Red Cross rescuers and paramedics from the Fire Department in La Aurora, province of Heredia, responded to an emergency call involving a baby who was viciously attacked by an American Staffordshire terrier. According to reporter Lady Rojas of online news daily Costa Rica Hoy, the infant was rushed to the Saint Vincent Paul Hospital, which is operated by La Caja, the national public health service.

 

According to the report, the canine in question is a companion of the baby´s parents. Red Cross rescuer Geovanny Viquez told CRHoy.com that the baby is currently in stable condition after the mauling.

 

This rare attack is bound to elevate the controversy surrounding Pit Bull and American Staffordshire terrier breeds in Costa Rica. As previously reported by The Costa Rica Star, these dogs have come under scrutiny of the National Service of Animal Health and Welfare (Spanish acronym: SENASA) for their unscrupulous use in illegal dog fighting rings. In May 2012, we reported on the seizure of dogs within these breeds by SENASA authorities, which elicited the following statement by a spokesperson from animal rights organization AmStaff Costa Rica:

 

“It is a continuous struggle, and we will not give up until there is a law that penalizes with jail time those who take part in this practice, which hurt and kill our animals. We must leave behind the myth of the so called “Potentially Dangerous Dogs” (or its initials in Spanish PPP for “Perros Potencialmente Peligrosos)”

We must cease laying blame on specific breeds for the errors committed by human beings. Errors that cost the life, health and the stability of our dogs.”

 

With the support of SENASA, AmStaff has been able to process many complaints of abuse against the American Staffordshire Terrier and Pit Bull breeds; this is why the joint effort is fundamental in order to perform this worthwhile effort and put an end to dog fighting and all other forms of animal abuse and cruelty.

 

Pit Bull and AmStaff terrier puppies are sometimes stolen by unscrupulous dog fight organizers in Costa Rica, who have been known to conspire with expats from Southern California. As previously reported:

 

According to AmStaff Costa Rica volunteer Geovanna Rueda, a man from Sabanilla de Montes de Oca in the eastern suburbs of San Jose sent a photo that matched a unique spot on Max’s pelvis. The photo arrived with an explanation of how Max had been “dognapped” when he was just six months old. When volunteers took a caged Max to the home of his alleged former master they could not believe what happened.

 

Max got so excited and happy to see his master that he urinated all over the place and immediately set aside his aggressive instinct. Dog and owner embraced and cried. Max’s puppy toys, blankets and food were intact at his old home. It was instant rehabilitation for a pit bull terrier on the verge of being put down.