Target 11 Investigates Dangerous Dogs

Target 11 Investigator Rick Earle obtained information from the state agriculture department and he discovered that many dangerous dogs end up right back with their owners.

But that's not the case with all of them.

Target 11 tracked down a pit bull that attacked a woman in Millvale last month. The victim was so severely bitten she had to have skin grafts on her arm.

That dog now being kept at Triangle Pet in Mckees Rocks. And Animal Control Officer Paul McIntyre told Target 11 that the dog will likely be euthanized.

But before than can happen a judge must declare the dog dangerous and the owner must agree to give him up.

Target 11 has discovered that fewer dogs like Gino are being put down.

Of the 165 dogs declared dangerous in Pennsylvania in 2008, 70 were euthanized.

But in 2009, only 50 of the 163 dangerous dogs were put down.

McIntyre believes dogs like Gino can't be saved.

"Especially a pit bull, when they taste blood forget it. It seems once they start attacking and biting they're just going to continue do that," said McIntyre.

But not everyone agrees with McIntyre.

M.K. Kaine lives in Pittsburgh's West End. She works with dangerous dogs and believes most deserve a second chance. She and her husband have five dogs, four of them are considered dangerous by most standards.

"I have a Chow/Ridgeback mix I brought back from New Orleans who mauled 5 to 6 people. Most would euthanize a dog like that, but i'm not your average pet owner. I knew if he came to me he had a chance," said Kain.

Kain also successfully rehabilitated Pittsburgh Steeler James Harrison's pit bull after it bit his son. that dog is now in a home with no children.

"I've only had one dog that I felt was a danger. He was the only one I felt was not able to be rehabbed. This is not a breed for a casual dog owner, it is a breed you have to be prepared to devote 2 to 3 hours a day for exercising and challenging them mentally," said Kain.

And Target 11 also discovered that giving a dangerous dog a second chance can be expensive. The cost to register a dangerous dog is $200, and every owner must also buy a $50,000 insurance bond.

In 2009, 113 dog owners in Pennsylvania did just that to give their dogs another shot.

"It's like adopting a child with those types of dogs. If they get into the wrong hands someone will be in trouble," said Kain.