ILLINOIS -- DeWitt County animal control had a pit bull euthanized after it attacked a county worker in August. Another pit bull involved in the attack was returned to its owner.
Two pit bull dogs attacked a county highway department employee on August 13 while he was working on County Highway 8 near Farmer City.
The dogs, “came out of their yard 50 feet off the road and basically attacked the worker,” animal control officer Tamara McFeeters told the county’s public safety committee recently.
“Earlier this year, both dogs were involved in an altercation with (another) dog,” McFeeters said.
One dog grabbed the worker’s pant leg with his teeth, and when the worker fell to the ground, both dogs attacked, McFeeters said.
The worker received injuries to his arms, upper and lower back and left thigh. McFeeters said both dogs were current on their rabies vaccinations, but she impounded the dogs.
“Because of the situation, I wanted them both at the shelter,” McFeeters said.
The owner asked for return of only one of the dogs. That dog was confined for 27 days, McFeeters said. She said state’s attorney Richard Koritz told her the decision was hers on what action should take place.
McFeeters said she declared both animals dangerous. The owner objected, but McFeeters said, “I’m standing firm on my decision.”
McFeeters required the dog to be spayed and microchipped. The owner also had to provide proof of homeowners insurance of no less than $50,000. McFeeters said he complied with those requests, and she returned the dog to him.
McFeeters told the owner that, if such an incident were to occur again, she would have the second dog euthanized. She also said a number of the owner’s neighbors had expressed fears about the dogs.
(Clinton Daily Journal-Sep 21, 2012)
