On Easter Sunday, March 31, Caroline Miller, 73, was walking her little dog, a Lhasa Apso named Oscar, when it was attacked by an American bulldog, named Tyson.
"I wrestled with the dog. He kept circling around and he wouldn't leave and I'm screaming at the top of my lungs trying to protect my dog's body," Miller said. "I felt so powerless. I leaped on the dog's back, and pulled his ear as hard as I could. I bit the dog."
"The dog got loose and somehow escaped from home," said Lt. Brian Peters.
The bulldog allegedly attacked the Lhasa Apso, grabbing it by the neck and face. The bulldog then began shaking the 22-lb. dog in the process. The Lhasa Apso was killed during the attack.
The bulldog, owned by 53-year-old Theresa Young of 5 Fox Run Road, has been quarantined at the Robert Potter League for Animals in Middletown since Easter Sunday.
Teresa Young, the bulldog's owner, said the dog darted out of the house unintentionally while she was letting another dog in. She testified that Tyson has never had a problem with other animals before. The panel deemed Tyson vicious, but voted not to euthanize the dog. Miller said she was happy with the decision.
"I don't see anything gained by two dogs losing their lives," she said.
[I think what's gained is that a clearly prey-driven, animal-aggressive dog is put down and is in no danger of EVER doing this again to someone and their beloved pet.]
Young said she's going to be more careful than ever with Tyson.
"From now on, if anybody rings the bell, that dog's going in a kennel. It's never going to get a chance," she said.
Young will have to get vicious dog insurance, place a microchip under the dog's skin for tracking purposes and muzzle the dog when it's off her property.
Once Young meets the requirements, she'll be able to get the dog back.
(Turnto10 - April 8, 2013)
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