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| Barbara Craig, left, officer coordinator for Doorstep, and Lisa Clarke, executive director of Doorstep, still walk Clarke's dog, Bailey, but they pay closer attention and have altered their route. |
KANSAS -- A golden retriever who was attacked in September by a pit bull near Doorstep Inc. happily wagged her tail as staff members and clients of the organization greeted her last week.
Meanwhile, the pit bull mix that attacked Bailey wasn’t claimed and was put to sleep at Helping Hands Humane Society after failing a temperament test.
“She’s mostly healed,” said Bailey’s owner, Lisa Clarke, executive director of Doorstep Inc. “I’ve been amazed. My biggest concern was emotionally was it going to scar her?”
Bailey’s wounds have mostly healed and she seems to be fine emotionally — time will tell.
Her owner’s wounds have healed, too. But emotionally, Clarke is still shaken when she thinks about that September day.
Barbara Craig, officer coordinator for Doorstep, was taking Bailey for an afternoon walk about 3 p.m. Sept. 21 when a dog, which was a pit bull mix, came out of nowhere and attacked Bailey.
“I was just screaming,” Craig said. “Someone heard me and stopped.”
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| The pit bull that attacked the Golden Retriever shown caged in an animal control officer's vehicle. |
Clarke said a man and a woman stopped their vehicle and Craig ran inside the building to get her.
Clarke ran outside and grabbed the pit bull’s collar, while the man used his foot to kick the pit bull off of Bailey.
While fighting for her life, Bailey nipped her owner’s hand, Clarke said.
Eventually, the pit bull mix released its grip, and Clarke kept a hold of its collar.
Craig took Bailey inside the Doorstep offices, and Clarke let go of the pit bull mix, which ran to the door of the building.
While fighting for her life, Bailey nipped her owner’s hand, Clarke said.
Eventually, the pit bull mix released its grip, and Clarke kept a hold of its collar.
Craig took Bailey inside the Doorstep offices, and Clarke let go of the pit bull mix, which ran to the door of the building.
An animal control officer was able to catch the dog. The pit bull mix, which received minor injuries to its face during the attack, was placed into the back of an animal control vehicle.
Clarke went with her dog to the veterinarian and then sought medical attention for her bite and scratches. She had to have three stitches in one of her hands.
Bailey received several puncture wounds, bruises and multiple lacerations. She was to be kept at the veterinarian’s overnight.
Clarke went with her dog to the veterinarian and then sought medical attention for her bite and scratches. She had to have three stitches in one of her hands.
Bailey received several puncture wounds, bruises and multiple lacerations. She was to be kept at the veterinarian’s overnight.
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| Sweet Bailey is lucky to be alive |
Bailey, who is now 18 months old, has been accompanying Clarke to Doorstep since she was seven weeks old. After a few weeks of rest and recuperation, Bailey was back at the office with her owner last week.
“She brings a smile to people’s faces,” Clarke said. “She has a different relationship with each person here.”
The pit bull mix was taken to Helping Hands Humane Society
Kathy Maxwell, director of business affairs and adoption services for HHHS, said the dog was fine around humans but showed aggression toward other dogs.
“It failed the temperament test,” Maxwell said.
The pit bull mix was put to sleep.
“It’s unfortunate he was put down because obviously his owners didn’t treat the dog like I treat mine,” Clarke said. “I’m a dog lover. I was left with vet bills, medical bills and emotional scars. They have no responsibility in the end.”
(Capital-Journal - Oct 9, 2011)
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