Hussell said he grabbed the stroller and April in a bear hug and began to run across the street before tripping and falling headfirst into West River Road with the dogs in pursuit.
Hussell credited a pickup driver for saving April from being bitten. Hussell said the driver slammed on the brakes of his truck, cutting off the dogs, and giving Hussell time to run across the street and take refuge in a resident’s front yard.
“They would’ve tore her up real bad,” said a shaken Hussell, 26, shortly after his narrow escape. “They didn’t seem interested in me. They went right for the stroller.”
Neighbors say the dogs, owned by Tracy Mason of the 800 block of West River Road North, have frequently gotten loose and chased people since Mason moved in in 2009.
A pit bull puppy owned by Mason was killed Saturday after being struck by a vehicle crossing West River Road.
“Something needs to be done,” neighbor Roxann Kocsis said. “It’s ridiculous.”
Lorain County has a dog warden and two deputy wardens covering the entire county. Resident William Scott, who moved into the neighborhood in 1972, said Elyria needs to enforce laws for roaming and vicious dogs.
“A town of 55,000 people — shouldn’t we have a dog warden for God’s sake?” Scott said. “If you enforce that (dog licensing and laws), you could pay for that dog warden.”
Hussell, who said he wrenched his back escaping and moved gingerly after the incident, refused Mason’s apology when she approached him. He noted that neighbors have frequently called police about her dogs roaming.
“Why should everybody have to dislodge their lives because you want your dogs?” he told her. “I would accept your apology if this was the first time because I understand stuff happens.”
REPEAT OFFENDER
Nelson Delgado, Lorain County deputy dog warden, said he had warned Mason once before about her dogs.
On Wednesday, he ticketed Mason for not having a license and insurance for Roxy, the 3-year-old pit bull. Elyria police Officer Jeff Currier also charged Mason for having a dangerous dog at large, a fourth-degree misdemeanor.
Mason said she had the dogs in her house but believes they got out through a window. Mason admitted her dogs have gotten loose before but said she’s never been fined before and neighbors have never complained directly to her.
“I know my dogs were in the wrong, but my dogs would never hurt a child,” she said. “Now I know it’s an issue. I have to do something.”
(Chronicle Telegram - June 23, 2011)
