MICHIGAN -- A pair of pit bull attacks has unnerved some residents in a southeastern neighborhood.
The first attack happened about three weeks ago when Connie Domski was walking her basset hound and a beagle. She said a gray adult pit bull came from across Churchill Street, attacked her basset hound and bit its shoulder.
Her ex-husband was walking with her and was able to pull the pit bull off her dog. It then attacked the beagle, she said, and this time neighbors assisted her ex-husband in chasing the aggressive animal away.
Both dogs had significant wounds and the veterinarian bill totaled about $500. Domski said she spoke with the owner of the pit bull, who offered to pay the bill, but hasn’t yet.
“I can’t even walk my dogs,” Domski said. “I don’t know when this dog is going to get out again. I’m afraid.”
At about 6 p.m. Tuesday, Karen Czerwinski was walking near Drake and Leroy streets with her two Shih Tzus and her 3-year-old grandson when two pit bulls attacked her dogs. She described one as gray and the other as tan. They both looked fully grown and weighed 30 to 40 pounds each, she said.
Passersby helped pull the dogs off hers and chase them off. She made a police report and called animal control.
“If these people wouldn’t have stopped, I don’t know what would have happened,” Czerwinski said.
Both of her dogs are small — one is 5 pounds and the other weighs 12 pounds — and the smaller one was wounded. However, it is the threat of a dangerous dog attacking a person that worries her the most.
“I don’t want this happening to anyone else,” Czerwinski said. “It could easily have been my grandson.”
Aaron Bertera, Southgate’s animal control officer, said the two incidents are unrelated and the two pit bulls in the second attack are in custody at the Downriver Central Animal Control Agency in Southgate. They were picked up Thursday and will be quarantined for 10 days as they are evaluated.
Bertera said the dogs belong to a resident of the 16000 block of McCann Street, near Anderson High School, 15475 Leroy St.
Bertera will make a determination when the time is up as to whether the dogs will be labeled dangerous or potentially dangerous. If he decides they are either, his recommendation and suggested restrictions will go in front of 28th District Judge James Kandrevas for approval. The major difference between the two designations is if an animal is deemed dangerous, Bertera has the option of having it destroyed.
Other restrictions include forcing the owner to buy liability insurance, muzzle the dog when it is out of its yard, make the yard escape-proof, pay an annual dangerous dog registration fee, have a microchip implanted in order to track the dog and put a dangerous animal tag on it to warn people to stay away from it.
“It is still an active investigation and we don’t want to speculate on what could actually happen, just these are the tools we have to protect the public,” Bertera said.
In the summer, there is usually a spike in dog bites due to people leaving their animals out longer in the warm weather, he said. He also offered some tips on what to do in such an event.
Aggressive dogs will generally go after smaller dogs if they are attacking. If you see a dog about to attack or suspect it will, Bertera said, it is important to stay calm and not run. Try to find a secure place — like a porch or behind a fence — to separate yourself from the belligerent animal while it is trying to attack. It is best to pick the smaller dog up and hold it.
Since these dogs will go after smaller dogs, it is a good idea, Bertera said, to try to have a small item on you or look for one — such as a stick, rock or bag — to toss and distract the animal while you make your getaway.
When walking alone, it is best if an item like a purse or backpack can be tossed to divert the animal, and Bertera also suggests:
“Make a lot of noise (and) try to tell the animal ‘no’ (or) ‘bad,’” he said. “The key is to be more dominant than the animal, breaking the animal’s fight or flight.”
Slowly back away from the animal and keep it in front of you until you get to a safe place.
“If you are unable to avoid the dog and the dog is going to bite, use your arms and legs, protect your face and head,” Bertera said “Yell as loud as possible. Get someone to help.”
Bertera said dogs will generally bite once or a few times and relent. It is also important to get as good a description of the animal as possible. Try to note its breed, what its collar looks like, its size and color.
(Southgate News Herald - Jun 3, 2013)
