Police to Honor Neighbor who Rescued Woman

WAUKESHA, WI -- A 39-year-old Waukesha man who risked his personal safety to aid 52-year-old Patricia Williams, who was being attacked by a 2-year-old male pit bull, will receive the highest award the Waukesha Police Department gives to citizens.

Already described as a hero by Waukesha Police Capt. Dennis Angle, Christopher Bartosz is the second person to receive the Citizens Service Award from the police department this year. Bartosz was also bitten by the male pit bull who attacked in the normally quiet residential neighborhood.

“You just jump into action,” said Bartosz when asked by Patch earlier this month about his reaction to the situation. “Doing nothing is not an option. I’d do it again if I saw somebody hurt.”

The award will be presented to Bartosz at 7:30 p.m.  Aug. 4 during the Waukesha Common Council meeting.

Waukesha Police Chief Russell Jack sent Bartosz this letter late last week to inform him that he would receive the award from the Waukesha Police Department:

On June 28, 2011, you witnessed your neighbor lying on the ground being viciously attacked by her own dogs. You quickly reacted without regard for your own safety and ran to the women’s aid. You attempted to fight off the dogs but were bitten several times in the arm and leg. This created a distraction, which allowed your neighbor time to escape back into her house ending the attack.

Your decision to react quickly and effectively during this horrible attack is credited with saving your neighbor’s life. Because of your actions that day, you are being presented with the City of Waukesha Police Department’s Citizen Service Award, the highest award given by this department to members of the community. 

Waukesha Police Sgt. Kevin Rice said in an e-mail that this is the second Citizens Service Award that has been given to a community member since at least 2008.

Sherri Stigler, who is the training and operations manager for Waukesha County Communication and wife of retiring Deputy Police Chief Mark Stigler, received the award from the Common Council in June for beginning life-saving CPR on a veteran who collapsed during the Memorial Day ceremony in Cutler Park.

The veteran, Dale Bock, survived the heart failure following Sherri Stigler’s CPR, efforts from the Waukesha Fire Department and bypass surgery.

(Waukesha Patch - July 19, 2011)

Earlier Stories:

• Officer Shoots Pit Bull That Attacked Owner
• Man Jumps Fence to Help Neighbor in Dog Attack
• Wounded Waukesha Man Recovering After Defending Neighbor in Dog Attack

Plea agreement for dog owner falls through

ROSEVILLE, MI -- A plea agreement for a man charged with probation violation after his dogs allegedly dug a hole under a fence and mauled to death a next door neighbor’s blind, 11-pound dog was rejected by a judge because the dead dog’s owner failed to appear in court Thursday morning.

Nick, on the left, was killed by
Morin's dogs. Lulu, on the right,
was killed by Morin's pit bull a
year earlier.

Roseville District Judge Marco Santia refused to accept the agreement worked out for Louis Gerard Morin by his attorney, Dean Ausilio, and city attorney Tim Tomlinson.

Jule Kadelak, owner of the dog that died over a month ago, was irate when asked by a reporter why she didn’t show up in court. Kadelak said she didn’t know about it and never received any court papers or a subpoena from the police department.

“If I would have known this case was in court today I would have been there,” Kadelak said. “I want to see the book thrown at him for what he allowed to happen to my dog.”

Ausilio and Roseville Animal Control Officer David Sites said the court date was mentioned several times in the news media.

Ausilio said Morin agreed to plead no contest to probation violation. In exchange, he would get no jail, no fines or court costs, extending his non-reporting probation for 12 months and that he cannot bring a dog into his house during probation.

Ausilio told Santia both of Morin’s dogs — a Rottweiler and a pit bull — were euthanized less than a week after the attack. He said he was surprised Kadelak did not appear in court.

Santia said he will not hear the matter until Kadelak appears in court and agrees to any plea deal. The judge said Kadelak agreed the last time Morin appeared in court that he wouldn’t get jail time and later told news reporters that she was upset that the judge did not take aggressive action.

Morin told a reporter his dogs never dug the hole under the wooden fence and entered the yard. He said Kadelak always knew he had dogs and didn’t like him for it.

The pit bull owner basically says it's the victim's
fault b/c there were holes underneath her fence and
belives it was someone else's dog that killed
her pet.

“My dogs never got into her yard and killed her dogs,” Morin said. “It could have been an animal. But it wasn’t my dogs.”

Morin said his dogs were kind and gentle, and always played with young children.

His defense is that he 'always' used this padlock
to keep his Rottweiler and Pit Bull contained

(Daily Tribune - July 15, 2011)

Earlier Stories:

• For the second time, neighbor's dogs kill family pet
• Roseville man euthanizes dogs that allegedly killed neighbor's dogs

Pup loses leg in horrifying pit bull attack

[NOTE: This is a partial story and from June so a bit old... but I think it's worth mentioning if only for the horrific photo showing the injuries to this poor dog. And as horrific as they are, realize that most people's pets do not survive attacks like this.]

FRANKLIN, PA -- Sharon Lydic has to gather herself before she can recount a pit bull attack on her puppy that forced the amputation of one leg and left behind $5,000 in vet bills.

“It was horrible,” the 59-year-old state worker said of the June 1 incident in which she also was bitten, and wound up covered in blood from the knees down.

She was taking Sarge, a 9-month-old chocolate Lab, for a walk around her Franklin Borough home.

The pup belongs to her son, Andrew, 24, a long-haul trucker.

Her dog suddenly stopped along the walk.

“And I saw this pit bull charging at us,” Lydic said. “All I had time to do was scream ‘No!’ and he came and grabbed my dog.”

The attacking dog belonged to neighbors but apparently was not kept behind a secure fence.

“My puppy was up against my leg yelping,” Lydic said. “I wouldn’t leave the dog.”

She yelled out, “Help me, somebody. He’s going to kill my puppy.”

Sarge relaxes with owner Andrew Lydic and girlfriend Kyleigh Lichtenfels.

(Tribune Democrat - June 18, 2011)

Wisconsin man arrested after stomping cat, causing its death

EAU CLAIRE, WI -- An Eau Claire man is charged after allegedly kicking and stomping a cat.

James Littlefield was arrested Sunday afternoon. An Eau Claire County deputy was called out to Mitchell Road after a resident reported seeing a man kicking something in the ditch. When she confronted him, he said the cat attacked him. He then left quickly on his bicycle.

The deputy located Littlefield, who had a backpack that he said he used to hold a cat. The deputy found the animal in the ditch, barely alive. It had to be put down.

Littlefield told the deputy, "I did not kill the cat, I just took care of the problem."

(WQOW - June 27, 2011)

Roseville man euthanizes dogs that allegedly killed neighbor's dogs

MICHIGA -- The Roseville owner of two dogs who allegedly mauled a neighbor’s mini-pinscher to death last week had the dogs euthanized over the weekend.

“I hated to do it, but I just cannot put up with this anymore,” said Louis Morin who was charged by Roseville police late last week with a probation violation. “No one saw my dogs kill her dog and I don’t think they did it.”

Morin was ordered last October by 39th District Judge Marco Santia in Roseville to keep his dogs under control in his backyard when they got into neighbor Jewel Kadelak’s back yard and killed one of her dogs. Santia put Morin on probation and set a fine.

Kadelak, who lives next door to Morin on Roseville Boulevard, said she came home last Wednesday and found her other dog dead in her backyard.

She called Roseville police and once again Morin was accused of letting his dogs roam and was arrested for violating the terms of his probation.

Roseville Deputy Police Chief Anthony Cona said both of his dogs were confiscated. They were taken to the Macomb County Animal Shelter where they were euthanized over the weekend, Morin said.

“I am trying to be a good neighbor, but nothing satisfied her (Kadelak),” Morin said on Tuesday. “Police said they saw a large hole under the wooden fence, but anyone could have dug it.”

Morin said one of the dogs that was euthanized was a Rottweiler and the other a pit bull.

“My dogs were not mean and were great with kids,” Morin said. “I don’t know why Jewel feels they were vicious.”

(Daily Tribune - June 29, 2011)

Read More:

• For the second time, neighbor's dogs kill family pet

Man pleads guilty in dog mauling case

MARIETTA, GA — A Powder Springs man whose pit bulls jumped a neighbor’s fence and mauled three dogs to death more than a year ago pleaded guilty Tuesday morning in Cobb State Court and will spend three years on probation.

Tommy Bell, 28, must also perform 80 hours of community service and pay $1,700 in restitution.

Bill Katin, who owned the three dogs killed Oct. 4, 2009, addressed his neighbor, Bell, before State Court Judge Irma Glover on Tuesday morning.

Bill Katin and his daughter, Ashley Katin, hold pictures of their
dogs Sandy, a 14-year-old golden retriever and Labrador mix; Gio,
a 5-year-old chihuahua; and Leo, a 9-year-old Jack Russell Terrier,
who were killed when two pit bulls jumped a fence and attacked them.

“Whatever happens to you and the court’s decision, the judge’s decision and punishment, eventually that’s going to go away for you,” Katin said. “But this will never go away for me, this loss. This feeling of loss I’ve experienced day in and day out — for the rest of my life will never go away. And I think it’s important that you understand the impact not only on me, but on my family and my household, that I can no longer go out on my back deck at my household and look out there and not see my three family members there anymore.”

Bell waived his right to a jury trial on Tuesday and pleaded guilty to three counts of animal cruelty under the state code for the deaths of Katin’s three dogs: Sandy, a 14-year-old golden retriever mix; Leo, a 9-year-old Jack Russell terrier; and Gio, a 5-year-old Chihuahua. He also read a statement to the court detailing his own frustration with the situation.

“Out of 28 years, I never thought at all about being incarcerated over a love you and I both share, and that’s a love for animals,” Bell said. “I sincerely apologize now that hopefully we can move forward and understand that community service, me being banned from animals, and the 80 hours of community service probation. I technically don’t feel it’s fair, but I think it’s right being that you have suffered great pain behind this situation.”

“I really want you to understand that I do apologize and this is truly, truly an accident, and going forth, I pray I hope that nothing like this should ever happen again, and I hope that you will sincerely accept my apology,” Bell went on to say.

Katin later shook Bell’s hand.

But Judge Glover took issue with Bell’s statement.

“Mr. Bell, this is pretty gruesome,” said Glover, who also ordered Bell to have no contact with the Katin family and barred him from owning any animals. “I don’t really care how unfair you think it is. … Well, I’m sorry, sir, that you feel that way, but this could have been a person, a human being.”

Prosecutor Melissa Rife said the state charges, which Bell pleaded guilty to, are stiffer than the county ordinance. For instance, the cruelty to animals charge under the county ordinance brings a maximum sentence of 60 days jail with a $1,000 fine, compared to violation under state code, which carries a maximum sentence of 12 months in jail with a $1,000 fine.

Cobb Board of Commissioner Chairman Tim Lee said he believed the county ordinance pertaining to animal cruelty was sufficient given that the county can make use of both the ordinance and state law, depending on the merits of the case.

“That’s always available to us,” Lee said, noting that his staff would continue to monitor the ordinance to ensure that it was satisfactory.

The resolution of the case, Rife said, “was one that the victim was very involved in and very satisfied with, and that’s what we wanted.”

Katin said Bell initially insisted Bell’s girlfriend owned the dogs, which is why the case has dragged on.

“I knew the day of the incident that those were his dogs, but I wanted other people in the neighborhood to corroborate this story so it wouldn’t just be my word against his,” Katin said. “Personally, I don’t wish any ill will. Yes, I wish he would have manned up much earlier on and said, ‘Mr. Katin, I’m sorry for what’s happened.’ I may have had a different attitude.”

Katin had arrived home on that morning to find his three dogs dead. The attacks happened inside the fenced back yard of his home, in an older subdivision off of Macedonia Road.

A Cobb County Police officer shot and killed one of the pit bulls when it lunged at an Animal Control officer.

The second pit bull has been held by Animal Control since the incident and will not be returning to Bell. Its fate has yet to be decided by the court.


(The Marietta Daily Journal - June 29, 2011)

Wounded Waukesha Man Recovering After Defending Neighbor in Dog Attack

WAUKESHA, WI -- When 39-year-old Christopher Bartosz saw his neighbor being attacked by a vicious pit bull Tuesday evening, he didn't hesitate to rush to help the 52-year-old woman.

 “You just jump into action,” said Bartosz when asked about his reaction to the situation. “Doing nothing is not an option. I’d do it again if I saw somebody hurt.”

Bartosz is recovering at his home in the eastern Waukesha neighborhood. Bartosz suffered bite wounds to his arms and legs from two pitbulls that belonged to a neighbor.

The incident began on Tuesday when Bartosz heard screaming from a house across the street. He ran to the house to find two pit bulls attacking their female owner. Bartosz says he immediately rushed at the dogs to distract them from the woman, who was lying on her kitchen floor.

 “My gut instinct was just to get those dogs off her,” says Bartosz, who says he was able to kick one of the dogs, enough to deter it from its owner and come at him instead. The dog, which was eventually shot and killed by a Waukesha police officer, bit Bartosz several times in the arm and leg.

Once the dogs were distracted from attacking their owner, Bartosz said he was able to run and find help from his neighbors before returning. One neighbor brought a baseball bat to the house to fight off the dogs.

Both Bartosz and the dogs’ owner were treated for their injuries.

Waukesha Police Capt. Dennis Angle on Wednesday called Bartosz a "hero" for his quick actions.

Police said it appeared the owner was attempting to kennel the 7-year-old dog when the 2-year-old dog attacked her.

A 9-1-1 call to police can hear a panicked neighbor asking police for help. The call came shortly after 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.

“Our neighbors next door ­– this lady is being attacked by the pit bull in the house,” the clearly shaken neighbor told dispatchers while the dogs could be heard barking in the background. “Please, hurry, hurry, hurry. .., The dog came out and bit her. … We need help right away, right away.”

(Patch - June 30, 2011)

Read More:

• Man Jumps Fence to Help Neighbor in Dog Attack

Pennsylvania: Loose Pit Bull Enters Home, Kills Cat, Attacks Homeowner

PENNSYLVANIA -- Police in the Poconos said they have charged a dog owner, after his Pit Bull got loose and killed someone's cat.

According to State Police in Swiftwater, Christopher Ortiz's dog got loose and entered a home in Maple Lane Cottages in Middle Smithfield Township, Monroe County on Monday night.

They said the dog entered the house around 9 p.m. and killed a cat in the house. The dog then attacked and bit the resident of the house.

State Police said they have filed two summary charges against Ortiz.

(WFMZ - June 29, 2011)

Pit Bull Shot And Killed By Homeowner Trying To Protect Family

BERMUDA DUNES, CA -- A pit bull was shot and killed in Bermuda Dunes Thursday evening, according to Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

A homeowner who shot the dog was concerned for the safety of his four grandchildren, so he shot and killed the pit bull as it charged, said Lieutenant Terrence Tingle of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

It happened Thursday around 5:28 p.m. in the 40,000 block of Starlight Lane. Tingle said the homeowner did nothing wrong, and will not be charged.

Family members sent a statement to KPSP Local 2 News detailing what happened.

The homeowner said the dog belonged to their neighbor and that the pit bull was carrying their new kitten in its mouth and violently shaking it.

The homeowner threw his keys and water bottles at the animal. The dog then ran off with the cat.

He went inside his house to get his gun and when he came back outside the dog was back and came after him. That is when the homeowner shot and killed the pit bull.

The cat did not survive the attack.

Family members said several months ago the same pit bull attacked and killed two of their cats. They filed a report with police and the dog owners were given a warning.

Riverside County Animal Control was called to scene to pick up the dog.

(KPSP - June 30, 2011)

Lincoln Park boyfriend charged in wolf-dog hybrid mauling case released from custody

DETROIT, MI -- Earl Dwayne Adkins, whose wolf-hybrid dog killed a 5-year-old boy last summer, posted bond Wednesday and was released from custody.

Adkins is the ex-boyfriend of Debralynn Holland, the mother of Kyle Holland, who was fatally mauled by Adkins’ dog last year as he slept,

Adkins and Holland were charged Monday in 25th District Court with multiple felonies in the death of the child. The appeared before Judge David Zelenak.

Adkins was released after posting 10 percent of a $50,000 bond.

Holland was released on a $50,000 personal bond after the two were arraigned Wednesday.

They are due back in 25th District Court on July 7.

(Daily Tribune - July 2, 2011)

Read More:

• Mother, boyfriend charged in fatal dog mauling

Pit bull attacks raise concerns in NY village

ELLENVILLE, NY -- Officials in an upstate New York village are looking for ways to curb aggressive behavior by dogs after several attacks by pit bulls against pets and people.

Over the past two months in the Ulster County village of Ellenville, officials say pit bulls bit an 11-year-old boy in the groin and killed a family's cat and bit the owner in separate attacks.

Last month, a 25-year-old man was charged with fatally stabbing a pit bull he said had attacked his dog, also a pit bull.

Mayor Jeff Kaplan tells the Times Herald-Record of Middletown that he's a dog lover but not a fan of aggressive-breed dogs.

Village trustees are considering ways to curb aggressive behavior, including a ban on dogs in the business district and mandatory muzzles.

Officials say state law prohibits municipalities from having breed-specific rules.

(Wall Street Journal - June 30, 2011)

Woman Bit, Small Dog Killed in Carlsbad

PALM SPRINGS, CA -- A Palm Springs woman was bit and her small dog was viciously killed by a large golden retriever mix Wednesday afternoon on a Carlsbad boardwalk, the victim's husband said.

The dog's handler, believed to be in his early 20s, idly watched the leashed dog bite Rene Hillman, 55, above the right wrist and kill her dog before outrunning witnesses from a park north of Carlsbad Village Drive after 12:30 p.m., Bill Hillman said.

Hillman says he saw the attack while walking to purchase food. He ran to assist his wife and their white, six-pound Pomeranian, kicking the attacking dog twice in the head before it finally released, he said.

"It took it, shook it, tore it open and ripped it apart," Bill Hillman said. "The owner did nothing but hold his skateboard as his dog mauled my dog after mauling my wife. Then he ran away, and that's what made me the most upset ... It's just really sad. I can't believe a human being would do that. It's just very, very sad."

Hillman believes the dog weighed 110 to 120 pounds and was a golden retriever-Labrador mix. Witnesses told him the dog's barefooted owner was a local, he said.

The Hillman family lives in Palm Springs where they run Cool Dawg Store, a dog apparel company. Their dog, named Ewok, appears on the cover of the couple's company website.

Hillman said they were in town delivering merchandise to a San Diego County Fair vendor and stopped in Carlsbad to have a picnic with fish and chips.

Bill Hillman said Rene didn't see the dog charging until it was too late, but the couple's Pomeranian hid behind her legs in the final moments before the attack.

Rene Hillman may need rabies vaccinations if the man and dog are not located, he said, adding she  sustained six puncture wounds and was knocked down during the attack.

Bill Hillman said he hopes the man and dog are found.

"I don't want my wife to go through rabies shots or for this to happen to another person or another dog," he said.

Wednesday's attack was the latest in a series of incidents around the county.

On Tuesday, a 1 1/2-year-old pit bull bit his owner's 40-year-old friend in Mountain View. The victim's father said his son was scheduled to have surgery Tuesday night after the dog bit "chunks" from his right arm.

On Friday, a dog attacked a 1-year-old in Chula Vista. The baby was taken to the hospital and animal services euthanized the dog, which a family member said was a pit bull. The pit bull was one of five dogs that lived in the house with the baby. A family member said the dog was “stupid and aggressive."

Earlier that day, a woman walking her dog in Grant Hill was attacked by a pit bull and a boxer. The woman’s dog was injured in the attack, and the boxer and pit bull were impounded by animal services and placed into quarantine.

A much more serious incident occurred on June 18, when Emako Mendoza was attacked at her home in the 5800 block of Alleghany in Paradise Hills around 6:30 a.m. when she went outside to get a newspaper.

Mendoza's husband said the 75-year-old woman lost a leg and was in danger of losing an arm as a result of the attack by two pit bulls in her backyard.

(NBC San Diego - June 29, 2011)

Dog Attacks Growing Concern for US Postal Service

BUFFALO, NY -- Dog Attacks are becoming a growing problem for mail carriers in Western New York.

According to the United States Postal Service, dog attacks happen to letter carriers 1 to 2 times a week on average.

Three years ago, North Tonawanda City Letter Carrier Emily Skuce was viciously attacked by a pit bull mix while delivering mail. Her injuries required 90 stitches and 3 months off from work.

"I was blocking my face but (the dog) eventually latched onto my head and shook me back and forth until I lost consciousness," said Skuce.

The US Postal Service is now sending out an important message to dog owners and is urging them to take extra precautions with their pets.

"Make sure you close doors and gates," said US Postal Service WNY Communications Coordinator Karen Mazurkiewicz. "Also make sure the dog is contained inside the home when the carrier comes to deliver.
Quick things could mean the difference between the trauma Emily Skuce experienced as well as the liabilities for the dog owner."

(WKBW - June 29, 2011)

Calls for action after dog is mauled to death

UNITED KINGDOM -- A Penryn man is calling for a crackdown on dangerous and illegal dogs after his family pet was mauled and killed by a pit bull two weeks ago.

John McKechnie, of Brook Place, was walking his dog through College Woods with his 11 year-old children, Ross and Katie, on the morning of Friday, June 17.

The dog, Blake, a five year old greyhound they had owned for three months, was only just getting settled in the family home, John said.

“As we got to the end of the walk, by the bridge, we noticed a young lad trying to haul a dog out of the bushes,” he said.

“Ross was holding Blake and asked me to take him. The other dog growled at Blake quite aggressively and he took a step back.

“We asked the lad to go on ahead and he turned to go but the next thing we knew his dog had our dog by the throat.

“I was trying to kick it and punch it and get it off but the only way I managed to get it off was to grab its goolies. At that point I was bitten.”

Blake was left gravely injured following the attack and despite a £1000 emergency operation, he succumbed to his injuries in the early hours of the morning on June 19.

The police are now investigating the incident and have seized the pit bull.

(Falmouth Packet - June 30, 2011)

Rat Terrier Killed by Pit Bull, Newspaper calls it a "dog fight"

MASSACHUSETTS --- The following is an excerpt from the Salem Police Department's Tuesday and Wednesday logs.

A dog [attack] was reported at 4:41 p.m. Tuesday on Gables Circle, police said. The caller said one of the neighbor's pit bulls jumped the fence and attacked a 6-year-old rat terrier.

The rat terrier "was bit[ten] in the left flank and carried around in the pit bull's mouth. The pit bull then released the terrier and jumped back into its own yard," the caller told police.

Police said the terrier was brought to the vet and died from its injuries.

Indiana: Dozens of dog attacks reported in June

LAWRENCE, IN -- A Lawrence dog is recovering after a vicious attack.

The dog's owner is nursing her dog back to health after it was caught in the jaws of a pit bull.

24-Hour News 8 investigated similar attacks across Marion County. Just this month, Marion County Animal Care and Control has received more than 2,000 dog complaints; 53 of those calls were dog attacks.

Reporter Daniel Miller talked to a dog owner who's now one of the victims.

Nearly two weeks ago, 7-year-old Rosie, a schnauzer-terrier mix, got mixed up with a pit bull. Rosie nearly lost her life.

"It just came through the screen door and latched on to her neck, would not let go and would not let go," said Laura Mathena, Rosie's owner, "She was wiggling and trying to get loose; it was very scary."

Rosie has 12 staples in her neck and face to treat the wounds.

"She had a hole in her neck about the size of a nickel," Methena said, recalling that she felt helpless, unable to help her own dog.

"Two grown men couldn't get it off,” she said. “They had to run inside and get a screwdriver and pry the dog's mouth open."

The pit bull's owner told police the dog isn't vicious, but officers said it showed signs of being a fighting dog.

Fighter or not, though, Mathena said she's done with walks in her neighborhood, at least for a while. She said her priority is making sure Rosie recovers.

"She's good now. She's taking it really well," Mathena said.

The pit bull's owner is paying Rosie's vet bills.

If you have a complaint about a dog call Animal Care and Control at 317-327-1397.

(WISH - June 29, 2011)

After vicious pit bull attack, community rallies for Izze

VENTNOR – The generosity and outpouring of support from the community has Lauree Fogelman feeling better these days.

She and her dog, Izze, are still recovering from a pit bull attack June 2 that left her with a fractured hand, tendon damage and puncture wounds.  Izzie is still being treated for an open wound to the chest left by the pit bull’s relentless attack.

Fogelman was walking Izze in her North Newark Avenue neighborhood the afternoon of Thursday, June 2 when a pit bull came barreling down the sidewalk at them. When she picked up Izze to protect him, the pit bull jumped and pulled her dog out of her hands, Fogelman said Monday, June 27.

Fogelman grabbed the pit bull by the head and tried to pull its jaws open while a neighbor came to the rescue before police arrived on the scene.

“I knew if I took my hands out of that dog’s mouth my dog would die and I wasn’t going to let my dog die that day,” Fogelman said. “This dog is like my baby.”

According to a police report, it took six police officers striking the dog numerous times with their batons before it released its grip and ran home to its owner, Omar Paz Juraez of North Newark Avenue.

“The Ventnor police were amazing,” Fogelman said. “They were relentless with trying to get dog off of us. They called Dr. (Jessica) Grant ahead of time and told her they would be bringing dog in that had been attacked. They had surgical team waiting for him and the surgery saved his life.”

She said five minutes yelling for help felt like five hours as she tried to wrestle the pit bull away from Izze, a cockapoo, which is cross between a cocker spaniel and poodle.

“They called me afterwards to see if I was OK and they called Dr. Grant to check on Izze. They were very, very compassionate and very kind,” Fogelman said.

And that was just the beginning of the support she has gotten from the community.

On Sunday, Aug. 14, from 4 to 7 p.m. there will be a fundraiser at the Log Cabin in Margate to help pay for Izze’s veterinary bills with hopes to continue a fund to help rescue dogs and other victims of dog attacks. Tickets for the event are $20 and can be bought by calling (609) 442-0072.

“Something good is going to come out of it for people who go through this and don’t have an amazing community of support network like I do, I’m fortunate,” said Fogelman.  “It’s been an amazing, eye-opening experience on so many levels.”

A social worker who works with hospice care, Fogelman said the attack has left her out of work through July due to hand surgery that was done June 7. She hopes to receive an update on her progress on Thursday.

“I understand needing help and the difficulties in asking for it,” she said.

She said she also knows that people can endure with the strength of themselves, their faith, the community, friends, and her case, a fiancée who is extremely loving and supportive.

“It makes you look to those things to see how lucky you are and fortunate you are,” Fogelman said.

“It’s really just wonderful for the local neighborhood community to help and giving money for a good cause, as far as helping rescue dogs.”

She said donations have already started coming in for the Aug. 14 event in the way of donated gift baskets, gift certificates and other items that will be raffled off.

She also said she hopes to find to way to prevent dog attacks from happening in the future.

“Have awareness to be careful when walking dogs because you never know,” she said. “Your life could change in a matter of 10 minutes. Knowing things like this can happen, something could be done and put in place to at least make owners more liable and responsible to protect people. I would never want this to happen to anyone again,” said Fogelman.

The fine that could be imposed on Paz, the dog owner, is capped at $1,000 according to police. Fogelman said she is awaiting a summons to appear in court.

(Shore News Today - June 29, 2011)

Dog Saves Family From Pit Bull Attack

SAN ANTONIO, TX -- A west side family called their family pet a hero after he came their rescue when a stray pit-bull went on the attack.

Their dog 'Bliss' saved them late Tuesday night.

Bliss saved her family

Rita Rodriguez said she was in her yard with her daughters and grand daughter when the pit bull came up behind them.

Rodriguez said they tried to get the pit bull to leave, but it wouldn't.

The next thing they saw was Bliss spring into action and keep the pit bull occupied until the family could chain it to a fence and call police.

"If is weren't for Bliss protecting my family, we would have been injured ourselves," Rodriguez said.
Bliss suffered injuries to his ear and neck, but should be OK.

(KSAT - June 30, 2011)

Two sent to hospital after pit bull attacks

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – A ten year-old boy is still in the hospital after a dog attacked him and a man Tuesday night in a Cedar Rapids neighborhood.  It happened at 1415 15th Street Southeast just before 9PM. 

Police say 10 year old Marquise Hubbard was inside the fenced-in yard with another boy who lived at the home while playing with a female American Pit Bull Terrier when the attack started.  Police say Hubbard ran out of the yard, left the gate open, and the dog followed him outside the fence.

Police said a 10-year-old boy was bitten by a pit bull at
this residence, 1415 Fifth Ave. SE.

Hubbard’s father says his son suffered severe injuries to his chest, hands and legs.  Despite the severity of the boy’s injuries, one neighbor says he’s not surprised by Tuesday night’s incident.

“I heard this scream, “Get it off me, get it off me!,“ said neighbor who witnessed the mauling Donald Brown.
Donald Brown says he saw the pit bull mauling 10 year old Marquise Hubbard Tuesday night.

“He had lacerations to the leg and you could actually see bone, from the kneecap down, his bone was hanging out of the skin.  It was not a pretty sight,” said Brown.

Another man ran to the boy’s rescue.

“He ended up having to hit it with a brick just to get it to let go of its grip,” said Brown.

Both victims were taken to the hospital. 18 year old Eddie Frye was taken to Saint Luke’s Hospital, but was later released. The dog will now be quarantined at Cedar Rapids Animal Control a ten day time span.

“When the bite was severe as it is and because it did bite two people the dog is current on its rabies vaccination but we’re holding it here pending the police investigation,” said Cedar Rapids Animal Control Program Manager Diane Webber.

Program Manager Diane Webber says part of that investigation will determine if the dog was provoked.
“It may come down to a court hearing to make that determination, maybe not. It’s an open police investigation right now,” said Webber.

Brown says he’s seen people teasing the four pit bulls that live behind the six foot fence surrounding the house.  He says the kids use sticks to tease and entice the dogs.

“I see constantly children teasing them; adults teasing them.  When you do that so often to a dog, eventually they’re going to attack,” said Brown.

But Brown says ultimately, the dog is not to blame.

“I think it’s the responsibility of the owner,” said Brown.

If the dog was provoked, it could be allowed to return home.  If not, the dog could be considered vicious and could not live in city limits.  What happens to the dog after that point would be determined in a court hearing.

(Eastern Iowa News Now - June 30, 2011)

Man Comes To Boy's Rescue In Pit Bull Attack

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA -- A 10-year-old boy and another man were taken to local hospitals Tuesday evening after the same pit bull bit both of them, police said.

The boy was already in the ambulance when officers arrived just before 9 p.m. to 1415 Fifth Ave. SE. Sgt. Brian Been said two boys were apparently at the house when the incident occurred.

The boy’s father, who did not want to be identified, told SourceMedia Group his son was taken to Mercy Medical Center, where he underwent surgery for his injuries. He said the most severe injuries were to the boy’s legs.

Marquise Hubbard, 10, was still hospitalized Wednesday morning, his father said.

Police said Eddie Frye, 18, told officers he was sitting on his porch when he saw the boy attacked. The dog bit him, too, when he tried to come to the boy’s aid. He had multiple bite marks to his right forearm and scratches on his chest, police said.

“He took off running to help the boy and got bit,” Sgt. Brian Been said.

Frye was taken to St. Luke’s Hospital for his injuries. His injuries were not believed to be as severe, police said.

Animal Control officers took custody of the female dog and have placed it in quarantine, according to manager Diane Webber.

“The dog was apparently in its own fenced backyard when the initial attack began, but then got out when the initial victim ran and left the gate open,” Webber said in an e-mail.

Police said the dog’s owner, Sherron Smith, confirmed that the dog got out of the six-foot tall chain link fence around the house. No charges have been filed, but police are still investigating the incident.

(Eastern Iowa News Now - June 29, 2011)