Mothers take matters into their own hands after pit bull attacks

WILLIAMSTON, NC -- Two different mothers, two very similar stories. 

Sonona Jefferson says it happened in her backyard.  Her children were playing kickball when the neighbor's dog ran out of its yard and straight for her eight year old son. 

"It was terrifying,” she said.

It's the same place where Michelle Mitchell says the same dog bit her 12 year-old son three weeks earlier. 

That's when Martin County Animal Control took the dog into custody for a 10-day rabies observation.  Soon after they released it- Jefferson's son was getting stitches. 

"I simply want my children and all other children to walk in this community safely."

They took their concerns to Williamston Police Captain Travis Cowan.  He says law enforcement has the ability to deem a dog dangerous after it attacks. 

"It increases the level of security that the owner must use to prevent the animal from having access to the public,” said Cowan.

But Animal Control never deemed the pit bull dangerous because there were no broken bones or disfiguring lacerations.  Cowan says unfortunately, this is an example of where the system failed.  It took another bite and another police report to finally cite the owner for violating the Town Animal Ordinance.

The rules are clear- a pit bull should be kept in a fenced enclosure with a top and a concrete base.  The pit bull should also be muzzled when on a leash.  Cowan says while he can't monitor what dog owners do 24-7, people in the community can keep a closer watch.

"Let's educate each other.  Let's not just stand silent and be quiet an go oh gosh I hope this doesn't happen,” said Jefferson.

UPDATE:

WILLIAMSTON, N.C. - Some parents in the east are taking matters into their own hands after their children were attacked by the same pit bull.

The first attack was three weeks ago at Sonona Jefferson's house in Williamston.

Police say the neighbor's pit bull got out of its fence and attacked Michelle Mitchell's 12 year-old-son.

Thursday, less than two weeks after Animal Control returned the dog back to its owner, they say the same dog bit Jefferson's 8-year-old son on the leg.  
 
"I'm not here to point fingers or to blame. I simply want my children and all other children to walk in this community safely without fear of another dog attack," Sonona Jefferson, victim's mother.

Jefferson and Mitchell took their concerns to the Williamston Police Department. Police issued the owner a citation for violating the town's animal ordinance for not keeping the dog in a secure enclosure.

The owner relinquished the dog to animal control and it will be put down in two weeks.

(WNCT, May 20, 2011)