Vermilion Parish female jogger attacked by pit bull; dog on death row
Jun 28, 2012 | 3590 views | 15 15 comments | 12 12 recommendations | email to a friend | print
The dog that bit a female jogger is said to be a house dog that loves children.
The dog that bit a female jogger is said to be a house dog that loves children.
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There is a pit bull sitting in the Vermilion Parish Animal Controls Facility whose days left on this Earth are numbered unless a district judge can save its life.

The dog is being held in the dog pound by the Vermilion Parish Police Jury since June 17 because it attacked a jogger.

The attack occurred on Father’s Day when Angela Schoeffler was attacked by the pit bull while jogging on her neighborhood street located north of Erath near the Lafayette Parish line.

She suffered leg damage and was brought to a Lafayette hospital after the attack.

“I never saw the dog coming,” said Angela. “It started biting the back of my left thigh and then my right thigh. I just started screaming. I am not sure how he got away or why.”

Angela and her husband Edward Schoeffler attended a police jury committee meeting Wednesday night to ask the jurors if the pit bull that attacked her will be put down because it was considered a “vicious” dog. Angela was told by someone at the animal control facility that the dog was not considered vicious but only “dangerous.” She disagreed since it attacked her. She said she was told by someone at the animal control facility to call police jury attorney Paul Moresi if she disagreed with them.

Angela contacted her lawyer who then wrote Moresi a letter explaining what occurred with the pit bull and what workers at the animal control facility told Angela.

Angela also went to the committee meeting to see what the jurors consider a “vicious dog.”

Based on the vicious dog ordinance, Police Jury attorney Paul Moresi III explained to the jurors what the ordinance said and by Angela being bitten by the dog, the pit bull was considered a vicious dog.

Angela told the jurors she feared for her life and her children’s life as long as the dog continued to be in the neighborhood. Today the dog is a resident of the police jury in the holding facility.

“I have scars and my back is hurting because I fell to the ground,” said Angela. “It has been scary.”

Moresi told the jurors the dog should be put down and not returned to the owner.

Anne Vincent, the owner of the pit bull, arrived at the committee meeting after the Angela had spoken and left.

Vincent did not deny her dog attacked Angela and apologized for the attack. She explained that her dog is a calm house dog and had never attacked anyone before.

She wanted to know from Moresi what she could do to save her dog’s life.

Police juror Mark Poché explained to Vincent that she has until Monday (regular police meeting scheduled) to save her dog’s life. Poché said if she can get a judge to listen to her plea on why her pit bull should not be put down, the judge can then rule and call Moresi on his decision. If he rules the dog lives, then the dog can go home to Vincent. If the judge refuses to hear the argument or rules against Vincent, the next day the pit bull will be put down.

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June 29, 2012
I'm not a dog expert, but I know enough about the history of what a pitt bull instictively does to know I would never have one around small children. Even if the dog is loveable to the owners kids - what if one of the children's friends were visiting and started play fighting with this woman's kids? Would the dog know it was play fighting? If the kid was then attacked and killed, is the kid wrong? Whether it's the monkey that tore the woman's face off in New York several years ago or the Las Vegas guy that was attacked by the tiger in his show - certain animals can seem domesticated at times, but something will trigger an instict that is unpredictable - whether you're the owner or not. I'm sure this lady loves her dog and feels it's not a threat based on how the dog has behaved in her presence -but once the jogger was attacked without provocation, it's open and shut; there is no justification for "assuming" it won't happen again. In the spirit of full disclosure, I know the lady and her family and am 100% certain, she would not/did not provoke the attack - but regardless, she was not on the dog owner's property or threatening a family member. Whether it's a pitt, a German Shepard, a Doberman, a snake or any other animal that has the ability to serioulsy harm another person - it doesn't matter. It's the owners responsibility to determine if the animal could ever be a threat to others if it get's loose - and the owner WILL KNOW - whether they choose to admit it or not. Once this dog, exhibited the behavior it did, making an arguement to keep the dog is selfish at best and at the worst, indicates the total disregard for the safety of any man, woman or child in the area the next time the dog gets loose. The owner is lucky the victim and her family chooses not to take this further - if it had been a small child that was mauled and killed, this incident would be on the national news and someone would be in court on charges of negligent manslaughter
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June 30, 2012
There is a great article that will likely surprise you entitled "FOR OVER ONE HUNDRED YEARS AMERICANS KNEW PIT BULLS FOR WHAT THEY DID BEST... BABYSITTING." & it can be found @ http://www.ywgrossman.com/photoblog/?p=676

Here's an excerpt from the article: "In temperance tests (the equivalent of how many times your kid can poke your dog in the eye before it bites him) of all breeds the most tolerant was the Golden Retriever. The second most tolerant was the PIT BULL!!

After reading the 1st line of comment, I was shaking my head and by the end of your post I will agree that you definitely are NOT an expert! Your comments about this specific dog and situation may be warranted, however I would recommend that you check your facts before commenting on the actual "HISTORY OF THE PITT BULL". You began your rant claiming to know "enough about the history of what a pitt bull instictively does to know [you] would never have one around small children", & that statement alone shows that you never have actually done much research on the PIT BULL Breed, but have instead made assumptions about it's history and instinct based off of incomplete or inaccurate information!
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June 30, 2012
Cajunmommy thank you so much for stateing facts and not judgemental opinions.My story is also on busted in acadiana you should read it. More and more ppl are starting to support me in my fight for the dog/PITTBULL. Yes as the owner I was wrong in not taking extra care I dnt deny that
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July 01, 2012
I am no expert - the history i was referring to are the four or five associated stories about pit bull attacks in Vermilion Parish in addition to this latest one - those are facts. The dog attacked a jogger unprovoked - fact. Theres a reason people fight pitts - fact. Although i wouldnt have one, i dont have anything against the dog or the people that have them - as long as they're responsible. You are choosing to take the stand to save a dog that attacked a person and had two prior complaints. The owner had a pitt previously and had multple complaints against that one as well.

No - I am not an expert nor do I want to be - but I know this dog attacked this woman and thats all I need to know to have an opinion about THAT dog
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June 29, 2012
This is a very unfortunate situation. At what point do you declare this dog vicious? I would hope the owner would know where this dog is at all times especially since there have been multiple complaints on the dog. Maybe the best way to handle this case is for the victim to sue the owners of the dog in a criminal suit!
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June 29, 2012
The animal shelter declared the dog dangerous not vicious. The 2 times I had complaints was bc my dog chased birds out across the street. I would expect the woman to sue me for her bills I once again apologize for her injuries. I could have locked my gates but I under estimated the dog he is loving and kind even thou the victim chosses to disagree
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June 29, 2012
Annie, did it really bite her right and left thigh??? Never once heard in my life a pittbull biting all over the place. Normally when they bite, its just in one place where they lock down. German shepards bite all over the place on your body,I rather get bit by a pittbull anyday than a german shepard! Your pitbull is VERY loveable and AWESOME with kids!!!!!!! I know you do not fight your pittbull, you and your kids LOVE him to death, like one of your own kids!!!! People fail to realize, if a stranger raises their hand, makes as if they going to do something,etc to a pittbull they will get bit. If people to that to ANY dog they are looking to get attacked!!!!! My German Shepard is VERY loveable, kid friendly, but NO ONE better not make as if they will hit her or even just seem like they are up to no good because she will attack! Just because your dog bit this woman, DOES NOT mean that your dog is vicious!!!!! The lady could have done or made as if she was going to do something to your dog and he attacked her. You never know with people these days, especially if you have neighbors that don't like you in the first place! I hope you can save your LOVEABLE dog for you and your kids sake! LET ANNIE HAVE HER PET/KID BACK!!!!!!
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June 29, 2012
Annie Mae, Are you kidding me, you are accusing the woman who was attacked of provoking the "pit bull". That is amazing, for the record, she was attacked from behind and never saw or heard the dog coming. The article fails to mention the multiple documented complaints against this dog prior to this incident. The owner should be in jail for this incident. I myself had an encounter with this same dog, and no, he is not a "loveable and awesome" house dog. You are the problem. Pit bulls are bread to be vicious. Funny, you never hear of any other breed attacking people other than pit bulls. You are another irresponsible pet owner just as the owner of this pit bull is.
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June 29, 2012
Annie Mae, Are you kidding me, you are accusing the woman who was attacked of provoking the "pit bull". That is amazing, for the record, she was attacked from behind and never saw or heard the dog coming. The article fails to mention the multiple documented complaints against this dog prior to this incident. The owner should be in jail for this incident. I myself had an encounter with this same dog, and no, he is not a "loveable and awesome" house dog. You are the problem. Pit bulls are bread to be vicious. Funny, you never hear of any other breed attacking people other than pit bulls. You are another irresponsible pet owner just as the owner of this pit bull is.
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June 29, 2012
I'm really not sure as to why my dog did what he did. All I know is he ran out and I heard screaming so I ran out and commanded him to stop ... he complied and went into his kennel on the first command. I want to thank you for not criticizing me and showing your support for another pet owner who treats her pets as kids.
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June 29, 2012
I'm not sure as to why my dog did what he did. All I know is I heard screaming so I ran outside and commanded him to stop. On the first command he stopped and went to his kennel. I want to thank you for not criticizing me and for showing support for another pet owner who treats her pets as kids.
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June 28, 2012
Pit owners prove everyday that 1) they do not care about others and/or 2) they fail to understand their dog's escaping, mauling and killing abilities and instincts.

Tragically this pit's owner failed this dog.

Every week approx. 20,000 pits are killed at pounds in the US; most do not have a biting history, they simply were born when pit overpopulation was high, and too many pits were born for each to live.

The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior. This dog's owner will, in all probability, fail her dog again. Next time the victim may not survive.

Tragically, the correct answer is to euthanize this dog. The owner should be banned from owning or living with any dog over 15 pounds; if she is considerat of others, she would not acquire a dog over 15 pounds. Small dogs might really want to "rip your arm off", but lack the ability and instincts to do so. Pits can and have maimed and killed.

The fault of this attack also must be shared with pit mongers/pit pushers, those who tell the naive public that pits will only attack if encouraged or trained to do so. No one thinks that beagles will only sniff and bark unless trained to do so. Mauling is pit instinct, just as sniffing and barking is instinct to most beagles.

The only thing that pits do better than other dogs is escape, maul, and sometimes kill neighbors. Ban pit bull breeding. Everyone sane and compassionate wins. All dogs win, especially the poor pits themselves.
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June 29, 2012
Its not just the pitts that bite!!!!!! A lot of other dogs bite, but all you here about is the pittbulls!!!!!!! What about chows, german shepards, etc?!!!! Now yes, some pitt owners do not raise their pits right (they fight them or abuse them), so those should be the ones that shouldn't own pitts!!!! I know Annie (frind of mine) and she has an AWESOME AND LOVING pitbull and REALLY GOOD with kids (house dog). That lady could have done something wrong to that dog to get attacked!!!!! If a dog (ANY DOG) feels someone is up to no good or they are messing with the dog, then they asking to get attacked! So, my point is thye have pit owners that DO CARE about others, but they have STUPID people that think they can do anything to dogs and end up getting themselves attacked!!!!!
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June 29, 2012
Thinking broad, very well put, I do not blame the dog, I blame the owner. And this woman who keeps saying that the victim in this case somehow provoked the dog couldn't be more wrong. This dog will need to be put down because the owner, after repeated complaints, failed to contain the animal. I repeat, the victim was attacked from behind, never did anything to provoke the animal, she never heard or saw the dog until she was knocked to the ground. That animal must be put down and the owner should never be able to own a large dog again. I can't believe that it is even gotten this far.
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June 29, 2012
In response to Howard ... first off how can you say what went on when you were not even there when she was bitten. You are going off of hear say and listening to a one sided story. This dog was like my kid which I have four of and basically what you are saying is that we as adults and as parents should be jailed for the actions of another... that is a very close minded opinion if you ask me. As for as complaints go ... there is two documented of him being loose from my yard ... nothing more than that. For you to have such a one sided opinion and to be so against me (someone u do not know) you must be the same gentleman who came to my home threatening my dogs safety and threatening to break into my home and shoot him and furthermore having the audacity to shove a camera in my face filming me while I'm. Bringing him to the animal shelter truck violating my right to privacy. Which was reported and documented by the police. I just think that unless this affects you personally or brings you harm why even feel the need to attack me on a personal level.



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