OREGON -- Animal control officers took possession of a pit bull that police said attacked a woman outside of her neighbor's Beaverton home.
The dog's owner told FOX 12 that his 5-year-old pit bull, Decon, had never hurt anyone before and was just trying to defend his territory.
"He's good with my kids. He's around little kids all the time. He sits there and licks them. He's never, ever, violent at all," said Isaac Goodwin, the dog's owner.
Beaverton police were called to Goodwin's home on Southwest Hazel Street Thursday afternoon after they said his 57-year-old neighbor had been bitten on the arm by the dog.
Investigators said the woman had gone to Goodwin's home to ask them to move their car that was blocking her mailbox.
"I guess the lady was here and screaming or whatever and the dog just came out," said Goodwin, who was at work when it happened.
When his fiancée answered the door he said the pit bull pushed open the screen door, knocked the neighbor to the ground and then bit her on the arm.
Police said the woman was treated at the scene and later taken to the hospital by a family member to seek further medical attention.
Goodwin said he had been in arguments with his neighbor in the past and she had been warned to stay off his property.
Signs that say "No Trespassing" and "Beware of Dog" are clearly displayed on his front door.
"As you can see it's posted, ‘No Trespassing,' right there. There's a sign that says, ‘Beware of Dog.'
They know not to come over here. The cops have told them not to come over here. If there's a problem they should call the police and the police will come over here," Goodwin said.
Washington County Animal Control took possession of the dog.
Police said the same dog has been the subject of vicious dog complaints by neighbors in the past, but no record was found of the dog actually biting somebody prior to Thursday's incident.
Goodwin believes his dog will eventually be returned to him after a 10-day observation period.
(KPTV - August 31, 2012)
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