KPBS Midday Edition

Pit Bull Attack Raises Questions Over Pet Regulations

By Maureen Cavanaugh / KPBS Midday Edition Co-Host, Megan Burke / News Editor

Published November 30, 2011 at 8:40 AM PST

This story was published more than 13 years ago.

Nearly half of all dogs at animal shelters are pit bulls or pit bull mixed-breeds.

Bad Dog Or Bad Owner?

GuestsDan DeSousa, Lieutenant with the County of San Diego Department of Animal Services Micaela Myers, pit bull owner and volunteer at Stubbydog.org

An attack on two San Diego runners in Valley Center this weekend has revived questions about the safety of keeping pit bulls as pets.

Richard Garritson, 21, and his 20-year-old brother John were running with other family members when a pack of dogs attacked. The dogs bit at Richard's legs and armpit. He called on John to help him, at which point his brother was also attacked.

Become a KPBS sponsor

Garritson underwent surgery for his injuries, according to the AP. He said that, during the attack, he thought he was going to die.

Four 7-month-old pit bulls involved in the attack were put down at the owner's request, according to the AP.

This incident comes just months after a horrific pit bull attack on a 75-year-old woman in Paradise Hills.

While some San Diegans are asking for the breed to be regulated under tighter restrictions, others claim pit bulls are good dogs getting a bad rap.

Are you concerned about pit bulls in your neighborhood? Do you own a pit bull? We'll discuss on Midday Edition (audio on left) and on Evening Edition.

Corrected: December 13, 2024 at 9:36 PM PST

The Associated Press contributed information to this story.

Tags

KPBS Midday Edition Pets

Maureen Cavanaugh

twitter

Maureen Cavanaugh has been a familiar voice for KPBS listeners for more than 15 years, serving in a variety of capacities including announcer, host, and producer. As host of KPBS Midday Edition, Maureen has interviewed a wide range of notables, such as comedienne Sandra Bernhardt, actor John Lequizamo, author Chuck Palahniuk, composer Marvin Hamlisch, artist Robert Irwin, and designer Zandra Rhodes. But of all the interviews Maureen has conducted, her most special was with His Holiness, the Dalai Lama. Before joining KPBS in 1997, she worked as a news anchor for KSDO and KOGO News Radio in San Diego. While working for commercial radio stations in San Diego and in Salt Lake City, Utah, Maureen reported on both hard news and lifestyle features. Maureen has received three "Golden Mike" awards from the Radio and TV News Association of Southern California for economic reporting and breaking news. She has also received a "Best of Show" and “Best Radio Newscast” awards from the San Diego Press Club and the "Flo" Award from Public Radio Program Directors Association for Best Public Radio Announcer in a large market. Maureen is a native of Queens, New York, but after more than 20 years in San Diego she feels she qualifies as a real Southern Californian.

What do you want to hear host Jade Hindmon talk about on Midday?

Megan Burke

twitter

Megan Burke is an Emmy-award winning news editor overseeing the environment, health, and racial justice and social equity reporting beats. Prior to her current role as editor, Megan spent more than a decade as a producer for KPBS Midday Edition, a daily radio news magazine and podcast. Other news production credits include KPBS Evening Edition, KPBS Roundtable, and San Diego’s DNA, a two-part documentary highlighting the region’s oldest traditions and culture using personal artifacts and oral histories of San Diegans.

See stories by Megan Burke

What do you want to hear host Jade Hindmon talk about on Midday?