Steve Urbon column: Mauled dog on the mend, bills pile up

MASSACHUSETTS -- It's been about a month now since I wrote about Misha, the 6-year-old Shih tzu that was mauled by a pit bull near Brooklawn Park on Halloween.

Today I am happy to report that not only is Misha mending well (well, mostly) but generous contributors have chipped in $1,444 to defray the veterinary expenses in the case, which have topped $8,000, according to Misha's owner, BCC student Sydney Brum.

It continues to frustrate Brum that the owner of Misha's attacker hasn't been found, but it isn't for a lack of trying. The column about the incident not only set off a flurry of spirited messages about dogs and responsibility, but also a couple of tips. A lot of people live around Brooklawn Park, and a lot of dogs get walked there.

And, as it turns out, there's more than one white pit bull among them.

Manny Maciel, the city's animal control officer, said that he looked into one of the more promising tips, involving dogs that had already come to the attention of animal control. But the white one had black spots on its neck," he said, which doesn't fit the description of Misha's attacker.

Maciel said that his office continues to patrol the area around the park where the incident took place, but he said that the other dog owner has probably gone elsewhere or changed his or her routine to avoid encountering animal control.

It's hard to imagine a closer call for the little dog. She had multiple surgeries and dozens of staples and stitches. But Sydney showed that Misha's fur has grown up to cover the scars after the staples were removed. The dog looks unkempt because of all the fur trimming that went on, and needs a groomer.

There is also good news to report about Misha's mangled left front leg. She had been keeping it tucked in, but now it is extended, and Misha is actually trying to put some weight on it. She's not, in other words, about to lose that leg and may even get some use of it back again.

The attack on Misha is no surprise to animal control officers. Dog attacks happen frequently; an incident in Fall River earlier this month saw four pit bulls attacking people after they were
accidentally let out of their fenced yard. Maciel said that he and his team teach children to remain still and guard their stomachs if a dog attacks, because anything that agitates them will aggravate the pack mentality that takes over when dogs roam free in groups.

Maciel is fed up with irresponsible owners. "I don't know why they don't charge them with attempted murder, or at least reckless endangerment," he said.

So Misha's story is having a good ending. Sydney could still use some help with the expenses; visit the GoFundMe website at gofundme.com/gon0ic or write to her at 13 Edna Street, New Bedford 02740.

(South Coast Today - Dec. 8, 2014)