Owners helpless as pit bull mauls their small dog to death

PENNSYLVANIA -- A community tries to come to the rescue of a little Shih Tzu that was mauled by a pit bull.  The attack happened yesterday in York and now the Shih Tzu’s owner wants to see justice.

RIP Sushi

 

The dog’s owners are clearly upset.  It was the normal routine, to get out and go for a Sunday walk. 

But this walk cost little Sushi her life.  She was mauled by a pit.  Now Sushi’s owners are looking for answers and trying to make sure this type of attack never happens again.

 

“She just . . . (fighting back tears),” said owner Larry Luckenbaugh.

To say the wounds run deep for Larry Luckenbaugh is an understatement.  Just 24 hours ago, he watched in horror as his 6-year-old Shih Tzu Sushi was mauled by a pit bull.

“I just don’t understand and maybe it’s not up to me to understand,” said Luckenbaugh.

Luckenbaugh and Sushi were out for a walk on Sunday near the corner of King and Broad Streets in York, when out of nowhere, a pit bull bolted across the street and grabbed Sushi by the neck.

“She had a deep laceration in the back of her neck and it ripped her from the back of her neck across her skull,” said owner Lois Schindler.

Finally, a neighbor from across the street enters the picture and beats the pit bull down.  A good samaritan rushed Sushi to an animal hospital but there was nothing the vet could do to help.

“She didn’t deserve that.  I said why that way.  Anyway but that way because that image is in my head all the time,” said Schindler.

 

The pit bull did have tags but the owners were not from the immediate York area.  And even though Larry Luckenbaugh and Lori Schindler are dog lovers, there is no doubt about where they believe the pits future lies.

“I think I would like to have the pit bull, so this doesn’t happen again, I would like to see it put under,” Schindler said.
 

Both of Sushi’s owners were quick to thank their two neighbors who rushed to the dogs side to try and help.  According to the SPCA, the pit will be euthanized tomorrow and the whole incident was unfortunate.  As far as the pit bull’s owners, charges could be filed against them for letting the dog run free.  That decision will be made by the Animal Control Officer.

The owners could also be on the hook for any charges incurred by Sushi’s owner for the vet visit as well as burial.

(fox43.com - Aug 26 2013)