Arizona: Woman, 69, Mauled to Death By Akita While Volunteering with Dog Rescue Organization

ARIZONA -- A 69-year-old woman was mauled to death Wednesday by a dog while volunteering at the Canine Country Club and Feline Inn in Phoenix, PEOPLE learns.

The victim, Carol Harris, was killed by an Akita.

Harris was volunteering with Akita Advocates, which had rented out space at the Canine Country Club and Feline Inn in Phoenix.

The organization confirmed Harris was killed Wednesday in a statement posted to Facebook.

The Canine County Club and Feline Inn issued a statement on the mauling incident: “It is with heavy hearts we pass along sad news. This afternoon a volunteer from one of the rescue groups we host was playing with…[an] Akita [that] is owned by the rescue group, Akita Advocates…in one of our play yards when [the] dog attacked her. She was taken to the hospital with critical injuries, and has since passed away.”

The business adds that it takes “great pride in the work the rescue groups who use our facilities do to ensure better lives for animals.”

The mauling is “a tragedy,” the statement adds. “We are all at a loss for words.”

The Akita who killed Harris had been abandoned, and she was working with the animal to rehabilitate it for adoption. The dog will be euthanized.

According to police, Harris was found lying motionless with dog bites. She was rushed to a hospital, where she died.

PEOPLE’s attempts to reach her family were unsuccessful Friday.

Harris is the second woman this month whose mauling death by dogs has made headlines.

Note: The one thing about followers of the Akita breed. I have never seen them promoting this dog as a misunderstood wigglebutt. Instead, I see enthusiasts say they're great dogs for 'the right person' because:

◆ they're strong-willed dogs prone to aggression, that due to its dominant nature, the Akita does not interact well with other dogs.

◆ This tough breed can be difficult for a first-time dog owner to handle.

◆ As general rule, the Akita or any other large dog, should not be left alone with those who are under the age of 12 years old.

◆ The Akita sees his family very differently than he sees outsiders. He entire demeanor can change in an instant.

◆ Despite proper training, humans cannot completely undo basic nature of a canine. The Akita is a guard dog; and has been bred for centuries to be a hunting dog. This sort of deep trait characteristic cannot be taken away.

(People Magainze - December 22, 2017)

United Kingdom: Horror as eight-year-old girl mauled by large dog, believed to be an Akita, while playing outside leaving her covered in blood

UNITED KINGDOM -- An eight-year-old girl was left 'covered in blood' after she was mauled by a 'wolf-like' dog while playing near her home.

Little Roksana Lawecki suffered serious head and leg injuries after being attacked by the animal in Homethorpe, Hull, on Monday.

Her dad, Pawel, has described how he feared the worst after sprinting to the scene on Orchard Park to find "a lot of blood".

The youngster was playing not far from her house when the dog allegedly escaped from a nearby garden and attacked her, the Hull Daily Mail reports.

She had to undergo a three-hour operation at Hull Royal Infirmary to treat the serious injuries to the back of her head and her right leg. She also had superficial wounds to her arms.

Police are investigating and are trying to establish exactly what breed of dog the animal was. Indications suggest it was possibly a Japanese Akita.

The one-year-old canine has since been put down.

Roksana’s dad spoke of the family’s shock following the attack.

He said: “I wasn’t there when it happened but a woman told me the dog escaped through the gate of a garden and the dog just ran up and attacked Roksana.

“I ran to the scene and it was horrible to see. I was scared as there was a lot of blood and I feared the worst. Roksana was crying. There were a lot of people around trying to help.”

Mr Lawecki believes it was a large dog that attacked his daughter.

He said: “We are not sure what type of dog it was but it was big and wolf-like.

“Roksana had to have an operation on her leg and her head which took nearly three hours. She will need to go back next week to have the stitches removed.

“She cannot walk at the moment and is very sore.

"She is on medication. We don’t know if she will be scarred for life at this stage as it is too early to say but they are bad injuries.

“She liked dogs before, but we have been told she will probably remain scared of them forever. She is very upset by what has happened but thankfully she is okay.”

Humberside Police are investigating the dog attack and have confirmed the animal has been put down. No arrests have been made.

A spokeswoman said: “We were called to the report of a dog attack on an eight-year-old girl at 7.45pm on Monday at Homethorpe in Hull.

“The dog is reported to have got out of its garden and attacked the girl as she ran away. She sustained serious puncture wounds to her legs, back and head in the attack.

“The one-year old dog was surrendered by the owner who has given permission for the dog to be destroyed.

“We are fully investigating the attack under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 that the dog was dangerously out of control.”

Anyone with information about the dog attack should call Humberside Police on 101 quoting log 540 07/08/2017.

(Mirror UK - August 10, 2017)

New Jersey: Judge Howard Freed lets Anita Puglise ship her killer Akita to Ohio without any dangerous dog designation so it could soon be killing pets in Ohio and no one but the Akita's owner will know its history.

NEW JERSEY -- The large Akita that mauled Ross and Lisa Karrer's teacup Yorkshire terrier last month on the steps of their West Meyran Avenue home will not return to Atlantic County, according to an agreement reached in municipal court Tuesday.

The decision to keep Anita Puglise's Akita elsewhere is a stipulation in a deal that will keep her from being charged with having a vicious dog.

Puglise and her attorney, Dean Marcolongo of Millville, worked with Somers Point Prosecutor Christopher Lipari to come up with a plan that would be amenable to the Karrers in return for the charge being dropped.

Neighbors like Chris Mathis, who lives on West Dawes Avenue near Puglise's home, stayed in the courtroom Tuesday for nearly three hours to support the Karrer family.

According to the Karrers, 3-year-old Hemi was sitting just outside the sliding doors to the kitchen when a dog running loose in the neighborhood wandered into their yard and started attacking the tiny Yorkie.

Hemi died of his injuries at Red Bank Animal Emergency Hospital in Linwood.

The Akita has been sent to Ocean City for lodging, and it will be going to a new home in Ohio. 

NIMBY is an abbreviation for Not In My Back Yard. It's when cities and towns ship their vicious dogs off to other communities so they don't have to deal with the problem (fighting it out in court to euthanize the dog). 

Typically, these dogs have NO restrictions placed on them before leaving town meaning when they attack and kill in their new community, no one knows its history - not the police, not animal control, not the neighbors who live around this dog.

It's akin to your neighboring town shipping a sex offender to your neighborhood and not being told that this violent sex offender is now living next door to you.

The Karrers are to be paid $2,616 in restitution for expenses by Puglise, who said through her attorney she will first attempt to get the payment made through her homeowners insurance. If they do not make the payment within 90 days, Puglise must make the payment herself.

 

 

Judge Howard Freed warned Puglise as well as her boyfriend, Michael Conroy, and the Karrers that there is to be no contact between them — no phone calls, no emails, no text messages, no conversation and no social media. Freed said any violation of the stipulation would result in charges being filed.

Puglise has a second Akita, and that dog must be contained on her property and may only be walked on a leash, according to the judge. Freed further said that anything agreed to in municipal court does not ensure civil release, meaning if the Karrers so chose, they could pursue action in a civil suit.

Both sides agreed that if Puglise abides by all of the agreed-upon points within the 90-day window, the charge of owning a vicious dog will be dropped. Failure to comply will earn the owner of the Akita a trip back to court.

The Karrers have two young boys, 9-year-old Braydon and 6-year-old Bryce. The boys saw their dog killed June 11, and while there is nothing the parents can do about that, they did decide getting another dog would refocus the boys' attention. So last week, the newest member of the Karrer family came home — Bentley, an 8-week-old teacup Yorkie.

"Given the situation, we thought that was what was best for our boys," said Lisa Karrer. “The boys are really protective of Bentley, and they don’t even want him to go outside; they are terrified that something might happen to their puppy, but they are working their way through it,” Lisa Karrer said as she fought back tears. “We really miss Hemi; our pets are like family members, and we really hope that no one has to go through this. We hope this will remind people to be responsible for their dogs and keep them contained on their property.”

Ross Karrer said after things quiet down he may possibly speak to members of City Council about the city’s current ordinance on the books regarding what is procedure when a dog bites a person. The ordinance is unclear when it is a case of a dog biting another dog, he said, and he suggested they could add something to make responsibilities and consequences more clear.

(ShoreNewsToday - July 19, 2017)

Earlier:

• New Jersey: Family's Yorkie mauled to death on the front steps of their home by Anita Puglise's Akita, say police

New Jersey: Family's Yorkie mauled to death on the front steps of their home by Anita Puglise's Akita, say police

NEW JERSEY -- The Karrers lost a beloved member of their family when an unleashed dog mauled their teacup Yorkshire terrier on the doorstep of their West Meyran Avenue home.

On June 11, the Karrer family — Ross and Lisa and their sons Braydon and Bryce — had nothing special going on when a terrible scene played out in front of them.

“I want to wake up and everything be just like normal and all of this is just a very bad dream,” said Lisa Karrer.

The cremains of the family pet sit encased in a small oak box on the table. Lisa Karrer said she filed a police complaint about the attacking dog, which they learned was an Akita, in hopes the owner will be more careful in the future.

The owner of the dog is Anita Puglise, according to police.

Puglise, who resides a block away in the 200 block of West Dawes Avenue, did not respond to repeated attempts to obtain comment.

"I don't want anyone else to have to deal with this. My hope is that people remember it is their responsibility to keep their dog on their own property," Lisa Karrer said.

She described the scene of the attack in detail and the pool of blood that was left on the patio.

The Karrers' younger dog, 3-year-old Hemi, was sitting just outside the sliding doors to the kitchen, on the steps leading to the patio and the family’s backyard beyond. Their other dog, 8-year-old Jetta, was asleep inside the kitchen.

Lisa Karrer said a dog running loose in the neighborhood wandered into their backyard and started biting and mauling the tiny Yorkie. Karrer said she heard the terrible noise of the dogs and came running into the kitchen along with her eldest son, 9-year-Braydon, who began yelling at the Akita to let Hemi go.

“This great big, white, wolf-like dog walked into our backyard. He was not on a leash. He just came up to the door and devoured my dog,” said Lisa Karrer.

Braydon put a bear hug on the back of the attacking dog while telling his mom, “I am not letting go, I have to save Hemi,” according to Lisa Karrer, who said she was so afraid the dog was going to bite Braydon. They managed to keep Jetta inside the house.

Ross Karrer, a Somers Point firefighter, was on his way home from the store at the time.

Neighbors heard the screaming and came running to the Karrers' home.

"I heard the screams, the kind you know something is wrong, and ran into the yard," said Kenny Pollock, a neighbor just moving in, who is an Ocean City firefighter. He said he saw the two boys face down right by the dog and they were crying.

The Akita dropped the small dog, which Pollock said appeared deceased.

He grabbed a nearby towel, wrapped up Hemi, placed him on a table and encouraged the boys to go inside the house.

"I saw that big white dog hanging around, and I grabbed a leash to try and get it but it would not come near me."

Ross Karrer, who had been gone just a few minutes, came home to find neighbors and, soon, Somers Point police Officer Paul Scapellato, arriving at his house. Karrer’s rescue instincts kicked in, and he tried to revive the dog.

The police report states Ross Karrer was holding his dog in his arms when the officers arrived. Karrer left to take Hemi to Red Bank Animal Emergency Hospital in Linwood, where the Yorkie died from his injuries.

Ross Karrer said neighbors told him they had seen the Akita wandering loose several times over the preceding weeks.

Police presented Puglise with three complaints, for a dog running at large, having an unlicensed dog and having a vicious and potentially dangerous dog.

Police Chief Michael Boyd confirmed there were several complaints about a dog in the neighborhood running at large a few weeks prior to the attack, but there had been no prior incidents of the dog fighting with another dog.

Lisa Karrer said she was told the Akita was up to date on all of its inoculations and shots, including rabies.

Puglise made her first court appearance June 13, when she paid the fines for the dog running at large and unlicensed dog summonses.

According to Somers Point Court Administrator Margy Wismer, the summons for a vicious or potentially dangerous dog will be heard by Judge Howard Freed at 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 18.

(shorenewstoday - July 12, 2017)

United Kingdom: Pat Mahon and Leanne McHugh facing jail after her Japanese Akita mauled elderly neighbor, leaving her with horrific facial injuries

UNITED KINGDOM -- THE owner of a dog which ravaged a woman’s face – permanently disfiguring her – after she tried to kiss it goodbye at a funeral is facing jail.

Sylvia Baillie, 60, was at a neighbour’s home in Paisley when she was attacked by a Japanese Akita dog, needing so many stitches that docs lost count.

She described how she had stopped by their home after a funeral last Wednesday when the dog suddenly turned on her as she tried to leave.

Paisley Sheriff Court heard the animal also savaged a 72-year-old woman in a separate attack, ripping the flesh from her arm.

And a 72-year-old woman was also savaged by the beast, leaving her wrist bone exposed, in an earlier attack last June.

The dog, which has been in kennels since being seized by police probing the attacks, faces being put down.

And its owner, Leeanne McHugh, is facing jail after admitting responsibility over the attack.

McHugh, 35, and boyfriend Patrick Maher, 46, appeared in the dock at Paisley Sheriff Court today over the attacks.

They struck a deal with prosecutors which saw charges that the dog also attacked a baby and another woman and worried another dog dropped – in exchange for both of them admitting their guilt to a single charge under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

McHugh admitted being the owner of a dog that was dangerously out of control when it attacked Baillie and left her badly hurt and scarred for life.

And her partner Maher pleaded guilty to being in charge of a dog that was dangerously out of control when it attacked his elderly aunt, Jane Darroch, and left her with “severe injury and permanent disfigurement” to her arm.

Procurator Fiscal Depute Alan Parfery told the court that Sylvia Baillie was attacked at the pair’s home in Paisley on July 13 last year.

He explained: “All parties have, tragically, had to attend a funeral that day and had been drinking during the course of the day at the funeral.

“The 60-year-old [Sylvia Baillie] made to leave the property during the course of the evening and, in the course of waving and saying goodbye, made to wave goodbye to the dog.

“She went to give the dog a kiss and, at that time, the dog bit her on the face. The dog’s jaw locked, for what’s described as a few seconds, before her daughter grabbed the dog and pulled the dog away.

“Neither [McHugh of Maher] did anything during that period of time. They were both in the room and [McHugh], the owner of the dog, did nothing during that time, albeit it was a short time.”

Maher then took the dog out of the living room and told police probing the attack that it ran away. McHugh tried to treat Baillie’s injuries and the police and ambulance were called.

Mr Parfery, prosecuting, added: “When emergency services arrived they found the 60-year-old [Sylvia Baillie] with a wound to the left side of her face.

“She had been attempting to stem some of the blood with toilet paper but ambulance workers had to apply a large pressure pad. The injury was very severe and she is permanently disfigured.

“Doctors are unable to say how many stitches were applied as they were both external – to the face – and inside her mouth.

“There were so many stitches inserted, the doctors could not say.”

Some two weeks earlier, on June 30 last year, the dog had attacked Maher’s elderly aunt, 72-year-old Jane Darroch.

Mr Parfery said Maher had been at his aunt’s home to visit her and had tied the dog up outside – and that it struck when he left.

The prosecutor explained: “It had been tied to a pole at the bottom of an access ramp that led to the front door for about 30 minutes.

“Jane Darroch walked the accused [Maher] out of her home address and began having a conversation with him about what he was going to have for his dinner.
“She had her right hand within her jacket pocket.

“She said to the accused, ‘you better get down the road’ at which time she was bitten around the right wrist by the Akita, who appeared to come from behind her and without anything she would describe as provocation.

“She describes the dog as ‘biting down’ and that the pain was ‘unbearable’. She was able to rip her arm from the mouth of the Akita. She was in a state of distress and her arm was bleeding profusely.

“Maher asked, ‘has the dog ripped your jacket, Auntie Jane?’ and she replied, ‘it’s ripped my arm’. She was able to see the bone.”

Mrs Darroch was later driven to hospital by her husband where 12 stitches were used to seal the wound to her wrist.

Sheriff David Pender called for background reports on Maher and McHugh, deferred sentence until next month and continued their bail.

In July, Sylvia revealed she could no longer bring herself to look in the mirror after the horrific attack.

“I’m distraught. I’ve had flashbacks of the dog launching itself at my face and I can’t sleep. A surgeon told me that he had never seen a dog bite as bad.

“I’d been at the house and as I got up to leave I went to pat the dog on the head when it just jumped at me and bit into my face.”

The animal was throwing her from side-to-side when her daughter rushed into the room and managed to pull the animal off her.

She passed out and needed emergency surgery – during which doctors lost count of the number of stitches used.

(The Sun UK - Jan 12, 2017)

Earlier:

• United Kingdom: Family of pensioner scarred for life after horror Akita attack 'want dog destroyed'

United Kingdom: Akita Rottweiler mix has attacked child and mail carrier. Why are they even considering letting the owner keep the dog?

UNITED KINGDOM -- A dangerous dog mauled a seven-year-old and bit a postman in the groin area in two separate attacks in Walsall.

The fate of the Rottweiler / Japanese Akita mix named Oscar is now in the hands of a district judge.

In two separate incidents, the dog left puncture wounds in a young boy's hand, while a 55-year-old postman had a cut to his groin and suspected damage to his urethra, as well as another injury to his arm.

The owner, 54-year-old Steven Russon, pleaded guilty to being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control outside his home address on Lower Forster Street in Walsall on August 21.

Another defendant, Nicola Pegg, 37, also pleaded guilty to the same crime concerning the same dog, but committed on September 1 at her home address on Druids Walk in Walsall. The court was told she had been taking care of the dog while Russon was at a hospital appointment.

Describing the first incident at Walsall magistrates' court, prosecutor Rachel Smith said that a man was walking past Russon's property with his young son and daughter at around 2.50pm.

He noticed that there were two young women and a vehicle parked outside the house and they appeared to be loading items in the car with the front door open, from which the canine emerged.

Miss Smith said: "The dog ran into the street and bit the seven-year-old's hand, latching on with the bite for about eight to ten seconds. The seven-year-old was screaming and the father was trying to get the dog off him."

The court heard how Russon then appeared and got hold of the dog, taking it inside and shutting the door. He then reappeared with the hound and instructed the girls to take it in the car.

Miss Smith added: "He said to the father, what do you want me to do about it?"

The father challenged this, and an ambulance was called to attend to the youngster who had two puncture wounds to his left hand. However by this time Russon, the girls and the dog had driven away.

Attempts were made by police to trace and seize the dog, but they were unable to locate him.

Then on September 1, a postman attempted to make a delivery to Pegg's home, but encountered the dog.

"It bit him in the groin area and the dog hung on," said Miss Smith.

The dog then started jumping up in an attempt to also bite the victim to the side of his chest, and as he attempted to protect himself with his left arm it then bit that instead, leaving him with a bleeding wound on his forearm.

Russon was then contacted and turned up, with Miss Smith adding: "He offered him £50 and gave him his number. He [the complainant] didn't know why he did it."

As a result of this attack the postman had to go to hospital, where it was discovered that he had a one centimetre cut to the groin, bruising and swelling, and suspected damage to his urethra.

Representing the defendants, David Grice said that Russon denied any implication that he had given the £50 to the postman as a bribe. "He says the £50 was for a taxi to get him to the hospital as quick as possible," said Mr Grice.

The court also heard how a police report on Oscar, who has been in kennels since, identified that he obeyed commands and his behaviour was not a cause of concern. The police handler noted that 'territorial aggression' was common among these breeds.

Hearing the case, district judge David Webster asked for further clarification over a photograph provided of the injury to the child, and also the circumstances surrounding the £50.

Adjourning the case to be heard before him again on January 5, he said: "This is an offence which might require immediate destruction of the dog."

(Express and Star - Dec 10, 2016)

United Kingdom: Maltese puppy snatched from owner's yard by two other dogs and mauled to death. Owner could hear the puppy screaming while being ripped to pieces.

UNITED KINGDOM -- A HORRIFIED couple have spoken of the moment two dogs dragged their “squealing” nine-month-old puppy into a compound and mauled him to death.

Murray’s owners have vowed to take civil action against the dogs’ owners and called for tougher punishments.

Jim and Linda Masterton said their “gorgeous” Maltese puppy – named after tennis player Andy Murray – was dragged from their garden through a hedge by Akita and bulldog type pets on Monday morning.

Linda said her granddaughters, aged six and three, had been playing on the patch of lawn Murray was dragged from the day before.

She said: “It is terrifying to think if they had come through yesterday.

“All I heard was the dog squealing and being dragged through the hedge.

“Murray was gorgeous. He can never be replaced. He had a lovely life. He was our little dog and it was only nine-months-old today.”

Husband Jim added: “I am not prepared to put up with this. I have complained to Community Pride about the dogs in the past because I think they make too much noise.

“They are in a caged compound.”

The couple from north east Lincolnshire said their neighbours are reinforcing fences in case the dogs escape their compound again.

The couple claimed the dogs came through a hole in the rear fence and dragged the tiny puppy into their compound.

A neighbour added: “It is dreadful. I don’t want these dogs coming through here.

“I am nervous of dogs at the best of times. I would be fearful if my relative’s spaniel came to visit.”

Following the alleged attack neighbours went and showed the owner of the dogs Murray’s body.

A Humberside Police spokeswoman said: “Police have been made aware of an incident of two dogs attacking another in the Meadowbank area of Great Coates in Grimsby.

“The incident, which was reported to have resulted in the death of one dog, was called in to police just after 10am.

“Appropriate advice was offered to the caller and the matter is now being assessed by the force’s dog officer.”

Leading canine expert Debbie Connolly said the Dangerous Dogs Act does not cover dog-on-dog attacks.

She said:  “Police generally don’t act on such cases because it is a civil matter.

“A dog warden can take action and issue a community protection order which could mean a dog is neutered or order for fences to be properly built.

“People get frustrated because the Act does not include dog-on-dog cover. But there is the clause about reasonable apprehension of a bite to a person.

“If there is an attack on your dog and you are stood next to the dogs and trying to separate them, there is a reasonable apprehension you could be bitten.”

For this reason Debbie advised always reporting such incidents to dog wardens and said compensation can be gained through civil action.

Police have advised the public to report dog bites and dangerous dogs by calling 101 or 999 in an emergency.

The owner of the dogs has been approached for comment.

(The Sun - ‎Sept 13, 2016‎)

Colorado: Dog killer Eric Miller sentenced to probation, anger management classes

COLORADO -- A Colorado man convicted of killing and burying his neighbor’s dog has been sentenced to two years of probation.

Eric Miller, 54, was also ordered to go through anger management classes and complete 100 hours of community service.

Miller shot the dog in 2015 simply because it had come onto his property in a rural neighborhood near Rollinsville, prosecutors said.

Miller shot the dog twice, removed its collar and buried it in a shallow grave, according to the district attorney’s office.

Josh with Ragnor who Eric Miller killed

“It really messed me up,” Josh Davis, who owned the dog, Ragnar, told FOX31 Denver in 2015.

Davis’ roommate said he let Ragnar outside, he heard a gunshot followed by the sounds of a crying dog coming from private land next door.

“You wouldn’t think that someone would shoot your dog,” Davis said. “They drove up to the guy’s property. He had an AR-15 in his hand and said, ‘I didn’t shoot a dog.’”

Josh with his other dog

But when Ragnar didn’t come home, Davis said they revisited the property the next day.

“We found a blood trail coming down, off the back of the hill from [Miller’s] property,” Davis said.

At the bottom of the hill his roommate found shallow grave.

“He stuck his hands in and about 8 inches deep was Ragnar’s body,” Davis said.

(KDVR - Aug 30, 2016)

Earlier:

• Colorado: Eric Miller, 53, accused of shooting and killing his neighbor's dog, burying it and then letting his neighbor continue searching for him
• Colorado: Josh Davis seeks justice for his dog which was shot and killed by neighbor, Eric Miller
• Colorado: Eric R. Miller, 53, seeks new trial in dog killing over county commissioner's role on jury

United Kingdom: Girl, eight, is scarred for life when she is savaged by neighbour's Japanese Akita as she plays with a friend

UNITED KINGDOM -- An eight-year-old girl was left scarred for life after she had 'her face torn apart' by her neighbor's dog.

Schoolgirl Kelci Lindley needed plastic surgery after she was mauled by Storm the Japanese Akita as she played with a friend at a house in Grimsby, Lincolnshire.

Mother Shona said her daughter was petting the dog's head when it turned and attacked, leaving the tip of her nose 'hanging off' her face. 

Owner Amanda Arnott pleaded guilty to owning a dog dangerously out of control to cause injury and the Akita was put down. 

Ms Lindley, 25, claims that Arnott failed to mention Storm had previously attacked another child when she allowed Kelci to come over and play with her daughter. 

The mother-of-four said: 'It was a big thing for me to allow Kelci to go around to her friend's house in the first place. The friend had been around to our house the week before so I felt bad saying no and I agreed to it.

'But apparently there had been an incident when a young boy has also been bitten on the head by the same dog while he was playing in the street.'

She added: 'Just like any mum, I'd never have let my daughter go round there if I knew there was a vicious dog on the loose.'

Ms Lindley and her partner, Lewis Leggett, 26, found out Kelci had been attacked when Arnott's daughter ran to their house screaming 'the dog's got her face'.

Ms Lindley said she arrived at her neighbour's to find Arnott wiping the blood of Kelci, who had suffered cuts to her eye, lip, nose and hand.

Kelci was taken to Hull Royal Infirmary Hospital were she underwent a five-hour surgery to stitch her wounds and put her nose back in place. 

Specialists have told the family that Kelci will be scarred for life, Ms Lindley claims. 
The family even had to give away their own dog, Blaze, because Kelci was so traumatised by the incident. 

Ms Lindley said: 'Kelci was such an outgoing kid, she loves people and animals, yet she's been left terrified by this, she thought she was going to die.'

Arnott pleaded guilty to owning a dog dangerously out of control to cause injury at Grimsby Magistrates Court on May 11.

She was given a two year conditional discharge and ordered to compensate Kelci £400.

Shona added: 'It also seems completely unfair for her to pretty much get away with it while we live with the consequences. There should be stricter laws about housing dangerous animals - I would do anything for this to have never happened to my girl or any other child.' 

(Daily Mail - Aug 24, 2016)

Pennsylvania: Delco woman Rockiesha Rothwell, 37, accused of letting dog bake to death charged with animal cruelty

PENNSYLVANIA -- A Chester woman who went on vacation and allegedly left her dog to bake to death in the blazing sun and three others to suffer extreme neglect is facing criminal charges.

Rockiesha Rothwell, 37, has been charged with four counts – one misdemeanor and three summary offenses – of animal cruelty, according to public records.

On July 7, Humane Officer Ron Riggle and assistant Sean Rowan, who had previously been to the house to check on dogs' welfare, went to Rothwell's home on the 1300 block of Vauclain Street to see if she had acquired a new puppy.

Megan Farrell, Providence Animal Center admissions
associate, holds Janet, a malnourished and neglected
pit bull, rescued from a Chester home along with
three other dogs. Janet has since been adopted.

The shelter had received a call about two dogs left outside for at least two days in brutally hot conditions without water or food, officials have previously said.

When they arrived at the home, they saw a collapsed male Akita chained to a cinder block in the yard. The dog appeared to be curled up and very lethargic, and did not have access to water or shade, according to public records.

As Riggle called the shelter's lawyer to remove the animal, the dog began "moaning and writhing and eventually became still." Riggle tried to resuscitate the dog but was unsuccessful, according to public records.

The Akita's internal temperature was 111 degrees; a temperature of 109 would cause multi-organ deterioration. The cause of death was listed as heat stroke and cardio-respiratory arrest, according to court records.

"A dog suffering from heat stroke will have severe respiratory distress, arrhythmias, brain damage causing seizures and coma and death, which causes severe and intense suffering," according to the court documents.

Steam escaped from the Akita's body when staff veterinarian Kimberly Boudwin started to perform a necropsy, officials said.

Riggle confiscated another dog that was left outside in a wire crate with no water.

Rothwell was called and signed over the surviving animals.

The next day, armed with a search warrant and accompanied by police, Riggle found two more dogs in crates, a bearded dragon and fish at the home.

The dogs – all underweight and covered with sores – were covered in their own feces and had urine burns on their paws and bellies, official said at the time.

The three dogs were given the names Janet, Jack and Chrissy after the hit 1970s TV comedy Three's Company. Janet and Chrissy have since been adopted.

(Philly.com - Aug 19, 2016)

United Kingdom: Two guide dogs were attacked in the same area of woodland, leaving one of their owners housebound

UNITED KINGDOM -- Jason Lane’s beloved Golden Labrador Crispin was set upon by two hounds in Warley Woods, near Bearwood.

He soon learned that fellow Bearwood resident and guide dog owner Daniel Lethbridge had been through the same ordeal in exactly the same place.

Mr Lane, 45, who has no sight in his left and limited eye-sight in his right as a result of diabetes, said: “My attack when I was out with my partner Jonathan and my dog Crispin.

"There is an area of Warley Woods where lots of people walk their dogs, and these two Lurchers were with a woman nearby. They just came at him, the two of them acting as a pack.”

Mr Lane’s faithful four-year-old guide dog suffered a puncture wound just above his back legs, which put him out of action for two weeks.

This left Mr Lane housebound at his Milcote Road property during the festive period.

Since then, Mr Lane learned through the local Guide Dogs Organisation, of Mr Lethbridge’s attack.

Mr Lethbridge, of Park Road, relies on his guide dog, six-year-old German Shepherd Midge, as a result of the condition Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy.

When an Akita-type dog attacked him and Midge at the end of May, Mr Lethbridge could just make out a large dark shape.

“I was very shaken up. All I knew was that there was something big and black and growling.”

At the time the 40-year-old was with his wife Joanne, 46, and her little dog at around 6.30pm.

“This large dog went for my wife’s little dog and Midge got in between, and then started at Midge. Then it went for me and bit my right forearm,” he said.

He was taken to City Hospital by ambulance. Although his injury has now healed he is still feeling the psychological impact, and like Mr Lane now avoids that area of the woods.

Andrea Jones of the Guide Dogs Organisation said: “Shockingly, since 2010, the number of reported dog attacks on guide dogs has increased from three to 11 per month nationally.

"Imagine not being able to see and just hearing the noise of a dog coming out of nowhere and attacking your dog. It is incredibly scary.

“Our message for all dog owners is that if you see an assistance dog, please keep your dog on a lead and under control at all times, as a precaution.’

(Express and Star - Aug 5, 2016)

Colorado: Eric R. Miller, 53, seeks new trial in dog killing over county commissioner's role on jury

COLORADO -- A Gilpin County man convicted of shooting and burying a neighbor's dog is asking for a new trial, alleging that a county commissioner who sat on his jury had suggested in emails prior to the trial that he should be fired from his contract position with the county.

Eric Miller, 54, was convicted in May of felony animal cruelty and petty theft for shooting a neighbor's Akita mix and burying it on his property near Rollinsville in October.

Eric Zale, Miller's attorney, alleges in court filings that Gilpin County Commissioner Linda Isenhart failed to speak up during jury selection when asked if she knew Miller — who was a contract employee for the county — and did not voluntarily offer her opinions regarding his guilt or innocence.

However, in an email sent about two weeks after the shooting — and the day after Miller was charged — Isenhart wrote, "This is horrible. And (sic) worse yet that Miller works for our community development department. I hope that we sever ties with this person immediately."

On the same day, Isenhart also responded "agreed" to an email with the subject line "Re: murderers should not be employed by Gilpin," and, in another email, wrote, "Yes and I hope that neither of my dogs ever encounter evil of this kind."

Also on the same day, Isenhart wrote that, "Perhaps Mr. Miller could have called the Sheriff's office when feeling threatened. Burying the dog rather than returning it to the owner is wrong."

About six weeks later, Isenhart laid out the basic allegations of the case in another email, inquired about its progress and wrote, "I don't think we should be doing business with Mr. Miller," according to court records.

During the trial, Isenhart received an email from a county employee expressing surprise that she hadn't been recused from serving on the jury since Miller is a contract employee, and the county was reviewing an animal control ordinance.

Isenhart responded that one of the defense attorneys asked her whether Miller worked for the county, and she replied that he was a contractor, but not a county employee. She added, "I'll be glad when this is over."

The emails were included in Miller's motion seeking a new trial and were obtained by his attorney under the Colorado Open Records Act.

Zale, who declined to comment, unsuccessfully sought to have Isenhart taken off of the jury panel during jury selection because of her connection to Miller through the county. He argues in court filings that she never intimated during jury selection that she had preconceived notions regarding Miller's guilt.

Isenhart could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

The dog's owner, Joshua Davis, told the Daily Camera in October that friends of his who were on his property heard gunshots and a dog whimpering followed by more shots. His friends reported seeing Miller with what appeared to be an AR-15 rifle, but he denied shooting any dog.

Davis said he found his dog, Ragnar, the following day after returning to Miller's property and following a blood trail to a shallow grave, where the dog was buried.

The jury deliberated about 50 minutes following a day of testimony and arguments before convicting Miller. Court records were not clear as to whether he's been sentenced yet, but he is due in court Aug. 26 on his motion seeking a new trial.

He remains in custody in Gilpin County.

(Daily Camera - Aug 2, 2016)

Earlier:

• Colorado: Eric Miller, 53, accused of shooting and killing his neighbor's dog, burying it and then letting his neighbor continue searching for him
• Colorado: Josh Davis seeks justice for his dog which was shot and killed by neighbor, Eric Miller

United Kingdom: Ferocious dog attack leaves Blackburn boy scarred for life

UNITED KINGDOM -- A little boy is recovering from serious injuries after a vicious dog attack in Blackburn.

12-year-old Kyle Willets was playing at a friend’s house on Monday when the Japanese Akita launched towards his face, leaving him with life long scars.

The Our Lady St. John's pupil has since undergone reconstructive surgery on his top lip and the dog has been put to sleep.

Kyle's mum, Natalie Horner, told 2BR of her horror when she saw her son in the immediate aftermath of the attack: "I couldn't physically face my own son because of the extent of the injuries. I took one look at him and I actually thought his top lip was missing. That's when my oldest daughter had to step in to call the ambulance. I never want to see anything like that again, I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

"The top of his mouth had been detached from under his nose, down through his top lip, through his bottom lip, as well as down under his chin. When he came through the door he was holding himself up, covered in blood and I panicked.

"I was scared because it's my baby's face at the end of the day - you carry that for life."

The 32-year-old mum of four explains how the attack came about: "There was a bit of commotion going on between the lads and the dog took it the wrong way and thought there was an actual fight going on. It lunged for Kyle's face once, someone got the dog off but it went back a second time.

Kyle ran home in shock with no shoes on. Loads of kids were screaming because he was running across covered in blood."

Kyle was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital before being transferred for specialist treatment at Manchester Children’s Hospital. He spent three hours in surgery while doctors worked to reconstruct his face, though he will need further work if he's ever to have full mobility of his lip in the future.

Natalie says she doesn't blame the dog's owner, "She's done the right thing by putting the dog down. I've always been wary of bigger dogs but any dog can pounce. Everyone needs to be aware, especially over the six week holidays. If everyone puts their dogs to one side when other people's kids are at their houses that would help because I honestly don't ever want to see anything like that again.

(2BR News - Aug 3, 2016)

United Kingdom: Family of pensioner scarred for life after horror Akita attack 'want dog destroyed'

UNITED KINGDOM -- THIS is what a powerful Japanese Akita did to a mum who patted it on the head.

Sylvia Baillie, 60, was scarred for life when the dog sank its teeth into her face at a neighbor’s home.

Her furious brother Steven said yesterday: “I want the dog destroyed before this happens to someone else. My sister is lying in a hospital bed with half her face hanging off. Her injuries are horrendous. It’s absolutely heartbreaking for her.”

Sylvia was attacked in Paisley on Wednesday after going back to the home of the dog’s owners, neighbors Pat Mahon and Leanne McHugh, after a funeral.

The dog savaged her when she patted it as she went to leave. Her 30-year-old daughter, also called Leanne, had to drag it off her.

Sylvia was taken to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley then moved to the Queen Elizabeth in Glasgow for specialist treatment.

She had 13 stitches and is being fed through a tube. Steven, 56, said: “She will be scarred for life. She may need more operations.

“I went straight down there as soon as I got the call. I didn’t think it would be as bad as it was but as soon as I saw her I just gave her a cuddle. My sons, Mark and Kevin, were so shocked they had to leave the room and come back in. The whole family is utterly devastated.

“I want people to be very careful and know how dangerous these dogs are. I want owners to be more responsible and know how to control them.

“If my niece hadn’t been able to pull that dog off Sylvia, I dread to think what would have happened. If it had been a child the dog had attacked, that child would be dead.

“Sylvia says she only went to the neighbor’s to be polite. This is the last thing she expected to happen. The police have been to see her in hospital but she can’t really speak properly at the moment.”

Akitas were originally bred as hunting dogs. Experts say they can sometimes be aggressive to other dogs and people they do not know, but the right training can limit any such problems.

The Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said: “Akitas are a very powerful breed and require experienced owners. We are very sorry to hear of this incident. It must have been extremely distressing for the person involved.”

Police inquiries were continuing. Mahon, 46, and McHugh, 35, did not respond to requests for comment.

(Daily Record - July 16, 2016)

North Carolina: Owner looking to thank Good Samaritans who saved her dog from attack

NORTH CAROLINA -- A Greenville woman says her 7-month-old puppy was attacked by three dogs Wednesday afternoon and now she wants your help in finding the two good Samaritans who helped save her dog so that she can thank them.

The dog's owner, Jacqueline Patrick-Rueff, says a pit bull and two other dogs attacked her dog, Kona, while they were in the yard.

Her next-door neighbor, a nearby UPS driver, and a man named Mike ran to her house and helped get the pit bull off of Kona as it was biting Kona's neck.

Kona suffered injuries to his neck and hind legs, but is expected to be okay, something Patrick-Rueff says wouldn't have happened if it weren't for the UPS driver and Mike.

"If these people had not stopped and, in my opinion, risked their lives, the pit bull would have killed my dog and gone after me," she says.

 

Kona is training to be Patrick-Rueff's service dog, so she says she is especially grateful for the two men's help.

She says the man named Mike left his wife and child at the Good Harvest Bread Company and sprinted across Evans St. to help her and Kona out in her front yard.

 

The Greenville Police Department says the pit bull suffered injuries in the attack and was later euthanized. The owner of the pit bull and one of the other dogs was cited for two leash law violations and has been cooperating. Officers are working to identify the third dog in the attack.

(WITN - June 16, 2016)