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ANIMAL WATCH - The latest trend in rehoming or soliciting donations for Pit Bulls that have harmed someone or exhibited other anti-social or destructive behavior is to introduce them as a “rescue dog.” The sympathy that arises from this vision is already tugging at the proposed adopter(or donor’s) heartstrings--which also open wallets.
But, exactly what is a “rescue dog,” why the dog was “rescued”—or from what or whom-- the title provides its own space for imagination, empathy and trust.
Occasionally, it means the “rescue” dog saved someone from harm, but those are not the dogs that are returned to an animal shelter or need “rescue.”
Today, few of the vague descriptions of behavior used to gain the favor of a potential adopter lead to any serious description of the historical behavior of the breed that is overcrowding animal shelters nationwide—and the need to be cautious when adopting them.
It avoids mention of the appalling news statistics of dog (mainly Pit Bulls) attacks on other animals and/or humans.
This does not mean that every Pit Bull will attack, but a dog that is offered for adoption without a complete history of behavior should be carefully evaluated by an expert before it is taken into a home or family, and, even then, it is risky.
AMERICA’S DOG?
Yet, the hype goes on that Pit Bulls are fundamentally “America’s dog,” and no one seems to know why, other than Best Friends Animal Society, which encourages adopters to “save them all.”
How did a Pit Bull that just killed an eight-year-old boy become a “rescue” dog? And, exactly what does that mean?
“Rescue” Pit Bull Kills Autistic boy 8
An 8-year-old child was killed by the family’s “rescue Pit Bull,” authorities in Danville, VA, announced on August 27, 2025.
The tragedy occurred at approximately 8 p.m., with Danville Police Department responding immediately to the 700 block of Berryman Avenue. There they found the child inside the home “unresponsive,” according to the Danville Register & Bee.
The cause of death was described as, “apparent signs of trauma to his neck consistent with an animal bite, while under the care of his teenage sister.”
A four-year-old Pit Bull was also inside the home. However, according to the family, the dog was not previously known to be aggressive, the police media release stated. It was taken to Danville Humane Society for testing, where Paulette Dean, Executive Director confirmed the breed.
“The owner signed over ownership of the dog to the Humane Society,” Dean said, but she emphasized that she would be waiting for instructions from the Police Department and the Health Department.
She added, “The dog belongs to us now for rabies confinement. This will assure that the animal does not become ill during that time, in which case, the Health Department would be notified, and determine whether to euthanize the dog,” she said.
Dean explained, “The precaution is being taken due to the blood at the scene and the amount of exposure.”
If the dog shows signs of illness, it would be immediately euthanized, and its head would be sent to a lab for a rabies test, she said. If the test comes back positive, anyone exposed to the blood — including law enforcement officers and shelter staff — would receive treatment for rabies,” Dean explained.
“If the dog remains healthy during the 10-day period, everyone will be in the clear and will not need treatment,” she said.
PIT BULL NOT OFFERED FOR ADOPTION
However, regardless of the results, “the dog will not be offered for adoption or transferred to any other facility or sanctuary. It will be euthanized,” she said.
“The dog killed a child, an autistic child, who was completely helpless,” Dean said. “If I adopted out this dog at all, I would never be able to look a parent or child in the eye again.”
Sadly, this tragedy occurred on “National Dog Day”—a date newly designated to celebrate family pets.
“RESCUE PIT BULLS” BECOME VICTIMS OF MOUNTAIN LIONS IN SAN DIEGO, CA
Two “rescue pit bulls” suffered serious attacks by a mountain lion in their Alpine, CA, yard on August 27, according to San Diego ABC 10 News. Both dogs needed extensive veterinary care to survive numerous lacerations and puncture wounds all over their bodies. A third Pit Bull in the fenced yard was reportedly “untouched by the big cat.” (No indication if it was also a “rescue pit bull”.)
The attack was reported by Los Angeles KTLA News, which describes: “Two rescue pit bulls are recovering after what veterinarians believe was a mountain lion attack In their fenced yard.”
NO ONE HEARD THE DOGS BEING ATTACKED
The report how this continues explaining that the slaughter was not discovered until “the first Pit Bull, Presley, 10, stumbled into the kitchen in distress and appearing severely injured.” (It is troubling that a dog that seriously injured did not emit loud enough distress sounds for someone to hear.)
A visitor at the home told reporters that around 7 a.m. she”heard a commotion…coming through the door.”
"I turn around and the dog is completely out of breath. Cut marks all over it, blood everywhere. Walks across the kitchen and collapses in the hallway," Crocker told KTLA.
She said she “ran to the yard, which has a 6-foot-high fence. There she found Lola, a 10-year-old, three-legged rescue pit bull, and another pit bull they had been watching.
Presley suffered the most serious wounds, she said, “"Stitches under both armpits, random stitches all over .”
A Fish and Wildlife spokesperson said once the dog owners submit all their evidence, an investigation will follow, according to ABC10news
It is disturbing that any animal would be left out in a backyard at night in an area accessible to big cats and other wild predators—especially old and/or crippled dogs.
A REAL ‘”RESCUE DOG” STEPS FORWARD
“A missing Sonora woman, 85, was found safe late Sunday night after a multi-agency search effort led by the Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office,” CBS Bay Area announced.
Barbara Crosby, 85, had been missing since earlier in the weekend, and was discovered asleep under brush near East Bald Mountain Road. All law-enforcement agencies were on the alert for the missing woman.
The sheriff's office said the breakthrough came around 9 p.m. on Sunday, when residents in the area reported seeing a dog matching the description of Poncho, Crosby's pet.
Tuolumne County Search and Rescue (SAR) teams were already in the area following up on a tip about a possible sighting of Barbara. Deputies and SAR members spoke with several residents who had seen the dog earlierer to bring media attention to a tiny hero named Poncho— without the credentials of being a “rescue” dog, just did his job and saved a life—rather than destroying one or more
LET’S GIVE CREDIT TO THE “GOOD BOYS” AND GIRLS
As we celebrate Labor Day, let’s give more credit to the “good boys” of the canine community, who quietly dedicate their lives and their love to their owner and consider being a “rescuer” for their family and providing protection for the ones who love and feed them as just part of their job.
(Phyllis M. Daugherty is a former Los Angeles City employee and a long-time animal welfare advocate. A contributor to CityWatchLA, she is known for her investigative reporting on animal shelter operations, misuse of public funds, and the dangers of poorly regulated pet adoption policies. She is a strong proponent of public safety in animal control, advocating for stricter oversight of aggressive dog breeds, especially pit bulls, and for breed-specific legislation.)
