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Officials Check Pit Bull For Cause of Fatal Attack on Pregnant Woman

A necropsy was performed on the dog, which police shot and killed on Thursday.

Animal control officials on Friday were trying to determine what caused a pit bull to a pregnant Pacifica woman in her home.

According to the Associated Press, a necropsy was performed on the two-year-old dog, which police say mauled and killed 32-year-old Darla Napora on Thursday.

The AP reported that Capt. Dave Bertini of the said that the results won’t be returned for a few weeks, but officials were determining whether the male, unneutered dog had rabies or some other kind of condition that may have prompted it to attack and kill its owner.

Pacifica Police responders at the scene of Napora’s death shot and killed the dog, named Gunner, after it escaped from the back yard and approached them while they were checking on the body.

Greg Napora, the deceased’s husband, returned from work to find his wife lying in the front room of their home on the 500 block of Reina Del Mar Avenue. The pit bull was near the body when he arrived. He called the police and reported a possible mauling at about 12:15p.m. Thursday.

According to the AP, the family’s second pit bull, a 6-year-old female named Tazi, had been removed from their home and was being kept at the Peninsula Humane Society. She was not acting unusually, a shelter official said.

This mauling comes in the wake of another fatal pit bull attack of a child in Concord, CA last year and one in San Francisco six years ago, the AP reported.

Annie August 13, 2011 at 03:00 pm
There was a pit bull attack on a little boy, locked in the basement with the dog.
Judy Ann Ayala August 13, 2011 at 07:06 pm
No such thing as a nice pit bull in my eyes. There nice till they turn on you! They are unpredictable. I would never have a pitbull especially around children. It's not worth it.
Camden Swita August 13, 2011 at 08:47 pm
Again, this link does not go to a news story but to an opinion written by an author of positive stories about pit bulls. She presents no facts, only speculation.
Tiffany Hill Norton August 13, 2011 at 09:13 pm
I'm pretty sure it was a "nice" pitbull who did this. Darla doesn't strike me as the dog fight breeding type of person, and it's unsuspecting owners, whose dogs go beserk. Maybe if they were regulated more, then they could possible be bred back to their normal origin, rather than having the defective gene that makes them turn on people like this. What is more important, protecting people, or perpetuating a low breeding standard? Darla is a friend of my family and I find it particularly offensive that anyone would blame the owner in this situation.
lindsay smith August 14, 2011 at 01:06 am
Heather...you're in denial. All you have to do is sign up for pit bull attacks on google alerts to find out how wrong your are. Your remark about pit bulls turning on their owners is very common. It happens all over the world. It's in their genes and unpredictable. Every owner after an attack says the same thing. "He/she was the sweetest dog. He's never hurt anyone in his life." It's been said hundreds of times. It's a shame that people can't walk their small dogs on the sidewalk with pit bulls in the neighborhood. I know two people, my grandmother being one, who's dog was killed by a pit bull. My grandmother was devestated and sad the rest of her life. A pit bull jumped out of a car window in front of her house and mauled my grandmother's closest friend to death in front of her. The owner said.."I don't understand. He's never done anything like that before." When there are so many more friendly dogs to own, why not get one instead of a pit bull who NOBODY can guarantee won't harm someone or another dog. The are rated the most dangerous dog in the world for good reason.
Roskko Jones August 14, 2011 at 02:42 am
pit bulls should should be outlawed from being out among the in public at the least...and outlawed in general, ideally. it is only a matter of time in most communities before the dog is going to attack someone--and when they do, it will not be like a nip from a smaller, less lethal dog. it's not a trip to the hospital or doctor, it is a trip to the morgue--and a lot of excuses and surprise expressions from advocates in denial. it's a neighbor, an unsuspecting kid, someone's favorite smaller dog. like it or not, admit it or not, pit bulls are NOT safe dogs.
kuuipo August 14, 2011 at 04:19 am
I hate to make sweeping condemnations of any given breed, but it is more common to hear about pits who attack without provocation or who have reacted to certain triggers far more so than other breeds. People who choose to own pits realistically need to recognize there are a significant number of folks who are afraid of the breed and shouldn't be surprised when others express their fear for the breed. It is what it is. If you don't like it, then don't own one. I love dogs as much if not more than most folks, but pits carry a certain stigma as do other breeds, for better or for worse. If you don't like the stigma a particular dog carries, then choose another. There are several at the SPCA and Humane Society just waiting to be adopted. Is it really so necessary to own a pit? I know they're absolutely adorable puppies, but those adorable puppies grow up to be individuals who seem to inspire a lot of fear. Is it really worth it?
Courtney Carmack Adams August 14, 2011 at 07:16 am
It's awesome when people speak not from knowledge, but from judgmental preconceived notions. I have raised 4 - yes 4 - children with pit bulls. My children will always have a more open mind than the majority of pet owners in this area. Our dogs were loving, from pups to their twilight years. I do believe that males should be neutered as soon as possible, but besides that, this is just another case of irresponsible and yellow journalism.
Maureen Murray August 14, 2011 at 01:19 pm
Darla Napora adored her dogs and passionately supported the pit bull breed. To the folks that are focusing on hatred toward the breed, you are disrespecting Ms. Napora's honor. Why aren't there more stories or comments about what a wonderful person she was? I'm really glad to see a picture of Darla in this article, than a stock photo of some dog. Please people, let's be more respectful than this! You can't believe everything the news reports. For example, they are reporting that Gunner weighed 125lbs. There is no such thing as a 125lb pit bull. Research the pit bull breed standards. Pit bulls don't weigh over 65lbs-ish. If he weighed 125lbs as the news reports, he's not a "pit bull." Blocky-head muscular dogs get incorrectly mislabeled pit bulls because people don't know what a real pit bull looks like. http://www.examiner.com/dogs-in-san-jose/pacific-husband-forgives-pet-pit-bull-for-attacking-an-killing
Let's stop with the breed hate speech & start being more compassionate. This poor man is a member of our community and he needs our SUPPORT not more distress that he know his wife would not have wanted. He lost his wife, his unborn baby, his dog, his other sweet girl dog is still at the humane society AND his cat ran away in the commotion of all of is. He really has nothing but an empty house and an empty heart. I sincerely hope he is not reading any of these awful comments. You are in our prayers Napora family. We will miss you.
Geo August 14, 2011 at 02:26 pm
I have a pitbull and it's the most loving animal I have ever owned,
We take good care of are animals he also lives with a cat that he loves very much, I've had my pitbull for 1 1/2 years and he's never once tried to get aggressive with anybody he meets, I also have a 10 yr old son that he loves very much also he is unnudered and a big Teddy bear Love your animals take them out to interact with other humans and other animals. I love the breed of pitbulls, strong sharp and good looking Peace
kuuipo August 14, 2011 at 04:03 pm
People who are quick to anger probably aren't the best candidates to be pit owners. I'm not advocating the we vs. you mentality, but for pit owners not to recognize others have very strong feelings about pits is ignorant. Again...it is what it is. Just because you choose to have a pit don't expect the rest of us to like it. When pit attacks are in the news don't expect the rest of us to turn a blind eye and deaf ear to it. As I stated previously, if you don't like that others have strong reactions to your pit, then choose another breed. Do NOT expect the rest of us to accept your personal choices when you clearly are not respecting ours. Sheesh.
Justin TimeAnd ReadytoRolo August 14, 2011 at 04:44 pm
kuuipo,
as you say "When pit attacks are in the news don't expect the rest of us to turn a blind eye and deaf ear to it." I do, however expect you to research the stories you read. Or do you believe everything you read? Then read that a Pit Bull cant reach 125 lbs. Read that the tests results on Gunner arent back yet. And as far as "if you don't like that others have strong reactions to your pit, then choose another breed. Do NOT expect the rest of us to accept your personal choices when you clearly are not respecting ours." Are you also against Gay Marriage? Do you even own a dog? And what are you quick to? attacking an entire breed via the internet before the evidence is released?
kuuipo August 14, 2011 at 05:15 pm
@Justin: Please take the time to read ALL my posts for complete due diligence before responding to a singular post as that is illustrative and not exhaustive. If you had, you would have seen that nearly all your questions are moot.
Maureen Murray August 14, 2011 at 10:19 pm
Uh, is anyone monitoring these comments? Specifically, the comment by HonestyHelps, "one less pit owner in the world is always a good thing."
Wow. One word for you buddy, "karma."
iamdondon August 15, 2011 at 01:04 am
First of all, my sincerest sympathy for the family. I can only imagine how they feel after going through this tragedy.
I think ANY dog is capable of attack but there must be an underlying reason for it! (environmental, psychological, health reason, poor breeding, etc etc). What's bad is the media loves the 'stir' created by focusing on certain breeds. To people who thinks 'pit' bull dogs are evil, or bad, please read this article first - please take a moment to look at this from the animal's perspective, they are also a victim of heartless human: http://www.workingpitbull.com/dogfighting.htm
iamdondon August 15, 2011 at 01:20 am
also, to conclude, please do not condemn the dogs until the necropsy results come out.
Cris Porter August 15, 2011 at 10:25 am
The reason why you hear about "pit bull" attacks more is only because of breed. Any other breed that attacks is just called "a dog mauled" but if a pit it will read "a pitbull mauled". There is nothing wrong with the breed. It is not in their genes to attack people, people! Oh, and if it has a "pit" looking face, even when not a pitbull, it will be classified by the news as a pitbull even if it is not. There are about 20+ breeds of dogs that have a "pitbull" looking face. http://blog.mysanantonio.com/animals/files/2011/01/pitbullposter.jpg
Laurel August 15, 2011 at 03:22 pm
My heart goes out to Greg Napora~ such a painful tragedy to endure. There's nothing anyone could say or do to alleviate the grief but for cryin out loud people! Put your opinionated hate rants aside! It's highly unlikely that either side's opinion will be changed NO MATTER WHAT IS SAID! Personally, After reading through hundreds of comments on sfgate, I think BOTH Pit Bull lovers & haters need to open up their minds because there's a lot of ignorance coming from both sides!
. . .And just because you read it, doesn't mean it's true!
Korey Smith August 15, 2011 at 08:41 pm
says the people, who have never owned a pit bull, people are scared of anything that the news reports. there is no way any dog let alone a pit bull (i owned a pit bull for 6 years and never had a problem) would just flip on there owners like that without be provoked or went rabies crazy. i agree pit bull's are strong and capable of alot but i myself have had no problem
celly August 15, 2011 at 08:46 pm
As usual, ignorance prevails. Pit bulls are not terrible dogs, they just need to be socialized and trained and have a good owner and BE NEUTERED OR SPAYED...any idiot knows that if you have a male pit bull, you get it neutered ESPECIALLY if you are pregnant.
kuuipo August 15, 2011 at 08:47 pm
Hey Folks: Here's the link to the updated Patch article http://pacifica.patch.com/articles/coroner-prelim-autopsy-results-show-pit-bull-responsible-for-this-attack?ncid=following_comment
Shelly Boyle August 24, 2011 at 02:29 pm
I have a very loving 9year old pitbull that I adopted when she was 3. I trust her completely with kittens and even babies. A dog doesn't just kill all of a sudden. Something was wrong. Maybe the dog was never completely trustworthy but the owners loved him and thought that they could handle whatever problem might arrive.Her husband should know if this was the case. Pitbulls are not inherently dangerous.
dogcentric September 9, 2011 at 09:41 am
Re Maureen Murray's comment that noting that pit bulls are disproportionately dangerous are "disrespecting" Ms. Napora's memory because of how much she loved her dogs, I have to wonder if it isn't reasonable to assume that her love for Gunner wasn't tempered somewhat in her last moments, when she had to know that he had killed her unborn baby.
dogcentric September 9, 2011 at 09:51 am
Shelly,
Of course you are right (and it is quite an understatement) to say that "something was wrong." However, you are wrong when you say that "dogs don't kill all of a sudden." There has to be a first incident when a dangerous dog exhibits aggression and while it is (thankfully) rare for that first incident to be a fatal attack on a person, it is by no means impossible. This is especially true of pit bulls who are often bred for "gameness." What "gameness" means is the quality of NOT STOPPING AN ATTACK once one is commenced. This is why pit bull owners are cautioned never to trust a pit bull unsupervised with any other animal--even if the pit bull has seemingly been great with the other animal for years.
Charles December 17, 2011 at 11:35 pm
Stray Pit Bull saves woman and child from attacker (A must read)!
http://www.piaberrend.org/stray-pit-bull-saves-woman-child-from-attacker/
michelle brooks September 7, 2012 at 04:45 am
U know wat. Bothers me is everyone saying pits are bad dogs it the breed they. Should just kill them all. Well forall of u that believe this may be we should just kill all animals that have in the past hurt a person be it biting kicking throwing them off any manner of hurt. And u know wat would happen if we did that. The world would be filled with nothing but humans. Open ur mind and own a pit be around one before u judge. I own a bueatiful affircan gater mouth pit his name is Daz. He is a resue. I resued him off a fight yard when he was a yr old he is now three. He is good with people small animals and female dogs. So its not just the breed. I truely believe dogs r people to. The deserve the chance to be loved respected and given a chance just like the rest of us. Think about it this way when u make an uneducated or judgemental. Coment or u just say all pits r bad and they all should be killed. Hitler said the same about the jews, it was done to the affrican americans to the indians. So really think. Do u believe all pits r bad. Do u really believe like hitler
lindsay smith September 7, 2012 at 03:00 pm
DogsBite.org Releases 2011 Fatal Dog Bite Statistics; Pit bulls led fatal dog attacks in 2011 accounting for over 67% of the year's total fatalities despite only comprising about 5% of the total U.S. dog population. The next deadliest dog breed, rottweilers, contributed to 13%. 2011 also marks an increase in pit bulls killing their owners. 88% of the fatal attacks were done to owners. The first thing people say after their pit attacks someone is. "He's never done anything like that before. He's been the sweetest dog ever."
DogsBite.org is a national dog bite victims' group dedicated to reducing serious dog attacks. Go look at the stats. In the 3-year period from 2006 to 2008, pit bull type dogs killed 52 Americans and accounted for 59% of all fatal attacks. Combined, pit bulls and rottweilers accounted for 73% of these deaths.
lindsay smith September 7, 2012 at 03:01 pm
DogsBite.org Releases 2011 Fatal Dog Bite Statistics; Pit bulls led fatal dog attacks in 2011 accounting for over 67% of the year's total fatalities despite only comprising about 5% of the total U.S. dog population. The next deadliest dog breed, rottweilers, contributed to 13%. 2011 also marks an increase in pit bulls killing their owners. 88% of the fatal attacks were done to owners. The first thing people say after their pit attacks someone is. "He's never done anything like that before. He's been the sweetest dog ever."
DogsBite.org is a national dog bite victims' group dedicated to reducing serious dog attacks. Go look at the stats. In the 3-year period from 2006 to 2008, pit bull type dogs killed 52 Americans and accounted for 59% of all fatal attacks. Combined, pit bulls and rottweilers accounted for 73% of these deaths.
lindsay smith September 7, 2012 at 03:02 pm
DogsBite.org Releases 2011 Fatal Dog Bite Statistics; Pit bulls led fatal dog attacks in 2011 accounting for over 67% of the year's total fatalities despite only comprising about 5% of the total U.S. dog population. The next deadliest dog breed, rottweilers, contributed to 13%. 2011 also marks an increase in pit bulls killing their owners. 88% of the fatal attacks were done to owners. The first thing people say after their pit attacks someone is. "He's never done anything like that before. He's been the sweetest dog ever."
DogsBite.org is a national dog bite victims' group dedicated to reducing serious dog attacks. Go look at the stats. In the 3-year period from 2006 to 2008, pit bull type dogs killed 52 Americans and accounted for 59% of all fatal attacks. Combined, pit bulls and rottweilers accounted for 73% of these deaths.
Charles September 16, 2012 at 12:09 am
Dangerous Pitbull Terrier in Dog Whisperer Full Episode
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=nmGKtby43Oc&NR=1

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Christa Bigue (Editor) June 16, 2013 at 08:44 am
Good question. Maybe the Chamber of Commerce knows? I'll send an email to them.
Peter Beck June 17, 2013 at 08:18 am
The stickers are for sale at Gorilla BarBQ and cost $ 1.50 each
Christa Bigue (Editor) June 17, 2013 at 04:46 pm
The Pacifica Chamber of Commerce says that "the only person that might is John the Sign Guy.Read More 650.369.1626. Other than that, the Dollar Store in Linda Mar is looking into getting some Pacifica souvenirs. Maybe she’ll order some bumper stickers."  
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That's awesome....I love books but I love to bake cakes more. I wish that I lived closer toRead More Pacifica! How fun.
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Yummy! What a great idea. I better peruse my bookshelf for some ideas!
For those who felt the English sign was cropped.. here is the entire pole
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There is an easy explanation... the water is perfectly potable for English speakers.
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Bren, No need to vent your pent up anger at white people. Your statement is a perfect example ofRead More reverse racism. We live in an country where there are different races and different languages but the native language is English and to omit that language from any sign that was paid for by tax payers is a slap in the face. This has nothing to do with demographics or race wars. Take a step back, breath, and stop spreading your hate rhetoric.
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The owner of Granucci's was diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing treatment. Her brother owns theRead More Farmer's Market so you can get updates on her condition from him.
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Please help share it on your facebook as well. Anything to find our cat.Read More http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/laf/3825190526.html
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