The dog, Cash, and his owner Heather Hildreth, who live at Park Winds Apartments in Des Moines' east side, were cited after the latest incident on Sept. 28.
That afternoon Cash bit Jashawn Fleming, 7, multiple times, according to a police report. The dog knocked the boy to the ground and bit him in the chest and wrist, sending him to the hospital with several puncture wounds.
The male dog was not up to date with its rabies vaccination or insurance, both of which are necessary in Des Moines for owning a pit bull, according to Des Moines Police Sgt. James Butler, chief humane officer for the city.
"We've never banned pit bulls. You can have them but there are additional ownership measures you have to take," Butler said.
Butler said Cash was deemed dangerous because he was involved in in a similar attack on the playground at the West Winds apartments earlier this year on April 22.
"My main goal is to reduce probability of risk to our citizens and other animals," he said.
The April event involved another 7-year-old boy, who received stitches at the hospital for a "penny-sized tooth puncture," a police report said.
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| The owner says he was just protecting her... by attacking the little boy |
Butler said the dangerous dog status means the dog should be put to sleep within a few days. But that action has been delayed by an appeal for an administrative hearing in the city, which took place early this week.
The city's public hearing officer is expected to make a final judgment this week. If that decision upholds Butler's "dangerous dog" ruling, Hildreth may then file an appeal in Polk County District Court as a final effort to save her dog's life.
In West Des Moines, a similar situation lasted nine months with a pit bull known as Killer. That dog, who was renamed Jimmy and relocated to Des Moines, was involved in multiple biting incidents and sentenced to death by West Des Moines city officials.
The city ultimately reversed its decision and reached a settlement with Jaysen McCleary after the Des Moines resident and attorney filed lawsuits and an appeal to Iowa Supreme Court.
(DesMoinesRegister.com - Oct 16, 2014)
Such BS! All the hearings and appeals, so a freaking violent dog with an irresponsible owner can go on to do it again. Just put the thing down for crying out loud!
ReplyDeleteSick of this "game". "They're Just Dogs" they say, so put them down. No wonder people are realizing they have to kill them the moment they attack. Really.
Delete"The male dog was not up to date with its rabies vaccination or insurance, both of which are necessary in Des Moines for owning a pit bull"
ReplyDeletenot surprising.
"The owner says he was just protecting her... by attacking the little boy"
good thing this nutter freak's pibble was close by to protect her from a 7 yr old.
Now we're talking murder. This pit owner is a murderer waiting to murder another child, with the defense the dog is protecting her from anything it attacks. The romanticizing of dog attacks… the adoration of a killer pit bull over the value of innocent, defenseless children. This is one case where I would enjoy that owner's dog just biting the hellish crap outta her.
ReplyDeleteMEAN WHILE they are breeding them and breeding them. ONE PIT BULL has 10 to 12 puppies two or three time a year. Breeding BSL is LONG OVERDUE. You are right, Ringo. This lady need to face charges. Maybe she will say "No" to Cash. Then he'll attack her, like they often do. Then and only then will the madness stop.
ReplyDelete