Monday, April 1, 2013

3/14/13: Pit Bull attack in Blair leaves one dog dead another injured

OKLAHOMA -- Two dogs in the Blair community were severely wounded after pit bulls entered a fenced yard Sunday and attacked them. One of the dogs died after the attack, and the other is still being treated.

According to the dog’s owner, Joanne Watkins, the dog that died was a neutered, 14-year-old German Shepherd/Lab/Shar Pei mix named Boomer, and the other dog, Jimmie, is a neutered Saint Bernard/Shar Pei mix, who has been kept inside the house since the incident.

According to reports, the Watkins dogs were inside a chain link fenced yard Sunday morning when two Pit Bulls came into the yard by going under the fence, and attacked them. Watkins said that a neighbor saw the attacks and tried to fend the Pit Bulls off with a rake.

Blair Police have the Pit Bulls in custody, and have cited their owner, Stefin Vargas, twice for dogs running at large. Blair Police Chief Joe Poulin said that he is currently talking with the District
Attorneys office about how to continue with the matter. Poulin said that the dogs will be held at least until Vargas can provide proof of rabies vaccination for one of the dogs.

The incident happened in east Blair in the Stonehocker area on Sunday morning, March 10.

A signed document from the Watkins’ veterinarian stated that both dogs sustained severe bite wounds over a large portion of their body. “There was little indication that they fought back as there were no wounds about their mouth. Jimmie’s wounds were primarily over the back quarters, indicating that he was trying to get away. Boomer’s wounds were primarily about the chest and neck thus preventing him from self-defense.”

The document from veterinarian Kenneth O’Hanlon also stated, “The two dogs that attacked these dogs should not ever be considered safe around other dogs or children.”

(Altus Times - Mar 14, 2013)