MICHIGAN -- A large pit bull jumped over a 4-foot-high fence on 18 Mile Road east of Van Dyke Avenue in Sterling Heights on May 22 and mauled an 8-pound Maltese dog that was lying on the ground next to his owner in her backyard, police said.
The dog suffered a punctured stomach and other injuries, according to its owner, Sandra Blake, a retired Clinton Township police records clerk.
"It was an incredible experience," said Gary Blake, Sandra's husband. "My wife was petrified, scared to death. That dog came right over the fence like it was nothing and went right after Zoey."
Sterling Heights police Lt. Luke Riley said the next-door neighbor, who was watching the dog for her boyfriend, and Mrs. Blake tried to separate the pit bull from the smaller dog. The neighbor, who police did not identify, suffered several serious bite wounds to her hands and arms.
Gary Blake threatened to shoot the dog when he called police.
"They made me get on my stomach and searched me for weapons," Blake said. "When I first called police I told them if they didn't get here fast I would shoot the pit bull.
"The police department is a mile from my house and it took them 20 minutes to get to my door."
Blake, 63, said he never pointed his shotgun at anyone.
"That dog jumped over the cyclone fence and viciously went after my dog," said Blake. "He grabbed my dog like it was a little rag doll and shook it all over the place."
Riley said it took his officers less than 5 minutes from the time they received the first 9-1-1 call to get two patrol cars to the Blake house. He added that four police cars arrived at the house in 6 minutes.
"We received a 9-1-1 call about the incident and then the caller hung up," Riley said. "When we called back the man's wife said he was outside with a shotgun."
Blake said he did tell police he would shoot the pit bull, and explained he has a right to protect himself and his wife. He also said he was never out of the house with a weapon of any sort.
Blake said his wife, who was planting flowers and was right next to her dog when the pit bull came after it, tried to intervene but was overwhelmed by the dog and was bitten several times.
Riley said the dog's owner was issued several citations for failing to restrain an animal and harboring a dangerous animal. He added that the city's animal control office may issue further violations.
Both of the injured women refused medical attention.
(Shelby Township Source Newspapers - May 28, 2013)
