Rottweilers

Rottweilers have passed pit bulls as America's deadliest dog breed, according to a federal study released in Atlanta. The large dogs were involved in 33 fatal attacks on humans from 1991 through 1998, the American Veterinary Medical Assn. said. Pit bulls, which had been responsible for more deaths than any other breed, were involved in 21 fatal attacks over the same period.

Larry Hill is the dean of a small network of dog trainers who are out to save the bully breeds - pit bulls, mastiffs and Rottweilers - of South Los Angeles. His specialty is tough dogs in tough neighborhoods. In his professional work and monthly free classes, he takes lunging, yelping masses of dog flesh and molds them into gentle companions. Hill's mantra is there is nothing wrong with the dogs. It's the owners who have the problem, as I discovered one Saturday morning at St. Andrews Recreation Center in Gramercy Park.

A pack of six Rottweiler dogs fatally mauled a 10-year-old boy as he walked into his grandmother's front yard Thursday. Corey Hines died in a hospital shortly after the dogs ran from next door and attacked him from behind.

The Marine Corps is moving to ban dogs with aggressive temperaments from Camp Pendleton and other bases under a policy developed after a 3-year-old boy at Camp Lejeune, N.C., was fatally bitten by a pit bull. The banned breeds are pit bulls, Rottweilers and wolf hybrids. Families moving into base housing are no longer allowed to bring those breeds. Families already there can keep their dogs until Sept. 30, 2012, but only if they receive a "good-dog" waiver. Camp Pendleton has yet to determine how dogs will be evaluated to see if they qualify for a waiver.

A 78-year-old woman was in serious but stable condition Monday after being attacked by four Rottweilers at her daughter's Capistrano Beach home. "It was pretty nasty," said Lt. Dave Wilson, a spokesman for the Orange County Sheriff's Department. "The good news is that she doesn't have any injuries to her neck or head. She does have some pretty substantial punctures and tears to her left thigh and both arms, though, and they were pretty serious wounds."

A 5-year-old girl has died after being mauled by a 120-pound Rottweiler in her back yard, authorities said. The girl was playing with the dog, which is owned by a family friend and had been at the home about a week. The girl's mother also was bitten several times as she tried to stop the attack Sunday. She was in fair condition.

The Marine Corps is moving to ban dogs with aggressive temperaments from Camp Pendleton and other bases under a policy developed after a 3-year-old boy at Camp Lejeune, N.C., was fatally bitten by a pit bull. The banned breeds are pit bulls, Rottweilers and wolf hybrids. Families moving into base housing are no longer allowed to bring those breeds. Families already there can keep their dogs until Sept. 30, 2012, but only if they receive a "good-dog" waiver. Camp Pendleton has yet to determine how dogs will be evaluated to see if they qualify for a waiver.

Glendale police on Thursday said no decision had been made on whether to file charges in the mauling death of a 16-month-old girl by the family's Rottweiler. "At this time, charges are not being considered because of the ongoing investigation and the completion of the coroner's report, which will determine the cause of death," Sgt. Tom Lorenz said.

Blanca Garcia was checking on her vacationing parents' dogs Tuesday night at their home in the Glendale hills when she walked outside with her 16-month-old daughter, Cassandra. With the child in one arm, Garcia bent down to give a bowl of water to her parents' Rottweiler, Enano. Instantly, authorities said, the 3-year-old dog attacked. The dog grabbed the girl out of Garcia's arms and dragged her several feet down the driveway.

A 6-year-old boy was mauled Friday by a pair of Rottweilers as he played with a friend near his home, police and neighbors said. The dogs bit Jeffrey Kerley on his legs, arms, stomach, back and buttocks before he was rescued by his sister and some neighbors who heard his screams. "The dogs were just throwing him around," said Jeffrey's 15-year-old sister, Michelle Barker. "One dog was on one leg and the other was on the other leg." The incident occurred around 3 p.m.

Those doe-eyed, tail-wagging pooches waiting for new homes may be as loyal as any dog lover could want. But anyone planning to adopt or purchase a dog should beware: Fido or Fifi could be a killer when it comes to homeowner liability insurance. Based on the dog-bite claims they see, insurers feel that some breeds are a poor risk.

Despite fierce criticism, Lancaster officials have unanimously adopted an ordinance that will impose stiff penalties on the owners of "potentially dangerous" and "vicious" dogs, particularly those that law enforcement officials say are favored by gang members to intimidate rivals and others. Under the new law, dogs that are unprovoked and engage in aggressive behavior, may be found to be "potentially dangerous."

The city of Lancaster is considering adopting stiff penalties for owners of "potentially dangerous" and "vicious" dogs, particularly those that law enforcement officials say are favored by gang members and used for intimidation. The proposed ordinance would also require spaying and neutering of all varieties of pit bulls and Rottweilers, including mutts that have "predominant physical characteristics" of those breeds. "I want gangs out of Lancaster," Mayor R.

A plan to crack down on pit bulls and Rottweilers -- aimed at reducing the number of dog attacks -- has mushroomed into a far more sweeping proposal that would require the spaying or neutering of most dogs in unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County. About 1 million residents could be affected by the ordinance, which supervisors expect to revisit next month.

Following the lead of San Francisco and San Jose, Los Angeles County supervisors on Tuesday asked the county counsel to draw up an ordinance that would require spaying and neutering of many pit bulls and Rottweilers. As in other communities, several animal activists opposed the requirement. But Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, who offered the motion, cited a recent pit bull attack on a 11-month-old girl to argue it was necessary. The county intends to exempt professional breeders.

Glendale police on Thursday said no decision had been made on whether to file charges in the mauling death of a 16-month-old girl by the family's Rottweiler. "At this time, charges are not being considered because of the ongoing investigation and the completion of the coroner's report, which will determine the cause of death," Sgt. Tom Lorenz said.

Larry Hill is the dean of a small network of dog trainers who are out to save the bully breeds - pit bulls, mastiffs and Rottweilers - of South Los Angeles. His specialty is tough dogs in tough neighborhoods. In his professional work and monthly free classes, he takes lunging, yelping masses of dog flesh and molds them into gentle companions. Hill's mantra is there is nothing wrong with the dogs. It's the owners who have the problem, as I discovered one Saturday morning at St. Andrews Recreation Center in Gramercy Park.

Re "A Status Symbol with Real Bite" (March 26): Please send Rip Rense to the Golden State Rottweiler Club's Annual Show and Trial in June. There he will see Rottweilers participating in obedience trials, carting and general dog activities. He will find that a large number of the dogs belong to families or to women--without tattoos. Rottweilers, if treated well, are friendly, loving pets. The same is true of pit bulls and other large breeds. We would appreciate a little good press for a change.

Blanca Garcia was checking on her vacationing parents' dogs Tuesday night at their home in the Glendale hills when she walked outside with her 16-month-old daughter, Cassandra. With the child in one arm, Garcia bent down to give a bowl of water to her parents' Rottweiler, Enano. Instantly, authorities said, the 3-year-old dog attacked. The dog grabbed the girl out of Garcia's arms and dragged her several feet down the driveway.

A Rottweiler mauled a 50-year-old letter carrier as the man was making his rounds in North Hollywood on Thursday, Los Angeles Fire Department officials said. The carrier, a Palmdale resident who was not identified, was reported in good condition after treatment for a deep facial laceration, officials said. Animal regulation personnel captured the dog after the attack, which occurred in the 6300 block of Kraft Avenue, officials said.