Sunday, January 24, 2016

Michigan: Police ID pit bull owner who fled after dog attack

MICHIGAN -- The woman, who was not named because she has not YET been charged, is facing misdemeanor charges, the Macomb County Sheriff's Office said today.

The owner of a pit bull that attacked another dog and its owner earlier this month in a Macomb County park told police she wanted to help the injured man but fled because she was concerned her dog would be taken from her.

The 58-year-old woman from Leonard in northern Oakland County is expected to face misdemeanor charges after being identified and interviewed by police in connection with the Jan. 6 incident in Gilcher Crissman Park and Fields on 29 Mile Road in Washington Township, the Macomb County Sheriff's Office said today.

The  woman told authorities that she wanted to help the injured man, but when he told her that he wanted to report the incident she feared her dog — a 60-pound pit bull — would be taken from her and destroyed, so she fled the scene, the sheriff's office said in a news release.

It said it received numerous tips regarding the identity of the woman, who was walking her dog, Bella. The woman, who was not named because she has not been charged, and her attorney came to the sheriff's office on Thursday for an interview, authorities said.

She told them she was walking her dog when it broke its collar and attacked the other dog and its 67-year-old owner. The woman said she tried to restrain the dog, but it became a "wrestling match" and she became exhausted. She got her vehicle and was able to get the dog inside, the release stated.

Instead of following the victim to report the incident, the woman drove off in her SUV, the sheriff's office previously said.

The victim told authorities that he lifted his dog to try to protect it and the other dog jumped on him, biting him and causing him to be dragged off his feet.

The two dog handlers managed to separate the two canines. The man asked the woman to report the incident and the woman offered to follow the man to his residence in their respective vehicles. But the man said the woman got into her vehicle and drove away, instead, the sheriff's office previously said.

The man was treated for bites to his hands and his dog was treated by a veterinarian. An earlier Facebook post from a woman who identified herself as the man's cousin said the dog had several cuts and the man was bitten on his head and hands.

The Oakland County woman told authorities that the dog is up-to-date on its shots and that she has the dog at her home. She faces misdemeanor charges for having a vicious dog which caused injuries.

The sheriff's office said Oakland County Animal Control has been notified.

(Detroit Free Press - Jan 22, 2016)

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