Four months ago, a San Francisco woman was mauled to death by a dog called a presa canario.

A northeast Ohio man who is a breeder of that type of dog said that his phone hasn't stopped ringing from people who want to buy their own presa canario.

NewsChannel5's Paul Kiska reports that the breeder is getting more than he bargained for.

James Kolber feels like a man on the run.

"I was caught off guard," Kolber said. "It's insane."

But he's committed no crime.

Kolber is a dog breeder, but this is no ordinary dog.

Presa canarios are large and powerful, but some say that they're prone to violent dispositions.

Kolber sold one such dog to a person in San Francisco. The dog later mauled and killed Diane Whipple in January.

Since then, a strange twist has occurred because of the national coverage of the tragedy.

Kolber is still getting bombarded with calls from people jumping at the chance to have a presa canario, which some say is tougher than a pit bull or a Rottweiler.

"They want a dog that attacks their neighbor's pit bull, which is sick," Kolber said. "This is a different generation."

Many people are unhappy that vicious dogs are in their neighborhood. Kolber left Akron after city officials passed strict guidelines for people who own a presa canario, whose name means "crushing dog of the Canary Islands."

He now lives in Springfield Township, and he said that he receives several calls daily, including death threats from frightened residents who want the dogs gone.

"I had some people threaten me; that's crazy," Kolber said. "It's made life tough."

Kolber said that the dogs are not natural-born killers; it's all in how they're raised and trained. Either way, his dog-breeding business is booming, and his dogs are staying busy, WEWS reports.

"He's getting a lot of stud work," he said.

Just two years ago, the city of Akron added presa canarios to its vicious dog list, which means that the dog must be muzzled in public, wear a green collar and be kept in a kennel with a roof and cement base so that it can't climb out when at home.

So far, Summit County has not done the same.

Dog Safety Tips

There are several tips to help you and your children avoiding being bitten by any type of dog.

Dog safety experts suggest that whenever you approach a strange dog, you should observe its body language.

If the dog is lying on its back, wanting its belly rubbed, it's probably safe to pet it.

But if the dog is growling or showing teeth or if its hair is standing up, do not approach it.

Also, avoid making any sudden movements that might cause the dog to lunge at you in defense.

Previous Stories:

• April 26, 2001: Vicious Dogs Banned In Local City
• April 5, 2001: City Requires That Certain Dogs Be Muzzled
• March 12, 2001: Boy Recovering From Attack By Dogs
• March 9, 2001: Dogs Attack Boy On Way To School
• February 21, 2001: Do Your Pets Pose A Threat To Your Kids?
• February 8, 2001: Community Comes Together To Protect Dogs
• January 19, 2001: Watch Out For Vicious Dog On Loose In Lorain
• November 2, 2000: Court To Consider Canine Controversy
• August 31, 2000: Police Shoot Dog That Attacked Officers