.
The owners decided to give Oreo away but now...they've changed their mind. And that has his neighborhood terrified. Like next door neighbor Lorraine Coy who's had one too many scary encounters with Oreo.
"I'd come out from the back room of the house and the dog was on my deck and saw me and started jumping against the French doors. And I was home by myself. I was scared and he wouldn't go away," said Coy.
But that's not the kind of dog you see now. Animal control has had Oreo in custody and they say he hasn't shown any signs of aggression but there may be a reason for that.
"He's not on his own turf or territory and this dog and I'm sure any type of dog becomes territorial when it comes to their own yard," said Lt. Brenda Boulware.
Animal control says Oreo's owners can't just get him back now that they've changed their mind. They have about 15 days to submit a written request for the appeal on the surrender. Then a hearing on whether Oreo is potentially dangerous will take place. If he is deemed dangerous, they will have to secure a 25 thousand dollar bond on the dog.
"I guess they're going to have to bar anybody from going in their yard, put chains, padlocks on their gates. The dog is definitely going to have to stay in the backyard because I really do believe it might do something again," said neighbor Ed Coy.
The family of the victim didn't want to talk on camera but they did tell us they hope the dog does not come back. The six-year-old girl is doing well but doctors say she may need plastic surgery to fully recover.
We also tried to get in contact with Oreo's owner Michael Wooten but he was not available for comment.
There is one interesting fact animal control shared with us. 92 percent of animals that bite are not spayed or neutered so getting them spayed and neutered will help calm down aggressive animals.
(Coastal Source - Feb 2, 2012)
Earlier:
Chatham County pit bull faces 'dangerous dog' hearing
