Pennsylvania: York pit bull euthanized for killing Sushi the Shih Tzu

PENNSYLVANIA -- The York County SPCA euthanized a pit bull Tuesday that mauled a 4-pound Shih Tzu in York, said Melissa Smith, the agency's executive director.

 "These types of incidents happen far too often," Smith said. "It really comes back to responsible pet ownership ... if this dog had not been running at-large, this tragic situation could have been prevented."

 Larry Luckenbaugh, who along with girlfriend Lois Schindler, owned 6-year-old Sushi, said he was walking the dog near East King and South Broad streets when a pit bull bolted at them from across the street and gripped Sushi in its jaws.

 "It grabbed her by the neck ... started shaking her," Luckenbaugh said.

 Nearby residents came to help Luckenbaugh. One wrestled the pit bull to the ground, while another put Sushi in his vehicle and took her to an animal hospital, he said.

 Sushi suffered a huge gash to the back of her neck in the attack, Luckenbaugh said.

 "It was down to her neck bone," he said. "We decided to let them put her to sleep. We didn't know if she'd ever be the same again."

 An anonymous person, who was sitting in the emergency hospital's lobby, paid the initial hospital bill of $172, he said.

 Smith said a humane officer was sent to the location and seized the pit bull. The SPCA began investigating, and found that the dog's owner was not home when the pit bull got loose, she said.

 "Another occupant allowed the dog to get loose," Smith said.

 After hearing what happened, the owner allowed the SPCA to destroy the pit bull, Smith said.
 "I think it was the responsible thing for the dog owner to do and it certainly was a reasonable outcome in this situation," she said.

 Smith said the case is now in the hands of York City Animal Control Officer Mark McCartney. McCartney could not be reached Wednesday.

 As for Luckenbaugh, he has the owner's name and phone number, but is holding off on calling him.
 "I haven't spoken to him yet," he said. "Basically, I want to keep my composure."

 Luckenbaugh said he and Schindler are thankful for all of the help they received during their ordeal.

"We appreciate everyone at Broad Street, all the citizens that came out to help, that stood there with us," he said. "They're forever in our prayers."

(Daily Record - Aug 28 2013)

Earlier:

• Owners helpless as pit bull mauls their small dog to death