THERE has been another pitbull attack, if one were to give credence to a media report. According to the details, the female owner, Mrs. Rochelle Callender, while in the process of a domestic chore in her yard was attacked by two of these dangerous canines. That she escaped being torn to pieces, despite suffering injuries to parts of her body, had been due to quick action on the part of her neighbours who, armed with sticks and cutlasses, entered the yard and began to club and chop the animals. Later, they were joined by police ranks who reportedly shot several other dogs of the same breed kept on the premises. This is the classic case of this very dangerous dog species being bred for sale, but somehow escaped from their pen and following true to custom, launched an attack on their unsuspecting victim, throwing her to the ground in the process, where they began their well known brutal strategy of mauling their almost doomed victim. But, thanks to her neighbours, whose intervention saved her from what would have been certain death, and even horrific injuries.

It must be noted that this is the second instance of such an attack occurring in the Ogle locale, where in 2008 a security guard had been torn to pieces during one such attack that also included injuries suffered by a female passer-by.
However, a noted observation is that this most recent, horrific attack befell a co-owner – her husband, according to accounts has been breeding these dogs for years for commercial purposes – and not an unsuspecting member of the public.
It is recalled, that in an editorial captioned PIT BULLS: 15.6.13, attention had been drawn to those animals that had attacked citizens prior to that date, and the fact that because of an admission by a law enforcement official as to “uncertainty as to how to proceed in the current event”. This was with reference to an attack at that time. In the same editorial, we had highlighted the case of the mauling death of the security guard in the same Ogle community, in the aftermath of which, the owner had been placed before the court on the charge of manslaughter. Of course, he was acquitted! There was even the incident in Kingston that had “culminated in a $10,000 fine”.
As this recent instance of pitbull attack has cruelly demonstrated, owner or not, this brute is going to attack anyone, for as was pointed out in the editorial piece: “The pitbull is not one’s friendly poodle that one takes for a nice afternoon stroll in the park. This canine is naturally a vicious species which attacks without the least provocation. It is a natural killer, which will tear its victim apart, given the opportunity”.
The attack on Ms.  Callender is a potent reminder of the above profile and the fact that her rescuers and the police ranks, turned their attention to the other animals, killing them in the process is a revealing expression of the mind-set that  most citizens have against these dogs, whom they fear very much.
Obviously, animal lovers will be questioning the extreme action taken against the other dogs that may not have been part of the attack on the woman. They will argue that rather than punitive action against the animal, the owners ought to face the consequences, but as reminded in the said piece:”Is it practical, even possible, to retain such a canine, after it would have attacked, and even killed its victim? Would not such an animal become a grave risk, even to these unconcerned persons?” To be further explanatory – even to those who would have bred and nurtured them?
Given the fact that these dogs are being bred for commercial purposes, this is indeed big business; therefore, one can conclude that there must be dozens of breeders in this trade, because of the very lucrative prices paid for the pups. Those plying this trade would definitely not be concerned with the destructive capabilities of these animals as they mature.
A certain CARICOM member state, because of the frequency of such attacks in its island state, saw its government enacting very punitive legislation with regard to punitive compensation and other stringent measures that are to be taken against owners of dangerous animals, that attack persons.
It is time that similar measures, and even more,be taken against owners of these brutes. The public must be protected against these very vicious and murderous animals. This particular animal ought to be banned from this country, because of what its brutal track record has been, even if it necessitates an uncompromising and sustained campaign in locating their habitats. It is perhaps the surest way of removing the opportunity for breeding, for later destructive purposes. And should anyone still be found with such monsters, the penalty must be condign.   The attack on Mrs. Callender is a graphic and significant reminder as to why this route must now be taken, without delay.