Todd Wisner says he’s concerned because the attack on his dog happened so close to Harney Park in Southeast Portland where a lot of children play. He says not only is he afraid for the safety of the children but also his own dog.
Wisner took 8-year-old Josie for her normal walk Sunday evening around Southeast 65th and Harney when he said a pit bull came out of nowhere.
“This dog ran from across the street out of an unfenced yard and was not restrained in any way, not on a leash and just attacked,” Wisner said. “And the pit bull grabbed (Josie) by the head and started thrashing around.”
Josie’s ear was injured and Wisner said she’s at high risk for bleeding and infection. She’s currently under heavy sedation.
Wisner was injured on his left arm, wrist and thumb as he tried to pry the pit bull off his dog. He lost a day of work and spent $600 in veterinarian bills. But he says what’s more upsetting is not knowing if the other dog is up-to-date on its shots.
Portland police confirmed they filed an incident report and referred Wisner to animal services. He says he called but still hasn’t heard back.
“The dog’s still out there,” Wisner said. “We’re afraid to even go over and look.”
No one answered the door at the home of the pit bull’s owners Monday.
Multnomah County Animal Services say they’re working to see if a report was filed. But generally, they say if a dog is loose, attacks and injures another dog without being provoked, the owner could be cited. The dog would also be quarantined.
The owner of the pit bull has not been cited.
(KATU - July 19, 2011)
