Joseph Finley lost his left foot after two pit bulls attacked him at Rainbow Beach Park on Jan. 2, 2012. (Credit: CBS)
Updated 01/17/12 – 4:54 p.m.
CHICAGO (CBS) – The 62-year-old jogger who was attacked by pit bulls in Rainbow Beach Park two weeks ago said Tuesday that he remembers everything that happened that morning, when he kept telling himself to survive.
As CBS 2′s Mai Martinez reports, Joseph Finley spoke out for the first time about the attack, which left him severely injured.
The attack cost Finley much of his left leg, but he realizes it could have cost him his life. He said he fought the dogs for 20 to 25 minutes and felt certain he wouldn’t live to tell his story.
LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio’s Steve Miller reports
“The way they attacked me, these were not just regular dogs, no. These dogs attacked in the way of dogs that have been trained to kill,” Finley said.
It happened while Finley was running in Rainbow Beach Park on the morning of Jan. 2.
After the two pit bulls started attacking, Finley tried to stay on his feet.
“I knew at that point that if I fell down, at any point, it was going to be disastrous,” Finley said.
But the dogs were too strong and Finley went down, with each dog attacking opposite sides of his body.
“Those dogs are coming at me consistent, constantly; yanking and biting and tearing and pulling and gnawing at my body, like it was … like I was a hamburger,” Finley said.
He did his best to fight the dogs off and protect his head and neck, using his hand weights to strike the dogs.
Finley said he kept repeating the same thing over and over to himself.
“Survive. Survive. Joseph, you have to survive,” Finley said. “They had a method to their madness. They knew what they were doing and they did it well and their main objective was to make sure that I was their dinner.”
Finley said he kept calling out for help, hoping someone would hear him. He thought no one did until he saw police lights.
“I heard somebody say ‘Get away from him, dog! Get away from him!” Finley said. “I heard them say ‘We’ve got to shoot these dogs, they’re not going to let him go.’”
What he heard next ended the attack.
“I heard four, five shots. The first two shots, I felt the tug on this leg stop. The next two shots, I felt the tugging on this arm stop and at that point, I felt myself fading,” Finley said.
After police shot and killed the pit bulls, Finley was rushed to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County.
“They did a tremendous job. They really did, but the end result is, I lost my foot. They bit it off,” Finley said.
Now that he has survived, Finley said his next fight will be to make sure the same thing doesn’t happen to someone else.
“I think there should be much more stricter rules for things like this and the owners to be thoroughly, 100% held accountable in every way,” Finley said. “It’s not right at all that you can’t walk outside without the fear of being attacked by wild or vicious animals of this nature.”
Finley said he hopes to one day walk and possibly even run again. His doctors said, given his track record thus far, they think if anyone can do it, it’s him.
Doctors said the plan going forward is for Finley to go to an inpatient rehabilitation center and they said they are optimistic about his chances of doing whatever he wants to do.
156 Comments
Owner must of had clout for not being arrested!
January 17, 2012 at 3:30 pm
So is the owner of the dogs paying all medical bills?
January 17, 2012 at 4:20 pm
nope, the taxpayers are, just like the rest of thosuands of people who have no insurance who get treated in our hospitals every day.
January 17, 2012 at 4:31 pm
So why didn’t the guy just pullout his Glock and shoot the—Oh ,I forgot,Chicago and Illinois have gun control.Sorry about your luck,pal,That wouldn’t have happened here.
January 17, 2012 at 4:52 pm
Another good reason not to live in Chicago.. Had
these dogs attacked me they would have been eating lead out of my Kimber!
January 17, 2012 at 9:45 pm
Living in Chicago won’t stop me from blasting animals like this, some of us still believe we have rights and are not afraid to protect our self.
January 17, 2012 at 11:08 pm
This is one reason I carry my pistol in Chicago every day, The other 9 million reasons have 2 legs.
January 17, 2012 at 11:16 pm
steve…please give our best regards to joseph. jim, snickers and i can only imagine the pain and terror this man went through.
January 17, 2012 at 3:52 pm
Joseph, I wish you all the best and will pray to St. Joseph for your speedy recovery.
January 17, 2012 at 4:09 pm
You obviously know nothing about the breed. They have to be taught to be vicious. I have had 4 of these dogs in my life, and not one of them was a danger to people. It’s all about training them to be submissive to humans. Just like any dog they can be man’s best friend, or worst enemy, and it is up to the people that own them to steer their development. They are not born killers, they are created.
January 17, 2012 at 4:15 pm
I thought both Barry and Rahm were on vacation 2 weeks ago.
January 17, 2012 at 4:24 pm
Sorry, facts don’t support that. The Centers for Disease Control did a ten year study on dog attack fatalities. 32% were caused by pit bulls. Rottweilers came in a distant second at 13%. That’s too high a percentage to allow for ‘bad owners.’ I work as an imaging technician and just had a sweet young girl in for a badly chewed arm. It was caused by her family’s pit bull that was lovingly raised. They’re called pits, because they were bred to fight in pits. Yes, all breeds bite, the difference is the pit bulls don’t let go or stop until forced. Best of luck to your family, I hope yours don’t turn on your children.
January 17, 2012 at 4:31 pm
What you are leaving out is that over 90% of those fatal attacks are by male dogs that were not neutered. No doubt, pit bulls are equipped to do damage, but simply neutering the dog is a huge protective factor. that is an owner issue. Also, about 20% were by dogs that were chained. Another owner issue. As far as bite statistics alone, German Shepherds, labs, and several other breeds are more likely to attack. I have owned several different breeds (labs, american eskimo, goldens) and have found pits to be the smartest and most amenable to training.
January 17, 2012 at 9:52 pm
“As far as bite statistics alone, German Shepherds, labs, and several other breeds are more likely to attack.”
What statictics please? I’d like to see your references.
In 2010, the combination of pit bulls (22) and rottweilers (4) accounted for 79% of all fatal attacks. In the 6-year period from 2005 to 2010, this same combination accounted for 71% (129) of the total recorded deaths (181).
The combined breakdown between the two breeds is substantial. From 2005 to 2010, pit bulls killed 104 Americans, about one citizen every 21 days, versus rottweilers, which killed 25 Americans, about one citizen every 88 days.
(from media reports compiled by dogsbite.org)
January 18, 2012 at 2:01 pm
SupportPitVictims, can you please stop citing dogsbite.org? Any respectable media site (aka CBS) is well aware that it’s full of embarrassingly skewed “statistics.” You’re doing nothing to help your “cause.”
January 18, 2012 at 8:17 pm
Gebus, what about the pregnant woman in California who was killed, along with her baby, by her pit bulls? She and her husband were “model” pit bull owners who used to spend a lot of time educating people about how to be responsible pit bull owners. Everyone who knew them said they were perfect owners for that breed. If it can happen to that family, it can happen anywhere and to anyone. Those dogs should be banned.
January 17, 2012 at 4:43 pm
e, I have not heard that story but it is so sad.
January 17, 2012 at 6:51 pm
You are wrong. These dogs can be docile their whole lives, and then one day they will snap. You can’t train away what evolution has embedded deep in their consciousness.
January 17, 2012 at 4:45 pm
because banning “things” works so well in our society. prohibition. guns. drugs. dogs. really? please. I don’t need the Government to babysit me, do you?
January 17, 2012 at 8:33 pm
I fully concur that HUMANS make dogs what they are. In this case, humans made them into vicious wild animals. Does that mean the victim has to take it? Does that mean the police were wrong? No it doesn’t.
January 17, 2012 at 4:48 pm
Beg to differ with you but you’re flat dead wrong about they have to be taught to be vicious….but on the other hand you’re also right about having to be taught to be submissive to humans. There in lies the problem, they recognize a weak person and may live with them without incident for years, however there’s a dead lady here where I live that thought the same thing before her two cute cuddly pits mauled and killed her because they didn’t respect her. Thats the fundamental problem with the breed…if they don’t respect you they will kill you in a heartbeat if they choose to.
January 17, 2012 at 4:51 pm
I love dogs but pit bulls need to go. Stupid people glorify their ownership of these dogs because “They are bad ass” and thus their owners are bad ass. This breed should be eliminated and anyone owning one should be fined.
January 17, 2012 at 4:16 pm
You’re wrong. Pitties are fine. I have a pit rescue and she’s gentle and snuggly. At her doggie daycare she is used to “interview” incomers, because she’s friendly and all waggy. I had a pittie as a kid 20 years ago, too, and she was sweet, slept in the same bed as my grandmother. It is the owners who treat them bad and turn them aggressive intentionally. They are what needs to go. I recall in the 80s Dobermans were the “bad” dogs. I think around the 90s it was Rottweilers that were “bad”. It’s not the breed, it’s the owners.
January 17, 2012 at 4:48 pm
You are crazy. A neighbor sic their pit pull on another neighbors Lab a few years back in my apartment complex. The Lab got away from the frantic owner and an hour later the police found her dog DEAD.
I live right next to a hotel where I saw this guy wrestling with a dog last month. Nope. It turned out that he was trying to get his two pit bulls from eating each others face apart. After about 20 minutes of watching, one pit bull with a white head was covered in blood.
But your right, poodles attack joggers all the time. I read stories where a family pit bull (was so friendly and has a waggy tail) ended up attacking some little child and chewing their face off. Tell that to the child once he/she grows up.
January 17, 2012 at 5:04 pm
You are insane.
Pitts naturally attack, and try to kill, that is what is in their genetic hardwiring. Just like collies naturally want to herd, retrievers want to retrieve, Komondors want to protect. You can’t train the natural instinct out of them.
Why are they always owned by idiots? Must be part of the hardwiring in idiots, and punks, they have to own these useless creatures, then don’t have the brains to properly contain them.
January 17, 2012 at 5:32 pm
@TD
Look I see what you are saying. You are missing the point here. You are basically blaming an entire genetic line of dogs. The blame falls on the persons who trained them to be this way.
You are making the same argument as blaming the GUN vs the person who used it. These dogs were trained to behave this way. They are not born ripping at our flesh.
Just like any and I mean ANY dog. You raise it to be mean. It will be mean. Just so happens the Pit Bull is well built for carnage over a poodle.
BUT I can say we can train poodles to attack the same…the effectiveness would be not so good though.
Still I am not trying to make light of this….just don’t be so naive about the facts. Most of these PIT BULL attacks are because of stupid owners.
January 17, 2012 at 5:36 pm
Nancy, you are SO RIGHT !! Its not the dogs, its the owners. I stole a pit bull from a fighting ring in Alabama 20 years ago while all were sleeping it off. The poor dog eyes were nearly blind with infection, he had buckshot in his body and he did 2 fights before I could get to him. Lying exhausted and sick in a pen ,like an idiot, I literally picked up this dog and put him in my sports car and drove off in the middle of the night. First thing I did was bathe him. At any time he could have ripped my throat out. He responded to a gentle touch and soft words rapidly and was by far one of the best 4 buds I ever had. I WAS REPSONSIBLE. I knew what he was capable of and had him secured behind a good fence or on a leash at all times. Eventually, one of the buckshots traveled up a vein and stopped his heart but he had 3 great years with me. IF I CAN TAKE A DOG USED FOR FIGHTING AND GO DIRECTLY TO MY HOME WITH HIM SLEEPING ON MY BED THAN ITS THE OWNERS NOT THE DOGS.
January 17, 2012 at 5:39 pm
I love you Nancy Whitney! The first problem is that “pitbulls” refer to up to 2 dozen different breeds of dogs. There is no one breed called “pitbull”, which means when we look at statistical attacks, we naturally see “pitbull” very high up the list because it clumps together 2 dozen different breeds. Now, the three most common breeds that are described as “pitbulls” are the American Staffordshire Terrier, the American Pit Bull Terrier, and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
Contrary to popular belief, “pitbulls” were not originally bred to fight, they were bred as “nanny dogs” and were excellent at protecting children. They became popular with dog fighters because of their strength. I weigh less than 100 lbs and my bf has a pitbull that weighs more than me… he is the snuggliest ever!!
Read more: http://blogcritics.org/culture/article/pit-bulls-vicious-killers-or-much/#ixzz1jlLemCJ8
January 17, 2012 at 5:53 pm
In the 3-year period from 2006 to 2008, pit bull type dogs killed 52 Americans and accounted for 59% of all fatal attacks. Combined, pit bulls and rottweilers accounted for 73% of these deaths.
It is people like you who are the problem.
January 17, 2012 at 10:00 pm
I agree it is the owners not the breed. I have a pit for almost ten years, 5 kids, 1 grandaughter he has been raised with. He has never attacked anyone or anything. I do not consider them badass dog, I consider stupid oweners.
January 17, 2012 at 10:43 pm
I have to agree. But a lot of people will say it’s not the dogs fault, it’s the owners. The truh is these owners need to do some research on pit bulls, and how many owners are killed by thier own pitbull’s.
My next door neighbor has a pitbull. They got a another pitbull and he ended up killing the new puppy for getting too close to his food. Thier not a very stable dog.
January 17, 2012 at 4:52 pm
Gary, I think you are right. A bad owner can exacerbate the situation, and there are many very loving, sweet pit bulls. But different breeds do have some built in instinct differences. Pit bulls have been bred for fighting and hostility toward other dogs in particular (though in this case it was a man they attacked).
What’s more, even if they WEREN’T more inclined toward this behavior, they are very strong, their jaws in particular. It’s reasonable to think a person could fight off another type of dog more easily.
January 17, 2012 at 5:16 pm
Gary,
I have seen my Jack Russell go ape sheet over anyone going near her food bowl. Drawing blood for that fact. I had to break her of this.
So does that mean every Jack Russell is a vicious dog now. You folks keeping setting up conditions to support these lame arguments.
I can do the same to prove how dumb playing this “Conditional setting = my facts are supported game”
The ONLY thing that makes pits tougher than normal is that Lock Jaw they can do. Rotts and Shepards can tear into you just as well with their jaws.
The only reason Pit Bulls are in the news so much, is so many people own them now. Maybe some of you are too old or too young. I remember when Rap took foot hold. I remember when Rappers put the Pit Bull as the dog every “gangsta” should own. Next thing I saw is every body and their mother wanting a pit bull. Cause they wanted to be just like the “rappers”.
The point I am making is poor owners produce poor dogs..no matter the breed.
The fact is Pit Bulls have been made very popular with the young male crowed out there as the “bad ass” dog to own. I have watched my fair share of very bad owners in my HOOD. I have seen my friends two dogs kill another and go after people.
You know what…these were very sweet dogs…till my EX friend raised them vs the previous owner. These dogs went from family dogs to roaming dangers in my part of the block.
You know why? Cause the fool taught them to attack a home made dummy of a human. THinking it was cool and bad ass.
This is why these dogs exist. Dumb owners like that…and I can say without a doubt.. there are a lot more dumb owners out there with these dogs. This wont be the last we hear of this kid of attack anytime soon.
January 17, 2012 at 5:55 pm
You’re right. It’s the dogs, not the owners. They’re not stable dogs and if you have more than one they will kill each other.
The proof is in the picture: http://twitpic.com/85eazb
January 17, 2012 at 9:58 pm
You’re an idiot.. It’s not the animal it is the owner. If the owner is mean and abusive or trains it to fight then you get trouble. Just like a bad child!
January 17, 2012 at 4:52 pm
I bet you own a pitbull Joe?
January 17, 2012 at 4:54 pm
YOU are the idiot. The owners of these mutts always say how nice they treated their doggie after he mauls someone. And the reason they GET pit bulls instead of another dog is because they KNOW how vicious they are.
Another stupid-a$$ pit bull lover.
January 17, 2012 at 5:02 pm
I’m not necessarily for killing or outlawing pit bulls. But you’re comment is extremely ignorant — and ironic, considering how unnecessarily hostile it was in a thread about an unprovoked attack.
Bad parenting is much more likely to lead to bad children. BUT there are good children with bad parents and bad children with good parents. Certain breeds of dog are statistically more inclined to attack than other breeds, regardless of training/owners. You don’t hear about packs of Labrador retrievers attacking joggers.
January 17, 2012 at 5:21 pm
Then you won’t mind if I shoot you when your dogs atrtack?
January 17, 2012 at 5:22 pm
It’s the dog…let’s face facts and stop the killing and maiming of innocent people
January 17, 2012 at 5:51 pm
From 2004 to 2010 59 US children were killed by the family’s, babysitter’s, neighbor’s or friend’s pit bull. (dogsbite.org)
January 18, 2012 at 1:50 pm
You could say the same for about anything. Lets see who commits most violent crimes and kill everyone of that race. See how dumb your remark sounds??? Its not the breed, it the owners. THE DOG DOES EXACTLY WHAT WHOEVER FEEDS IT WANTS. Bad owners= Bad dogs. A responsible owner would have these 2 dogs secured so they could not get out in the first place. You have to acknowledge the jaw pressures these dogs possess and take precautions. I stole a fighting pit bull from an Alabama farm 20 yrs ago. While all were sleeping it off , I literally like a fool, picked up this sick and exhausted dog and drove off in my sports car. Blind from eye infections, mauled and wounded with buckshot all over his body; the idiots fought him 2 times that night. First thing I did was bathe him. At ANY time he could have ripped my throat out. I was incredibly naive to do such a thing but so glad I did. We had 3 great years together before a buckshot traveled up a vein and stopped his heart. He was well taken care of and well loved. IF I CAN TAKE A FIGHTING DOG STRAIGHT FROM THE PEN TO SLEEPING ON MY BED THAN ITS THE OWNERS NOT THE DOG BREED.
January 17, 2012 at 5:49 pm
This is from another article about the jogger attack:
“The owner and the owner’s family were extraordinary responsive,” said Travis. “They were hoping that the dogs were not theirs. …The fact that they came forward says a lot of about their character.”
http://www.wgntv.com/news/local/breaking/chi-jogger-critically-injured-in-attack¬-by-2-pit-bulls-on-lakefront-20120102,0,7932891.story
Sounds like a good owner to me. The only thing they did wrong was to leave their gate open.
January 18, 2012 at 1:54 pm
Guest, I can’t help but to reply to your statement. If you truly are a dog lover you would understand that the breed of pitbulls were never to be used or train in the way of attacking. Shamefully some owners feel that if your pit isn’t vicious then he/she is of no use to them. Any animal (including humans) who are trained in attack and destroy will do just that. So let’s stop blaming the breed and put the blame where it should be with the socallled owners. With all do respect.
January 17, 2012 at 6:44 pm
That is a ridiculous statement. It is the owner, not the dog. I owned a wonderful, loving pit for 12 years. Those silly yip-yip dogs, Pomeranians and chiuauas and ar worse. Educate yourself.
January 17, 2012 at 4:16 pm
You fools educate yourself. My brother is a trainer and has two pits himself and he will be the first to tell you not to ever trust the breed. His dogs are docile and sweet and he will be the first to tell you the breed can snap at any time over any provocation. The PB’s were rightfully put down and the owner will be paying millions in restitution.
January 17, 2012 at 4:24 pm
You are so full of it.
January 17, 2012 at 5:28 pm
How many reports of pomeranians and chiuauas mutilating people do you hear about?
January 17, 2012 at 4:30 pm
A yapping chihuahua once broke the skin on my ankle. I was tempted to kick him like a football but the owner was standing right there and I wanted to sell him some candy. He didn’t buy any. Maybe I should have kicked the owner.
January 17, 2012 at 6:19 pm
Small dogs can be quite vicious. It’s not the pitbulls fault they are bigger and stronger.
January 17, 2012 at 6:38 pm
“Small dogs can be quite vicious. It’s not the pitbulls fault they are bigger and stronger.”.
.
Right, it’s your fault for owning them.
January 17, 2012 at 6:55 pm
Another in-denial pit bull loving moron.
All the pit bull owners say “we treated him so well, I can’t believe it!” after their mutt hurts or kills someone.
Only clueless morons like yourself think it’s an owner’s fault.
January 17, 2012 at 5:06 pm
I wish you were right. I wish that the “danger” could be contained by breed. But for so many reasons–starting with, your basic assumptions about “pit bull” type breeds are wrong–it can’t.
Also, so now you’re saying we should ban mutts? That would mean way more than hundreds of thousands… You’re confusing me.
January 17, 2012 at 7:47 pm
These replies are ending up in all the wrong places. But anyways…
A person is HUNDREDS of times more likely to be killed in a random murder than they are by a confirmed “pit bull” breed. Meanwhile, you support liberal gun laws but push for a ban on pit bulls? On what grounds? Freedom is freedom.
So you know, I own pit bulls. I don’t own guns. But still, I support YOUR right to own guns. I don’t need to own them in order to support YOUR right to own them responsibly. Just like, I would think, you don’t need to own pit bulls to support my right to own them responsibly. And just like you gun owners know in your brains that most people own guns responsibly, I own in my brain that most pit bull owners own their dogs responsibly. I mean, come on!
January 17, 2012 at 7:54 pm
Can your chihuahua do this?
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/world/mexican-doctors-reattach-childs-face-after-pitbull-attack/story-e6frf7lf-1226112563889
January 18, 2012 at 2:54 pm
He should have been carrying a gun. Oh that’s right! It happened in Chicago!
January 17, 2012 at 4:19 pm
Your right. Here in Ohio those dogs would have been dead before the cops were called. I would have had all my brass picked up by the time the cops arrived. GET WITH IT ILL. YOU DESEVE BETTER!!!! YOU GET WHAT YOU VOTE FOR.
January 17, 2012 at 4:30 pm
LOL, you wouldn’t want to litter now would you? A good gun owner always picks up his brass! My exact first thoughts. If it wasn’t Chicago this guy might still have two feet. He should sue the state for his injuries as they prevented him from protecting himself effectively. I love how the story puts it, “What he heard next ended the attack.” Ended it. Would most likely never have started if he had been armed.
January 17, 2012 at 5:21 pm
That is why you LEGALLY pack heat..oh that is right, cannot do that in Chicago…OH WELL…guess we will have more people with their feet chewed off
January 17, 2012 at 4:24 pm
“Those silly yip-yip dogs” Yes, but you can drop kick those “Those silly yip-yip dogs” into the next county if they get rowdy.
January 17, 2012 at 4:27 pm
im smart enough to know that not ALL pitbulls are killers, however, seems like every story i read about maulings it was a pit bull. we just moved into our new house that sat on the market for months and months. big back yard, finished basement, brand new rehab, all new everything. couldnt understand why, the day we moved in and unpacked everything the neighbors let their dogs out in their back yard right next to ours.2 full grown adult pitbulls. vicious looking and barking up a storm at us about to hop the small 4 foot fence that seperates us. we have a 10 month old son, im NOT HAPPY ABOUT THIS. what can I do? is there law in Skokie?
January 17, 2012 at 4:29 pm
Build a higher fence.
January 17, 2012 at 4:42 pm
Just make sure you have a trusty 12 guage with you when you have your son out in your yard if they come across that fence in attack mode protect your family, put them down. How was it I think Alabaster said it? Better you be judged by 12 then your son carried by 6.
January 18, 2012 at 12:31 am
The only thing you can really do is build a bigger fence. Also make sure it’s placed extra deep so they will not be able to dig under it to get into your yard.
January 17, 2012 at 4:46 pm
If you used a realtor, talk to a lawyer.
January 17, 2012 at 4:48 pm
There was a study done about media reporting dog attacks. It turns out that in the majority of the cases, the media reports the breed as a “pit bull: when in fact it wasn’t a pit bull who attacked a person but another breed altogether.
I have a 4 year old pit bull and raised him from a baby. He has never so much as bitten anyone even on accident.In fact, he is afraid of toasters, vacuums, and spends a good portion of the day trying to crawl on peoples laps in our living room like he is a house cat. Incidentally, he has multiple brothers and sisters around the area who have the same temperament as him. It really is largely dependent on the environment the dog grows up in.
I know a lot of … let us say a certain group of people … who buy pit bulls just to starve them and make them “bad ass.” This specific certain group of people should never be allowed to own a dog or any pet for that matter. Also, pitbull ownership should require a license. They are not bad dogs by nature, but when they do become bad, they are nothing less than dangerous weapons you have no control over.
January 17, 2012 at 5:16 pm
1) talk to your neighbors.
2) meet the dogs in your neighbor’s presense. Bring a treat for each and show them you are no threat.
3) Go with an open mind.
4) Most dogs are territorial. They “guard” their home so let the dogs know you are not a threat.
5) NO BIG dog likes to look into the eyes of a kid. Its a threat in their world so build a bigger fence.
January 17, 2012 at 5:55 pm
Jerry, I hope there is a law in Skokie. I know people out there and I would hate for one of them to get their foot eaten off by one of these barbaric azz dogs. I also agree with the statement they we get what we vote for, which is the reason I will NOT BE VOTING FOR MONIQUE DAVIS. SHE WAS ON OF THE PEOPLE THAT VOTED AGAINST CONCEAL CARRY. Please Jerry, take my advice. WATCH YOU 10 MONTH OLD BABY BOY AT ALL TIMES. THOSE MONSTER DOGS NEED TO BE BANDED OR KILLED.
January 17, 2012 at 6:09 pm
I pack anyway, I gotta protect myself from the stalkers!
January 18, 2012 at 12:34 am
I pack anyway, I gotta protect myself from the stalkers! When they get violent and try to attack me.
January 18, 2012 at 12:39 am
You didn’t ask WHY the house was for sale? Put up a six foot vinyl fence and contact the Village of Skokie to find out if there are any restrictions on dog owners. Some villages have regulations on dog barking for more than ten minutes – the owners will be warned, ticketed and fined, but that depends on the area you live in. You might be able to check with the police or village to see if any complaints have been registered against the dogs’ owners. I do understand your concern, but if the dogs’ owners are irresponsible, it will be up to YOU to do everything possible to protect your son even though they would be ultimately responsible for injuries or damage. You might want to talk with the dog owners to see what kind of people they are; then you will know what action to take, if any. Good luck.
January 17, 2012 at 6:11 pm
He should have been able to shoot the dogs himself when the attack started.
Would have saved his foot.
January 17, 2012 at 4:32 pm
Pit Bulls……….the Rolex’s of the trailer parks.
January 17, 2012 at 4:32 pm
Running at Rainbow Beach?!
REALLY?!!!
January 17, 2012 at 4:39 pm
Pitbull defenders don’t know anything about animal behavior. This level of viciousness has been bred into them. Very much the same way you don’t have to teach a pointer to point, or a lab to retrieve, or a pitbull to be unstable. It’s instinctual at this point. The ability to recognise a fellow canine (even of the same pack) submitting and stop attacking has been bred out. This is crucial to pack survival and is why this breed would probably cease to exist without human intervention(breeding). Further evidence of the unreliable, unstable nature of the breed is the fact that they are not used as service dogs, ie. police, military, etc. So keep defending this stupid dog, here’s your sign.
January 17, 2012 at 4:40 pm
It’s a travesty people don’t understand where the name PITbull came from.
They were BRED to fight in the PIT. That is their purpose in life, to fight.
January 17, 2012 at 4:51 pm
First, you do have to teach dogs, even labs, retrieve; plus, retrieving is a “skill”; “unstable” is a state of mind. Two entirely different things.
Second, Pitties ARE used as service dogs – here’s one link you could have found with a simple google: http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2011/10/01/pit-bulls-used-as-service-dogs-for-wounded-veterans/
Third, I’d be lots of money you know less about canine behavior than Caesar Milan, who passionately defends and rescues pitbulls. It is the owners who turn them aggressive.
January 17, 2012 at 4:57 pm
Hands down those who make negative remarks here could not tell an American Pit Bull from a Statfordshire and lump all sorts of inbreeds with pit bulls. I bet you none of them ever owned a pitt and just are blattering.
January 17, 2012 at 5:59 pm
Wasn’t it Shorty Rossi from the show Pit Boss and Shortywood that defends and rescues pit bulls, NOT Caesar Milan? Caesar is the dog whisperer that helps people with ALL breeds of dogs.
January 17, 2012 at 6:21 pm
@ Roberta -
Cesar Millan does work with all breeds of dogs, including pit bulls. His dog “Daddy” who died a couple years ago was a pit bull, as is his current “partner dog”, Junior.
January 17, 2012 at 10:11 pm
well said.
January 17, 2012 at 4:59 pm
Excuse me JTNC but pit bulls ARE used as service dogs or didn’t you read the story about Mr. Sak, a retired police officer/veteran whose service pit bull mix was removed from him and he had to fight to get him back because pit bulls were banned in this small town in Iowa? They have also been trained successfully to visit patients in hospitals. Might want to do a little more research before you spout off.
January 17, 2012 at 6:17 pm
They really need to outlaw pit bulls. To bad the jogger didn’t have a concealed weapon so he could have shot both of the dogs dead. At least if he would have had a 4 inch pocket knife he could have lacerated the vicious monsters.
January 17, 2012 at 4:43 pm
Forget a knife Joe Blow, the man needed a gun to kill those ugly mf’s. (and kill the owner when he comes too.)
January 17, 2012 at 6:13 pm
Anyother case calling for carrying a firearm. Except in the USA some cities, states are more equal than others on that particular provision of the US Constitution, you know, the one that supposedly protects US citizens. Oh, never mind, it doesn’t.
January 17, 2012 at 4:46 pm
I agree David. IF CCW was legal here in the communist state of IL, perhaps the man would not have been injured. Forty-nine other states cannot be wrong. When I walk my dogs, I make sure we are protected.
January 17, 2012 at 6:51 pm
yup yet another situation that could be solved with americans being aloud to have firearms , another sensless situation , but keep saying we the people dont need em enjoy your fates
January 17, 2012 at 4:47 pm
I’d say that the owner of those beasts owes that man a foot. Take if by force if he won’t give it up on his own accord.
January 17, 2012 at 4:49 pm
Brutal, but interesting……
January 17, 2012 at 5:44 pm
Fact: The Pit bull breed were bred and created to be fighting dogs. Hence the small ears that can’t easily be bitten off, the huge mouths for biting, the near non-existent neck, etc.
Fact: They fought in pits for man’s entertainment.
Fact: They require extensive training.
Fact: Many are half nuts due to excessive inbreeding.
If a person is going to own any dog they should be prepared to accept the consequences of any action taken by their dog.
January 17, 2012 at 4:53 pm
I agree with you 100%.
January 17, 2012 at 6:15 pm
Fact: Pit bulls were known as nanny dogs. Fact: Pit bulls are one of two breeds capable of being retrained, even after fighting. Fact: You might want to do a little more research.
January 17, 2012 at 6:26 pm
Fact: you’re wrong
January 18, 2012 at 7:32 pm
Fiction: they have small ears. No…that’s why dog fighters CROP their “too-big” ears.
Fact: They require extensive training. No…they are, as a breed, intelligent and people pleasers and generally catch on pretty fast.
Fact: Given the HUGE number of backyard breeders, most pit bull-type dogs aren’t inbred. Meanwhile, “pure” dog breeds of various sorts, by the nature of keeping the breed pure, have inbred lines.
Fact: I’m a person who is willing to accept the consequences of my dogs. Which is why my dogs are never off leash. And why they’re never allowed in an unmonitored yard for long. And why they’ve gone through extensive training and are well-socialized among all ages/ethnicities of people. And why they excel at agility and know how to climb trees and walls and are probably in better shape than you are, whoever you are.
Oh, and also they’re both rescued pit bulls.
January 17, 2012 at 7:00 pm
If he would have been carrying, he might still have his leg.
January 17, 2012 at 5:04 pm
Probably not. I live in Arizona, only a few miles from where Gabby Giffords was shot. We have the most liberal gun laws in the country. Lots of people in that shopping center were concealing. They simply didn’t know how to respond.
In the case of this guy, a person should be able go JOGGING without worrying about taking a weapon along.
And I’m saying this as a responsible owner of two, well-trained, socialized and exercised pit bulls WHO ARE NEVER OFF LEASH.
January 17, 2012 at 7:38 pm
I see a lot of comments about gun laws. Do any of you touting this nonsense honestly think that if it was legal to carry a weapon, that everyone would do so? Do you think this man would have been armed except the law stopped him? Not everyone wants to walk around with a deadly weapon, and many will choose not to. Stop acting like a gun law is the only thing standing in the way of a low crime scenario. Pennsylvania has concealed carry laws and look at Philadelphia.
Stop trying to see your issue where your issue isn’t even relevant.
January 17, 2012 at 5:13 pm
You are ignorant. I live outside of Philadelphia. Philadelphia does NOT allow concealed carry but my area does. So which one has less crime? .
January 17, 2012 at 5:21 pm
concealed carry is absolutely allowed in Philly and you have no idea what you’re talking about, not that the original posters comment had any bearing to it either.
January 17, 2012 at 5:40 pm
Criminals aren’t able to carry legally. What part of being a criminal do you not understand. By definition, they don’t care about laws. They break them, they are criminals. It is the honest, hard working people who want to protect themselves that can’t. So you want to let your leg get chewed off, or your kids, great, have fun. I do not. Quit trying to put your small minded ideals on everyone else.
January 17, 2012 at 5:37 pm
It’s not an issue of whether or not this guy *would* have been carrying if ALLOWED to. It’s that he was FORBIDDEN from carrying. The law therefore guaranteed this outcome. And BTW, where the law abiding are allowed to defend themselves crime does go down. I live in Blacksburg, VA, home of VA Tech. The university bans guns on campus. A lot of good that did!!! That policy guaranteed Cho would be very successful as he had no FEAR that anyone might be armed. PLEASE NOTE WHAT STOPPED THE ATTACK….
January 17, 2012 at 5:51 pm
Nate, if you do not want to carry a weapon, than don’t! Don’t stop anyone else from carrying one if they want to.
January 17, 2012 at 6:18 pm
@ Nate P. you are very ignorant. Do your research before you spew your verbal vomit. Forty-nine states have conceal carry or open carry. ONLY The Communist State Of Illinois does not allow Conceal Carry. But don’t worry, we will get it passed within the next couple of years.
January 17, 2012 at 6:54 pm
I drove through Illinois, including Chicago. To me it is like crossing over into East Germany, without the wall. The laws are not based on the Constitution, but rather the tyranical type of govt that was overthrown with the Revolution
January 18, 2012 at 12:03 am
Good thing he didn’t have a gun. He might have hurt the pit bulls. Good thing he didn’t even have pepper spray. Better to depend on the police. Sarcasm off.
January 17, 2012 at 5:19 pm
Twas a good thing for the pit bulls. It truly was sad that the police that finally showed up did have guns. Where is PETA when you need them???
January 17, 2012 at 5:53 pm
‘These Were Not Just Regular Dogs’, you think?
January 17, 2012 at 5:22 pm
Sounds like Chicago dogs are like their politicians…very mean and have little respect for people.
January 17, 2012 at 5:24 pm
When seconds count, the police are only minutes away. Protect yourself. Oh, right. You live in Chicago. Too bad. Gun control is nothing but a union work rule. Government is the largest and most powerful union. If you belong, great. If not, tough.
January 17, 2012 at 5:25 pm
We will soon find that they were his dogs. Dogs that are being hidden away by relatives.
January 17, 2012 at 5:27 pm
To Joseph Finley — My prayers and best wishes to you, what a nightmare. The fact that you fought the dogs off for so long and didn’t give up shows great courage and stamina and I think the Dr. is right – if anyone can get through this, someone with your courage and determination can, and will. Hang in there and God Bless.
January 17, 2012 at 5:28 pm
There is truth on both sides of this argument but making sweeping statements is not the answer.
1) american staffordshire terriers, (amstaff’s aka Pit Bulls) were in the early 50′s what a lab is today – a family dog. The dalmation once known as a “smart” dog…. well not so much today.
Due to improper breading, training and ownership there is a defiant and aggressive trait that can exist is SOME pit bulls. The problem is that there are MANY that do not have this trait and are still excellent family pets. Just as in any living being respect and education, aka training can help to overcome tendencies but just as educating a redneck or a thug will not ALWAYS make them respected members of society not all pit bulls should be pets.
There needs to be enforcement of the existing legislation which will go a long way to eliminating the “problematic dogs”. Back yard breaders need to be registered, leash and spay laws MUST be enforced. Animal cruelty MUST be a felony. Do this things and you won’t have the issues we have now with dogs that are abused and then let to roam freely because they are not PET’s but profits. nuff said!
January 17, 2012 at 5:29 pm
JJ You are 100% right on.
January 17, 2012 at 6:29 pm
“Due to improper breading, training and ownership there is a defiant and aggressive trait that can exist is SOME pit bulls. ”
So you want to play Russian Roulette with your pit bull and a family member? From 2004 to 2010 59 US children were killed by the family’s, babysitter’s, neighbor’s or friend’s pit bull.
January 18, 2012 at 1:40 pm
God bless you Joe…you did survive and I am sure will prevail in the future.
January 17, 2012 at 5:30 pm
Always a pit bull in these stories. I am sick of hearing their owners defend their “lovable” animals.
January 17, 2012 at 5:32 pm
Wether he would have had a gun on him if it were legal is not the issue. The issue is he was not legally able, even though the constitution states he should be able to have a weapon. The fact is, if he had enough sense to live somewhere that allowed CDW, he would have had a better chance of keeping his foot if he had the gun and didn’t have to wait for a cop to show up.
January 17, 2012 at 5:33 pm
People make choices on where they want to live. Having enough sense is totally irrevelant. The fact is and remains that this man has lost his foot due to these roaming, manic azz beasts. Another fact is we need conceal carry HERE. HERE IN CHICAGO.
January 17, 2012 at 6:27 pm
Pit bulls and rotweillers (sp?) should be eradicated off the face of the earth. People who own them are a$$h0les.
January 17, 2012 at 5:35 pm
“Sorry, facts don’t support that. The Centers for Disease Control did a ten year study on dog attack fatalities. 32% were caused by pit bulls. Rottweilers came in a distant second at 13%.”
And the CDC positively identified the breeds of all the “pit bulls” in their study? Or were the relying on witness or police reports secondhand? There are multiple breeds that share a similar body shape and coloration to pit bulls. Can you tell the difference? http://www.pitbullsontheweb.com/petbull/findpit.html
January 17, 2012 at 5:37 pm
I blame the government. A country as great as the USA should know that, when the unemployment runs out, the welfare should be sufficient to feed a family AND their pit bulls.
January 17, 2012 at 5:40 pm
My girlfriend had a pitbull that was “gentle like a baby”. Next thing you know, the “gentle baby” ripped open the side of one of her other dogs. I also witnessed it trying to attack someone’s little lapdog.
January 17, 2012 at 5:42 pm
Lot of misinformation here. Yes pitbulls were bred to fight- other animals. Not humans. In fact during the fights their owners WERE IN THE PIT WITH THEM. If any dog showed aggression towards a human it was PUT DOWN. So with all that adrenaline and ferocity directed at the other dog it still would not hurt the humans right next to it. For this reason pitbulls are actually one of the least human aggressive. On average they make pretty lousy guard dogs. They absolutely adore humans. They are often dog aggressive though. However their are many pitbull mixes that aren’t actually an American Pitbull Terrier. Most of the sensational headlines regarding “pitbulls” are actually pit mixes with bullmastiffs (extremely human aggressive) or other mastiff breeds. A full grown pitbull really isn’t very big on average 40-60 pounds. Anything above that and you can guarantee it’s a mix. I highly doubt these were American pitbull terriers that did this, if so, they were really really abused animals.
January 17, 2012 at 5:43 pm
“They absolutely adore humans.” Did you read the article above? Sheesh
You are just making up the pit/bullmastiff thing.
Do a google search. people are breeding massive pit bulls and they’re doing it without crossing just like they’re breeding massive labradors without crossing.
You, not having seen them know better than the owner, animal control, and the police. Right.
Cherie Travis the head of the CACC said she would investigate to see if there was abuse. Instead she praised the pit bull owner’s character.
Nice try.
January 18, 2012 at 7:31 pm
It is stupid to say that if Chicago/Illinois didn’t have strict gun laws that he would have his leg. Who’s to say that he would have decided to be a concealed permit holder? I’m an NRA member that has lots of rifles and shotguns ( even assault rifles ) and I live in a state that allows concealed carry. But I don’t even own a handgun because I don’t like them all that much. I happen to live in an area of Utah with an extremely low crime rate, don’t need a concealed weapon.
January 17, 2012 at 5:48 pm
Hooray, hooray, hooray for you. Maybe you are blinded by stupidy, I don’t know but what I do know is, if the man would have had a gun those ugly, crazy azz dogs would have been dead right then and there.
January 17, 2012 at 6:32 pm
My little dog and i went out for a walk and were attacked by 2 pit bulls. Luckilly, my little dog was able to get her head out of her collar and run back home where she hid. The pit bulls pulled me down in the attack: one almost bit my fingers off and the other almost bit my leg off at the knee. The JERK who owned the loose dogs had no insurance and didn’t even care that we had been attacked.
I think the breed needs to be limited to the military, forbidden to the public. Or, if the public is to be allowed ownership, a bond of 50 thousand dollars needs to be put up in order to own one,
I WISH THEY WERE AL DEAD, DEAD, DEAD!!!
January 17, 2012 at 5:49 pm
Me too.
January 17, 2012 at 6:35 pm
When are people going to realize that pit bulls ARE a dangerous breed-that the average dog owner is just not equipped to raise them properly-so when they get tired of them they let them loose to fend for themselves and do what they are breed to do-attack and kill. I think owning this breed of dog should be illegal.
January 17, 2012 at 5:55 pm
I feel the same way you do.
January 17, 2012 at 6:37 pm
Liberals and their anti gun bs will get u killed, in this case get your foot chewed off. what lousy people the libs are…
January 17, 2012 at 5:57 pm
Pits are innate killers and their owners are usually on the lower end of the IQ spectrum. Have a lovable pit in a room and have a three year old accidentaly step on his paw. The child will die. Period.
Eliminate the breed and the owners.
January 17, 2012 at 5:58 pm
STEVE FOR MAYOR. BRAVO STEVE.
January 17, 2012 at 6:39 pm
The breed needs to become extinct. The breed AS A WHOLE is simply too dangerous. And the idiots who say it’s not the breed it’s the owner are morons who refuse to face facts.
January 17, 2012 at 5:58 pm
Half the people are saying blame the owner not the dog. Fine. Show me some examples of owners being held criminally liable for the assaults and killings committed by their dogs. If the owners aren’t criminally liable then the only alternative is to restrict or outlaw potentially dangerous breeds, like pit bulls. The status quo is unacceptable.
January 17, 2012 at 6:00 pm
Pit Bulls are bred to be vicious. Why the name, “pit bull”? Those that own these type of dogs seem to have serious social issues. If they want a big dog, why isn’t a lab or Collie good enough?
January 17, 2012 at 6:01 pm
Steve, Steve, Steve, I thought you knew the answer. These idiots do not want a lav or collie or shepard. THEY WANT AN UGLY DOG THAT IS CAPABLE OF KILLING. LAV, COLLIES SHEPARDS ARE BEAUTIFUL DOGS AND INTELLIGENT.
January 17, 2012 at 6:44 pm
You people are so prejudiced. You’re saying the owner of a certain dog is an idiot just because we gave it a home? You don’t think other dogs are capable of killing?
January 17, 2012 at 6:47 pm
To all those that say, “my pit bull is never aggressive”. You don’t know when that will change. People that have owned lions and tigers can say the same thing. Should it be okay for anybody to have a pet lion or tiger in the neighborhood? I have never heard of anybody being mauled by a pack of labs or collies.
January 17, 2012 at 6:07 pm
A pit bull is a weapon. It makes its weak owners feel strong.
January 17, 2012 at 6:17 pm
That is another way of looking at it and it sounds about right.
January 17, 2012 at 6:46 pm
BAN PIT BULLS!!
January 17, 2012 at 6:27 pm
Mr. Finley, I am hoping for a speedy recovery for you.
January 17, 2012 at 6:55 pm
CHICAGO: 435 murders in 2010. 1900 rapes in 2010. the day after this incident a 15yo boy was shot to death. he got a mention on page 5 and they didn’t even include his name. yet this one dog attack has generated over 25+ articles? where are our priorities here? my God, seriously??
January 17, 2012 at 8:35 pm
Seriously? How many assaults that resulted in a near fatality? How many dismemberments? And of those dismemberments and near fatalities, how many of those assaults were dismissed as insignificant by people who had an axe to grind?
I like your previous comment better:
http://pitbullattacksinillinois.blogspot.com/2012/01/who-runs-cacc-and-why-wont-chicago.html
January 18, 2012 at 4:31 pm
“He said he fought the dogs for 20 to 25 minutes and felt certain he wouldn’t live to tell his story.”
.
Yeah, that wouldn’t happen if he were attacked by two chihuahuas. Nor would they have chewed off his foot, nor would it have taken two cops firing away to get them off him. He was darned lucky they showed up, because anybody else who showed up, it he weren’t armed, would have had a helluva time getting these beasts off of him. Anybody who reads this fellow’s account knows it’s just like he said, “These were not just regular dogs.” But they were regular pit bulls.
January 17, 2012 at 10:19 pm
Since you pit bull lovers are fond of telling us what docile creatures they are, you should have no qualms about supporting the following legislation: If your pit bull commits a crime, YOU, the owner, serve the time. How about that, eh? Your dog kills somebody, you die. Your dog eats some guy’s foot, you are sentenced to be his gofer for life. Sound good? No risk at all, right? Your “pitties” are all loving and docile, so you shouldn’t have any problem supporting such a law.
January 17, 2012 at 10:31 pm
I don’t know about the “gofer for life” part, but in general I am with you.
Anyone, with any dog, that allows their dog to injure or kill an innocent person should be held criminally and financially liable.
By “innocent”, I mean anyone that is not breaking into the dog’s territory, or is not being attacked in defense of the owner’s property or safety.
The owner of the dogs that attacked this jogger should, in my opinion, be facing some serious charges.
January 17, 2012 at 11:10 pm
I have had pits, shepards dobermans, ect my whole life. My pit now is almost ten. He has been raised with 5 kids ages 3 to 23, a grandaughter 6. He has never attacked or become violent to anyone.
January 17, 2012 at 10:46 pm
2011 DOG ATTACK FATILITIES
3% (1 per 7 different breeds)
13% Rottweiler (4)
71% Pit bulls (22)
dogsbite.org
January 18, 2012 at 1:33 pm
PIT MAULER DEFENSE 101
Pestered by facts? You can’t go wrong if you follow these simple guidelines. Keep repeating ad-nauseum:
1) Always blame the owner.
2) “It’s all how you raise them”
3) Sanctify the breed. (My Sweetheart would just lick you to death!)
4) Point the finger at another breed. (Chihuahuas are killers!)
5) “Pit bulls are just like any other dog.”
6) Blame the victim: “They shouldn’t have left the kid alone with the dog!”
7) “They used to be nanny dogs!” (don’t use with #6)
8) “The media only covers pit bull attacks.”
9) “We don’t know the whole story.” (don’t use with #8)
10) Cloud the issue: “Most people can’t identify a pit anyway.” (don’t use with #8)
11) “The (child, toddler, grandparent, babysitter, neighbor etc.) probably provoked it!”
12) “It used to be breed X, then breed Y, then breed Z. NOW it’s the pit bull! (don’t use with #2, #5 or #10)
13) “It was just playing!”
14) Did you blame the owner?
January 18, 2012 at 1:45 pm
HILARIOUS!!!!
Also perfectly shows how pit bull pushers contradict themselves with gay abandon.
Its just blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.
THANKS FOR THIS!
January 18, 2012 at 3:56 pm
Pingback: WATCH: Pit Bull Attack Victim Speaks Out | Phoenix Criminal Lawyer
These poor dogs had to eat ni gg er feet for their last meal!
January 18, 2012 at 2:42 pm
Pingback: Joseph Finley, Pit Bull Attack Victim, Says Dogs Were Trained To Kill (VIDEO) | insurancepetmed.com
Animals in the News, Part One: Animal-Animals
The cynical comedian W.C. Fields famously said, “Anyone who hates children and animals can’t be all bad.” Whether Fields was serious or not is debatable since he often performed with both children and animals and he financially supported his two sons even when he didn’t have to.
The point is that children and animals aren’t all that bad even though both can be difficult at times and even if both can turn vicious. Kids aren’t the subject of this piece, though; animals of various stripes are.
In the nation’s capital, so-called Occupiers have become a problem as they have wherever they’ve moved in. Newt Gingrich advised them a while ago to get a job and take a bath but they’ve done neither. What they have done in D.C. and elsewhere is create a sanitation hazard by breeding rats.
There are various kinds of rats in Washington but here I refer to the 4-legged kind infesting Freedom Plaza and McPherson Square, not the human vermin.
In what must be a PETA-inspired decision, D.C. health officials plan to pack the rats off to neighboring Virginia rather than exterminating them which would make more sense, except to the officials. To show their concern for family values, the braindead Washingtonians are also insisting on the impossible, capturing and exporting the rodents with their little rat families.
At least that’s the interpretation of the Wildlife Protection Act of 2010 by Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli who thinks the law is “crazier than fiction.” Gene Harrington, Director of the National Pest Management Association concurs saying, “Basically, federal and local government regulations have tied legal District rodent control practices in knots and made the management of such a problem much more complicated than it should be.”
It’s all par for the course when governmental functionaries pretend they know what they’re doing.
There are other animal stories in the news, not ridiculous stories like that of the D.C. rats but, instead, gory and tragic. . .
(Read more at http://www.genelalor.com/blog1/?p=12166.)
January 20, 2012 at 11:54 pm