John Simonds, who owns a number of animals on his 35-acre farm at 453 Cramerton Road, told The Gazette last week that the dog has been terrorizing them of late. The pit bull typically attacked at night and has killed a pony and six goats, while injuring several cows and a donkey in recent weeks.
Simonds said he wasn’t sure if the dog had an owner or was a stray. After trying unsuccessfully to trap the pit bull himself, he contacted Gaston County Animal Control.
Animal Control Sgt. Jim Phil said they set a trap baited with food on the property of a nearby landowner last week. That same day, a brown and white pit bull male without any collar or tags was caught in the trap. Simonds has previously seen the dog that has been attacking his animals, and Phil let him look at the pit bull that had been trapped to verify it was the troublemaker.
“He said he was 95 percent sure that was the dog,” said Phil. “Hopefully we got it.”
If the dog’s owner comes forward, the county would address the matter with them legally. But if no owner surfaces after three business days, the county can proceed with euthanasia, and that will likely take place Wednesday, he said.
Phil said the pit bull may have been left behind by someone who moved. But he doesn’t expect an owner to emerge. Based on the history the dog is believed to have, it would not be eligible for rescue from the shelter, he said.
“This would not be one we’d want to adopt out,” he said.
(Gaston Gazette - Nov 21, 2011)
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