Dog Dead After Being Attacked by a Pit Bull

MARYLAND -- A violent pit bull attack in Reisterstown ends with a Yorkshire terrier dead, its owners badly bruised and bloodied and the pit bull locked up at animal control.

It happened in the 12000 block of Tarragon Road on Friday.

Officials with animal control at the health department continue to investigate this violent attack.

Police have confirmed the pit bull had to be Tasered and they still had problems getting it under control. In the end, a tiny Yorkie named Macy was killed and its owners devastated.

"To people, they're their pets, and their family, but for me they go so much deeper because they're therapy for my son," victim Mary Kay Stierhoff said.

Stierhoff is still distraught over the violent death of her 5-year-old Yorkie, Macy, who her special-needs son relies on not only for a friend, but for mental ease.

It was Friday, Sept. 6, when Stierhoff and her son, who was holding Macy, were leaving their Reisterstown apartment when all of a sudden they were attacked by a large pit bull.

"I was trying to fight it and pull it back and I was hollering for help," Stierhoff said.

By the time neighbors rushed to help, the pit bull had Macy in its mouth and was not letting up.

"At that point, I knew it was over for her, but I just wanted to have her body close to me and tell her how much I loved her and how important she was to our family," Stierhoff said.

Police soon arrived and had to use a Taser to subdue the pit bull and take it into custody.

"According to the police report, he was very aggressive in the field and that's why he's in a locked kennel here, no contact with humans or other animals," said Charlotte Crenson with animal control.

County animal control officials said an administrative hold has been put on the dog and it's been labeled dangerous so they can take witness statements and look up any history associated with the dog.

They said they have heard from the dog's owner but could not release the owner's name because so far, no charges have been filed.

In the meantime, Stierhoff said she and her son keep reliving the nightmare, wishing there was something else they could have done.

"This dog was in the neighborhood. It could have been a child, and I tried with all of my might to pull that dog off my dog, and I was beating that dog so bad. I wish it could have been me being bitten instead my dog because she was only tiny," Stierhoff said.

Animal control officials said they will hold a dangerous-dog hearing within the next 30 days.

If charges are filed, the dog could be put down and the owner could face hundreds of dollars in fines.

Stierhoff is asking pet owners to make a donation to the Humane Society in her dog's name as a tribute.

(WBAL Radio - Sept 9, 2013)