Bus driver saves NY woman, grandson from pit bulls

(AP) CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. - A 75-year-old school bus driver in western New York is being credited with fighting off two pit bulls after they attacked a woman and her family's dog as she pushed her grandson in a stroller.

David Bliss tells Rochester media outlets that he had just dropped off his last group of students Monday afternoon when he saw Cynthia Devaney and the 10-year-old golden retriever being attacked along a road in Canandaigua.

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The stroller with the grandson inside had been knocked over by the time Bliss pulled over. He jumped out of the bus and beat the dogs until they backed off, but not before being bitten several times. Devaney and her family's dog were also bitten. Her grandson wasn't injured.

Police say the two pit bulls have been quarantined.

[mbragiao]

I think the media is creating the notoriety for this breed. I don't believe that they are the only breed out there capable of doing this. What about rotweilers, chows, german shepard, and other large breeds? There are attacks by them also. I understand fully what a dog of this size is capable of, I lost a dear friend to such an attack. However, I believe much of the fault lies with the pets owner. Where we these dogs owners? Why were they not properly contained, and TRAINED? Many of these tragic events are circumstances where, if things were handled correctly, could have been avoided. I'm not saying the victim in this case was at all in the wrong, obviously. I notice though that when children are attacked many times they are LEFT ALONE and UNSUPERVISED with the animal. Animals are animals and anything large enough to KILL YOUR CHILD, should NEVER be trusted. Regardless of training and raising. I find it folly simply to state that pits are a "bad breed". Lets make people more accoutable. I own a big floppy slobbery baby of a pit, but you will NEVER find him running around unleashed or alone with my kids, period. There are bad owners and tragic circumstances. And for Gods sake, walk your poor dogs. Let them get their energy out. They are terriers after all.

[MIO42]

Get rid of them Now !!!!!
Spare someone,a child, a senior, a defenseless person
A gruesome ,terror filled and GRIZZLY DEATH !
Even someone who try's to help

[Tina1649]

How sad and tragic for the injured bus driver, family and their pet. Many years ago Dobermans were thought of as nasty, attacking breeds that frightened many people; now it is pit bulls. I have read many stories of pit bull attacks (often fatal) and, inbreeding aside, I do believe their owners need to ensure that their dogs are properly trained and tethered or fenced in at all times. Banning them will only lead to illegal ownership.

[filmguy107]

I bet they taste good.

[random_radar]

I am in the group that believes that if pit bulls attack someone, the dogs and the OWNER should be PUT TO DEATH.

I have no problem with people owning pit bulls so long as they are willing to die for it.

[Widower1955]

I am in the group that believes Pit bull's should be banned. If not, the owners should be required to carry a large insurance bond; $500,000 or more.

[RuinedbyBush]

PIT bulls, useless animals owned by useless people. Ban or kill them all, and I am beyond a doubt one of the most compassionate people you will ever meet towards animals and especially dogs. These poor animals have simply been bred to be killing machines, and therefore they must be removed from society, and not bred further.

Plus, lets cure the problem at the source, euthanize irresonsible pit bull owners.

[audemus]

Pit-Bulls are like guns in this country...responsible gun-owners do exist, and they handle their weapons in a sane and rational manner...however, there are those who have guns, and are anything but mature or sane or responsible enough to be a gun owner. People are attacked and grievously injured and in some cases killed by Pit-Bulls. And all too often, we have lunatics with guns who commit mass-murder. I believe a very serious argument can be made for the banning of both. But that would require some selflessness on the part of owners, and a bit of unemotional sanity....I don't believe there are too many Pit-Bull owners, or gun-owners with much of either.

[the0racle]

one small exception: if guns become located outside the vicinity/watchfulness of the owner, they don't go out and start killing living beings on their own.

[audemus]

Quite true.

[will972]

It is extraordinary that these things are still legal. Wasn't another baby just killed this Monday by a Pit?

[prm777]

This bus driver is a hero and should be highly commended for his bravery and selflessness! I love dogs, but I'm sick of hearing about these pit-bull attacks -- and let's face it, at least 90% of the dog attacks you hear of are by pit-bulls. This is a dangerous breed with an unpredictable disposition and the strength and physique to do serious harm -- I really think this breed should be banned altogether.

[marine1957]

@prm777
Thanks for speaking this truth in spite of so many blind people who cannot see it.