Florida: Sanford cop kills 4 pit bulls during mauling

FLORIDA -- Five people were injured, one of them critically, after being mauled by five dogs inside a Sanford apartment Tuesday afternoon, officials said.

Sanford police received a 911 call at about 3:15 p.m. saying a woman in the Stonebrook apartment complex was screaming for help, according to police spokeswoman Bianca Gillett.

An officer rushed to the complex, opened a third-floor apartment door and saw five pit bulls mauling a woman, Gillett said.

 

The officer started shooting and killed four of the dogs, Gillett said. Animal control officers took the fifth dog.

Two women, a man and a boy were taken to Central Florida Regional Hospital, Gillett said.

One of the women had life-threatening injuries.

Another boy suffered minor injuries and was not hospitalized, according to Gillet.

It remains unclear if the pit bulls lived in the apartment or were visiting, according to Sanford police Investigator Ronny Neal.

As of Tuesday night, police were not filing animal cruelty charges, Neal said.

Though the Sanford police officer fired his service weapon, he will not be placed on leave as is protocol in officer-involved shooting because he did not fire at or injure any people, Neal said.

Seminole County Animal Services removed the dog that was not killed from the complex just before 7 p.m. Tuesday evening.

The small pit bull stopped frequently as an animal control worker tried patiently to lead it down the stairs and into a truck, sometimes saying "Good!" to help encourage the dog.

Animal control employees also brought numerous black trash bags out of the apartment and placed them into their truck.

Some of the bags required two people to carry them out of the apartment.

Neighbors say there are lots of residents with dogs in the complex, though there are size restrictions and limits on owning more than two pets. Also, the apartment complex provides residents who sign leases with a list of BANNED DOG BREEDS. Pit bulls are at the top of the list.

"I feel so bad for her," said neighbor Angela Becerra, referring the woman with critical injuries. "I hope she's OK and she'll pull through. I don't wish that upon anybody."

List of banned dogs at this apartment complex

Becerra said she never saw any animals in the apartment.

"Pit bulls are not supposed to be allowed in here," a man identified as Steven said. "That's right. No dogs over 60 pounds -- pit bulls, German shepherds, a whole list of dogs."

The apartment complex issued a statement about its policy on Wednesday.

“Yesterday afternoon there was a dog attack within an apartment at the community. The dogs involved in the attack were unauthorized pets, which are not permitted under the terms of our lease.  We last inspected the unit on November 15 and no pets were observed. We are cooperating with the police and animal control in their investigation," the statement said.

(Orlando Sentinel - Jan 19, 2016)