Helton's grandson, Trey Courtney, says he and his friend Cameron Ruark were watching the pit bull for a family member and had taken it for a walk outside Mrs. Helton's house.
"My grandmother came out of the house and the dog just lunged me, pulled me, dragged me straight to the porch and grabbed my grandmother on the foot. He yanked the dog back and got it back in the car and I carried my grandmother into the house and wrapped her foot up," he says.
Courtney says the dog has been agitated since it was separated from its puppies. Police took an injury report, but say no charges are filed against Courtney or Ruark.
After the attack, Mrs. Helton was taken to UK Hospital where she's recovering. Her neighbors say pit bulls can make good pets, but they need training.
"All dogs need to be treated with love and kindness and that's what they'll give back," says Barbie Durrum.
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| Animal Control removing the pit bull |
Durrum has been caring for Joker, a 9-month-old pit bull mix.
"I'm teaching him not to be aggressive. I have him around tons of people, other dogs. He's been through training for a week and he's a sweetheart. I don't think just because he's a pit bull he'll be a aggressive dog," she says.
[Delusional woman. "He's been through training for a week" -- um, OK. That's like saying, "I've been training this tiger for a week not to kill me -- and he's done great so far!"]
Trey Courtney says he's not willing to take any more chances with this particular dog.
"I panicked and I said 'Get this dog out of here before it hurts somebody else!' I'm ready for that dog to go after that one," he says.
Mrs. Helton is in fair condition at UK Hospital. Officials with animal control say the dog will be quarantined for ten days.
(WKYT - Nov 11, 2011)
