Tragic Incident: Pit Bull Attacks Therapy Dog in Vancouver – Full Story!
Pit Bull Kills Therapy Dog in Vancouver: A Tragic Story
This is a difficult story to hear.
A miniature pinscher was tragically attacked and killed by a pit bull in Vancouver this past Saturday. The owner, Mia Johnson, is devastated by the loss of her beloved dog, Yuri, and I can only imagine the emotional toll it has taken on her family. Here is what happened.
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The Attack
Mia Johnson was out for a walk with her daughter and two dogs when a woman walking a Staffordshire bull terrier—a breed commonly referred to as a pit bull—approached. The encounter quickly escalated, and as Mia recounts, the pit bull lunged at her two miniature pinschers.
The larger dog was on a leash and appeared to be wearing a muzzle, but it also seemed out of control. At one point, the dogs’ leashes became tangled, and the pit bull’s muzzle came loose. This allowed the much larger dog to grab onto one of Mia’s smaller dogs, Yuri, in its jaws.
“We couldn’t get it to let go,” Mia says. “I remember I was banging it on the top of its head as hard as I could.”
Once the dogs were finally separated, Mia was horrified to discover that Yuri had been severely injured, appearing to have been disemboweled. The poor dog was howling in pain.
“I just held him against me. I held everything in with my hands, against me, and he was alive. He was just letting out these terrible screams, and I just kept holding him as hard as I could,” Johnson said.
Mia’s daughter, Laurel, who has Asperger syndrome and an anxiety disorder, ran after the pit bull’s owner, screaming, “You’re a murderer, you’re a murderer.”
Yuri was not just a pet; he was a therapy dog for Laurel, offering her comfort during difficult times. Since the tragic event, Laurel has been unable to cope with the loss and has stayed in her room, trying to process the emotional devastation.
Yuri: More Than Just a Pet
Yuri wasn’t only a comfort to Laurel; he was also a volunteer therapy dog at a Vancouver palliative care center. Every week, Yuri would visit patients, providing them with comfort and companionship.
“He would get up on their laps and he would just sit there, and just be loving them. Sometimes he would lie on somebody’s bed next to their head if they were in their final stages," Mia recalls. “He was just a calm little dog."
This is a heartbreaking reminder of the impact that therapy animals can have in the lives of those suffering from illness. Yuri was a true hero in his own right, offering solace to patients during their most vulnerable moments.
The City’s Response
The City of Vancouver has confirmed that it has seized the pit bull, and bylaw officers are investigating the incident. It’s reassuring to know that the authorities are taking action, but it’s clear that this tragic event could have been prevented with better control and responsibility from the dog’s owner.
The Bigger Issue: Responsible Dog Ownership
To me, the core issue here isn’t necessarily about the breed of dog involved, but about responsible dog ownership and ensuring that dangerous dogs are adequately controlled. This attack highlights the importance of making sure that all dogs, particularly those with a history or potential for aggression, are properly managed by their owners.
It’s also worth noting that a recent study on serious dog attacks, which reviewed press accounts from both the U.S. and Canada between 1982 and 2013, highlights the concern surrounding certain breeds, including pit bulls. The study found that molosser breeds, which include pit bulls, are responsible for a large percentage of serious dog attacks.
Key Study Findings:
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81% of attacks that cause bodily harm
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76% of attacks on children
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87% of attacks on adults
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72% of attacks resulting in fatalities
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81% of attacks resulting in maiming
This research indicates that while these breeds only represent about 9.2% of the total dog population, they are disproportionately involved in severe attacks.
Responsible Dog Ownership: A Shared Responsibility
As much as certain breeds may have a predisposition toward aggression due to their history, I believe it’s important to recognize that a dangerous dog is often a result of irresponsible ownership. Dog owners must be held accountable for controlling their pets and preventing them from becoming a threat to others.
In some cases, a once well-meaning dog can be turned dangerous by neglect, abuse, or improper training. The phrase “Good dog, bad owner?” might ring true in many of these instances. Ultimately, the responsibility lies with the owners to ensure their dogs are well-trained, controlled, and not a danger to others.
Conclusion: A Tragic Loss
The loss of Yuri is a tragic reminder of the importance of responsible pet ownership and the devastating consequences when dogs are not properly controlled. I offer my deepest sympathies to Mia, Laurel, and their family as they process this heartbreaking event.
P.S. Certain dog breeds, such as pit bulls, have been bred for fighting, and when these dogs attack, they can cause serious harm. However, it’s crucial to recognize that it’s often the owners, not just the breed, that play a role in these attacks.
P.P.S. I’d also like to invite you to my NEW Natural Animal Care Web Seminar, happening next Wednesday, November 12th. Mark the date, and stay tuned for the invitation in your email!
I am an animal lover for sure. My brother, wife and child have a Pit Bull they got at a rescue. My niece and her boyfriend also have a young pit bull the got as a puppy in Florida and have trained very well. I really believe that Pit Bulls are not to blame it’s their damn owners. That womyn shouldn’t have even have, let alone have on a leash an animal she has not control over. Don’t blame animals for what humans have given to some breeds. People need to understand you need the space in your yard to exercise them. It should not be walking down a street or taking them in someplace to show them off. I foster rescues and they do not run free unless I know they are secure and then it’s not down town and I can control them at all times.
I have lived through GSD,dobes, rotties and now Pitts being the Choice dogs of the moment to bash or love and kill at pounds. Believe me, in the 1970’s at pounds on te east coast you would find GSD’s and mixes on death row rather than all of the Pitts an Pitt mixes. I have a Pitt mix now. He isn’t the 35 pound dog of the 1920s so endeared to the public. He is 105 pounds and I met him four eyes ago after a great neighbor of mine, dumped him in an agricultural area with a shoot to kill law on dogs. I met him as he attacked a 30 pound puggle mix of mine. I NEVER in 50 years of being a dog person AND NEVER getting bit saw such a blank aggression as he tried to kill my dog. You may ask why he is still alive, he is big black and bully and would surely be put down and that day I beat him senseless trying to get him off of my dog( who recovered nicely and I still have) I have acres of land and the Pitt has a completely enclosed area with re enforced fencing. He is people gentle BUT horrid around other animals as MOST terriers are. I have neighbors who have 9 chows and they fight( I cannot deal with dogs fighting but some people seem less worried about it) I have neighbors who have 6 blue heeler a and they fight. ALL terriers do the neck shaking thing with their prey. I know of a woman who has two westies and they fight bad. They are NOT large dogs BUT are terriers. I have small dogs as well and in between dogs. I live in a rural area and dog dumping is rampant( all of my dogs from a bichon to a chi to a heeler to the Pitt to the puggle… All dumped!!! Point is one of the biggest reasons owners surrender pitts( I challenge you to look on Arizona Friends’s of Shelter Animals on Facebook) Pitts ARE animal aggressive as are ALL terriers I have ever encountered. My heeler was about 4 months when I found him. He bearded my goats the first time he saw them. He had this bred into his breed for generations. Pitts that showed ANY human aggression in the height of tour love affair with them were culled immediately. I am NoT anti Pitt. I am anti-a-hole. I NEVER would own. Pitt if I could have placed him with a good home that I knew would make sure he would never be around another animal again. This is long and no one will read it BUT it is DISGUSTING when people do NOT admit responsibility. ALL Pitt owners look like hood rat idiots with no compassion in their heart to see this happen to someone else’s beloved pet… And make excuses. I for one think this is a tragedy. There are some dogs who should NOT be out in public with other dogs!!! Period. I own one!!! Not willingly BUT I know he is animal aggressive. If I put him a risk to show his inborn animal/ dog aggression instead of doing everything I can to protect other dogs Lives and in turn my dog’s life, I am an irresponsible asshole!
Pit bulls are dogs and being big dogs with a lot of muscle behind need to be firmly, not brutally, controlled. Owners of dogs like pit bull should show that they can control and take responsibility for their dogs. Dogs are more like children, they never grow up and it is up to the parent or dog owner to teach or train her/his dog so it does not pose a threat to other living creatures. Yes, pitts have been bread primarily for dog fighting and are aggressive towards other animals, especially other dogs after all it’s their job. It’s the stupidity and money greed of men that put the dog into the highlights of bad dog. There should be more information about the character of dogs and centers teaching people how to handle a dog properly, run by dogpsychologists and owners. Some do exist but they are payable and a lot of people can’t afford them again this little word greed plus there are different oppinions and so called profesionals who seemed to know all about dogs and flounder their personal prejudicm. It’s a shame a dog was killed and another will be killed based on human ignorance.
It’s SO Simple. Keep your LITTLE Dogs away FROM ALL Big Dogs, Keep Your BIG Dogs away From ALL Little Dogs, and MOST Other Big Dogs. I have Little dogs and I do not mind telling Other dog owners to Back OFF and CURB there Animals, I only take Mine to the Groomer and Vet, NO dog Parks are Any other Place, they have a 8ft. fenced in Back yard to play in where there safe. This should of NEVER Happened ,MS. Johnson Did YOU Not see the other dog was Muzzled, THAT SHOULD Of Told You, NOT A NICE DOG and the owner of the Large Dog IF Your DOG Has to be Muzzled, What were you doing with it out around other People and Animals, YOU Had NO Right Having That Animal Out where something like this could happen, Because of YOU and Your OUT of Control BEAST, YOU Caused THIS and NOW that YOUR DOG has MURDERED Another Animal It HAS To Be PUT DOWN. I do Not care WHAT Breed the larger Dog IS, Anyone that CAN NOT CONTROLL Said Animal, BY LAW Should NOT Be able to Own ONE, It’s like having a Loaded weapon or ticking time Bomb. I do Hope that MS. Johnson IS Going To SUE YOU For Everything she can Get and IF Nothing but the Law Preventing YOU from EVER having another Dog, EVER. It’s Owners LIKE YOU, That OWN Large MURDEREST BREEDS That GIVE ALL Large Dogs a Bad NAME and There OWNERS Look As DUMB,As DURT !!! MS. Johnson IF Your Ever Blessed with another little Fur Baby again, PLEASE, Keep Your HEAD IN The SUN , Fresh AIR, and OUT OF Your ( the Sand ) PROTECT IT, That’s YOUR JOB, Keep It away From Other DOGS, and There STUPID OWNERS !!!
We had a rescue mail rescue dog in the UK it was a Jack Russel/Staffy Cross.
It was a rescue dog and was used as a PAT DOG that worked within a mental health environment for thirteen years.
The animal was sometimes a very quiet pet although the patients were really found of it and when it died through a cancer in the paw caused by pollution the centre patients/members were very distressed and missed their friend and centre pet.
The dog was not dangerous and could tell when a person was distressed with their condition.
Now I look on this cross and breed very loyal and loving even to other people who had an infinity to it The dog retained its loyalty to its family and never attacked anyone throughout its life
It is not the animal who is dangerous it is the numpty who trains it
The only thing worse the poor media reporting is people that repeat said biased journalism without doing any fact finding on their own! The entire story is sad but I can bet you we do not have all of the facts. Was the owner of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier irresponsible? The dog was muzzled per Canadian (archaic) law. How do we know that the Therapy dog was not acting out on actions of it’s owner or the hysteria of the moment. Perhaps the Therapy dog charged the Staffordshire Bull Terrier? But we don’t know the facts. There are so many numerous scenario’s on what might have caused this incident but you can bet the media never gives the full nor accurate account. Either do you Dr Jones because you didn’t research facts either; the only thing worse is your “apology”. Which makes me doubt your expertise in other area’s. Where else do you take short cuts? Just as an aside you may want to read this on “DOGBITES.ORG”, another expert at misreporting and skewing information.
Here is another well researched site you can quote with the knowledge that the information is accurate.
http://nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/dogbites/dog-bite-related-fatalities/
As for me, I am unsubscribing from your blog and your website; I will not be purchasing your book either. I don’t believe in rewarding people that use sensationalism to promote themselves and that is just about all your blog boils down to. Sign me…DISGUSTED.
While I am sad about the incident and that the little girl lost her beloved dog, the owner of the minipins should have stayed away and not approached the staffordshire if she already saw that it was muzzled and hard to control.
You are correct, this isn’t about the breed. It all boils down to responsible pet ownership – but not all owners are responsible or have common sense.
One thing that utterly dismays me when stories like this are reported, is the disregard for truth and facts. I expect this from the Media, but now most Veterinary practioners seem to also fall into this category. While I do not expect them to have the same knowledge as Dog Judges, they should know the basics and also not refer to an animal as 3 different breeds within the one story !
The head study in your story is clearly a Staffordshire Terrier, yet the article talks about a Pit Bull Terrier and the media is loose with the interchange of names.
The Staffordshire Terrier – is an old English breed and worldwide this is the name given to this registered breed. This name is only used in conjunction with the English breed not the American one (which is given the whole of its name or Amstaff)
The American Staffordshire Terrier (or Amstaff) is a larger, longer-legged breed and is recognised as a separate breed in the showring.Properly bred and trained it makes an excellent family dog. Indeed the first registered Seeing-eye dog was one of these and owned by the famous Australian Helen Keller. The famous dog on the War Poster saying that Uncle Sam Wants You featured one of these dogs.
The Pit Bull Terrier is the unregistered version of the above breed and is the one that is usually the cause of the troubles and attacks as they were bred for the Fight and other Arenas and maintain their own register and “strains” such as Jeep and Red Nose etc.
There are a number of other names that some groups are using to set up their own Registers and “breeds” but these are the main and recognised ones – Ban dogs, Aussie Bulldogs, etc etc
Let me know if you want any info. We are senior ANKC judges, Govt Breed Identifiers for the Dangerous Dogs and many other things. Every Dog and Cat in NSW has to be Microchipped as a baby, by Law and all other States are following suit.
When we lost the Staffy cross we again went for a rescue dog. This time it was a Border Collie Cross. This animal is from Ireland and was removed from its Mother at five weeks. The dog was ferried to the Uk, Scotland and passed down the line to a pound 300 miles away, injected and put up for adoption at twelve weeks. We fell in love with the animal as it was the most friendly of animals, in fact so much so was at a danger to itself. Still the dog will frieze when out walking when it sees other humans approaching it for a stroke, it always ends up on its back for a tummy rub no matter who the person is. We have tried for three years to stop this procedure as all dog owners know many do not like being familiar with strange dogs.
When we got the animal it had a severe infection of the gut, it took over eighteen months for the dog to recover.It took all that time for an insurance to cover vet bills
We now live in the English countryside, our immediate neighbours love the animal who does the rounds meeting its Fan Club.
All I can say regarding all dogs, many rescue animals no matter what breed or stock can be trained to be a good, loyal pet even when its past is so severe that the animal has issues. If you train the animal well and not shout, there hearing is more astute than ours, and be considerate in how the animal is approached you can get an animal that becomes a wonderful pet and member of a family. Dogs can be very forgiving.
One of our next doors has a STAFFY, before the animal was homed it was trained to be a dog fighter. This dog was given to a Vicar by the young man who had been training it. Sad to say this dog at five years old cannot be introduced to other dogs because of its past, My wife sometimes calls in to look after the Bitch and she has no problems with it. It is very sad that it can not be introduced to other animals although it now seems to be becoming more tolerant after a long period of time.
Remember generally it is not the dog/bitch that needs the training it is the people who have a dog as a badge of honour and credibility, the dogs needs run only secondary to that of the owner.
One thing more our old Staffy Cross was a wonderful animal and initially we were looking for a terrier replacement, We ended up with our Collie Cross as we saw the dogs Potencial when we first saw it
>>the owner of the minipins should have stayed away and not approached the staffordshire
We were walking on a neighbourhood street, a friendly, tree-lined street in a quiet neighbourhood of Vancouver, where scores of people walk little dogs everyday. The pit bull crossed our path, and with no provocation lunged at our dogs. Its leash broke and its temporary muzzle – the type used for grooming – came undone as it attacked. There was no way to predict what happened. Thank you Dr. Jones for bringing this article to the attention of other people who may benefit by knowing. I wish I had known about these dogs.