NEW JERSEY -- Authorities are baffled as to why a township couple’s dog inexplicably attacked one of its owners over the weekend, causing wounds so severe that the injured woman’s husband thought she might lose one of her hands.
The dog was euthanized, police said.
It was about 3:35 p.m. Sunday when officers responded to a township residence on a report of uncontrolled bleeding resulting from a dog bite, with the dog being at large, according to a police report.
Upon arrival, officers encountered the 45-year-old bite victim, who was laying face down on her kitchen floor with a wet towel over her wound, the report indicated.
Paramedics also responded to the scene and rendered first aid to the woman before transporting her to Hunterdon Medical Center for additional treatment.
The woman’s husband later told investigators that he and his wife were watching a movie when she began laughing, and for an unknown reason the dog approached her, bit her on her left forearm and refused to let go, authorities said.
It was a matter of minutes before the dog finally released the woman, by which time a large amount of blood had sprayed onto the floor and walls of the home, police noted.
The couple reportedly had owned the dog, a 5-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier mix, since it was a puppy. The husband said that, aside from a relatively minor incident involving another dog, the terrier named Tux never before had shown worrisome signs of aggression, according to Clinton Township Police Lt. Ryan Melsky.
After the attack, the husband was able to walk the dog out of the home on a leash and place it in a crate without incident, Melsky added.
The dog also was current on all of its vaccinations and was registered with the township, authorities said.
The Clinton Township Animal Control Officer responded to the scene, took custody of the dog and transported it to a local veterinarian’s office, where it was euthanized at the request of its owners, according to police. The Hunterdon County health department also was notified.
Efforts to reach the township’s animal control officer, Doug Rohl, on Tuesday were unsuccessful.
Authorities declined to identify the couple that owned the dog, and an update on the condition of the injured woman was not immediately available.
The American Staffordshire Terrier is one of three breeds commonly known as pit bulls, a type of dog that has generated nationwide debate during recent years.
Critics of the breeds say the dogs often are overly aggressive and can be dangerous; defenders say the dogs often are mistreated or abused, causing them to act out through aggressive behavior.
(Daily Record - July 11, 2012)
