OH: Vicious Dog Attack Hospitalizes 2 Owners
Posted: 10:02 pm EST March 6, 2009
Updated: 11:46 pm EST March 6, 2009
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ohio -- Neighbors in Brilliant were left shaken after two loose dogs started attacking each other, then two women Friday. It happened on North Street. Neighbors said they heard screaming for help and saw barking dogs on the attack.
"I heard a couple of ladies yelling from down the road," said eyewitness Rick Eddy. Eddy said he ran from his yard to try to help the two women. "I saw the two ladies wrestling with the pit bull so I yelled for the dog and it jumped off and finally the one woman got the dog and put it in the house," said Eddy.
Police said the collie mix wandered over to a trailer where the gate was left open with a pit bull on the other side. Eyewitnesses said the pit bull attacked the other dog -- then the owners of both jumped in and tried to break them up. "It was a lot of blood from the dogs and everything. The one pit bull really tore up the other dog," said Eddy.
Both owners were bit during the attack and had to go to the hospital. "[The bite marks] were pretty deep. They were pretty bad to the hand, but other than that, no other real bad injuries," said Eddy.
Police expect both women to be OK and said there's a lesson everyone needs to learn from this vicious attack.
"Everyone should always keep their dogs tied up. It's their animal so they should keep them on their property and not let them wander in the streets," said J.J. Kamerer of the Wells Township Police Department. The Jefferson County dog warden will determine whether any charges should be filed in this case. Police noted there is a Leash Law in the state of Ohio -- meaning every dog must be on a chain or leash and can't go running free.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
TX: Pit bulls attack 2 teens in northeast Dallas; latest in rash of incidents
TX: Pit bulls attack 2 teens in northeast Dallas; latest in rash of incidents
12:09 AM CST on Wednesday, March 4, 2009
By DAN X. McGRAW / The Dallas Morning News
dmcgraw@dallasnews.com
Two teens were attacked by five pit bulls in northeast Dallas on Monday, the third dog attack in just over a week, authorities said. The siblings, 13 and 18, were walking in 11900 block of Hoblitzelle Drive around 5 p.m. when the dogs began chasing them. The 18-year-old sister used a belt to scare the dogs away, but one of the animals bit the boy.
Teens attacked by pit bulls
Police captured all the dogs, which were later placed in the custody of Dallas Animal Services. The dog that bit the younger teen will be quarantined for 10 days before being released to the owner, authorities said.
Dallas Animal Services issued 10 citations, including one for failing to restrain the dogs and one for failing to register the dogs, to each owner, said Kent Robertson, the agency’s manager. He declined to release the number of owners or their names.
This incident was the latest in a rash of such attacks.
On Feb. 21, two pit bulls attacked a man and a woman, Clarence Webber and Helen Fuller, outside Jerry’s Market at Bernal Drive and North Westmoreland Road in West Dallas. Webber was treated at Parkland Memorial Hospital for injuries to his eye, face, jaw, left hand and left thigh. Fuller was treated for wounds to her arms and head.
Minutes later, a 12-year-old boy jumped a neighbor's fence to retrieve a ball in Pleasant Grove and was attacked by a dog that was part pit bull.
Under Texas law, the owners of dogs that seriously injure people can be prosecuted.
The latest attacks add fuel to the debate about whether certain breeds are inherently vicious or whether their violent behavior is the fault of bad owners. “We see this every year,” Robertson said. “Most of the bites aren’t from dogs loose but from people playing with dogs or getting in between them and their food source.”
Most bites are insignificant, but some, including pit bulls bites can be severe. However, Robertson said it was hard to determine the threat pit bulls posed in Dallas because it was unknown how many lived in the city. “If there are more pit bulls than any other dog, then they are going to be responsible for more bites,” he said. “I’ve seen bad bites from pit bulls, but I’ve also seen bad bites from Chihuahuas.”
Several North Texas cities have explored the possibility of banning certain breeds. Former Rep. Tony Goolsby, R-Dallas, has asked the attorney general for an opinion on whether cities have that authority. Robertson said the city has been working with in neighborhoods to educate owners about their responsibilities and pick up stray dogs. The city rounded up more than 900 stray dogs in southern Dallas during a two-week initiative.
Source
12:09 AM CST on Wednesday, March 4, 2009
By DAN X. McGRAW / The Dallas Morning News
dmcgraw@dallasnews.com
Two teens were attacked by five pit bulls in northeast Dallas on Monday, the third dog attack in just over a week, authorities said. The siblings, 13 and 18, were walking in 11900 block of Hoblitzelle Drive around 5 p.m. when the dogs began chasing them. The 18-year-old sister used a belt to scare the dogs away, but one of the animals bit the boy.
Teens attacked by pit bulls
Police captured all the dogs, which were later placed in the custody of Dallas Animal Services. The dog that bit the younger teen will be quarantined for 10 days before being released to the owner, authorities said.
Dallas Animal Services issued 10 citations, including one for failing to restrain the dogs and one for failing to register the dogs, to each owner, said Kent Robertson, the agency’s manager. He declined to release the number of owners or their names.
This incident was the latest in a rash of such attacks.
On Feb. 21, two pit bulls attacked a man and a woman, Clarence Webber and Helen Fuller, outside Jerry’s Market at Bernal Drive and North Westmoreland Road in West Dallas. Webber was treated at Parkland Memorial Hospital for injuries to his eye, face, jaw, left hand and left thigh. Fuller was treated for wounds to her arms and head.
Minutes later, a 12-year-old boy jumped a neighbor's fence to retrieve a ball in Pleasant Grove and was attacked by a dog that was part pit bull.
Under Texas law, the owners of dogs that seriously injure people can be prosecuted.
The latest attacks add fuel to the debate about whether certain breeds are inherently vicious or whether their violent behavior is the fault of bad owners. “We see this every year,” Robertson said. “Most of the bites aren’t from dogs loose but from people playing with dogs or getting in between them and their food source.”
Most bites are insignificant, but some, including pit bulls bites can be severe. However, Robertson said it was hard to determine the threat pit bulls posed in Dallas because it was unknown how many lived in the city. “If there are more pit bulls than any other dog, then they are going to be responsible for more bites,” he said. “I’ve seen bad bites from pit bulls, but I’ve also seen bad bites from Chihuahuas.”
Several North Texas cities have explored the possibility of banning certain breeds. Former Rep. Tony Goolsby, R-Dallas, has asked the attorney general for an opinion on whether cities have that authority. Robertson said the city has been working with in neighborhoods to educate owners about their responsibilities and pick up stray dogs. The city rounded up more than 900 stray dogs in southern Dallas during a two-week initiative.
Source
OH: 10-year-old boy recognized as 'Finest Hero' for saving brother from dog attack
OH: 10-year-old boy recognized as 'Finest Hero' for saving brother from dog attack
By Megan Gildow
Staff Writer
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Springfield, Ohio — In the week since he saved his younger brother from a dog attack, 10-year-old Brian Singleton has been on the front page of the paper, the evening news and had a day proclaimed in his recognition. "I think it's swell, but too much attention can get on your nerves," said the student declared by Lagonda Elementary to be the school's "Finest Hero."
Brian and his younger brother, Hayden Bradley, were recognized at a school-wide assembly Tuesday, March 3, along with Springfield Manor employees Cathy McCarty, Phil Bogard, Dawn Massie, Janet Varrasso and Lettie Austin and resident Gary McCarty.
Brian and Hayden were walking home from school Feb. 23, when two loose dogs approached the two boys as they walked up the hill at Springfield Manor. Brian put himself in the dogs' path to spare his brother, and several employees from Springfield Manor and Gary McCarty assisted the two youngsters.
"We have a lot of heroes in Springfield and a lot of love," school board President Donna Picklesimer said at the recognition. Prior to the assembly, Cristen Carlson and her daughter, Avery, discussed dog safety with the students with therapy pet Blanche on hand to demonstrate.
Brian, who received a gift from the school staff in addition to a Humanitarian Award and badges from the Springfield Division of Police, said he still likes dogs and knows most of them are friendly despite his ordeal. He spoke fondly of the 10 beagle pups his family tended in Kentucky one year.
The city commission proclaimed March 3, 2009, Brian Singleton Recognition Day, said Mayor Warren Copeland, also in attendance. "I'm honored to meet the mayor of Springfield, and I want to thank all the people that gave me gifts," Brian said. "I think it's wonderful to meet everyone that I've met."
• Lagonda Elementary School Principal Mike Manoloff asked Donna Bradley, mother of Brian Singleton and Hayden Bailey to write a narrative of the dog attack that launched 10-year-old Brian into the "Hometown Hero" spotlight.
Here is how she recalls the incident:
"Heroes at work: Big and Small"
Brian would always ask me if he could walk or ride his bike to school. A majority of the time I would say "no," but there were a few times I would allow him to walk to school. Brian and his younger brother, Hayden, walked to and from school for two weeks after our car broke down. My neighbor, which also is my employer, allowed me to use the company van to take them to school. However, I was not able to pick them up due to the fact that I was still at work when they got out. They were told not to talk to strangers or to stop at any friend?s houses.... they were to come straight home where my boyfriend Dave would watch them until I got home from work. I never thought to talk to them about what to do when dogs approached them.
Three-fifteen came, then 3:20... they were not home. I went to look for them. I walked the way they normally took and reached the school with still no sign of them. I called home to see if they had arrived yet and they had not... they were at Mercy Medical.
When I arrived at the hospital, I was relieved to see that Hayden was not injured and Brian?s injuries were not as bad as I thought they would be. Brian was very scared, still crying, but I held on to him and asked if he was going to be o.k. Tears rolled down his face and he shook his head.
A day later, Brian was finally ready to talk about what happened. Here said:
"Two dogs ran up to me and my brother and began barking loudly. We ran and fell. Hayden got to his feet and instantly froze... but they were still coming. I was scared for my brother and myself. I ran backwards which is something I know I shouldn?t do, but I distracted the dogs from getting my little brother... but now I was in trouble. I yelled for help and Cathy came. She was yelling at the dogs... that didn't work so she began to punch the dog in the head... and that didn't work. My shoe fell off and Cathy picked it up and used it. The dogs yelped and I was free. I was still worried about my brother.... SAVE MY BROTHER! A man picked me up and carried me inside where some nurses looked at my bites and doctored me up."
At this time, Cathy was focused on getting Hayden to safety. The dogs were then moving towards Hayden. "Stand still... don?t move... don't scream," Cathy told Hayden. The dogs were now ripping at Hayden's clothes. Hayden cried out for help. Cathy approached Hayden and put his back to her front and walked slowly backwards. "I always heard not to turn your back on a dog," she later told me.
From Mom
I thank God for all of those who were there for my children at Springfield Manor and for the staff and students at Lagonda Elementary who went above and beyond for our family.
Source
By Megan Gildow
Staff Writer
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Springfield, Ohio — In the week since he saved his younger brother from a dog attack, 10-year-old Brian Singleton has been on the front page of the paper, the evening news and had a day proclaimed in his recognition. "I think it's swell, but too much attention can get on your nerves," said the student declared by Lagonda Elementary to be the school's "Finest Hero."
Brian and his younger brother, Hayden Bradley, were recognized at a school-wide assembly Tuesday, March 3, along with Springfield Manor employees Cathy McCarty, Phil Bogard, Dawn Massie, Janet Varrasso and Lettie Austin and resident Gary McCarty.
Brian and Hayden were walking home from school Feb. 23, when two loose dogs approached the two boys as they walked up the hill at Springfield Manor. Brian put himself in the dogs' path to spare his brother, and several employees from Springfield Manor and Gary McCarty assisted the two youngsters.
"We have a lot of heroes in Springfield and a lot of love," school board President Donna Picklesimer said at the recognition. Prior to the assembly, Cristen Carlson and her daughter, Avery, discussed dog safety with the students with therapy pet Blanche on hand to demonstrate.
Brian, who received a gift from the school staff in addition to a Humanitarian Award and badges from the Springfield Division of Police, said he still likes dogs and knows most of them are friendly despite his ordeal. He spoke fondly of the 10 beagle pups his family tended in Kentucky one year.
The city commission proclaimed March 3, 2009, Brian Singleton Recognition Day, said Mayor Warren Copeland, also in attendance. "I'm honored to meet the mayor of Springfield, and I want to thank all the people that gave me gifts," Brian said. "I think it's wonderful to meet everyone that I've met."
• Lagonda Elementary School Principal Mike Manoloff asked Donna Bradley, mother of Brian Singleton and Hayden Bailey to write a narrative of the dog attack that launched 10-year-old Brian into the "Hometown Hero" spotlight.
Here is how she recalls the incident:
"Heroes at work: Big and Small"
Brian would always ask me if he could walk or ride his bike to school. A majority of the time I would say "no," but there were a few times I would allow him to walk to school. Brian and his younger brother, Hayden, walked to and from school for two weeks after our car broke down. My neighbor, which also is my employer, allowed me to use the company van to take them to school. However, I was not able to pick them up due to the fact that I was still at work when they got out. They were told not to talk to strangers or to stop at any friend?s houses.... they were to come straight home where my boyfriend Dave would watch them until I got home from work. I never thought to talk to them about what to do when dogs approached them.
Three-fifteen came, then 3:20... they were not home. I went to look for them. I walked the way they normally took and reached the school with still no sign of them. I called home to see if they had arrived yet and they had not... they were at Mercy Medical.
When I arrived at the hospital, I was relieved to see that Hayden was not injured and Brian?s injuries were not as bad as I thought they would be. Brian was very scared, still crying, but I held on to him and asked if he was going to be o.k. Tears rolled down his face and he shook his head.
A day later, Brian was finally ready to talk about what happened. Here said:
"Two dogs ran up to me and my brother and began barking loudly. We ran and fell. Hayden got to his feet and instantly froze... but they were still coming. I was scared for my brother and myself. I ran backwards which is something I know I shouldn?t do, but I distracted the dogs from getting my little brother... but now I was in trouble. I yelled for help and Cathy came. She was yelling at the dogs... that didn't work so she began to punch the dog in the head... and that didn't work. My shoe fell off and Cathy picked it up and used it. The dogs yelped and I was free. I was still worried about my brother.... SAVE MY BROTHER! A man picked me up and carried me inside where some nurses looked at my bites and doctored me up."
At this time, Cathy was focused on getting Hayden to safety. The dogs were then moving towards Hayden. "Stand still... don?t move... don't scream," Cathy told Hayden. The dogs were now ripping at Hayden's clothes. Hayden cried out for help. Cathy approached Hayden and put his back to her front and walked slowly backwards. "I always heard not to turn your back on a dog," she later told me.
From Mom
I thank God for all of those who were there for my children at Springfield Manor and for the staff and students at Lagonda Elementary who went above and beyond for our family.
Source
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Europe: Fighting dogs more common in Britain
Fighting dogs more common in Britain
Published: Feb. 22, 2009 at 1:04 AM
LONDON, Feb. 22 (UPI) -- Fighting dogs are becoming more common in Britain, including pit bulls and crosses with the outlawed breed, The Times of London reported.
Some experts say young gang members may be turning to dogs because of crackdowns on possessing guns and knives.
"It's a serious offense to be caught carrying a gun or knife," said Jan Eachus of the Royal Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals. "But if you are walking a status dog you're unlikely to get stopped."
The RSPCA said complaints about fighting dogs have soared in recent years. The group got 24 complaints in 2004 but the number rose to 137 in 2006 and 358 in 2007 -- when there were 132 calls about dog fights in streets and parks.
Ray Greenwood, 63, lost his 10-year-old Jack Russell when it was attacked by another dog in a London park. He said he apparently annoyed the young man who owned by other dog by hitting it with his umbrella in an effort to protect his terrier.
"He got hold of his dog and shouted, 'Get the pup,' before releasing," he said. "It just went for her. It is terrible that this can happen. My wife and I are devastated."
Source
Published: Feb. 22, 2009 at 1:04 AM
LONDON, Feb. 22 (UPI) -- Fighting dogs are becoming more common in Britain, including pit bulls and crosses with the outlawed breed, The Times of London reported.
Some experts say young gang members may be turning to dogs because of crackdowns on possessing guns and knives.
"It's a serious offense to be caught carrying a gun or knife," said Jan Eachus of the Royal Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals. "But if you are walking a status dog you're unlikely to get stopped."
The RSPCA said complaints about fighting dogs have soared in recent years. The group got 24 complaints in 2004 but the number rose to 137 in 2006 and 358 in 2007 -- when there were 132 calls about dog fights in streets and parks.
Ray Greenwood, 63, lost his 10-year-old Jack Russell when it was attacked by another dog in a London park. He said he apparently annoyed the young man who owned by other dog by hitting it with his umbrella in an effort to protect his terrier.
"He got hold of his dog and shouted, 'Get the pup,' before releasing," he said. "It just went for her. It is terrible that this can happen. My wife and I are devastated."
Source
Thursday, February 19, 2009
TN: 6-Year-Old In Hospital After Dog Attack
TN: 6-Year-Old In Hospital After Dog Attack
Rottweiler Broke Loose, Bit Boy
POSTED: 12:56 pm CST February 18, 2009
UPDATED: 6:17 pm CST February 18, 2009
McMINNVILLE, Tenn. -- A 6-year-old boy is in the hospital after his uncle's dog attacked him. Alexander Whitaker was in the back yard Sunday in McMinnville when the rottweiler broke loose and bit the boy several times.
Whitaker was flown to a hospital in Chattanooga. The dog's owner, Brad McKinley, said Whitaker is responding well to treatment and should recover.
The dog was put down.
Source
Rottweiler Broke Loose, Bit Boy
POSTED: 12:56 pm CST February 18, 2009
UPDATED: 6:17 pm CST February 18, 2009
McMINNVILLE, Tenn. -- A 6-year-old boy is in the hospital after his uncle's dog attacked him. Alexander Whitaker was in the back yard Sunday in McMinnville when the rottweiler broke loose and bit the boy several times.
Whitaker was flown to a hospital in Chattanooga. The dog's owner, Brad McKinley, said Whitaker is responding well to treatment and should recover.
The dog was put down.
Source
UK: Worker attacked by dog in Derby street
UK: Worker attacked by dog in Derby street
Thursday, February 19, 2009, 08:00
THE victim of a vicious dog attack had to undergo surgery after the animal dragged him to the ground and broke his arm. John Holness has had his right arm pinned and may have to stay in hospital for five days. Police are now appealing for witnesses to the attack.
Mr Holness was walking to work at S&A Foods, in Normanton, when the German shepherd pounced on him. The dog dragged the 45-year-old to the ground before it was pulled away by its owner, who then ran off with his pet. Mr Holness said: "I was on my way to work when I saw this dog walking away from its owner and sniffing the ground.
"Before I knew it, the dog jumped up at me and clamped its teeth around my arm. It was strong and it pulled me to the ground. "I was shocked and terrified – I could not get it off my arm. Because I've had problems with my heart in the past, I was struggling to breathe and thought I might have an attack.
"I pleaded with the owner and kept on shouting for him to put the dog back on its lead. When it let go I was lying on the floor and thought it was going to go for me again, around the neck or something. The owner managed to grab it before it had another go at me. He said, 'Sorry about that, mate' and ran off, leaving me lying in the road."
Mr Holness was attacked in Castings Street at about 5.40pm on Monday. As he lay on the floor, he managed to get to his mobile phone and call an ambulance. But the factory worker, who has suffered from angina in the past, was so short of breath he could not speak. Passers-by came to his aid and called an ambulance, which took him to Derbyshire Royal Infirmary.
Mr Holness, of Crewe Street, who is married to Grace, 41, has been told he will have to remain there until tomorrow at least. He said: "I feel sure that if that dog had gone for me a second time, it could have killed me. I was lying helpless in the road. The dog and its owner need to be found. I am just thankful that I was at least able to put up a bit of a fight. If it had been a child, I dread to think what the outcome would have been."
A spokeswoman for Derbyshire police said officers were appealing for witnesses. She said: "Mr Holness was attacked by a German shepherd dog and suffered a break and cuts to his right arm. The dog was not on a lead and the owner, who was in his mid-40s, with long, dark hair, was wearing a high-visibility jacket and woolly hat. He went off in the direction of Coronation Street."
Witnesses, or anyone with information, should contact police on 0345 123 3333.
Source
Thursday, February 19, 2009, 08:00
THE victim of a vicious dog attack had to undergo surgery after the animal dragged him to the ground and broke his arm. John Holness has had his right arm pinned and may have to stay in hospital for five days. Police are now appealing for witnesses to the attack.
Mr Holness was walking to work at S&A Foods, in Normanton, when the German shepherd pounced on him. The dog dragged the 45-year-old to the ground before it was pulled away by its owner, who then ran off with his pet. Mr Holness said: "I was on my way to work when I saw this dog walking away from its owner and sniffing the ground.
"Before I knew it, the dog jumped up at me and clamped its teeth around my arm. It was strong and it pulled me to the ground. "I was shocked and terrified – I could not get it off my arm. Because I've had problems with my heart in the past, I was struggling to breathe and thought I might have an attack.
"I pleaded with the owner and kept on shouting for him to put the dog back on its lead. When it let go I was lying on the floor and thought it was going to go for me again, around the neck or something. The owner managed to grab it before it had another go at me. He said, 'Sorry about that, mate' and ran off, leaving me lying in the road."
Mr Holness was attacked in Castings Street at about 5.40pm on Monday. As he lay on the floor, he managed to get to his mobile phone and call an ambulance. But the factory worker, who has suffered from angina in the past, was so short of breath he could not speak. Passers-by came to his aid and called an ambulance, which took him to Derbyshire Royal Infirmary.
Mr Holness, of Crewe Street, who is married to Grace, 41, has been told he will have to remain there until tomorrow at least. He said: "I feel sure that if that dog had gone for me a second time, it could have killed me. I was lying helpless in the road. The dog and its owner need to be found. I am just thankful that I was at least able to put up a bit of a fight. If it had been a child, I dread to think what the outcome would have been."
A spokeswoman for Derbyshire police said officers were appealing for witnesses. She said: "Mr Holness was attacked by a German shepherd dog and suffered a break and cuts to his right arm. The dog was not on a lead and the owner, who was in his mid-40s, with long, dark hair, was wearing a high-visibility jacket and woolly hat. He went off in the direction of Coronation Street."
Witnesses, or anyone with information, should contact police on 0345 123 3333.
Source
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
NC: Mauling ends Oak Island’s leash-free beach season
NC: Mauling ends Oak Island’s leash-free beach season
By Shelby Sebens, Staff Writer
Published: Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at 8:11 p.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at 10:09 p.m.
Oak Island | When Janet Murray took her usual walk on the beach a little more than a month ago, she was in for a shock. An English bulldog attacked her, inflicting a thigh injury that sent her to the hospital.
Janet Murray holds a picture of her thigh, injured by a dog attack on the beach at Oak Island. Murray, who suffered 17 puncture wounds, shared her story with the town council who responded by changing the town's leash law. Now all dogs must be leashed year round at the beach.
Staff photo | Shelby Sebens
==============================================================
Her emotional description of the traumatic event prompted the Oak Island Town Council to vote 4-1 Tuesday to stop allowing dogs to run free on the beach from Oct. 15-March 15. That off-season beach period was an exception to the town rule requiring dogs to be leashed when off their owner’s property.
Murray said she left her home at Northeast 66th Street on Jan. 14 and found a starfish during her walk. But it was too cold to complete her usual trip to the pier, so she turned around near the 75th Street beach access point.
It was then that Murray noticed a dog pulling a woman by its leash. The woman soon bent down to set the dog free. The brown and white English bulldog set its sights on Murray and charged. Thinking the pup was friendly, Murray bent down ready to greet it. But the dog began digging its claws into her thigh, biting and pushing Murray to the sand. “He just mauled my right thigh,” she said, adding that she cracked a rib trying to push the dog off.
She paused in her account, fighting back tears. Finally able to pry the dog off, Murray started running toward a beach house. “I felt the blood coming down my sweatpants,” she said. After climbing stairs to the house and telling the woman who had followed with the bulldog in tow to get the dog away, Murray called her husband and 911. The attack caused severe bruising and 17 puncture wounds. She was sent to Dosher Memorial Hospital, where she received stitches and treatment for infection.
Murray said she has consulted a surgeon and may need plastic surgery to fix the wound.
After her story, Mayor Johnie Vereen urged the council to take action. “This lady did not aggravate that dog,” he said. “We’ve got to make a change here. I’ve seen too many bites.” Nancy Wilson, head of the animal control department, said in a report that since the ordinance went into effect, dog bites have been more severe.
The owner of the dog, who did not return a phone message left Wednesday afternoon, was issued a $150 citation. The dog was quarantined for 10 days and showed no signs of sickness or aggression, so it was returned to the owner, the report stated.
Wilson said in her report there have been two bites in the past two seasons and one on March 16. She said in all instances, such as this one, the owners were surprised their dogs bit.
Councilman Jeff Ensminger voted against changing the ordinance, saying it would be unfair to punish all dogs and dog owners for the acts of one. Though she voted for the change, Councilwoman Dara Royal originally wanted to consider allowing dogs to run free at certain times. She added changing the leash law won’t prevent bites because it “doesn’t mean people aren’t going to let their dogs off a leash.”
After Murray told her story, Betty Wallace, who runs a dog rescue group, urged the council to change the ordinance. She said even though dogs are her life, people should not have to fear walking on the beach. “This should never have happened,” she said.
Murray said she was pleased with the council’s decision. She said if a child had been the victim of the attack, they would be having a funeral instead of a discussion.
Shelby Sebens: 264-8005
shelby.sebens@starnewsonline.com
All rights reserved. This copyrighted material may not be re-published without permission. Links are encouraged.
Source
By Shelby Sebens, Staff Writer
Published: Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at 8:11 p.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at 10:09 p.m.
Oak Island | When Janet Murray took her usual walk on the beach a little more than a month ago, she was in for a shock. An English bulldog attacked her, inflicting a thigh injury that sent her to the hospital.
Janet Murray holds a picture of her thigh, injured by a dog attack on the beach at Oak Island. Murray, who suffered 17 puncture wounds, shared her story with the town council who responded by changing the town's leash law. Now all dogs must be leashed year round at the beach.
Staff photo | Shelby Sebens
==============================================================
Her emotional description of the traumatic event prompted the Oak Island Town Council to vote 4-1 Tuesday to stop allowing dogs to run free on the beach from Oct. 15-March 15. That off-season beach period was an exception to the town rule requiring dogs to be leashed when off their owner’s property.
Murray said she left her home at Northeast 66th Street on Jan. 14 and found a starfish during her walk. But it was too cold to complete her usual trip to the pier, so she turned around near the 75th Street beach access point.
It was then that Murray noticed a dog pulling a woman by its leash. The woman soon bent down to set the dog free. The brown and white English bulldog set its sights on Murray and charged. Thinking the pup was friendly, Murray bent down ready to greet it. But the dog began digging its claws into her thigh, biting and pushing Murray to the sand. “He just mauled my right thigh,” she said, adding that she cracked a rib trying to push the dog off.
She paused in her account, fighting back tears. Finally able to pry the dog off, Murray started running toward a beach house. “I felt the blood coming down my sweatpants,” she said. After climbing stairs to the house and telling the woman who had followed with the bulldog in tow to get the dog away, Murray called her husband and 911. The attack caused severe bruising and 17 puncture wounds. She was sent to Dosher Memorial Hospital, where she received stitches and treatment for infection.
Murray said she has consulted a surgeon and may need plastic surgery to fix the wound.
After her story, Mayor Johnie Vereen urged the council to take action. “This lady did not aggravate that dog,” he said. “We’ve got to make a change here. I’ve seen too many bites.” Nancy Wilson, head of the animal control department, said in a report that since the ordinance went into effect, dog bites have been more severe.
The owner of the dog, who did not return a phone message left Wednesday afternoon, was issued a $150 citation. The dog was quarantined for 10 days and showed no signs of sickness or aggression, so it was returned to the owner, the report stated.
Wilson said in her report there have been two bites in the past two seasons and one on March 16. She said in all instances, such as this one, the owners were surprised their dogs bit.
Councilman Jeff Ensminger voted against changing the ordinance, saying it would be unfair to punish all dogs and dog owners for the acts of one. Though she voted for the change, Councilwoman Dara Royal originally wanted to consider allowing dogs to run free at certain times. She added changing the leash law won’t prevent bites because it “doesn’t mean people aren’t going to let their dogs off a leash.”
After Murray told her story, Betty Wallace, who runs a dog rescue group, urged the council to change the ordinance. She said even though dogs are her life, people should not have to fear walking on the beach. “This should never have happened,” she said.
Murray said she was pleased with the council’s decision. She said if a child had been the victim of the attack, they would be having a funeral instead of a discussion.
Shelby Sebens: 264-8005
shelby.sebens@starnewsonline.com
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