Dog euthanized after attack that left mother, son hospitalized

FLORIDA -- A 2-year-old Cane Corso - pit bull mix was euthanized Wednesday — 11 days after, authorities say, the dog bit a mother and son while running loose in a neighborhood west of Fort Lauderdale.

The dog, named Kane, was surrendered by his owner to Broward County Animal Care and Adoption and euthanized Wednesday morning at the owner's request, said Lisa Mendheim, the agency's spokeswoman.

Kane was held for 10 days at a county shelter in Fort Lauderdale and monitored for possible rabies after he bit Gracieuse Jean-Baptiste, 35, and her 9-year-old son, Shamar Jean-Baptiste, on March 28 in the 1800 block of Southwest 43rd Avenue.

Mother and son were hospitalized following the afternoon attack. Updates on their conditions were not available Wednesday.

The shelter determined Kane did not have rabies, but it cannot take in a dog that has bitten someone, Mendheim said.

"Play biting is one thing, but these were severe injuries," she said. "These people were hospitalized. From a public safety standpoint, we cannot adopt a dog that has done that."

The dog's owner, Enrique Rivera, was cited for not registering the dog in Broward County and not having a current rabies vaccination.

"It's an unfortunate thing," Mendheim said. "People have to be responsible for their pets."

Broward County law requires dogs and cats to wear an official Broward County rabies registration tag, according to the agency's website. Owners cannot purchase tags until their pets are vaccinated against rabies.

For more information about vaccinations and pet care, visit the Broward County Animal Care and Adoption website at http://www.broward.org/animal.

(Sun Sentinel - April 8, 2015)

Earlier:

• Pit bull mix attacks boy near Lauderdale; child's family, neighbor help save him