Texas: Family's dog to be euthanized after attacking their 6-year-old daughter

Note: There is a discrepancy in defining the dog. The article first says it's a Pit Bull; later they refer to it as an American Bulldog mix. It may be a Pit Bull / American Bulldog. Either way, it's what's referred to as a "bully breed", the ones known for attacking the most

TEXAS -- A 6-year-old old girl had to be taken to a Tyler hospital Monday after she was attacked by her family's pit bull in the Winona area.

At around 9:15 a.m., two animal control officers and a deputy constable responded to the home in the 12500 block of 18th Avenue.

The Smith County Sheriff's Office stated the child was taken to a hospital by the 6-year-old girl's grandparents. The family did not accept EMS help, according to Smith County Animal Control.

The 1-year-old American bulldog mix was tethered until officials arrived.

SURPRISED OWNERS
The parents of the child reported the dog attack was unprovoked. They also stated there were no display of past aggression in the three months they had owned the pet.

The child had been playing with the dog inside the fenced-in front yard when the child began screaming because she did not want to leave the dog. The dog then attacked the child, biting both of her legs.

Smith County Animal Control has requested for confirmation of the dog’s vaccinations. The dog was surrendered to Animal Control Officers upon arrival to be euthanized and submitted for rabies testing.

The child's name will not be released.

(East Texas Matters - April 2, 2018)

Australia: Deadly South African Boerboel that left a 10-year-old girl fighting for life in hospital with wounds to her head, neck and groin is put down after savage attack

AUSTRALIA -- A family's deadly dog which mauled a 10-year-old girl has been put down after a savage attack left the girl fighting for her life.

Two unregistered dogs were seized by council officers after the girl was left with shocking injuries from her own pet in the Melbourne suburb of Berwick on Sunday.

In a statement on Monday evening, the City of Casey Council confirmed a South African Boerboel had been 'destroyed' with the owner's permission.

The council said: 'The dog believed to be responsible for the attack has been identified as a South African Boerboel, while the second dog has been identified as a Bull Mastiff. Neither dogs were registered with the City of Casey.'

The council on Monday revealed they have previously issued four infringements to the dogs' owner.

Officers were called to the same home in December after the family's other dog, a Bull Mastiff, acted aggressively towards a passer-by.

But the incident wasn't considered severe enough to seize the dog from its owners, who were slapped with a fine.

The council said the previous infringements imposed on the family were for biting a person, the dog being 'at large' at night and failing to register two dogs.

Earlier, hero neighbors described the moment they saved the girl who was 'thrown around like a rag doll' as she was viciously mauled by her own dog.

 

 

 

Dr Liz Walker, Chief Executive of the RSPCA, described the attack as a 'tragic and devastating event', but urged the family to consider having the dog euthanized.

'This is a discussion for the family and the council. But It would have to be something they would seriously consider,' Dr Walker told the broadcaster.

The girl remains in hospital and is lucky to be alive, according to neighbors who helped saved her.

Jimmy Baird was at home watching television with his wife when they heard screaming from a nearby house.

'A young girl came out saying her sister was being attacked by the dog,' he said.

Mr Baird and another neighbor ran to the home where they found the terrified girl banging on a door trying to get away from the dog.

'We tried to get the door open. As I opened the door, this massive head was coming through the door frothing at the mouth. It was obviously going to go us,' Mr Baird told Nine Network on Monday.

The men went around to the side of the house and distracted the dog, allowing the girl to escape.

'I'm glad we were there because the young girl probably wouldn't have survived,' Mr Baird said.

Another neighbor told 3AW their mother and their mother's boyfriend were at the gym when the dog attacked.

The neighbors said the mother seemed more concerned about her pets than her daughters.

"Not once was there, 'Where's my daughter? How is she?' It was just... [about] the dogs", said one neighbor.

 

 

She was covered in dirt, leaves, blood, yeah, just in shock

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said dog owners need to take responsibility for their animals.

'If you own an animal then it is your primary responsibility to make sure that you have control of that animal and that it doesn't pose a risk to others,' Andrews said.

Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton said the matter would be handled by the local council but added the incident served as a reminder for people to keep control of their dogs.

'Whether they're in your backyard or out on the street, it doesn't absolve your responsibility of keeping your animals under control,' Mr Ashton said.

Note: Neither of these Boerboels attacked the little girl, but
I'm posting so you get an idea how big these dogs are.

(Daily Mail - March 5, 2018)

Australia: Boy, 3, attacked by Great Dane has his ear surgically reattached

AUSTRALIA -- A three-year-old boy who was torn from his bike and dragged by a Great Dane almost double his size has had his ear surgically reattached.

Little Tom Higgins was riding his bike and collecting cans for recycling with his family in Newcastle on Tuesday evening when the dog escaped through an open gate, biting his neck and ear.

The young boy underwent surgery at John Hunter Children’s Hospital on Wednesday and police say the dog is likely to be destroyed following a council investigation. The child remains in hospital in a stable condition.

Tom was the third child in just four days to be savagely mauled by pet dogs in Australia — leading to calls for new guidelines for owners and bans on dangerous breeds.

The first attack came on Saturday. One-year-old Kamillah Jones was in a stroller in the NSW town of Inverell when a Rottweiler attacked her.

She was rushed to Inverell District Hospital in an ambulance, but her injuries were so severe she couldn’t be saved.

There was another attack on Sunday, this time in Melbourne, where a 10-year-old girl was seriously injured by her family's Bull Mastiff.

That attack happened while her parents were reportedly at the gym.

When speaking about the attack in Newcastle, NSW Police’s Detective Acting Inspector Jeffrey Little said the owners of any dog that attacks a person are liable.

DELUSIONAL DOG OWNERS
However, the Great Dane’s owners said the canine simply does not like bikes, the Seven Network reported.

The Great Dane will likely be euthanized, say police

(News AU - March 8, 2018)

Earlier:

• Australia: Boy, 3, riding bicycle is attacked by Great Dane; has part of his ear ripped off

Australia: Boy, 3, riding bicycle is attacked by Great Dane; has part of his ear ripped off

AUSTRALIA -- A three-year-old boy is undergoing surgery to reattach part of his ear after being attacked by a Great Dane while riding his bicycle in Newcastle.

In the third serious dog attack in under a week, the little boy was riding down Antill Street in the suburb of Mayfield with his mother and older sister shortly after 6.30pm yesterday when the large dog ran out of an open gate and lunged.

Detective Acting Inspector Jeffrey Little said it was fortunate the child wasn't more seriously injured.

"The child has sustained injuries to the back of his neck and to the right side of his ear and has actually undergone surgery this morning," he said at a press conference in Newcastle this morning.

The dog retreated to its property, while the boy was treated by paramedics at the scene before being taken to John Hunter Hospital.

Police have spoken to the boy's mother, who they say is "holding up quite well".

"Everybody is lucky in this circumstance that it hasn’t ended up worse," Detective Little said.

"This is traumatic for the family and probably for the dog owner as well."

Police and the local council are investigating the attack, and there was "every chance" the dog responsible would be destroyed.

It comes just days after a 12-month-old baby girl Kamillah was mauled to death by a Rottweiler at her grandmother’s house in the central NSW town of Inverell on Saturday.

The following day, a 10-year-old girl was viciously mauled by her family’s South African Boerboel (other reports called it a Bull Mastiff) while home alone with her younger sister in Melbourne.

The girl remains in hospital, while the dog responsible for the attack has been put down.

Detective Little said the spat of attacks should serve as a timely reminder to dog owners and parents alike to be vigilant when children are around unleashed dogs.

"It goes without saying, without telling parents how to do their job, just to be vigilant when they are outside with their kids. There is always a potential when there is a dog which is running loose," he said.

"Children are particularly vulnerable to attacks by dogs by their mere size, and certainly they can suffer serious physical and psychological injuries – and unfortunately, as we’ve seen in recent days, even death."

The Great Dane that attacked the little boy

He also urged anyone with concerns about a potentially dangerous dog to contact their local council.

"Dogs are an animal, and every dog has the potential - large or small - to attack."

In New South Wales, dog owners whose pets are involved in an attack face up to five years' imprisonment and fines of up to $77,000.

(9News - March 6, 2018)

Australia: Baby girl, 1, being pushed in a stroller by her mother dies after being attacked by Rottweiler

AUSTRALIA -- The little girl killed in a dog attack at Inverell, in northern NSW, yesterday is being remembered as a "loved and adored by so many."

One-year-old Kamillah Jones was being pushed down the street by her mother in her stroller, when it's understood a Rottweiler leaped over a fence and attacked her.

She was taken to hospital but died of her injuries on the way.

Her aunt Ida Boney took to Facebook yesterday to describe the tragedy.

"She was actually being walked by her mother in a pram on the way to her granny's house just one block away," she wrote.

"There are no words to describe a scene where a mother is fighting with every ounce of her being to save her baby girl.

"Our family have lost our baby girl who never got a chance to live her life," she said.

A GoFundMe page started on Saturday has so far raised $710 of its $6,000 goal to help the family in its time of need.

Emergency services were called to a home on Greaves St, Inverell, about 2.20pm yesterday following reports a Rottweiler attacked the baby.

Officers who arrived the scene found the child suffering critical injuries.

She was treated at the scene but died on the way to hospital, NSW Police said.

Reports yesterday suggested the Rottweiler dog belonged to the child's family — either immediate or extended — and was seized by Inverell Shire Council rangers from their backyard, but police today were still unable to confirm who the dog belonged to.

The family were reportedly new to the area, having only recently moved in.

One Greaves St resident, who witnessed the aftermath of the attack, said she was in front of her house when a paramedic walked out of the neighboring property with the young girl in his arms.

 

 

She said the ambulance then sped away from the street with lights and sirens as two distressed women watched on.

"I just saw a young girl in an ambulance officer's arms, which was dreadful to see," she said.

"I figured (she had died) when she came out the way she did. I didn't see any marks on her so I thought it must have been a pool incident … I didn't notice any movement.

The dog was removed from the family's backyard

"I didn't see much after that because I ran inside because it was a little too vivid to watch."

The woman said a man arrived at the house a short time after the incident and was also very distressed.

Initial sources said the attack happened during a family barbecue and that the dog was the family pet.

Neighbor Helen Bedford defended the family on social media and urged people not to jump to conclusions about the incident.

"These poor parents are beyond devastated and grieving," she wrote.

"I watched the ambos trying to help her ... I feel sick now. Please stop with the nasty comments, they don't need to see this at all."

Notice the neighbor didn't dispute that the dog belonged to the family.

An investigation is now underway by police from New England Police District and a report will be prepared for the coroner.

There were 1196 dog attacks reported to NSW local councils from July-September 2017, with 125 children attacked and 36 people hospitalised.

There were 1228 dog attacks during the same period last year, according to the Office of Local Government.

(NZ Herald - March 4, 2018)

Arizona: Child attacked by 'emotional therapy' dog that was allowed on Southwest Airlines flight

ARIZONA -- A child was injured by an emotional support dog on a Southwest Airlines flight from Phoenix to Portland, Oregon Wednesday night, fueling the debate over regulations regarding animals on airplanes.

The dog’s teeth scraped the child’s forehead after the passenger approached the animal during the boarding process, according to a spokesperson for Southwest.

The child received minor injuries and was examined by an EMT before continuing on the flight, which departed 20 minutes behind schedule. The dog and its owner did not stay on the plane and instead remained in Phoenix, the spokesperson said.

Another passenger on the same flight, Todd R., took a photo of the support animal and shared it on Twitter in a post that’s since been deleted, arguing that dogs should not be on planes and he would no longer be flying Southwest.

In another tweet, the passenger wrote: “When dogs are biting 6 year old kids on planes, it may be time to reconsider rewriting your 'safety' policy and procedure manual,'' AZ Central reported.

Reactions to the incident were mixed on social media. While some agreed with Todd, arguing that Southwest should create stricter regulations for emotional support animals, as other airlines have done recently.

Others felt the dog was not at fault and that the child should never have been allowed to approach the animal.

This dog is NOT a service dog. It is an 'emotional therapy' pet. Anyone who wants to need only go online pay a fee, answer a questionnaire and have a 'doctor' mail them a letter saying they need this animal for whatever reason. It's no different than the prescription pill mill doctors who write prescriptions all day long to drug addicts. They do it for the money.

That being said, ESA (emotional support animal) animals do NOT perform any task. They merely exist so that the owner can drag them everywhere so there is NO reason that said animal shouldn't be muzzled when taken out in public. They're not picking up items for this disabled owner. They're just sitting there. Or in this case, biting children on airplanes. 

Southwest notes on its website that service and emotional support animals are allowed on both domestic and international flights, but the animal must be trained to behave in a public setting and can be denied boarding if it fails to do so.

“Southwest Airlines welcomes fully trained service animals and emotional support animals accompanying a Customer with a disability on our flights. As our requirements for transporting each type of animal are different, our Employees are trained to ask some fact-finding questions to determine which classification applies to a Customer’s animal,” the website reads.

The airline does note, however, that it will not allow “unusual or exotic” animals to act as support pets, including but not limited to the following: rodents, ferrets, insects, spiders, reptiles, hedgehogs, rabbits or sugar gliders.

In regards to the incident of the dog injuring the child, Southwest said: “As always, the safety of our Customers is our highest priority.”

Two other major airlines have introduced stricter regulations for service and support animals this year. Last month, Delta Air Lines announced new strict guidelines for bringing service and support animals on board, citing customer abuse of the policy and a rise in animal-related incidents.

After an emotional support peacock was denied entry on a United Airlines flight, the company followed in Delta’s footsteps, issuing similar new regulations for those who wish to bring animals on board.

United cited an 84 percent increase in poor animal behavior by so-called 'emotional therapy animals' (ESA) such as urinating, defecating, biting and attacking people on flights as impetus for the change.

Anita Roman Fox 10 @ANITAROMANFOX10 posted on Twitter

This photo was taken by @SouthwestAir passenger who says this service dog bit a child as it boarded.  Airline says paramedics checked the child out and everything was ok that safety is priority.  The dog and owner got off the plane.  Man who took pic says no dogs on planes.

(Fox News - February 22, 2018)

Canada: Family says American Bulldogs that mauled little boy had previously mauled their dog to death - and that nothing was done it

CANADA -- A Wallaceburg family is feeling a number of different feelings after hearing that a little boy in their neighbourhood was attacked by two American Bulldogs, because they say the two dogs have attacked before.

AMERICAN BULLDOGS HAD KILLED BEFORE
Nick and Lisa Persyn say their dog Jordan, a Jack Russell / Labrador Retriever was also attacked by the same two American Bulldogs in October of last year, and later died from his injuries three weeks later. 

They say they want changes in the way dog attacks are reported and addressed so that incidents don't happen over and over again.

The condition of a three-year-old Wallaceburg boy Tucker Marcolin, who was attacked by two dogs on Monday, is improving as he remains in a Michigan hospital.

Marcolin, 3, was attacked by a dog while sledding at Wallaceburg's Jaycee Park down the street from his house with his babysitter and six-year-old brother.

Police said two dogs escaped from their home and attacked the three-year-old child around 5 p.m.

PRIOR ATTACK RESULTING IN DEATH
The incident with the Persyns happened at Jaycee Park as well. They took their dog and their two-year-old daughter to the park on Oct. 20.

While at the park, two dogs, who they say were unattended, charged at Jordan.

“They got Jordan on one side of the neck and the other dog came around the other side of me and got him on the other side of his neck,” said Lisa Persyn. She tried to kick the dogs off of her dog, but they wouldn't stop them.

JORDAN WAS MAULED TO DEATH BY THE AMERICAN BULLDOGS

“They just had this growl and this determination that this is what they were going to do and they were going to tear him apart,” Lisa Persyn said.

Nick Persyn, a mountain of a man at almost six-foot-eight, covered up his dog to prevent it from being attacked.

“The dogs were jumping on me and over me and trying to get in wherever they can to bite him,” Nick Persyn said.

The Persyns said the attack went on for almost 15 minutes.

“They were just relentless. It was the most vicious thing,” Persyn said.

JORDAN SUFFERED THREE WEEKS BEFORE FINALLY DYING
They say up to the incident their dog was doing well for an older dog, but that  Jordan wasn't same after the attack. He had been hurt pretty badly and wasn't eating after the incident. He kept on getting sick. Jordan developed bleeding stomach ulcers and died three weeks after the attack.

The incident haunts the Persyns.

The Persyns said they wanted something done about the dogs. They warned neighbours and contacted Pet and Wildlife Rescue (PAWR). Lisa Persyn credited PAWR for following up on the incident, and said they were working on the file, but said more should've been done.

“Those dogs should've been euthanized,” Lisa Persyn said. “These dogs were out for blood, this was different, this wasn't just a little nip.... If he (Nick) wasn't there (Jordan) would've been done right there.”

The incident also left the Persyns with a $1,000 veterinary bill.

After hearing about the incident with Tucker Marcolin on Monday, they said their hearts broke after hearing from neighbours that the dogs attacked again, this time a little boy.

The Persyns said there was feelings of guilt that they didn't get the job done in pushing for action against the dogs. They said they felt flustered.

“Something needs to be done or changed, so that an attack at that level things have to happen more than a slap on the wrist,” Lisa Persyn said.

Three year-old Tucker Marcolin

They said the dogs have terrorized the neighbourhood in the past, the Persyns said, prior to the two attacks.

The Courier Press attempted to get a comment via social media from the woman who neighbours say owns the dogs, but she hasn't yet responded.

During Monday's incident a man and woman visiting family on Larkwood Street immediately ran to the park to help the young boy and babysitter, police said.

Tucker's six-year-old brother ran to safety and the injured boy was carried from the scene to a home as 911 was called, police said. The babysitter, who sustained non-life threatening injuries, was treated and released from hospital.

The injured boy was taken to the Sydenham Campus of the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance and was later transferred to a Michigan hospital for further medical treatment.

The dogs were identified and seized by Pet and Animal Wildlife Rescue and are currently in quarantine.

The community has rallied around the boy, as a GoFundMe set up on Tuesday, has raised over $18,000 in just under 24 hours. The goal for the campaign was $2,500 and that figure was surpassed in the first hour of the campaign.

In an update on the page, it said Tucker has had a few surgeries, and things are looking up.

“Tucker "The Tank" is a strong little boy who will get through this, he is currently in Detroit and will be there for over a week while he is monitored 24/7 healing,” they wrote in an update.

In an update on the GoFundMe page, it said it's expected that Tucker will make a full recovery. The GoFundMe page said Tucker had lots of stitches on his face and leg.

The money raised is aimed at helping the family with travel costs and the lost time from work for the parents.

Police continue to seek information from the public as the investigation into the incident continues.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Const. Ed Vannoord at edmondv@chatham-kent.ca or at 519-436-6600 ext. 8668. Anonymous calls can also be made to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

(Chatham Daily News CA - February 8, 2018)

United Kingdom: Horror injuries of girl, 7, mauled in her face by neighbor’s Husky – and owner continues to walk dog past their house every day

UNITED KINGDOM -- A mom has shared horrific pictures of bloody dog bite marks on her daughter's face, as the pet responsible is still being walked daily past her family home.

Kerry Garforth’s seven-year-old Mia was attacked in June last year and she has decided to speak out as the owner is still exercising the husky around their West Yorkshire village.

Kerry, 33, said: “I want to make everyone aware of a dog that gets walked round Roberttown/Norristhorpe, it’s a Husky and is walked by a man in his mid-30s. This dog bit my daughter in the face for which she needed nine stitches.”

The mum-of-two said she asked an old school friend to look after Mia while she went for a hospital appointment and went back to pick up her daughter.

Kerry said: “I was sitting on the sofa chatting to my friend and Mia was with her son having some tea. Suddenly I heard Mia screaming. The dog had bitten her after trying to take some food from her plate. She was stood there shaking.

“We took her to Dewsbury Hospital but she was transferred to Pinderfields where she had about eight to nine injections and the wounds cleaned out with salt water.

“My daughter’s father reported it to the police but when they came to see me about three to four days later I must admit I down-played it as she and her partner were friends and I didn’t want to get them into trouble.”

However her friendship with her old friend has since disintegrated and she says she feels guilty about not protecting her daughter better.

She says on Facebook: “He continues to walk past my house with the dog which is not only very upsetting for my daughter but I have to live with the guilt of what that dog did because I was at their house when it bit her.

“The dog should never have been left alone with the children and I have to live with it, I think it’s very unfair I’m getting reminded by seeing the dog myself and seeing my daughter upset.

"Yes, it’s a public road but there’s absolutely no need for him to walk past my house.

“Roberttown is a village full of children and I just want to warn anyone that has children playing out to be cautious.

“I’m not saying the dog will do anything but considering the circumstances I’m now making it known to you all.”

She said her daughter, who has since recovered, is now anxious around dogs and added the attack left her stressed about Mia.

(The Sun - February 18, 2018)

Canada: Nine-year-old girl mauled at animal shelter during "meet and greet". Dad finds out later shelter knew dog was aggressive

CANADA -- When a Beaumont family took a trip to the Edmonton Humane Society on Sunday, they didn't expect it would end with a visit to the hospital.

Brett Powlesland said his nine-year-old daughter was injured at the animal shelter on the city's north side when she was attacked by a large dog in a room on the adoption floor. The Humane Society is investigating the incident.

Powlesland said his family was at the shelter on a visit because his niece wanted to pet kittens for her birthday.

He said the dog was friendly when he gave it a scratch before bringing his daughter into the room, but when it saw the child, its temperament changed.

"He looked up at her, saw her face, and then it was like lightning fast. The very next thing that happened was he had her left arm right in his mouth," Powlesland told CBC News.

He said he tore the dog off his daughter — possibly the wrong move, as she was cut where the canine's teeth had dug into her skin.

As the pair tried to escape the room, the dog managed to take hold of the girl's other arm.

"I this time put my hands in his mouth, and pried its jaw open and freed my daughter's arm," Powlesland said. "And we finally got her out of the room."

But she shouldn't have been allowed in the room in the first place, he said.

Dog had known "behavioral issues"
The girl received stitches at hospital.

The humane society shared the dog's records with medical staff. The file contained information on the dog's immunization history and also had details on behavioural issues, Powlesland said.

"My daughter probably should not have been let in that room. The record for the dog explained that he has issues with aggression, that he has [attacked] other dogs," he said.

Edmonton Humane Society spokesperson Jaime Caza confirmed the dog's records were given to the hospital, but did not confirm their contents.

She said dogs with behavioral problems aren't permitted on the shelter's adoption floor.

"They go through a screening. They go through our system with our vets as well as with our behaviour team," Caza said. "And in a situation like this, there would be restrictions placed on age limits that can go in there."

Caza said the dog is no longer adoptable.

"He is in a bite quarantine, which is required by Alberta Health Services for 10 days," she said, noting that the shelter's investigation of the incident should be concluded by then.

Staff, volunteers and witnesses will be interviewed as part of the investigation, Caza said.

"I'm still looking into exactly what happened to see if it aligns with what should have happened in this situation, and making sure that the right pieces are in place so something like this is avoided at all costs again," she said.

Based on the results of the investigation, improved training, communications or staff supports could be implemented at the shelter.

Shelter claims it's 'an isolated incident'
Powlesland questioned whether the training staff receive is adequate. He said they weren't unwilling to help his daughter, but didn't appear to know how to respond with first aid.

"It's a good thing my wife and I are medical professionals and are trained in first aid because we were the only ones there that were doing anything," he said.

"It didn't seem like they had any type of contingency plan in place for this."

He posted about the experience on Facebook.

Caza said she couldn't comment on how staff responded to the incident, as she's still gathering information for the investigation. Staff receive different levels of training based on their positions, she said.

To her knowledge, this is the first time something like this has happened at the Edmonton Humane Society, she said.

"In no way does that minimize it. We're so sad and upset about this event, but it is a very isolated incident. But that being said, this is an opportunity for us to learn," she said.

"We're working very closely with the family to make sure that the child is supported and providing what we can."

Powlesland said he's pleased with how the humane society has since handled the incident. He said they offered support to help his daughter reintegrate with pets, though she was still happy to see the family's dog Paco when she got home from the hospital.

"She's already given him a big hug," he said.

"She's not going to be afraid of all dogs, maybe just dogs she doesn't know."

As far as visiting other dogs at the shelter in the future — "that's definitely not going to be happening," he said.

(CBC - February 8, 2018)

Texas: Rottweiler and Pit Bull attack woman's nephew

TEXAS -- TraYanda Johnson posted on Facebook February 3, 2018 ·

Mf Rottweiler and Pitbull attack my mf nephew ... he can’t even mf walk how they bit him up that shit pissed me off ... to see him in that pain ...

ziggy In a lot of pain that baby hurting they had to put him in the ambulance an take him

The people just put them to sleep i. He in emergency surgery now lord

Alabama: Two-year-old girl attacked by family's Rhodesian Ridgeback / German Shepherd mix; grandfather also attacked when he intervened

ALABAMA -- Two people injured in a dog attack Wednesday afternoon have been released from hospitals after treatment.

A Labrador / Bulldog mix Rhodesian Ridgeback / German Shepherd was identified as the dog that attacked Kairi Sky Burleson in her yard, and then attacked her grandfather, Michael Perry Burleson on the left arm near the elbow, damaging an artery, said Cullman Police Chief Kenny Culpepper.

The two-year-old was taken to Cullman Regional by a family member for treatment, while the grandfather was flown to North Huntsville Hospital. Both were released after treatment, Culpepper said.

Cullman Fire and Rescue and Cullman Emergency Medical Services personnel were the first to arrive at the scene and began treatment of the victims.

FAMILY SHOT AND KILLED DOG BEFORE POLICE ARRIVED
A Cullman police officer arrived and reported the dog, which was estimated at 2 years old and weighing 100 pounds, was shot and killed before responders arrived.

The body of the dog, which was a family pet, was sent to a veterinarian to be tested for rabies, Culpepper said.

Mikayla says the dog was a Rhodesian Ridgeback and German Shepherd mix and that their veterinarian thinks the dog may have been poisoned "because he's never heard of a dog that lets a baby" play with it like this little girl did and then turn on her. 

The dog may not have been poisoned but may have had some medical ailment (cancer eating away at its stomach, etc) that meant it was in pain. If it were my dog, I'd get a necropsy in order to eliminate all possibilities as this was a dog that was raised around the child, around family members, etc. - it wasn't just chained to a tree and ignored. 

Now certainly one could argue, "Well you never say any of this when it's Pit Bull that attack family members!" - and they would be right. Because Pit Bulls have shown time and time again that they're unstable, unpredictable and have a trigger that sends them from being calm to trying to kill. A 'nice' Pit bull that goes its whole life without attacking and killing something is an exception to the rule. This dog attack was an anomaly so a necropsy should be conducted.

(Cullman Times Online - Jan 25, 2018)

Connecticut: Jessica DePaolis had 19 dogs in her home; she's been arrested after an English Bulldog went on the attack

CONNECTICUT -- Police and firefighters had to pull off a dramatic rescue of two children and their aunt in October after their English Bulldog began attacking them, an arrest warrant said.

Now the owner of the bulldog, who had 20 dogs in her Fairview Street home, is facing charges including animal cruelty, risk of injury and reckless endangerment, as well as charges related to a Monday incident.

Police officers were called to 62 Fairview St., the home of Jessica DePaolis, on Oct. 23 after receiving a 911 call reporting that an English bulldog was attacking people and other dogs.

Officers found four people injured, including DePaolis’ 7- and 13-year-old children, her aunt and a neighbor who was trying to help.

The children and the aunt were hiding from the bulldog, which had just killed a Chihuahua, in a first-floor bedroom.

A fire department ladder had to be used to get the three out of the house.

DePaolis’s 7-year-old son’s injuries were so severe that he needed surgery, police said.

The Chihuahua killed by the bulldog had recently given birth to three puppies which were two weeks old, an arrest warrant said.

Officers found 20 dogs, including the male bulldog, which had gone on a rampage after DePaolis left for her job in New York that morning.

A judge agreed in November to give custody of the remaining 19 dogs to the city.

While responding to a domestic violence incident Monday, police served DePaolis with an arrest warrant charging her with 19 counts of animal cruelty, reckless endangerment and risk of injury to a child in connection with the October incident.

In connection with Monday’s incident, details of which are not being released, she has been charged with third-degree assault, disorderly conduct and risk of injury to a child, Lt. Jeanette Portalatin said.

This building has two addresses: 62 Fairview and 

64 Fairview. She had 20 dogs stuffed into this duplex.

DePaolis was released on $35,000 bond after her arraignment in New Britain Superior Court Tuesday.

In October, the dogs were living in what were described as squalid conditions, with feces and urine on the floor and in their cages. All had fleas, and some had other medical issues. At least one dog was emaciated, police said.

She had previously been cited for illegal breeding in March, police said.

DePaolis had nine Chihuahua puppies of varying ages, five adult bulldogs and six adult Chihuahuas living in the house.

The puppies that had lost their mother were given immediately to Monkey Pack Rescue, where they had to be bottle-fed every few hours, said Police Sgt. Paula Keller, who heads the city’s Animal Control Division.

The other six puppies and two of the adult Chihuahuas were also placed with the rescue organization, which is working on getting them vaccinated and spayed or neutered before they are placed in good homes. The bulldogs were also slated for adoption, Keller said in November.

She's been churning out puppies for years.

(NBC Connecticut -January 24, 2018)

Earlier:

• Connecticut: City given custody of dogs seized from breeder Jessica DePaolis