Pit bull left to "babysit" 10-month-old child, Fla. man arrested

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

Pit bull

/ CBS

(CBS) PALM COAST, Fla. - A 41-year-old northeast Florida man, James Irvine, faces child neglect charges after he allegedly left an infant in the care of a pit bull while he went out to drink Friday night.

The mother of the 10-month-old child left the baby in Irvine's care when she left for work on Nov. 30, the Daytona Beach News-Journal reports. However, Irvine soon abandoned the child to go out to a bar.

The child's mother reportedly became alarmed after she tried contacting Irvine several times Friday night. When Irvine finally picked up the mother's phone calls he reportedly told her "I'm watching the game," before hanging up, the newspaper reports.

When the mother arrived home, she discovered Irvine trying to get back into the house through the garage door.

According to the News-Journal, citing a Flagler County sheriff's report, Irvine told her that he had not "left the baby alone," because the "pit bull was watching the baby."

The dog was sitting outside the room where the child was left. The door was shut, and the child was allegedly crying, the Daytona Beach News-Journal reported.

Irvine was arrested and brought to the Flagler County Inmate Facility. He was later released on $1,500 bail, the newspaper reports.

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by IPonUall2 December 9, 2012 10:37 PM EST: I suppose the pit bull came with references...; Reply to this comment

by FreeWorldOrder December 9, 2012 3:26 PM EST

A family member has a pit bull that is one the most lovable, loyal & trustable dogs I've seen. The kids try to ride her like a horse, pull on her tail, ears, etc. and she loves every minute of it. As others have stated, like with any dog, it's not the breed, it's how they're raised and trained.

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by tireslinger December 10, 2012 11:55 AM EST: Absolutely!! I wish that others would not let themselves be overcome by their ignorance, and learn that very thing!


by nfission235 December 9, 2012 12:05 PM EST: The child was probably in better hands with the dog in attendance than the father, he sounds like a real winner.; Reply to this comment

by jadaamdad December 8, 2012 1:02 PM EST

Are people stupid? the problem isn't the fact that the baby was left with a pitbull.... the problem is that he left the baby period unattended. Pitbulls, for those who are uneducated are one of the most loyal dogs there are. Just because some owners train them to be killers doesn't mean that all of them are. On another note, any dog if they wanted to could caused harm to the baby so to say that the pitbull is the worse dog to have left with it is just pathetic.

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by deuelpete December 9, 2012 4:31 PM EST: yes, pitbulls are wonderful just ask Judge Joe Brown and Judge Judy.

by kwaugus December 8, 2012 8:08 AM EST

GRRRR! If the dog that was left in the home was any other breed, the dog would not have even been mentioned. Does anyone in the press actually report the news anymore? Doubt it. Sensationalism sells, so that's all they care about. No mention of even the dog's name or sex. Notice the last line - which should have been the headline. GRRRRR.

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by ralphing December 8, 2012 11:07 AM EST: So you'd rather have stories about pitbulls that maul little babies to death? I see this has a positive story about a pitbull that did something good during a terrible situation.


by topher420 December 7, 2012 11:58 PM EST: This is why america is so stupid. that and the incest story, Good job america for being so retarded.; Reply to this comment

by Shursey December 7, 2012 10:48 PM EST

The Pit Bull is known or was known as the "Nanny Dog" for protectiveness of small animals and children. That is if they're not raised and rewarded to attack because they're also easily trainable due to their extreme desire to please the owner. My Pit Bull adopted a kitten on our walk, well now it's a cat. You also cannot say no to them, they're very good at pouting.

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by OtherBrotherDaryl December 8, 2012 6:57 AM EST: Please go back and read the story... the baby's diaper was wet for a long time. What kind of responsible nanny dog would let that happen? ..... Mine was a sweet heart as well, she grew old along side my young grandson. As a toddler he was eye level to her tail and tongue. Both getting reactions from him. But you do have to respect the breed and be careful.


by doggymama54 December 7, 2012 10:25 PM EST: Um... a pit bull? a yorkie? a doxie? a golden? What does the breed of the dog have anything to do with the father being a totally useless piece of dog poop??? And, the mom left the baby to go to work November 30th?? Are we missing a big chunk of this dog biased story?; Reply to this comment


by luvthepolice December 7, 2012 10:06 PM EST: I guess the writer knew is he added the dog breed to the title it would get more attention. The story is child neglect! This drunk idiot left a baby alone, why does it matter about the dog. I think the baby was lucky to have had the pit bull there. Pit Bulls are great protective, loyal dogs. I have a blue pit she is 6 years old. She knows when my children are upset or sick and she will stay by their side. They are remarkable dogs. I really hope the mother takes the child and the dog and leaves this idiot.; Reply to this comment


by Ceres6 December 7, 2012 9:18 PM EST: It is nice to see that most comments are directed to defend the good things about Pit bulls and other dogs. Who said that all humans are good? Leave a child alone with a dog and a stranger and the chances are that the stranger is more inclined to hurt the child for no reason.; Reply to this comment