Shih Tzu mauled to death in own yard by pit bulls which had broken in twice already

CALIFORNIA -- A dog attack on Rowena Way in Sacramento County has some neighbors on edge.

A family's pet was attacked and killed by several pit bulls next door in the Arden-Arcade area Wednesday.

Brittany Thigpen, 17, and her mother Debra Thigpen are deeply disturbed by what happened.
Pebbles, their beloved pet Shih Tzu was killed while it was in the backyard.

They said the neighbor's dogs broke through the fence and got into their yard. According to Brittany Thigpen, Edward Keller's dogs have broken into her backyard three times.

"On the third time, my dog's life had to be taken away," Brittany Thigpen said. "These dogs continue to get out and terrorize our neighborhood."

[Why did you continue to let it happen? Why would you EVER leave your little dog out there knowing the fence could fail?!]

Keller defends his dogs. He rescued the six animals, who are all pit bull mixes.

"They all have been licensed, they're all neutered, they've all been socialized," Keller said.

Debra Thigpen said the attack traumatized her family and they're looking into legal action. It's not certain if the dogs in question will be removed.

What is certain, Keller, as a Sacramento County resident, is only supposed to have four dogs in his home, not six. Sacramento Animal Control said an investigation is underway.

"He shouldn't deserve to have six vicious pit bulls in his backyard and now I don't have a dog because of it," Debra Thigpen said.

Interesting that in the video clip, he only brings out two dogs. The other
four are left locked inside the house.

Keller said what happened is unfortunate, but he says his dogs are not vicious. However, Brittany and her mom don't trust Keller's dogs.

"It's very scary because at any time when we're in our back yard or when my mom is in her backyard doing yard work, one of those dogs can get loose," Brittany Thigpen said. "That can be a human's life next time."

If your pet is ever attacked, you should report it to city or county animal control. In Sacramento County, pet owners can also go online and file a "vicious dog attack complaint." Owners can go one step further and take legal action in civil court.

(RGJ.com - Mar. 22, 2014)