Mike Howell and his 8-year-old yellow Labrador retriever, Jorja, suffered only minor cuts in the attack as they were walking a few houses down from where they live on the 2600 block of North Broadway Avenue on Saturday, but Howell said it could have been much worse.
“She is kind of my baby,” Howell said of Jorja. “It was very traumatic to have that happen.”
Howell said it took him and others at least a couple of minutes to get the dogs separated, but luckily Jorja’s injuries did not require veterinary attention.
Police and animal control responded to the scene at about 7 p.m. Saturday. According to an animal control report, the pit bull had puppies inside the house on Broadway Avenue.
Springfield-Greene County Health Department spokeswoman Kathryn Wall said Tuesday the pit bull was still with animal control and the owner had not inquired about the dog.
Howell said he doesn’t blame the pit bull for attacking his dog because he believes the animal was likely trying to be protect its puppies. Howell said he instead puts the onus on the pit bull owners for not having the animal properly restrained.
“I just think this happened as a result of the irresponsible pet owner who happened to be there that day,” Howell said.
Howell said he has noticed several other nuisance issues associated with that rental property in recent months, and he will now walk Jorja on the other side of the street.
The owner of the pit bull did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment for this report.
There is an ordinance in Springfield that requires owners to register pit bulls, pay an annual $50 registration fee, have a microchip inserted under the dog's skin and other stipulations.
(Springfield News-Leader- Sep 2, 2015)
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