FLORIDA -- A North Fort Myers teen is viciously attacked by a Pit bull and is now calling on the county to seize it. We found the dog's owner has been cited for this before but animal control officers say at this point there's nothing they can do. Four in your Corner's Mike Mason explains.
The attack was serious enough but we found the owners of these six Pit bulls were also cited for not having the dogs vaccinated for rabies. Now the victim wants the county to take action before those dogs hurt someone else.
The attack was serious enough but we found the owners of these six Pit bulls were also cited for not having the dogs vaccinated for rabies. Now the victim wants the county to take action before those dogs hurt someone else.
Trenton Baker: "As soon as I started walking by I started hearing real vicious barking coming from my left and the dog ran out after me and grabbed around my leg."
These photos show how the dog's teeth tore into his skin - now, a week later his wounds are beginning to heal. It happened at this house on Marx Drive in Suncoast Estates, Baker lives close by and says he was walking down the street when suddenly a Pit bull ran out of the yard and attacked him.
Trenton Baker: "I thought I was done, I didn't know how I was going to get away from it."
Baker did manage to get away and went to the hospital. His mother then filed reports with the Sheriff's Office and Lee County Animal Control.
Ronda Baker: "I think people who aren't going to take care of their dogs don't need to have them."
Officers went to the home and found the owners have six Pit bulls... none had been vaccinated for rabies. And we found one of those pits actually bit someone else last November.
We went to the home to speak with the dog's owners. As we knocked on the door, one of them pulled in.
Lawrence Mosley: "The animal that did bite somebody is now gone."
Lawrence Mosley says there are now only five Pit bulls on the property. He wouldn't let us see the dogs inside the trailer because he admits one can be viscous and may bite us. But he claims the others wouldn't hurt a flea.
Lawrence Mosley: "My kids will go out there grab a hold of that dog's ear, throw that dog on the ground and jump on it like a trampoline and she's a happy dog."
Mike Mason: "So they're not dangerous?"
Lawrence Mosley: "No, they're not."
Mosley claims the dog only bit Baker because it was provoked.
Lawrence Mosley: "He walked over picked up a rock, walked back on the street and did that."
Mike Mason: "So you don't throw rocks at the dogs?"
Trenton Baker: "No, I don't, I would never do anything like that."
Baker's mother wants officers to seize the dogs before someone else gets attacked.
Lawrence Mosley: "My kids will go out there grab a hold of that dog's ear, throw that dog on the ground and jump on it like a trampoline and she's a happy dog."
Mike Mason: "So they're not dangerous?"
Lawrence Mosley: "No, they're not."
Mosley claims the dog only bit Baker because it was provoked.
Lawrence Mosley: "He walked over picked up a rock, walked back on the street and did that."
Mike Mason: "So you don't throw rocks at the dogs?"
Trenton Baker: "No, I don't, I would never do anything like that."
Baker's mother wants officers to seize the dogs before someone else gets attacked.
Rhonda Baker: "When animal control was at the scene I think they should have taken the dog immediately."
But officers say it may not be so easy.
Donna Ward: "If we move forward and file for a dangerous dog hearing the hearing examiner will ultimately make the decision if the dog is deemed dangerous."
The Bakers are planning to file a sworn statement with animal control tomorrow. Officers say Trenton also needs to identify the dog that bit him before they can take action.
[Um, hello. Animal Control says he needs to identify the dog... how is that possible when the pit bull owner told the reporter that "The animal that did bite somebody is now gone." Proper procedure for a dog bite is to quarantine the animal immediately so that the person cannot hide the dog to prevent it from being seized.]
(Fox 4 - Oct 25, 2012)
