NORTH CAROLINA -- Forsyth County Animal Control says two pit bulls attacked and nearly killed a specially trained border collie for the Thomasville Rescue Squad Thursday in Winston-Salem.
Carver the Border Collie is a FEMA-certified disaster dog used to find survivors in case of a building collapse. Thomasville Rescue Squad Asst. Chief Scott McCaskill said the dog is badly injured all over.
“Both flanks, leg, chest, and abdomen, and around the neck area,” McCaskill said.
He said Carver will have surgery at Carolina Vet Specialists in Greensboro and there is a chance the dog will have to be euthanized.
Forsyth County Animal Control Director Tim Jennings said the two pit bulls, female Nika and male Dillon, will be put down.
“It’s really sad, because the dogs basically are just being dogs. These are violations of irresponsible owners,” Jennings said.
Jennings said the same dogs had already been labeled “potentially dangerous” because of a similar attack in January. That means Animal Control could enforce stricter rules on the owner, Antonio Nowell.
The dogs were to be confined in a special enclosure and put on a non-retractable leash if let out.
A visit to Nowell’s home revealed a brand new enclosure with one remaining pit bull mix inside. Jennings said the two dogs, however, were running at large with no leashes, when the attack happened.
Animal Control cited Nowell for multiple violations.
“The owner’s going to face additional penalties. Just from looking at the case, we’re looking at running at large, he hasn’t followed through with vaccinations and licensing,” Jennings said.
“People do need to think about their community, think about their animals. They have the pets. They should want to take care of the animals.”
(Winston-Salem Journal - April 20, 2013)
