NEVADA --An elderly man walking his dog early Tuesday morning was attacked by three pit bull dogs in the 700 block of Chaparral Drive.
When Mesquite Police officers arrived on scene they found the victim, Bill Lilienthal, bleeding from his wounds. He had multiple puncture wounds on his hands, arms, the left side of his face, and was covered in blood. Lilienthal told police he was walking his small Lhasa Apso dog when the pit bulls ran up from behind him.
Lilienthal said he tried to put his dog on a nearby wall, but he was knocked to the ground. The pit bulls started biting him and his dog when he started calling for help. A neighbor who heard Lilienthal’s call for help came out of her house and threw two rocks at the largest dog, hitting it. The two others ran off.
But according to the neighbor, the dog turned on her. She said she froze and the dog eventually ran after the others.
Lilienthal was treated on-scene by Mesquite Fire and Rescue then later drove himself to Mesa View Hospital where he received stitches to his face and hands. Mesquite Animal Control Officer’s arrived on scene and secured two of the animals, but the third ran into traffic on Interstate 15 and was struck and killed by a vehicle.
The remaining pit bulls are currently quarantined at the animal shelter pending an inquiry to verify they are current on their shots.
The owner was issued a citation for three counts of “Dog at Large” by Mesquite Police. After the dogs were quarantined animal control officers declared them as “Dangerous Dogs” and the owner will have to obtain a permit from the city, per City Code 10-4-7 (Dangerous Animals; Ownership Permitted in Limited Circumstances). Any questions pertaining to “Dangerous Animals” should be directed to the Mesquite Animal Shelter (702-346-5268).
(Mesquite Local - Sept 21, 2011)
