MASSACHUSETTS -- Animal control officials have quarantined a dog following an attack Monday that injured the wife of City Councilor Melvin Edwards and two family dogs.
Edwards, a Ward 3 councilor, said his wife, Suzanne M. Edwards, had multiple bites on her left arm and wrist -- and on both index fingers -- after fighting off the loose dog while walking her own pets on leashes. The couple lives at 20 Dexter St. in the city's Six Corners neighborhood, and the attack involved a neighbor’s dog, he said.
Suzanne Edwards was transported by ambulance to Baystate Medical Center for treatment following the 1 p.m. attack, and one of her pets, Kobe, a 13-pound Chihuahua mix, remained in serious condition at the Boston Road Animal Hospital, Melvin Edwards said. Kobe was “ripped up pretty bad,” and may have some spinal damage, he said.
Pamela Peebles, executive director of the Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center, said the attacking dog, which she described as "a pit bull type" is being quarantined for at least 10 days, and the owner has the option of surrendering the dog. If not surrendered, animal control would request a dangerousness hearing before a dog hearing advisory committee, she said.
The dog will not be released back to the owner without a hearing to determine if it is vicious or potentially vicious, Peebles said.
The owner of the attacking dog has been cited for failing to restrain his animal, she said.
“This is not a pit bull issue, this not even a dog issue,” Peebles said. “This is a human issue. A human failed to properly manage the dog.”
Peebles referred questions about the owner’s identity and other details of the incident to the Police Department. A police report was not immediately available.
Melvin Edwards said his wife was at the hospital from about 2 p.m. to after 11 p.m., and remains sore. Kobe remains at the animal hospital with mounting medical bills.
Based on his wife's account of the incident, Melvin Edwards said the neighbor's dog charged off the porch and grabbed their smaller dog, Rosco. The attacking dog allegedly let Rosco go after being punched repeatedly by his wife, and then went around her and attacked Kobe. Rosco was also bitten, and was treated at the animal hospital, Edwards said.
Melvin Edwards was at home during the attack, and said he heard his wife screaming before she came back into the house bleeding.
The family has faced some tough times recently, Melvin Edwards said.
He is still recovering from serious injuries and medical conditions since August when he tore the patella tendons off both kneecaps at a charity basketball game at the Dunbar Community Center. He developed blood clots that damaged his kidneys, lungs and heart, he said.
Regarding the dog attack, Edwards said he is not blaming the breed.
“I understand there is always an issue with breed concerns,” Edwards said. “In this case, it's less about the breed and more about being a responsible dog owner.”
(Masslive.com - June 4, 2013)
