Although this happend a few weeks ago, I have only now been able to post this..
My 10-month-old GSD Chopper was brutally killed by a trained fighting pitbull around 7:30pm on March 20, 2006.
We were out for our usual nightly stroll, Chopper was walking calmly beside my 8-month-old son's stroller as trained to do so. My son, Shane, and Chopper were the typical dynamic-duo. Shane crawled everywhere Chopper went, and they would even crash together on the floor mid-day. As we were walking past some hedges of a neighbor's home about 1/4 mi from my house, I heard the low rumble of a dog's growl. Instantly Chopper was on the alert. Hackles and tail up, a large pit bull charged out of the bushes, headed straight for the stroller. Chopper instantly placed himself between the pit and my son's stroller, and met the pit jaw-to-jaw. Chopper, being only 70lbs, was pushed down by the 90lb+ pit. I instantly knew I would have to act fast to save Chopper. I called my fiance, then 911 about the fight that was now raging. I moved my son's stroller out of the way, then (unwisely) began kicking and hitting the pit to try to knock him off of my dog. My fiance got there within a minute of my call, and he instantly jumped into the fight. The pit turned his attention from Chopper long enough to grab my fiance's hand and crush 4 bones.
In that second, I started thinking clearly. I knew in my car I had a gun, and I raced to the car, grabbed it, and put 2 rounds into the pit's skull.
I am a dog lover, and felt horrible, but my first thought was to the safety of my family. I picked up Chopper's bleeding body, put him into my car, and raced him to the nearest emergency vet. My fiance stayed with my son and the body of the pit until the police and fire rescue came moments later.
By the time I got Chopper to the vet, my back seat was soaked with his blood, his eyes were glazed and his coloring was pale. He sustained numerous bite wounds to the front legs (one was actually broken) but the worst was his neck. It was just literally ripped wide open. I knew he had no chance, so they put him to sleep in the back of my car, head on my lap, where he was most happy.
After arranging the creamation of his body, I returned home. The pit's body had been picked up by Animal Control, and they had located the owner through a microchip. The pit not only had the many wounds and signs of dogfighting, his bite record showed his aggression. He had seriously wounded a small baby just a few days earlier, AND the owner had just gotten out of jail for manslaughter.
Currently, I am filing every charge on the owner that I can. With a great lawyer, and a great relationship with the local PD, I hope to put the owner where he needs to STAY. I have a new puppy (whom I had already purchased before this attack) named Carbon Copy v. Borus, and my son has taken to him as he did to Chopper. All I have are my pictures and memories of Chopper. My son will only grow up hearing the story, never actually remembering the dog that may have saved his life.

I am very sorry about your dog <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> Once again STUPID owners are responsible for human injury and canine death <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

OMG........what a horrific thing to witness and to have been a part of. Thank god your fiance was close by....I dread to think what would have happened if he hadnt been. I cant imagine what you all went through. I am so sorry for your loss......what a brave dog you had protecting your son like that. I hope you get the owner.....good luck. My sympathy's to you, your fiance and your son for the loss of his friend.

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OMG........what a horrific thing to witness and to have been a part of. Thank god your fiance was close by....I dread to think what would have happened if he hadnt been. I cant imagine what you all went through. I am so sorry for your loss......what a brave dog you had protecting your son like that. I hope you get the owner.....good luck. My sympathy's to you, your fiance and your son for the loss of his friend.

I honor you all, and especially your dear Chopper.

Many will be with you in mind and spirit as you take the owner of the other dog to justice.........the owner whose actions caused so much misery, and who, IMO, caused his Pit Bull's death, too, with his disregard for responsible ownership and training.

This is a sickening story. You did the best you could, and you did the right thing. I cannot understand why a dog that had just bit a baby was not incarcerated.

Sarah, my condolences on the loss of Chopper and I sure hope the pit owner gets what he deserves.

Sarah,

I'm so sorry for the loss of part of the family. At times like
this, we need to trust that the legal system will do it's job.

I (and I BET all of us here at leerburg!) support you and
your fiance ALL THE WAY in pressing full charges.

I pray that God will give you peace in knowing that one of
His creation was given to you, "For such a time as this..."

It's amazing how we train protection dogs to protect us from other people, but more often than not, our dogs end up protecting us from other dogs. I would never get over it if this happened to Cujo or my pup Lÿka. But Chopper died a hero, at a far too young an age.

Saraha, you are welcom to post photos of Chopper in this thread.

I would hope you would continue to keep this thread posted on the outcome of this incident.

Did the police kill this dog? I hope you make the PUKE who owns this dog pay.

Ed

Sarah, My most sincere condolences on the loss of your dog. Thank Goodness that your son was not harmed in the attack. Unfortunately this is an all to common occurrence. Best of luck with your new pup and with your pursuit of justice.

There is no doubt that through the stories you share with your son, Chopper and his heroic act will be remembered... a legend of a boy and his dog!