Wednesday evening an 8-year-old boy remained hospitalized after he was bitten by his pet pit bull.
The incident happened Tuesday afternoon in Glendale. Family members said the boy was trying to stop the dog from attacking a 13-year-old girl, who was visiting the home, when the dog turned on him.
According to a family friend, he's already had two surgeries. The dog owner had the pet put down.
Neighbors said it was a smart decision, but the attack is also re-igniting heated opinions on what makes a dog dangerous.
Sam Basso, a certified trainer out of Scottsdale, specializes in bully breeds.
He says pit bulls, in particular, are typically a product of their environment.
"When I go to people's houses and there's pits and there's fighting, they (the dogs) never go for walks, they're never sufficiently exercised. They're never trained. They're never played with. They're left in the backyard," he said.
So what factors does he believe trigger an attack? Basso said many times it boils down to a mix of factors.
They include not socializing a dog, improper training, medical problems, abuse and if a dog isn't the right fit for a family. He said that is especially true if there are young children in the home.
"This can happen with any dog, if you aggravate the dog, don't properly manage it. Yeah, it can become aggressive," Basso said.
Critics have an entirely different opinion and are just as passionate. They say the large number of serious and deadly attacks by bully breeds prove the dogs are more inherently dangerous.
Tempe veterinarian Dr. Tom Gus doesn't deny pit bulls can inflict a devastating amount of damage, especially if trained to do so.
But he said, "I see a lot more personality issues with some of those small-breed dogs."
Gus said if there is a so-called "mean streak" he's seen it in breeds both big and small. Those bites just don't make the news.
"You got a little toy poodle. He's 5 pounds and angry at you. Well, he can get about to your ankles and that's it."
When it comes to warning signs of when a dog may attack, Basso said you really have you trust your instinct. Check if the dog is tense, staring you down or uncomfortable in their current situation.
For more information on Basso's training services, you can visit his website at samthedogtrainer.com.
