Teen mauled by pit bulls

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO -- A 15-year-old Fyzabad schoolgirl walking to afternoon classes was bitten by two pit bulls on Tuesday afternoon.

Chrishel Tannis, of Hickling Village, was rescued by neighbours who heard her screams.

Tannis is a pupil of Holy Faith Convent in Penal. Investigators said the dogs are owned by a police sergeant, who is currently on suspension on a criminal charge.

 

Yesterday, neighbours told police they live in fear that the dogs will attack again, and the next time might be fatal. They said there are several children who reside in the area and they are fearful of allowing them to walk the streets.

A police source said officers approached the owner of the dogs several times and relayed the resident's fears but their warnings to him have been ignored. 

Tannis was attacked by the animals around 4.10 p.m. near the police officer's house. Tannis' aunt Deborah Hannibal said: "She (Chrishel) heard some noises in the bush and looked back and saw the dogs. She started walking a little faster and they spotted her and took off behind her. She ran almost 1000 feet and swung her bag at them. They back back and continued running but fell. The dogs came on her and she took her left hand to brakes her throat but they still bit her up."

Tannis was bitten seven times on the left hand. She was rescued by a neighbour who beat off the dogs with a piece of wood, Hannibal said.

A neighbour, who is a paramedic with the Emergency Health Services (EHS), assisted in bandaging the teenager's left hand and attended to her injuries. An EHS ambulance later took Tannis to the San Fernando General Hospital.

In May, several pit bulls owned by a police officers bit and killed security guard Denise Rackal, 46 as she walked roadside on her way to work at Edinburgh 500, Chaguanas.

Last month, nine-year-old Jessie Boiselle was mauled to death by the family pit bull in Maraval.


(Trinidad Express - Sept 8, 2011)