LIMA, OH — A South McDonel Street man was injured Friday evening when a neighbor's pit bull jumped out of an open window and attacked the man's family, according to police officials.
A Lima Police Department patrolman shot the dog after it turned on another neighbor, 9-year-old Tyron Starks, of West Elm Street, who was riding his bicycle in the 300 block of South McDonel Street. The child escaped injury by using his bike as a shield to hold the pit pull at bay until the officer distracted and shot the dog, killing it, police Sgt. C.L. Sprouse said.
Sprouse said Matthew D. Horn, 26, was walking home with his family around 7:30 p.m. Friday when the pit bull attempted to attack one of his children. Horn stepped in and deflected the attack. He suffered bites and scrapes on his arms and abdomen. Horn was treated at St. Rita's Medical Center, police officials said.
Officers summoned to the scene found the dog still loose, attacking the boy on his bicycle.
Sprouse said Patrolman Trent Kunkleman distracted the dog's attention away from the child; then the dog turned on Kunkleman, and the patrolman shot it.
Horn's condition was unavailable Sunday evening. A nursing supervisor at the hospital said Sunday there was no one there by that name meaning he was either never admitted or already discharged.
The dog's owner, Shalitta Cole, 34, of 323 S. McDonel St., was arrested. She faces three charges related to harboring a vicious animal and improper confinement, Sprouse said.
(Lima Ohio News - August 8, 2011)
