Three dogs were killed and a fourth was injured along with its owner Wednesday after two pit bulls attacked a pair of
“It’s so important to keep your animals with you, in your control for public health and safety, as well as for the safety of other animals,” said Coconino Humane Association Executive Director Michelle Ryan.
The first attack happened one day after the police department announced its officers would be stepping up their enforcement of the city’s leash law due to numerous complaints over the past month regarding dogs off their leashes on the Flagstaff Urban Trails System and in Buffalo Park.
According to FPD, officers responded to a report of gunshots in the 4000 block of Lake Mary Road around 2:37 p.m. Wednesday. The 911 caller said the man with the gun was shooting at dogs in an open field. The officers located the subject in a field just north of the Chevron gas station located at 4026 S. Lake Mary Road.
The officers learned four pit bulls had escaped from their owner’s apartment when the door was left unlatched. They were running loose in the same field where a man was walking his two smaller Boston Terriers on leashes.
The Boston Terriers’ owner, Mark Nelson, told police two of the pit bulls attacked his dogs, killing one of them and seriously injuring the other. The owner also sustained injuries to his hand after trying to intervene.
“Maggie was the bravest Boston terrier in the whole world,” Nelson said in tears. “She wasn’t just a dog. She was a hero.”
Ryan said it is important for a dog owner whose pet is being attacked by another dog to not put themselves into the fight.
“Do not try to break it up with your own hands because you’re going to be bit and possibly very badly injured,” she said. “Using a leash or stick to pull the attacking dogs off would help. But even then — I hate to say it — from a public safety standpoint, you’re still putting yourself at great risk for getting injured.”
Sorry but if I didn't have anything to protect my dogs I'm certainly going to try to save my dog, not just stand there and let him scream and be torn to pieces because I don't want to risk being bitten.
The man with the gun told police he saw the confrontation between the dogs while he was parked at the Chevron station. He got out of his truck and tried to break up the dog fight with a large stick. When that did not work, he went back to his truck, retrieved a gun and shot both of the attacking pit bulls.
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| Mark Nelson with his beloved dogs |
Flagstaff’s animal control officer transported the two pit bulls to a veterinarian’s office, where they had to be euthanized due to their gunshot wounds.
One of the Boston Terriers was killed at the scene. The other was taken to the vet in critical condition.
The two surviving pit bulls were located and safety returned to their home after the attack.
Um, why were they returned????
“On behalf of the Humane Society, we cannot express our condolences enough to both sides of the situation,” Ryan said. “We’re sorry for both of their losses."
FPD will work with the Flagstaff City Attorney’s Office and Coconino County Attorney’s Office to determine if any criminal charges will be filed. The investigation is ongoing.
The second attack happened around 9:15 a.m. Thursday in the 500 block of West Tombstone Avenue.
According to FPD, the victim told officers she was running east on the street when a pit bull jumped over a short, chainlink fence around a home and bit her in the stomach and hand. A driver saw the attack and came to the victim’s assistance. The dog’s owner then ran into the street and restrained the animal.
Paramedics provided medical care to the victim, who later went to her personal doctor for treatment.
The owner of the pit bull was issued a criminal citation for vicious dog at large. A violation of the city's dog at large law is a Class 2 misdemeanor that is punishable by a fine of no less than $50. A violation of the city's vicious dog law is a Class 1 misdemeanor that is punishable by a fine of no less than $200.
“The Flagstaff Police Department would like to remind citizens of responsible dog ownership which includes containing and restraining their pets,” said FPD in a press release. “Once a dog has jumped a fence, or has managed to escape their containment onto public property, they are considered a ‘dog at large.’”
Under Flagstaff City Code, every person owning or having charge, care, custody or control of any dog is required to keep that dog on his or her own premises unless the dog is restrained by a chain, leash, rope or cord that is strong enough to contain and control that dog. Failure to keep a dog on a leash or other appropriate restraint is a misdemeanor offense that can result in a criminal citation with a fine.
(Arizona Daily Sun - July 9, 2015)
Flagstaff Police Department Media Release - July 9, 2015
Contact: Sgt. Margaret Bentzen phone: 928 556 2300
mbentzen@coconino.az.gov
The Flagstaff Police Department is asking for your cooperation regarding another unrestrained dog bite incident
On July 9, 2015 at approximately 09:14 hours, the Flagstaff Police Department was called to investigate a dog bite incident which occurred in the 500 block of Tombstone.
According to the victim, who was running on the street in an easterly direction, a white and brown pit bull jumped the fence of a residence and bit her in the stomach and her hand. A witness who was driving in the area reported to have seen the incident and came to the victim’s assistance. The owner of the pit bull came out into the street and contained the animal.
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| A pit bull jumped the chain-link fence at this residence chasing and attacking a jogger |
The victim received medical attention by responding paramedics. The owner of the pit bull was issued a criminal citation under Flagstaff City Code for vicious dog at large.
The Flagstaff Police Department would like to remind citizens of responsible dog ownership which includes containing and restraining their pets. Once a dog has jumped a fence, or has managed to escape their containment onto public property, they are considered a “dog at large.” Owners can be issued a criminal citation for this offense which may include a fine and or jail time.
The following is the specific Flagstaff City Code:
- 6-02-001-0001: FAILURE TO CONTROL DOG
- DOG AT LARGE: Every person owning or having charge, care, custody or control of any dog of any ages shall keep such a dog(s) exclusively upon his or her own premises; provided, however, that the dog may be off such premises if it is under the control of a competent person and restrained by a chain, leash, rope or cord of sufficient strength to contain and control such dog
The Flagstaff Police Department will be increasing enforcement of our local leash laws, and are asking for your cooperation with this initiative.
