Celebrity News
Rachael Ray’s Aggressive Pit Bull May Have To Be Put Down?
(HMG) – There is a story today that Rachael Ray’s beloved pit bull, Isaboo, that has appeared on her show and whom she calls her “baby,” has some behavior issues. Specifically she becomes aggressive even when on a leash and being walked by a dog handler. According to RadarOnline via their sister site the National Enquirer, Isaboo has had five incidents of violence with other dogs. The latest incident with her dog occurred in early February in New York City when Isaboo lashed out and ripped off another dog’s ear!
“As the other dog walked by, Isaboo lashed out so quickly and ripped the other dog’s ear off before its handler could pull it away.”
Rachael’s husband, attorney John Cusimano, immediately contacted the owners of the dog Isaboo attacked, and offered to pay for all the medical bills and such, and a vet was reportedly able to save some of the dog’s ear. As mentioned above this is one of multiple incidents including one three years ago, where Rachael herself intervened in another Isaboo attack, and received a painful gash on her hand. So while they fear Isaboo might have to be put asleep, “Rachael and John are considering using a muzzle on the dog and getting additional training for their pit bull.”
You know Pit Bulls are an easy target but to me this story (assuming it is completely factual) is more about stupid irresponsible pet owners that put other people and their pets at grave risk. After four previous incidents, that dog should have been on a muzzle long ago. And they are “considering” additional training? That dog has some serious socialization issues that should have been dealt with years ago by a professional, until they were resolved completely or else.
Isaboo doesn’t need “further training.” Like most pit bulls, he is dog aggressive. If Rachel Ray didn’t want to deal with dog aggression (and, yeah, pit bull dog aggression is a huge hassle if you are 100% responsible, a nightmare if you aren’t) she shouldn’t have gotten a pit bull. Isaboo’s dog aggression will never be “completely resolved” no matter how much “further training” and “socialization” he gets. (Although it would be amusing to see Cesar Milan try to make Isaboo safe around other dogs). Isaboo is what he is and what he is is a dog who wants to kill other dogs. (Remember this is exactly what pit bulls were bred to do).
Rachel Ray and her dog walkers need a LOT of “further training,” though. She needs to understand that if she wants to own a pit bull (at least THIS pit bull), it means 100% responsibility. That means being aware ALL THE TIME of this dog’s propensity to try to kill other dogs. That certainly means muzzling the dog anytime he is outside the house or potentially around other dogs. It means not allowing this dog ANY access to other dogs. Because he will do it again.
And as Ms. Ray herself has experienced, pit bull dog aggression sometimes means that human beings get hurt. If Isaboo got loose and attacked a dog being walked by a child and that child tried to intervene to save his/her dog, the consequences could be tragic.
Dogcentric, I’m sorry but you really have no idea what you’re talking about. Pit Bulls were NOT bred to kill other dogs. Pit Bulls were bred to herd and kill CATTLE. Only in recent years did idiots start to breed and train their Pit Bulls for dog fighting.
And dog aggression isn’t only a Pit Bull thing, dog aggression is very common in a lot of dog breeds seeing as they are a pack leader. It’s a way of them enforcing their pack rules. If you’ve ever done any research on dogs or have been around any of the training, Pit Bull or not, there are socialization and training techniques that can really help with dog aggression.
I love Pit Bulls and it makes me so sad to hear about this kind of stuff in the newspaper. If Rachael had a Chihuahua that was behaving like this, we would never hear about it. The media only represents the negativity surrounding Pit Bulls, they forget all the good that these amazing dogs have done for us and continue to do for us on a daily basis.
Erica, everyone other than yourself, knows that pits were bred to kill other animals that is why they are the choice of dog fighters. I suggest that you go to this site and see the common threads of pit attacks. One of which is once they start, they don’t stop. And stop drinking the koolaid of Ceasar Milan. http://www.pitattacksbystate.blogspot.com
And when you finish there go to http://www.DogsBite.org and look at the faces, what is left of them, of the victims of pits. And seems Ceasar isn’t what he is cracked up to be on his pack mentality. This video plainly shows his pack fighting with each other. http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/dog-whisperer/3263/Overview#tab-Videos/05666_00
Erica,
You are really in denial, aren’t you? Pit bulls were (and often still are) bred to attack and kill other dogs (in a “pit”). They are not bred to herd. And by “recent years,” you mean the last century? Because dog fighters have been breeding pit bulls selectively for fighting for at least a hundred years.
Dog aggression (to “enforce pack rules”) is common in many breeds. But DEADLY dog aggression is not common. Pit bulls have been selectively bred for many generations to not quit fighting even when the other dog indicates submission. Dogfighters (the scum that many pit bull people admiringly call “Oldtime Dogmen”) value the quality of NOT stopping an attack on another dog above all other traits. They call it “gameness.” This artificially heightened (by generations of selective breeding) level of dog aggression in pit bulls would be fatal to a wolf, because a wolf who kills his packmates can’t survive. Hence much of wolf “aggression” is about show and posture, not deadly serious. Pit bulls, on the other hand, often not only want to kill other dogs, they have been bred not to stop an attack until their adversary is dead.
As for “the media” only presenting “the negativity” surrounding pit bulls, that, too, is a bunch of hooey. In fact there are currently at least two mainstream television shows on every week, designed specifically to show pit bulls in a positive light. (“Pit Boss” and “Pitbulls and Parolees”) There have been a zillion media stories and television specials about the Vick pit bulls and their supposed “rehabiltation.” The media HAS failed to tell the pit bull story, however, because media people often don’t do any research and blindly believe that pit bulls aren’t any different from poodles and “it’s all in how you raise them.”
It isn’t.
Thank you dogcentric. I am so tired of seeing uneducated comments like Erica’s that do so much damage to pit bulls. Any reputable pit bull rescue or breeder will tell you that dog agression is part of the breed, and that you cannot train or love genetics out of any dog. Owners need to be educated and responsible if they choose to own these dogs, and so many are not, yet no one calls them on it. For example, one report I read said Ms. Ray used to take her dog to a dog park – no responsible pit bull owner would do such a thing. Its time people like Ms. Ray become educated and spread the the truth about these dogs to the masses. It would solve a lot of problems and prevent a lot of heartache. My thought are with that poor family whose dog lost an ear – all things considered, that’s one lucky dog.
I’m not in denial. I’m upset. My comment isn’t uneducated, either. No, I’m not a veterinarian or anything of the sort, but I’m a proud Pit Bull mommy and I’ve done my research, and continue to do my research, in regards to Pit Bulls.
I do agree that anyone who chooses to own a Pit Bull, or any dog for that matter, should be educated in regards to the breed of dog they so choose. The original Pit Bull was in fact bred to herd cattle. It was bred to be a strong dog, which is why it made for a “good choice” when it comes to breeding them for dog fighting. I do understand that there have been people who have been breeding dogs, and not just Pit Bulls, for dog fighting for at least a century, but in recent years it has become more popular.
Turkey, since you’re so educated and responsible yourself, I’d like to know how many Pit Bull rescues and breeders you’ve actually talked to. My guess is none. And if you have, probably not very many “reputable” rescuers or breeders. How many Pit Bulls have you actually been around? How many have you given a home? Again, probably none.
I’m not saying that the breed is perfect and has never done anything wrong — that would be denial. I’m saying the general, domestic Pit Bull population are well-behaved, well-mannered dogs.
Perhaps the negativity towards Pit Bulls wouldn’t upset so me so badly if the negativity was focused only on the dog that did wrong. I do realize that there are shows that are on television that are geared toward putting Pit Bulls back in a positive light, but 2 shows and select media stories doesn’t replace all the damage the media has done to this breed.
I haven’t done any damage to Pit Bulls. I’ve researched and educated myself and continue to do so. Just because you choose to own a Pit Bull doesn’t mean you and your dog have to live in seclusion from the world. Proper training and handling early on in the dog’s life makes for a great companion. In general, Pit Bulls have a GREAT temperament and have scored higher (though not by much) in temperament than a Golden Retriever.
I suggest the both of you do your research and back your comments up by facts before you start calling me uneducated.
Erica,
You think you have done “research” when all you have done is parrot what you read on pit bull websites. For example, your assertion that pit bulls “score higher” than golden retrievers on “temperament tests” is hooey, albeit hooey that is very near and dear to the pit bull community’s heart.
The “temperament test” in question is the American Temperament Test Society test, which was originally developed to test dogs for aptitude for bitework sports such as Schutzhund. It does NOT test for good, stable, family companion temperament (unless you happen to live in a family where people are shooting off guns and waving sticks in your face). It essentially tests for BOLDNESS. Pit bulls do tend to be bold dogs, which is why they do okay on this test. Shetland sheepdogs are much less bold, and do absolutely horribly on the test.
And the “temperament test” to which you refer doesn’t test AT ALL for dog aggression, which is probably the most ubiquitous temperament flaw in pit bulls. A pit bull can be off the charts dog aggressive and want to kill every other dog he sees and still pass the ATTS test with flying colors. I am betting that Isaboo could pass the test, although they might ask him to spit out the other dog’s ear before he took it.
Erica,
You are almost certainly right that Turkey hasn’t talked to very many reputable pit bull breeders. This is because not many reputable pit bull breeders exist. The VAST majority of pit bull breeders in this country don’t have any legitimate claim to being even a tiny bit responsible. And many of them are actually breeding dog for dangerousness. Even pit bull rescuers (in this country at least–it is different in Canada, I hear) tend to say that dog aggression isn’t a problem in the pit bulls they place with clueless owners. Just be a hundred and ten percent responsible as an owner and keep the dog away from every other dog. As poor Rachael Ray is learning, (albeit slowly, since it apparently has happened five times) this is far easier said that done and every dog aggressive pit bull placed with a well meaning but clueless family is a tragedy waiting to happen.
Pit bull people (such as Erica) always proclaim that the solution to the pit bull crisis is “education” and then they whine that “the media” isn’t saying what they want the media to say re pit bulls. Guess what? It isn’t the media’s job to be a public relations firm for pit bulls. It is the media’s job to report the news and when Racheal Ray’s beloved pit bull might have to die because of pit bull dog aggression, that is news.
Thank you Dogcentric for your comments.
I am a dog lover and know quite a bit about all the different breeds. I am tired of pit bull supporters playing loose with the facts. Yes, there are some very good pit bulls out there—but there are also pit bulls out there that at some point, revert back to their breed heritage. They attack.
What makes the pit bull dangerous (or more dangerous) than other dogs is simply a pit bull has a sliding jaw that locks on its prey. It’s not simply an aggressive dog that nips at another dog, which can happen. The ability of a pit bull to bite and lock down is why this dog that was attached by RR’s pit bull had it’s ear ripped off. Let me write that again: Ear. Ripped. Off. If a cocker spaniel attacks another dog, there may be some blood, but I doubt there would be the ripping off of an ear.
I support people owning pit bulls provided they are more than on top of their behavior. But those that attack once, and then twice, and then three or four times, you have to ask what is the problem.
Let me also say this: If it were my dog who had her ear ripped off by a Pit Bull I would insist the dog be put down. Why should my sweet dog have to live in fear of a weapon.
It’s a shame what is happening to pit bulls. But I think these stories serve as a reminder to everyone on what you are dealing with. Not all of these dogs are dangerous. But those that are, unfortunately, probably cannot be cured.
My heart goes out to Rachael Ray. I know how much she loves her dog. But if she were mine, as sad as it might be to even think such a horrible thought, I would be scared the dog would turn on me. I am sorry Rachael.
Actually, pit bulls were not breed at first to be fighting dogs. They were first bred for cattle catching not cattle killing and were also bred as a livestock driver and all around companion dog and to kill rats around the farm. In the mid-19th century people have been fighting the American Pit Bull Terrier. However, her dog Isaboo may have a dog or a few dogs in her line that were bred for fighting.
dogbite.org is a media hype site NOT the truth. They get all there info from news articles which are not correct most of the time. If the dog is not considered a “aggressive” breed of dog it often does not make the news. Also most people consider any dog with short hair & a stocky build a pit bull or pit mix. Dogs should not be labeled in this manner. It is nearly impossible to tell the breed of dog by looking at it. I do work in the veterinary industry. I do own pit bull looking dogs as do many of my co-workers do also. I have also worked close to Animal Control in the area. Many bites including severe bites are never reported to the news. It doesn’t make a great news story when a golden retriever bites off someones nose or a black lab tears off a childs face. No one wants to hear these stories.
You may know nothing on any breed of dog if you truly think pit bulls have locking jaws! Dogs are dogs this statement is a myth.
Hi PitsR4Fools,
I checked out the sites that you posted, and I just wanted to let you know that it would help your argument if you actually had evidence to support your claims. As far as the video of Ceasar’s pack, anyone can tell that it was the presants of the owners that set off that dog.
ncorrect. Pit bulls were originally created for bull baiting, and when that became illegal, dog fighting. Why anyone would think a bull baiting dog would be good at herding cattle is beyond me. Looks like yet another pro-pit myth some advocate concocted without thinking it through. All that aside, the dogs have been bred for dog fighting for easily over a hundred years and are still currently being bred for the sport. In addition, many are also being bred for human aggression for guarding drug houses. Puppies that do not show promise are quickly discarded – this does not mean they are all killed as some are given away or sold as pets or just abandoned and wind up in shelters, their killer genetics not showing themselves until the dog matures a few years later.
So news articles are not correct most of the time? That’s a new one. I guess journalism degrees consist of multiple classes in fantasy writing. I’ll remember that the next time a pit bull owner tries to quote the information from the hack site National Canine Research Council which gathered all its information from news articles.
dogsbite.org lists articles of all severe dog attacks of all breeds – and a golden retriever attacking is certainly news compared to the everyday pit bull attacks. It also lists government statistics, dangerous dog legislation by state, and scientific studies done by experts and universities. I guess all of these things are not true either. Or maybe you’ve never actually gone to the site and wouldn’t know.
Here’s another question for you: if no one knows what a pit bull looks like, then how come there is no problem identifying them when it is Free Spay & Neuter Day for pit bulls and pit bulls only??
Erica,
Why are you calling me a liar? If you were really as educated about pit bulls as you claim, you would know that reputable pit bull rescues – such as Pit Bull Rescue Central – admit that pit bulls are naturally dog aggressive, and that genetics can’t be trained or loved out of the dogs, just like any other dog and their bred in traits. The same message is echoed all over the internet from various sites like the Real Pit Bull Terrier, Diane Jessup’s web site, and countless other rescues and pro-pit information sites, as well as many books on the history of pit bulls. PRO-PIT sites and books run by people that love these dogs and have more experience with them than you and I put together. I don’t know why pit bull owners insist that they only people who can talk about pit bulls are people that have owned them. My research gives me reason to never own one, and research should be done BEFORE you decide to get a dog and bring it home. Or perhaps you believe that the many people who own pit bulls and fight them or abuse them or leave them chained up outside are more knowledgable than everyone else because they are actually owners? Clearly, owning a pit bull does not an expert make. Michael Vick for example. Or Rachel Ray.
Erica, the general pit bull population is derived from unplanned breeding, backyard breeders, and fighting dogs that didn’t make the cut. As a result, they all have the potential to be dangerously dog aggressive, and yes, that means they have to be in seclusion from the rest of the dog world. The temperment tests of which you speak tell us nothiong of breeds as a whole, so no, pit bulls do not score higher than Golden retrievers, stop deluding yourself. The ATT tests individual dogs whose owners have trained and paid for them to take the test. Are you aware that many pit bull rescues train their pits for months to specifically pass the test in an effort to get them adopted? As a result, the stats tell us nothing how any of the passing dogs would react in different situations, nor do they tell us how the average dog will act, especially one without the benefit of training. You would help pits most by researching, questioning whatever the pro-pit lobby spoon feeds you, and stop repeating the ridiculous myths that make all pit bull owners appear ignorant.
Pit bulls have been bred to attack for no reason, without warning, and to not let go despite injury to themselves. This makes their jaws appear to lock. It is not a litteral locking mechanism, and its high time pit bull advocates stop insisting that is what is meant by the description. No, pit bulls do not have locking jaws. They just don’t let go unlike other breeds that operate under standard dog behavior that includes posturing and growling to avoid fights, nipping and backing away, and submissive posturing that end fights. Owning other breeds does not require also owning a breakstick to pry their dogs mouths open. Erica, do you own a breakstick?
Let’s take a look at the changing face of pit advocacy over the years to get a picture of what is really going on with these dogs. http://www.scribd.com/doc/16217854/Tactics-in-the-Battle-to-Preserve-Aggressive-Breeds On this link, you can easily see a comparison between what pit sites USED to say about the breed versus the lies they have been spouting in the past decade. Hint, pit advocates: If you must lie and play games in support of your cause, your cause is not worthy of support.
Game one: Nobody can tell what a pit bull is, except when it comes to breed specific benefits like free spay and neuter. Then nobody seems to have a problem identifying a pit bull. Why do so many pit owners need pit welfare? Some animal agencies even offer a cash incentive for pit owners to come be responsible and have their dogs fixed. Most normal dog owners don’t need bribes just to do the right thing as a pet owner. Makes you wonder about pit owners, like Ray, whose dog has mauled five other dogs already and is still walked without a muzzle.
Game two: Blame the victim. Here is a list of actions and situations that have been blamed for pit attacks. http://www.dogsbite.org/blog/2008/08/triggers-what-prompts-pit-bull-to.html To my knowledge, no other dog needs to exist in a hermetic bubble just to ensure that it won’t explode into violent, devastating aggression. If you want to be taken seriously as a responsible pit advocate, the first step is to admit the truth. Pit bulls are genetically predisposed to explosive aggression without using warning signals or recognizing submissive signals that are hardwired in most other dogs. Blaming the victim just makes you look as though you live in a cloud of denial, like Ray, whose dog has viciously attacked five dogs and counting and is still being walked without a muzzle.
Game three: Justify the need to own a dog that is genetically predisposed to dismember and kill other dogs while claiming to be a “dog lover”. http://www.scribd.com/Aggressive-Dog-Breeds-Document-nr-3-Backward-Reasoning-Crooked-Logic-Sudden-Denial-ie-Human-Pathologies-by-A-Semyonova/d/14171107 This paper goes in depth in explanation and examination of the various ways by which people try to justify owning and advocating for dangerous, abnormally aggressive animals.
Game four: Try to deny that dog aggression is a problem and a danger for humans. Anyone who truly loves their dogs will not just stand by and watch a pit bull rip their dogs to shreds without trying to intervene. Such interventions can and do lead to terrible dismemberment and even fatalities for the dog owner as well as the dog being attacked. Pit advocates self-righteously sneer at these dog owners for being “stupid” to try to get in the way of their canine gladiators, when the true stupidity is in allowing a dog aggressive animal access to other dogs in the first place. I find it very telling that Ray’s only expression of concern is that her dog might one day harm a human, which completely ignores the FIVE other dogs her dog has already savaged, and their owners who have suffered in watching their dogs suffer. Ray is no true dog lover. Like most pit advocates, she cares only about one specific type of dog, the pit bull, and like most pit owners I’ve met and seen on comment threads, she cares only about how her dog’s actions affect her.
Rachael Ray’s pit bull was bought from CandiLand Limited in Florida, who hawks UKC/ADBA registered pit bull puppies for $100 bucks. No titles, no health screenings, no OFA numbers. Koko is the dam (mother) of Isaboo. RR stated that Isaboo was a rescued Pit Bull (she bought it from the breeder). RR testimonial on Candi’s web site; “We found the newest member of our family at Candi Land Pit Bull Kennel. Isaboo was delivered healthy and cute as a button. She is only four months old but is growing up to be a gentle, loyal, and well adjusted young dog. She gets along with all people and especially loves children and other dogs. If Candi’s other puppies are even half as good as our Isaboo, then they are superstars”! Isaboo has attacked “5″ other dogs (how is this loving other dogs?). As a dog buyer I would like to know about the the dogs pedigree and the temperament associated with it. The breeders that are in it just for the money need to be regulated so deaths will cease.
candilandkennel.webs.com/testimonials.htm and http://www.fetchdog.com/blogs/livelylicks/QandA/q_a_with_rachael_ray
Pitbulls were not just bred to fight. They were bred to kill. Which is why it is so hard to get them to stop once they attack.
I am not for Breed Specific Legislation but Pitbulls could make me change my mind.
If it is a myth that Pits don’t lock their jaws… then why do so many Pit owners carry release sticks with them??? That are for forcing open the dog’s mouth???
They are actually call break sticks used to pry VERY STRONG JAWS open, if needed. There is no locking jaw, in any breed. As far as bite PSI, National Geographic did a study, and the APBT lost every bite to the Rottweiler, and even lost one bite PSI test to a German Shepard.
Game One Answer: There are many breeds that can resemble an APBT. When it comes to the laws associated with BSL and other “pitbull” legislation, the law has to be very specific and identifying a particular breed must be done with 100% certainty. There is only special programs for spay and neuter due to overpopulation, not “pitbull welfare”. Historically speaking, the same “welfare” programs were also done for Labs.
Game Two & Three Answer: Due to massive overpopulation, APBT’s are readily available and easily obtainable. For this reason, they fall into hands that are uneducated about the breed. Most of the time, well-meaning owners are completely caught off guard and are ill-equipped to deal with any behavior issues that may arise. APBT’s do not reach full maturity until they are around the age of two, behavior problems may not be displayed until that point. APBT are not bred for explosive aggression, they were bred for the opposite. They were once called “nanny dogs.” APBT’s pass temperament tests more than beagles, and Australian Shepards.
Game Four Answer: Dog aggression is called dog aggression because that is exactly what it is. Human aggression is a whole other issue. A dog that harms or kills another dog should be required to wear a muzzle and have no access to other dogs.
Breed Name Tested Passed Failed Percent
AFGHAN HOUND 161 116 45 72.0%
AIREDALE TERRIER 100 77 23 77.0%
AKBASH DOG 15 13 2 86.7%
AKITA 492 365 127 74.2%
ALAPAHA BLUE BLOOD BULLDOG 8 5 3 62.5%
ALASKAN MALAMUTE 212 179 33 84.4%
AMERICAN BULLDOG 170 144 26 84.7%
AMERICAN ESKIMO 80 66 14 82.5%
AMERICAN FOXHOUND 2 2 0 100.0%
AMERICAN PIT BULL TERRIER 665 567 98 85.3%
AMERICAN STAFFORDSHIRE TERRIER 570 478 92 83.9%
AMERICAN TUNNEL TERRIER 2 2 0 100.0%
AMERICAN WATER SPANIEL 7 6 1 85.7%
ANATOLIAN SHEPHERD DOG 30 24 6 80.0%
AUSTRALIAN CATTLE DOG 173 135 38 78.0%
AUSTRALIAN KELPIE 6 5 1 83.3%
AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD 610 494 116 81.0%
AUSTRALIAN TERRIER 16 13 3 81.3%
AZAWAKH 1 1 0 100.0%
BASENJI 163 110 53 67.5%
BASSET HOUND 34 29 5 85.3%
BEAGLE 63 51 12 81.0%
BEARDED COLLIE 45 24 21 53.3%
BEAUCERON 17 14 3 82.4%
BEDLINGTON TERRIER 19 18 1 94.7%
BELGIAN LAEKENOIS 6 6 0 100.0%
BELGIAN MALINOIS 272 249 23 91.5%
And this is just the first page of results…the temperament test had nothing to do with BOLDNESS, it confirms stability.
Pardon me but my pit is anything but dog aggressive. She is gentle,sweet and very docile when she’s on others property or out on a leash. At home she tries to be more territorial but it ends up not working the way she wants, and she gives in. The only dog she can boss is our rhodesian ridgeback male. But he’s dumber then rocks…soooo. Rachel Ray has all this money and she let her problem dog go this far, obviously she’s not all the interested in fixing this problem. She has a dangerous animal that clearly doesn’t see her as boss. Rediculous,careless and stupid.
sorry incorrect again. Pitbulls original purpose was NOT baiting. They were hunters and stock dogs. to help wrangle bulls on farms(cuz they were tough, friendly, small, clean and cheap to feed. rugged and full of heart! and we didnt have jeeps to head the off!! Smiling and having fun all the while!) Later the butchers would use them for similar purposes. THEN baiting came a blood sport and was illigalized and then it became more clandestine and they were starting to be used against each other.bloodsports are a small part of their history. But depite the misuse, all the activities the pitbulldogs were engaged in, its loyal, friendly, trustworthy, rugged, loving, sensitive nature has endured. They have been with us for centuries and did not have or deserve the reputation that it has now until the 80s. They were was once know as the nanny dog for chrissakes!!!