Pit-bulls kill Edmund Spain
The tragic death of a Hattieville man caused by two ferocious pit bulls went unreported when it happened two weeks ago. How that fell under the radar, is still a mystery, because the man was attacked, died several days later and still the results of an autopsy did not raise any red flags by the police. The Belize City and Hattieville police are still debating where the system failed. But we can confirm tonight that the caretaker of a property in the Tropical Park community of Hattieville was viciously attacked by the dogs near his residence. On May thirty-first, sixty-five year old Edmund Spain, who was looking after the property of his relatives in New York, was passing in front of a neighbor’s yard when the two dogs allegedly mauled him. How the dogs managed to escape through the chained gate remains unknown but what is known is that they mangled Spain who was making his way into the adjacent property. The couple who owns the dogs had recently moved to the area and according to Shelda Patnett the pit bulls were usually kept on leashes inside the fenced yard. Patnett says she was at work that morning when she received a call informing her of the savage attack.
Voice of Shelda Patnett, Owner of the Dogs
“I was working at that time ok, and my cousin she call me and told me if I could please come home right away because the dogs the attack the neighbor. So I rushed downstairs and I asked my manager to please just let me go home because I had an emergency home okay. And I hurry ran outside and I tell myself the quickest way for I reach up there is to catch a taxi than fu catch the bus.
Da when I reach there I asked my cousin what happened and she said the police they already came and took the guy to the station, to the medical center at the Hattieville. Anyway and I asked the police what I supposed to do you know. What’s the next step for me? The police said wait and you know when it goes into the D.P.P.’s hands dehn wah gimme more information. So they took my cousin statement down and also I gave them a statement also and during that time I told the police that okay well I’m leaving right now I’m going straight to the hospital so I went to the hospital, that was the Monday evening and when I went there da because the doctor di already attend to Mister Spain and I just tek a peak and I ask the doctor fu please can I see you for a moment so ih come outside and I asked him how Mister Spain is doing. He said well he get a bite on his right and left hand and also his upper lip.
I try call the family, I get wah number from the family friend and da through he I get contact with the family who live da States and I explained to them what happened and I tell them I truly sorry because it‘s not like I it purposely like fi set out the dogs to attack the guy’s brother.”
Bit Bull Dogs should be illegal in Belize!!
It is a mystery that the dogs were outside the gates of their home since the owner is saying that they were kept leashed and kept inside the yard at all times.
Pitbulls are the most dangerous dogs to keep as pets, they come with a history of bad behaviour and have caused many deaths like the victim in this story. It could have been a child walking by, it could have been anyone, unfortunately.
The dogs seriously need to be put out of their misery.
People lets not start this misconception that pitbulls are savage dogs. the savages are the owners that train these animals to be vicious. I had pitbulls and they are docile and very gentle animals. People need to stop making these animals agressive. any dog could have done this.
Well a life is loss may he rest in peace . But how will the department handle that situation she should be charge for something , i need to see how this one turn out and as for the policeman they are so full of it they just not doing there jobs.
Please make sure your dogs are tied always! Prevent another accident like what happened in Hattieville
there should be a law for dog owners to make sure their dogs are properly tied, and fence, cause not only pit bulls cause these serious problems even pot lickers, I have seen so much stray way dogs on our streets, barking ,attacking and biting person walking, even children going to school, are at risk everyday,it is so embarrasing when you walk the streets and you can see so many sick dogs with meange, it’s look so sickening and scornful.and damm dog ….. everywhere!!
Please, public health inspecctors please do something about the dogs situation in our country!!!
The problem is not the Pitbulls. The problem is the owner, who has two dogs and keeps them locked up in a yard and chained up all day. If you want to be a pet owner you should be prepared to take care of them just like you would a son or a daughter. Just feeding them is not enough. Dogs need play time, dogs need to be excercised, walked. These two pitbulls have been so abused that they are lashing out now. Of course they will not lash out at the owners who feed them but the rest of world is open prey. In this case these two dogs should be put to sleep but in general Pitbulls do not have the fault, it is the owners who wants dogs but are not prepared for the responsibility that comes with it. Now should the dog owner be held responsible for the death of Mr. Spain..now there’s a good question…..
I was very concerned about the attitude of the male owner of the dog. He was so nonchalant as if he did not care that a person had lost his life. He should have been remorseful and shown some type of sympathy for the victim and his family. Miss Patnett was obviously trying to do the right thing. However, in my mind, all her efforts were nullified by the stupid and insensitive comments made by her partner. The dogs mirrored the character of their male owner. I hope that he has to compensate Mr. Spain’s family for his life. The dogs should be euthanized as well. Court action should even be taken on Mr. Smug face. Here in the states, the homeowner’s insurance has to cover any injuries or death’s caused by their pets. This should become mandatory in Belize. I successfully sued a homeowner after his dog bit my son. I was handsomely rewarded. However, it is not about the money. It is about holding people responsible for careless actions.
Pitbulls should not be banned. Irresponsible owners should be banned from having them. I own two Pitbull Terriers and they are obedient dogs. They are trained to protect but also are loving by nature. We need more responsible owners. The owner of these two so called “Pitbulls” is irresponsible.
Ban Pitbulls? Why is it that everytime there is a very rare unfortunate incident that people shout Ban them without first trying to investigate what exactly lead to the incident.
In this case it appears that someone has either trained the pitbulls as attack dogs or been so negligent in their care that they have been phsychologically abused to the point that they felt the need to take it out on someone.
Saying that pitbulls or rottweilers are races of dog that naturally inclined to attack others is the same as saying that blacks and hispanics are races of human being that are naturally inclined to attack others. See how foolish that way of thinking is?
Dogs same as humans will react to the way they are raised, taught and treated by whoever is incharged of them weather it be a dog owner or a parent.
i totally agree with macal rivera and heavenlyblaq
Rottweilers have killed not one but many person in Belize in recent years. I guess that bred should be banned too right?
Banning breeds is not the solution – irresponsible dog owners are the problem whenever these things happen.
This is not even about the owners of these dogs.It is about having Laws in place to deal with incidents of this magnitude.Will this man’s family be compensated?I also believe that Pitbulls should be banned until these people have the proper logistics to take care of these type of dogs.Some of these people don’t even have a fence around their property as a result the safety of the public will always be in jeopardy.
I own a pitbull and I must say she is a loving dog and apart of my family. Like many said its the owners that you have to blame for their aggressive behavious. Some owners teach these dogs to fight and hence their aggressive behaviour. So i dont think they should illegalise pitbulls. For me my pitbull protects me and my property. Honestly if I didnt have her I know that thieves would have gone in my house already. They went into my neighbours vehicles and some houses down from mine. They didnt have any dogs.
Pitbull’s are not vicious by nature but are breed and raised to be aggressive by ignorant people who think it is cool to have a ferocious big dog. I have a red nose pit and he is very loving and caring; so do not penalize the breed for the sake of a few uneducated ……’s. Other dogs also attack and have been known to kill people…golden retrivers, german shepards, labradors,…
Born THERE: The question here is not if Pitbulls are vicious or not.The fact is that this man was killed by a Pitbull and not by a patlicker as a result the topic has to be about Pitbulls.
THOSE PIT BILLS NEED TO BE PUT TO SLEEP, BEFORE THEY ATTACK SOMEONE ELSE!!!!
i WONDER WHAT THE bELIZE HUMANE SOCIETY HAS TO SAY… ARE THEY STILL ACTIVE?? I own a rottweiler and a doberman and even though they are very protective of my property they are not aggressive to passerbys or neighbours, they are very loving to ALL my family… as a matter of fact once we are present we can allow total strangers to the yard and once we are present they will not even bark… will even be allowed to be touched ..It’s all a matter of training. Unfortunately like it has been mentioned already there are many fools that think that having a vicious, hard to control dog is cool… or some people dont have the time to train properly these massive dogs.. I totally agree that dog owners should have a fence… and time to properly train them…dont agree with the leash… not safe nor humane to have the dog tied all day!!! Will make them to be vicious..!!
Unfortunately these days watchdogs are a much needed security option… thanks to my dogs I sleep well knowing my family and my property are relatively safe!!
Anybody knows if Humane Society is still active???? I have called them (listed in San Pedro)several times concerning young children who train dogs to be vicious and engage them in fights… But NOBODY answered any of my many calls…
Unfortunately, too many fools own pitbulls (or other massive dogs) !! If nothing is done soon we’ll be hearing of many more deaths thanks to some unchecked fool armed with one of these dogs!!! (Note… it will be thanks to the fools NOT the dogs)
I would say that the owner of the dog is responsible, my suggestion is that people who owns any pitbulls or terriers should seek professional training for their dog. pitbulls are majestic and very loyal.
Its the people who train the dogs, its not the dogs fault. There are still lots of dog fightening going on in this country and no one stops it. There are lots of pits that are not dangerous. People train dogs, its the owners fault not the dogs, and i bet, neither one of these dogs are spayed or neutered, they are either for breeding and or fightening. They usually use cats to train dogs to fight.
Well, My family also owns a rottweiler, and another smaller dog, but we give them the best care and training we can. My friends enter the yard, even when we are looking from a distance, but they are trained to protect the yard. Its all about training and responsibility. It takes a lot of time and effort, and it is a two-way affair between us and our dogs: we train and care for them, and they give us what the police and human security cannot give: loyalty and securing our home and property. They will also never betray you, neither accept a bribe. So it is up to the people who own them. With the level of crime in the country, I will continue to do my best to train my dogs because that is the only thing we have for safety in this country now. Hopefully, laws to ensure that owners train full breed dogs might be able to help. Sympathies to the aggrieved family.
Jo Jo: Pitbulls are majestic and loyal i don’t know about what i know is that a Belizean Family is grieving as a result of an attack to one of their own from a Pitbull.
Jo Jo: Pitbulls are majestic and loyal i don’t know about that, what i know is that a Belizean Family is grieving as a result of an attack to one of their own from a Pitbull.
By nature pitbulls are aggressive hunters these dogs were bred to protect, hunt or attack, even though they may be as loving as you want them to they have their spurts of aggressiveness in which they can mangle and kill prey including humans do your research, is why they are banned in US here even some owners leave them unleashed, so if you know your neighbors have them please be careful yourselves put heavy blocks under your fence bases cos these breeds love digging I know this by experience and I have friends who are trainers in the US. If you will walk in your neighborhood and you know they have pitbulls carry a stick to defend yourself they go straight for your throat after they bite your extremities if they manage to bring you down. These dogs have spilled blood they should be euthanised to them killing will not be strange anymore there were no negative consequences and yes they attacked because they considered this stranger invading his turf somewhat like gangs. Yes, you have to walk your pets often.
the importation and breeding of pitbulls is illegal in england. We do not need this specie of dog it is deadly. let us euthanize all. they have proven to be uncontrollable..
The man in this story is my uncle, my fathers brother whom I never met before and now thanks to these viscious dogs, will never get the chance to do so!!! I speak for the family when I say something has gots to be done. Someone is going to pay for his untimely death. Either the owners go to jail and or the dogs go to sleep!!
I agree with Eilas and all other pitbull owners…the responsibilty lies with the owners. I have two pitbulls and they are loving, loyal dogs. I have a responsibiltiy to them and treat them with love, I make sure they eat the right food, take them to the vet to time for their shot, I take them to run EVERYDAY!!!!!!!!!!
They ARE my protectors!! Since I got them NOT ONCE has anyone tried to break into my yard or house..before getting them…..my car got broken into..thieves got into my house!!!!!!!!!
So before you think about killing these poor animals….deal with the irresponsible owners!!!!!!! They are the ones to blame!!!!!!!
sorry nuh bring de man back.dem people responsible f dis man death and they must be held accountable.
All “Pit Bull” dogs by nature are vicious animals, get a German Shepherd dog for Damn Sake! Dah Nuh Wah Yuh WANT MI BREDDA, PIT BULLS DOGS to me is the equivalent Of having a Tiger for a PET as apposed to a domestic CAT. The Country Of Belize Should BAN PIT BULL DOGS EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY! And AnyOne who’s pit bull dog is responsible for a human death, should be prosecuted to the maximum, and then be thrown into jail with the harden Criminals for Life… The point is not how careful you’re raising these BEAST but who will be their next victim. I was fortunate to meet Mr Spain on a number of occasions in the Tropical Park area where i own a piece of land. Mr Spain was house caring for his brother who was in the states at the time, he has shown me and my family the deepest respect on all our visits! This man did NOT deserve to die the way that he did! I saw the clips with the owner trying to explain why he was right and Mr Spain was wrong showing NO remorse for this man’s death, a human being for goodness sake! The owner to me cared more about his dogs than the death of a human being… Is This The New Way A Man Needs to Express How Macho they are by the pets they keep ??? Grow Up Fools! Bunch Of Idiots!!
I agree that dogs that have attacked a human once need to be put to sleep!!! Owners who have vicious dogs (regardless of breed) should be tried in court for manslauther by nigilgence. Owners need to be responsible for their dogs. This gentlemen untimely death was caused by owners that have mistreated their dogs hence making the dogs vicious. Remember this is just like the issue of guns. Guns dont kill people . people kill people.
like i said earlier i dont know why all the long essay like sme pppl writing a book this it the dog dem imitating wat the people doing so now der is a new gang in t he streets the real dog pound watch unu …. bze an worst if the dog dem hungry and want real dinna
The way u raise an animal is the way it is going to behave u can raise it vicious or loving but if that dog sees someone attacking u it is going to defend its owner. But the point is if u have any type of dog u should have a fenced yard because u never know whats gonna happen.
pit bulls are banned in most cities in the USA what makes Belize so different? you have no laws to make owners responsible, dogs roam every where in every village and town, nobody does anything about them. If owners had to register these dogs, get them the appropriate shots, spayed and neutered, have a fenced yard etc, make them responsible when these dogs attack others, then maybe they would not be so willing to have them.
The owner of these dogs need somebody to put a leash around his neck and tie him in the yard and also put him to fight dogs are like kids they do what you teach them both dogs need to put to sleep the owner too
the dogs are vicious.. the owner must know this…
a man killed just as how the ratwhilers killed the lil boy in Cayo, is killed except in this case, the pitbulls were out of the yard.. leashed?? obviously not…
my condolences to the family of thedeceased.. nothing much will be solved by executing the dogs but if its to be considered that these dogs are killers…. would it not be likely that these dogs will have no fear of humans and is it safe to say that these very dogs have the capability of executing another human?????
therefore i believe these dogs should be executed. . . am i getting carried away? i think not . . all humans make mistakes but having dogs requires mature responsibilty . . . not only for the dogs but also for the neighbourhood.. yes dogs are for security but dogs, especially pitbulls, require extra attention. in this case, the containment of the dogs. . . i am extremely shocked to hear of something like this as i was also shocked by the similar incident in cayo.
First, my condolences to those who lost their loved one. What a needless tragedy! I am not, however, in favor of banning dogs of any breed. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the owner when his or her dog is undisciplined or engages in dangerous behavior. I own the most gentle, loving and caring Rottweiler,also a dog with a bad reputation.But I raised him with lots and lots of love,as well as going with him to several obedience courses and diligently practicing his commands. I can say with confidence that noone has anything to fear from my sweet, sweet dog. My solution to the ban or don’t ban arguement is that dog owners of all breeds be tested to ensure that they have a well-disciplined dog that they are able to control.If they pass,they would be given a license which they would be required to show to the authorities if a question came up. If they did not pass, certain cosequences would have to be enacted, such as having to attend obedience classes until they did pass. This,of course,if a simplified solution that would require input from many dog lovers and people lovers alike but it does demonstrate how we might be able to turn a much heated debate into a win-win situation.