Big, handsome Alex escaped his yard during a windstorm on Saturday, March 2. Lost, he wandered the streets, trying to find his way home and in his search, he ventured onto a property near his home where he was killed and dragged into the woods.
Why was he killed? No one knows for sure, other than that a cashier at a convenience store where Alex was spotted made the statement that she saw him near the store and “everyone was afraid of him”. He was also described as a “big black Pit Bull”.
In fact, Alex was an Italian Mastiff, not a “Pit Bull” at all. And according to his owner, he was an affectionate pup that loved babies, cats, and people. She doesn’t believe anything, even the confusion and fear that may have come with being lost, would’ve provoked her boy to behave in a way that would’ve frightened people, and certainly she doesn’t believe he did anything that should’ve resulted in his being killed.
So again I ask, why did this happen? The only explanation I can come up with, given the facts as I understand them, is that someone believed the myths. Someone saw a “Pit Bull” and decided to be a hero. Someone who obviously knows nothing about the breed, who didn’t know Alex, who didn’t care about who he was or the fact that he might be someone’s beloved pet, did a heinous, heartless thing and now, won’t even return Alex’s body to his grieving family.
Our dogs are dying at the hands of ignorant, uneducated, hate-mongering idiots in record numbers every single day. This happens not just in horrific situations like Alex’s case, but also every time a perfectly healthy, smart, loving Pit Bull-type dog is put to death in a shelter because no one came for him, and every time a family is forced to surrender a much loved pet due to the ignorance and shortsightedness of BSL (breed specific legislation).
It could happen to my dog. It could happen to yours. Whether your dog is a “Pit Bull” or not, it could happen simply because he’s got a big blockhead or a short, stocky body. It’s obvious most people wouldn’t know a “Pit Bull” if it licked them right in the face.
The world is judging our dogs, and it’s handing down death sentences every day out of fear and ignorance and stupidity.
We must stop this! We must use every single opportunity we’re given to show the world the truth about our dogs. We must rise above the myths and the misinformation by being responsible, loving, law-abiding dog owners.
We must train our dogs, socialize them, and teach them how to be good canine citizens. We must spay, neuter, vaccinate, and do everything right.
You know why? Because the world expects us not to, and they think that gives them the right to continue to judge our dogs, and us as well.
The senseless, inexplicable killing of our dogs will not end until we wipe out the lies and myths and replace them with shining examples of the amazing Pit Bull. It’s time to step up and show the world who we are, and let them know that we will no longer tolerate the bias media and the lies.
We are Alex, all of us. This is our fight, and it’s time to go to war. Who’s with me?
–Fly free, sweet Alex, and know that your death will not be in vain!
I’m so sorry for your loss. I have two pitties and they’re so sweet. It’s all about the owner, not the breed. If anything ever happened to my Bella or Layka I’d be heartbroken.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I have two pitties and they’re so sweet. It’s all about the owner, not the breed. If anything ever happened to my Bella or Layka I’d be heartbroken.
This story is so heartbreaking. All of the stories like Alex’s are. I have two cane corso’s and they are big lap dogs. But people have a misconception about them and it makes me so angry. Especially when people aks “Do they bite?” with out ever giving them a chance and my husband and I always want to respond “Yes they do, but only stupid people, so you should be careful.” Of course we don’t we just let the idiot’s move on with their day.
so sorry for your loss. losing a pet hurts deeply because they are family. we have 5 dogs and one is a rescue pit bull. Our girl is the sweetest most gentle dog who wants to lay at your feet and love you. It truly is time to change the stereotype
So sorry for the loss of your beautiful pet and family member I had a dog named coco he was shot in the head at close range he was a yellow lab shot for no reason I feel your pain and I hope the person is found and proscecuted God Bless!
Yes, such a waste of a beautiful animal.
What an awful thing. How heartbreaking. I hope your family sought justice for this heartless act.
I wish everyone knew these things about Pit Bulls, Joann.
Yes, it seems like he was an amazing dog. I’m sure his family misses him terribly.
He certainly was beautiful, wasn’t he?
Thanks Marlene. I am angry, too. It’s wrong that people can get away with this kind of heartless behavior.
I wouldn’t wish this kind of grief and sadness on my worst enemy. No one who’s ever loved a pet deserves what this family is going through.
I agree, Karen. Complete hell.
I don’t think I knew you’d had a dog poisoned. How awful. I just don’t understand how human beings can be so heartless.
Dorothea, my dogs are inside too and they NEVER go outside without me. But it’s dangerous to think the way you’re thinking, because yes it can happen. I’ve met many people who’ve had a pet go missing, and they were loving, caring responsible dog owners. One friend was walking her 2 dogs when another dog attacked them. Both of my friend’s dogs ran away in terror. Thankfully, one returned within a couple of days. The other is still missing, after 10 months. People have lost pets when their homes were broken into, or had a dog run away after a car accident. Never say never. It can happen to anyone.
How can we just sit by and watch the repeated slaughter of our canine family members? I am stunned by this latest horror story & cannot for the life of me believe this pet’s body was not given to his family. First murder, then a total disrespect toward the animal’s family. Sounds like Hell, to me…
I dont own any pets but I will join. My heart breaks every time an innocent life is taken…any life. i truely believe that animals are what we train them to be.
I have an Olde English Bully who everyone thinks is a pit.I am so sorry for your loss! There is no such thing as a bad breed, only bad owners!My Mazzy rolls onto her back for a belly rub to anyone she meets, or she crawls to them if they are small, but even with that behavior people are still scared of her. There are far too many ignorant people allowed to walk around without “leashes” if you ask me!
no it could not happen to my dog. my dogs are inside. why would someone have a dog outside during a storm anyway. the owner is the one to blame. why was he killed? because his owner is irresponsible . he could also be hit by are car or stolen to use as a bait dog .
Did it occur to you that maybe he didn’t just get out of his yard but his home as well? Or maybe he really needed to go out and that’s why his owner let him out?Just pointing out that there may have been a reason he was out other than an irresponsible owner.
It’s tragic to lose a dog friend, and even more tragic when we lose them from ignorance or cruelty. I had a wonderful dog years ago who was poisoned. It still hurts my spirit. What a lovely photo.
I’m with u I have an italiam mastiff his name is maximus. Hes an awesome dog. Anyone tries to hurt him rhey are getting hurt!
This broke my heart! They are so misunderstood! I have a 50lb pitbull that gets bullied by my 10lb chihuahua all the time! If you are a responsible pitbull parent then you ate fighting this fight everyday!
OMG this is tragic how horrible – I am so sorry for your loss
I hope she brought charges against your neighbor, at the VERY least.
Reading this, I was at first sad and now I am angry. My son has 2 wonderful Pitty boys, Jacks and Mattix, and I am proud to be their Grandma! I am so sorry for the loss of Alex and I will share this far and wide!!!!
This is so terribly sad – beautiful boy. What a lovely photo of Alex with his best friend. I am so very sorry for your loss xx :(
I hadn’t heard about this. I am so sorry for his family, this sweet boy will be missed!
You said it, Leigh! We’ve got to stop the few from speaking so loudly – and so negatively – about our dogs. Our numbers are great – we just need to raise our voices loud enough to be heard over the lies!
Enough Stop Killing These Dogs They Do Not Deserve This . i,M a Oner of a Pitbull They Get Along With Children and parents and Love To Cudldle and They Great pet,s
Horrible. So sorry for Alex and his family.
My neighbor killed my daughter’s dog by coaxing it to her and then bludgeoning it with a shovel. She was a Bull Terrier and very friendly. I’ll join your forces.
Wow that’s terrible human being! I’m sorry.
So sad, yet so inspiring. I’ll join this army! Where do I sign?! It’s long overdue for responsible bully guardians to be the norm, instead of these anomalies projected by the media. I couldn’t agree with you more: it is up to us to make sure the ignorant masses see our dogs the way we see them– loyal, loving, family-oriented, and comical…