‘Racist’ Dog Bites 7-Year-Old Girl
A 7-year-old girl was bitten by a dog her mother described as “racist.”
Pam Nkosi said her daughter was playing with other children when Sean Norman’s bull terrier managed to sneak onto the property. The mother said the “racist” dog immediately went after her daughter and bit the child on the knee.
According to the Sowetan, Nkosi believes the dog went after her child because the animal is unfamiliar with other races.
She explained:
“I feel that the dog is racist. The way it behaved. It shows that it was not familiar with other races.”
To add insult to injury, the girl’s mom said Norman didn’t bother to check on her daughter. He also hasn’t contributed to any of the child’s hospital bills.
Nkosi added:
“Since the owner was impossible, we had to get the police to intervene. We discovered that the dog’s owner had defaulted on vaccinations and this puts my child at risk.”
The Frisky explains that the owner of the allegedly racist dog initially denied that his pet had attacked the little girl. He said Nkosi’s daughter was injured after she fell into a hedge. Norman is also said to have blamed the bite on another dog.
A SPCA agent explained that it is currently unknown if the dog attacked the 7-year-old girl simply because of her race. However, an investigation into the incident is underway.
Warrant Officer Karen Jacobs confirmed with the Sowetan that officials are looking into the matter.
He explained:
“The investigating officer is currently obtaining statements after which the case docket will be handed in for a decision at the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court.”
Dog psychologist and Victoria Stilwell dog trainer Linda Michaels told Gawker that it is impossible for dogs to be racist.
She explained:
“Although a dog may appear to be “racist”, that’s not possible. Racism requires complex thinking and other higher cognitive functions that canines simply don’t possess. A dog may react in fear-based aggression to a person of color for two reasons: 1. Insufficient positive associations in early socialization to people of all races 2. A traumatic incident with a person of color that has now generalized to all people of color.”
Do you think the “racist” dog attacked the little girl based on the color of her skin?
[Images by Wikimedia Commons]
Tags : dog bites girl, racist bull terrier, racist dog, racist dog bites girl
Posted: February 27, 2013
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Feb 27, 2013
A dog does not have the cognitive capacity to "racist", but if clearly dangerous and uncontrolled, it should be destroyed before it injures someone else.
Feb 27, 2013
If my mom prefers white meat of chicken or turkey does that make her racist too? Dogs don't have the kind of bigotry and prejudice that people with "thinking" minds do. I guess we are lucky that we run on instinct.
Feb 28, 2013
This woman is an idiot. The dog should have bit her.
Feb 28, 2013
Oh good grief!
Feb 28, 2013
NO, a dog does not share that capacity with humans, they may be frightened of the unknown…this is ridiculous!
Feb 28, 2013
I was told a story once of how a dog was trained to hate people of color. They would put a dark sock over the dog's head and beat the dog daily. I DO NOT ADVOCATE DOING THIS AT ALL, as it is abuse to the animal and hateful to people who've never done anything wrong. It is possible for a dog to be pushed towards racism but not for a dog to be racist without anything pushing it to be that way.
Feb 28, 2013
Typical. Black people pull the race card every chance they get.. SMH. If the dog was black, I doubt she would have said that.
Feb 28, 2013
I had three of theses Bullies, they wete good around all people. But if someone they didn't know tried to get n the car or house they would have eaten them alive. They are usually one persons dog.
Feb 28, 2013
I had a doberman pup that was teased and tormented daily by two children of color when they walked past my house (chainlink fenced) my pup became hostile to persons of color as a result of their constant teasing and bullying.
Feb 28, 2013
No Brian, the dog should not be destroyed. If someone came up to you on the street and hit you, would you say they needed to be destroyed so they couldn't hurt anyone else? Rediculous! If the owner is irresponsible, then blame him, not the dog! Take the dog away from him, re-train it and adopt it ot to someone else.
Feb 28, 2013
No Brian, the dog should not be destroyed. If someone came up to you on the street and hit you, would you say they needed to be destroyed so they couldn't hurt anyone else? Rediculous! If the owner is irresponsible, then blame him, not the dog! Take the dog away from him, re-train it and adopt it ot to someone else.
Feb 28, 2013
The only thing dumber than her statement are some of the comments below.
Feb 28, 2013
A dog is color blind. Therefore, they see shades of black and white. They don't have the ability to be racist. This claim is just a get rich quick scheme that only shows their ignorance as a human.
Feb 28, 2013
"Black people pull the race card every chance they get" smh
Feb 28, 2013
"Black people pull the race card every chance they get" smh
Feb 28, 2013
Why don't they just ask the dog?
Feb 28, 2013
Why don't they just ask the dog?
Feb 28, 2013
What century do you live in? Children of color!? Racism is taught!
Feb 28, 2013
What century do you live in? Children of color!? Racism is taught!
Feb 28, 2013
You look like you know so much about black people, like you've walked miles in their shoes.
Feb 28, 2013
It is regrettable how little we appreciate the definitions of words. The word the woman should have used is 'biased'.
After reading the direction of a few comments, I just don't expect much of this thread. For the record, dogs can be 'biased'.
Feb 28, 2013
My sentiments exactly
Feb 28, 2013
Agreed
Feb 28, 2013
Agreed
Feb 28, 2013
“Although a dog may appear to be “racist”, that’s not possible. Racism requires complex thinking and other higher cognitive functions that canines simply don’t possess. A dog may react in fear-based aggression to a person of color for two reasons: 1. Insufficient positive associations in early socialization to people of all races 2. A traumatic incident with a person of color that has now generalized to all people of color.”If you were to follow the definition of why a dog would be aggressive to a person of color I would call them a racists. I don't understand the difference of what was explained for the dog not being racists and what would surely define people as racists regardless of the reason. I have had a dog that was a good dog to everyone. She was motherly to other animals even feed some kittens. She was NEVER aggressive unless dark skinned black person was in her sight. She was absolutely racists.
Feb 28, 2013
not the dogs fault so maybe the owner is the one who should be put down. i am so tired of everyone blaming the dog when its the owner who is the one training it.
Feb 28, 2013
21st century people. Bias free People don't refer to other people as people of color. 1960 all over again!
Feb 28, 2013
Lol, agreed
Feb 28, 2013
i dont believe dogs are color blind. i knew a dog that would only play with orange toys.
Feb 28, 2013
i dont believe dogs are color blind. i knew a dog that would only play with orange toys.
Feb 28, 2013
Yes iv known dogs that didn't like blacks for what ever reason. Just iv known dogs that don't like males. Even though they were not raised that way
Feb 28, 2013
I know a lot of black people. I have a lot of black family members. From my experience, this is what I have learned.
Feb 28, 2013
And just because dogs are color blind don't mean they can't smell the differance In colors. Yes dogs can not like a race for what ever reason they want
Feb 28, 2013
Bigot
Feb 28, 2013
I LITERALLY LMFAO WHEN I SAW THIS LAUGHED SO HARD IT HURT.
Feb 28, 2013
No but a dog can be trained to attack dark people or light people. It has been done and it is a cruel process. Yes it is ridiculous to think a dog has the capacity to think as a human. I read that the owner had not kept up with this animals vaccinations, which is not good along with the excuses he gave that blamed this little girl for her injuries. If you have an animal that will attack without provocation you have a problem if you live near me. Think people! He did not offer to even help pay for her medical bills.
Feb 28, 2013
she is the racist one dogs are not racist the owner could be but I am sorry I have met a few good black people and I have met some that are very racist toward white people they think that because their ancestors were treated bad ( and I am not saying they were not) that they should be treated differently and if they get a hangnail its because they are black and everything that goes wrong in their lives is because they are black life is what you make of it not what you get from it.
Feb 28, 2013
The woman is a idiot to even say something like that shows how racist the bitch really is….not the dog…
Feb 28, 2013
I used to walk past this dog all the time and he would be behind the fence trying to break through and bite me. One day I chose to stop wearing pants and wore a dress. The dog just stood at the gate and watched me go by. As soon as another female in pants came by he started barking at her. The point is dogs can be trained or learn to be fearful of or violent towards certain things/people. I finally asked the owner what was up with the dog and she told me that the dog was abused by males and probably connected pants with men. So every time after that I would wear a skirt when I knew I had to go by the yard and didn't have anymore barking or aggression from the dog.
Feb 28, 2013
You are an idiot Crystal!
Feb 28, 2013
That is the dumbest thing I have ever heard! Good grief! I wonder how many kids that lady is raising to be as stupid as she is.
Feb 28, 2013
Dogs doesn't know a thing about anyone's nationalty… They aren't racist like humans… The girl could have screamed or run or hit at the dog to upset it. I don't see proof that the dog was aggressive…..
Feb 28, 2013
Dogs R color blind!
Feb 28, 2013
The dog may be biased: Couldn't be racist.
Feb 28, 2013
You guys are a HOOT! No where in the article does it state the girl was black and the guy was white. For all we know the girl was white and the guy was black. You guys simply ASSUMED their races and as the old saying goes: Assume makes an ass out of u and me.
Feb 28, 2013
It's unbelievable that the authorities are even taking it seriously.
Feb 28, 2013
Substitute 'Biased' for 'Racist' please. Then this argument would make sense.
Feb 28, 2013
also got a Lab that wouldn't let "ANY MAN" out of their car unless I was here. She is a RESCUE dog, and undoubtly a man had abused her. She weighed 23 lbs. and was full grown when found. She doesn't bark, although she ca, but you never know where she'll be when you open your car door.. She's never bitten anyone but I wouldn't put it past her to do so, if need to. She weighs around 60 lbs. now.
Feb 28, 2013
That dog has trained you well.
Feb 28, 2013
I can't believe I wasted the time it took to read this nonsense.
Feb 28, 2013
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, stupid, stupid woman!!!
Feb 28, 2013
As a white man, I declare you to be a moron, Lois. Please, don't have any kids.
Feb 28, 2013
Had a neighbor whose dog saw a black and started growling and lounging at the black man. I don't know if he might have been conditioned to do this but I saw this happen.
Feb 28, 2013
alot of black people are scared in general of dogs.. especially black dogs, and anybreed that is big to them. i dont know why that is, but that is what i have seen.. if it is proven that this dog bite the child heshould apoligize and try to help pay for the childs hospital bill's..the owner is responsible if the dog got loose evan if it was by accident, it is the owner's respnsibiliy to secure his dog.. alot of dogs that are sweet with there owner are not with others. i have three dogs, and two of them do not like other dogs around. and when my husband and i are walking the dogs i watch there hackles and if a child or person wants to pet him i tell them our one dog jumps on people to give kisses.
Feb 28, 2013
Dogs are not color blind – they see color, but their chromatic acuity is significantly less than humans'. This is for two reasons: (1) dogs have far fewer cone cells in their retina (cone cells are responsible for seeing color); and (2) dogs are dichromatic (they see only two primary colors – blue and yellow) whereas humans are trichromatic, meaning we see three primary colors – red, blue, and yellow.
Humans have 7 times higher proportion of cone cells than dogs, meaning that when dogs do see colors, they are pale or faded. However dogs have a much higher concentration of rod cells, which are responsible for seeing black-and-white, and also much more sensitive in lower light conditions. For that reason, dogs have much better night vision than people.
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Are_dogs_colorblind
Feb 28, 2013
She is racist. Dogs are not racist. A lot of their impressions come from the owners feelings. The attack coukd have been previously provoked from behavior of the girl in earlier situations.
Feb 28, 2013
LOL now that's funny as hell. that dog does have u trained, i would of asked the owner if u could give it a treat whith him or her standing there
Feb 28, 2013
Stuff like this make me not like my race so much…smh….I apologize on behalf of the good part of the African American society. Seriously ashamed of this ignorance.
Feb 28, 2013
Dogs are not color blind – they see color, but their chromatic acuity is significantly less than humans'. This is for two reasons: (1) dogs have far fewer cone cells in their retina (cone cells are responsible for seeing color); and (2) dogs are dichromatic (they see only two primary colors – blue and yellow) whereas humans are trichromatic, meaning we see three primary colors – red, blue, and yellow.
Humans have 7 times higher proportion of cone cells than dogs, meaning that when dogs do see colors, they are pale or faded. However dogs have a much higher concentration of rod cells, which are responsible for seeing black-and-white, and also much more sensitive in lower light conditions. For that reason, dogs have much better night vision than people.
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Are_dogs_colorblind
Feb 28, 2013
Then you have not learned much from them Lois. I agree with the animal behaviorist. They can be conditioned by accident or purposefully to dislike people of a certain race. I don't think the dog actually says, oh there is a black person…. i don''t like them. It is people who make this happen. Not the dog's intention. I am black. Did I pull the race card? NO!
Feb 28, 2013
If any of you would like to have an educated discussion on the matter, that's one thing. But I don't stoop to name calling.
William; The womans name is Nkosi. It is a S. African last name. As for the guy, I didn't mention or assume what color he is.
Feb 28, 2013
There's a first time for everything
Feb 28, 2013
Could some one tell me where it says that the child and mother were BLACK….. Besides dogs are color blind as we all should be.
Feb 28, 2013
I'm willing to bet that little 'innocent'girl girl, has tortured this poor dog, most likely while it was tied up or in a kennel. I had a dog just like this, that was brought to by an unknown friend of a friend. We took him home, knowing nothing about him or his history. He allowed our kids to literally bounce on his back.He was the sweetest dog, untilourhouse was briken into
Feb 28, 2013
I'm willing to bet that little 'innocent'girl girl, has tortured this poor dog, most likely while it was tied up or in a kennel. I had a dog just like this, that was brought to by an unknown friend of a friend. We took him home, knowing nothing about him or his history. He allowed our kids to literally bounce on his back.He was the sweetest dog, untilourhouse was briken into
Feb 28, 2013
He was kenneled when they broke in. They let him out and beat him severely with a bat. We had to get rid of him after that, as he was too skittish. I felt horrible. We are too quick to blame a dog when it bites, when in truth, it's usually a humans fault. Dogs are WILD ANIMALS!!! They can turn on you for no reason! It's in their DNA!!!!
Feb 28, 2013
He was kenneled when they broke in. They let him out and beat him severely with a bat. We had to get rid of him after that, as he was too skittish. I felt horrible. We are too quick to blame a dog when it bites, when in truth, it's usually a humans fault. Dogs are WILD ANIMALS!!! They can turn on you for no reason! It's in their DNA!!!!
Feb 28, 2013
You are not very smart, are you?
Feb 28, 2013
You are not very smart, are you?
Feb 28, 2013
David, do not waste your pearls here. I appreciate what you have written, and thank you. But Marie doesn't deduce that there is not a lot of money there (no money for vaccinations) but simply jumps to a usual presumption. And the Best Cory Carter can do is agree. Pitiful.
Feb 28, 2013
Now you are thinking, Cory.
Feb 28, 2013
It's not just that you are not very astute, (look it up), it's also that you are either lazy are a terrible writer. Do you know what punctuation marks are and how helpful they can be? But of course, you are not really the helpful type, are you?
Feb 28, 2013
I lived in Maine and most people in rural Maine are white. At one point I thought my dog was racist based on an incident that occurred when she shied away form an Afro-American teenage boy who was visiting for the summer. But later it turned out that she was afraid of all teenage boys of a certain height and weight because a neighbor boy (who was white) evidently traumatized her in some way.
Feb 28, 2013
Nothing like a flip Catholic school answer from a clever person?
Feb 28, 2013
Nothing like a little knowledge to push the police to action. What? You say that this is not a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence? Do tell.
Feb 28, 2013
What ever made you think times have changed? (By times, of course I mean people)
Feb 28, 2013
Nothing like drawing your own conclusions when commentary doesn't fir a preconceived notion. Umm, did the person or people who broke into your house torture your sweet dog?
Feb 28, 2013
Clarence Thomas lives!
Feb 28, 2013
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.
Feb 28, 2013
You are pretty unintelligent.
Feb 28, 2013
A dog can sense & even smell fear. If the kid was afraid, the dog could have sensed that & bit her in its own confusion as to what to do. We were the last caucasian people in our neighborhood in LA. The black kids, for the most part, were very afraid of our 2 big dogs, until they came over to play at our house. Then they'd realize that the dogs were friendly & only had barked at them because the dogs were being protective of the property. Racist dogs? That's impossible
Feb 28, 2013
I stand corrected.
Feb 28, 2013
And I can't believe I read it after you said you waisted your time lol
Feb 28, 2013
Crazy!
Feb 28, 2013
I don't know exactly why I insulted many of the people who wrote unintelligent, racially inflammatory, uneducated, hateful and ignorant questions, but I hope I didn't miss anyone of them.
On the other hand, I am grateful for the thoughtful postings by those such as Jason Whittington and David Santiago and I regret I can't take the time to like/comment on all of the good stuff. I will tell you that you are outnumbered though, by a lot.
Feb 28, 2013
South African has a lot of white people in it too…sooo white people can't have African names? I know some that do. You made an assumption just because of the name. I personally don't care what race the woman is. She's a moron.
Feb 28, 2013
I LOVED MY THREE BULLIES, THEY HAVE A BEAUTIFUL STYLE ALL THEIR OWN. tHEY ARE VERY SMART AND PROTECTIVE. WOULD LIKE TO FIND ANOTHER SET TO BREED.
Feb 28, 2013
I have worked with a black man that wanted my parking spot he pulled that minority issue with me to try and get it, I told him that he was not he minority where we worked I was, and when he asked me about that I asked him if he were sexist, I was the only female working there. So in actual fact I was the minority, there were four blacks working at the time so he did not qualify.
Feb 28, 2013
How stupid can someone be? I sure hope they do not put that dog to sleep. Woman needs to have a mental exam.
Feb 28, 2013
I knew no where did it say anything about being Black. Racist could mean a german person, Iranian, Korean, China, or any Country or even just an accent that people don't know but they say racist things. How quickly we are to make comments without even knowing. I so like and love a dog more than a human.
Feb 28, 2013
If blacks were really interested in their history they would know that a black man was the first slave owner in America in 1607, he went to court and won a case that made him the first slave owner of another black man that a white man tried to rescue.
Feb 28, 2013
This dog was trained by George Zimmerman.
Feb 28, 2013
no dogs cant be racist but that does is BUTT UGLY.
Feb 28, 2013
Why wasn't that kid on a leash?
Feb 28, 2013
I know my dog can tell the different colors of his toys because we would tell him stuff like "get the purple horseshoe" or "get the yellow jingle toy" and he would get it right.
Feb 28, 2013
Tsk…if this is the pic of the dog, well this breed is VERY tempramental. When I was little my neighbor had a dog like this. One minute I was playing with him, the next he nipped me near my eye. I've never trusted these dogs since, I remember his name was Teddy. And that's how I associate them. Those Teddy dogs that nip. Mean, nasty little dogs.
Feb 28, 2013
They have an extra gift of sense when certain people are threatening or non threatening. And >Shirley, I believe you are right, but wasn't that suppose to be the reason why the dog picked the black one? (It can't tell colors but can distinguish black and white. Maybe a person of color did something bad to the dog and that's all the dog recognized. I had a dog bite me when I was about 8 cause I happen to be carrying a toy boat that the child of the dog owner had hit him a few times with it. I am sure, that dog just saw that boat and decided he would get the boat before it got him.
Feb 28, 2013
She is 100% correct. Also, the first slaves were white European people that were shanghaied by Muslims and sold into slavery in Africa. Do some research people, like Joan and I have, and come down out of your ivory tower.
Feb 28, 2013
The dog shouldn't be destroyed. The owner should just keep the dog inside instead of leaving him outside unattended, and walk the dog outside on a leash. If the dog is to play in the back yard he should be watched. His owner also should make sure the gates can't be pushed open by the dog. This wouldn't have happened if the "owner" would have been more responsible.
Feb 28, 2013
Not the colorof the skin silly! The smell of another race…and YES! It does happen and has happened in the past. Not so much because the dog belongs to the KKK…but because a child that has different smells which could be so easy as one that eats cabbage all the time versus one that eats veggies all the time. I had a Dobermann that felt it had to guard me from men. NOT woman…but Men….this dog had a history and was from New Orleans…way back before Katrina or anything like that. I had to send the dog back becuase of its behavour towards people of other cultures and MEN!
Feb 28, 2013
racist dog is ridiculous. the accuser is the racist one for even uttering those words.
Feb 28, 2013
I have no idea whether the dog was racist or not, but I will tell you this…I've known 4 dogs personally in my lifetime of 61 years that belonged to relatives…not to me…that hated Mexicans and would try to attack them if they came near… only Mexixcans…nobody else. Three of them were in the family since puppies, and two of them had the dislike since puppies, so they were not abused when they were younger by one. I do know that different races' skin smell different and maybe that's what causes it. Just saying…
Feb 28, 2013
Its because the dog is white he is automatically a racist? Pathetic. SMH
Feb 28, 2013
LOL, what a cute dog too
Feb 28, 2013
To Joan and Carol, great posts! This is something that I always noticed. ALways using their color to get away with almost anything…c'mon get over it…at some point everyone's ancestors had been through a lot. Ours had been treated so badly by Japanese..and became slaves of the Spanish but we got over it! Sometimes it made me sick that just because some are black they wanna be treated so special…
Feb 28, 2013
The woman is a fricken moron.
Feb 28, 2013
Black people and looking at my avatar will confirm do not use the race card. I will admit that a racist dog is unheard of, but to say that all black people are like that is ridiculous and petty. Do you have a problem with blacks? Your experience is a tad limited to your family…my family, we look at social background, financial health…you know things that most white people look at. DAMN!
Feb 28, 2013
Oh, I don't know. I lived on the Miami River once in the shadow of the Orange Bowl, in Little Havana. And I had 3 break ins before my furniture even arrived from the North East. We got a beautiful, mature.
Rottweiler, from a gay, hispanic, male hairdresser. From the get go, Sheena didn't like people with dark skin (interesting because the hairdresser was dark complected and she loved him) and she didn't like the cops who kept having to come to our vacant house where we were sleeping on the floor waiting for furniture deliverys! And the cops were white? Hummmmm? Predjudice? Shame on you Sheena! Bad dog! LOL
Feb 28, 2013
Dogs are NOT racist – they are incapable. The owner may be – or the mom is just playing the "race card". If the owner is not taking care of the dog (ie vaccinating), then he is a jackass – whether the dog bit the child or not, and he should be charged with neglect if nothing else.
Feb 28, 2013
Well clearly this dog came from the same family as the "gay" dog from a few weeks ago…lol. That being said, sounds like the owner of the dog is a total idiot and the dog will suffer because of his owners stupidity.
Feb 28, 2013
The dog is not racist. Sorry the girl got bit.
However Dog should have been on a leash and girl is old enough to have been taught what to do when a strange animal comes into the yard, plus Mom should have been better at supervising the play date.
Feb 28, 2013
My Buddy was called racist by a lawyer in court so the judge had me bring him in the courtroom. Before doing so I explained to the Judge and Jury that Buddy was not racist, he just didn't like bad behavior. When I brought him in the defendant jumped over the defense table. Buddy immediately took a protective stance in front of me and The Judge who was Black. After calming the def. down I had the Jury playing with Buddy.
Feb 28, 2013
Hey Brian, you're a fucking idiot. This stupid bitch is just looking for the big payday by playing the race card.
Mar 1, 2013
what kind of damn website is this where is post about dogs being racist and knowing how to use a gun? no the dog isn't racist he just bite your cuz your an idiot. GO DOGGY
Mar 1, 2013
I thought dogs couldn't see colours only shades of grey?
Mar 8, 2013
Bobby, what a great story! I think our best friends have a natural instinct. They can smell bad things! I think evil carrys it's own special stench. If my guy doesn't like someone, I suggest they not invade his space, and keep on going. I trust Ted with my life. Literally.
Apr 26, 2013
Since there were other children playing, and the dog singled out this one, could it be she has been teasing him through the fence? Or maybe tormenting him in some way? A lot of children don't know any better because they have not been taught compassion. I've worked in the Veterinarian field for years and generally bull terriers are nice, even tempered little clowns. Like any terrier they can be stubborn, but seems like something is missing in the story from one side or the other.
Apr 26, 2013
You're an idiot. Your experience is in no way an accurate means of describing an entire race. That's like me saying white people are ignorant generalizing bung-holes, but I'd be just talking about you. So bad mouth your own stupid family, not an entire group.