspective, that's what this dog was doing and I feel heartbroken for him and his owner. I hope that poor dog gets to go home with his human. :crybaby: Now I'm weepy thinking about it.....Gosh. :icon-cry:

That's how I feel. Locally we had a man who tried to get medical help for his cat and the cat was put down as opposed to the facility taking his mother's card over the phone. They have since changed their policy on cards, not sure about putting down animals who have loving owners. I know animals need to be euthanized because of human selfishness, but when the animal has a loving owner... I can't imagine. Also reminds me of the soap star/pit bull story. I have to admit I would not have the will to live if I felt I put my healthy dog down for no legitimate reason.

I dunno what I'd do if someone euthanised my pet because there was some mix up with my card or I'd accidentally run out of money. It wouldn't be pretty and would very likely get me into a lot of trouble but fuck, they should be charged with a crime for euthanising any animal unnecessarily.

 

[Mitchie Lynn]

I'm sorry, but if a stranger was getting close to MY face like that woman was, I'd probably bite them too!

 

[Rose]

I'm sorry, but if a stranger was getting close to MY face like that woman was, I'd probably bite them too!

My thoughts exactly.

 

[Jupiter551]

I'm sorry, but if a stranger was getting close to MY face like that woman was, I'd probably bite them too!

What if a stranger got too close to your cleavage? Smother?

 

[Bocefish]

The place where Max is being quarantined said he has no previous issues and will be released back to his owner after the quarantine time is up barring no further issues.

I was thinking about all the face bites I have seen or heard about and they all happened to be girls or women. Not saying it's never happened to guys, but that's been my experience. A lot of women seem to think all dogs need is affection. Dogs need rules, discipline, expectations and limitations set on them just like children do. A dog's love is based on trust, respect and loyalty... NOT snuggling or smooches. Most of the time it's the person who needs training when a dog has perceived problems.