North Carolina: Four-year-old nearly loses eye after family's newly adopted Pit Bull attacks

LENOIR, NORTH CAROLINA -- A 4-year-old Caldwell County girl was attacked inside her home by the family pet Wednesday.

Family members said they had just recently adopted the Pit Bull from the Humane Society in Catawba County.

Justina Turner, the child's mother, said she and her daughter were in the living room of her home south of Lenoir when the three-year-old 60-pound Pit Bull suddenly attacked the child, biting her face.

She said the dog bit down so hard on her daughter that she wasn't sure at first how she was going to get the animal off her.

Turner said the dog nearly ripped her daughter's right eye out, and the girl had to get several stitches around her eye.

"I was in such shock,” Turner said. “I didn't know what was going on. Once I got the dog away from my daughter and saw the blood, it was the most terrifying thing I've ever seen in my life."

The dog is in quarantine for 10 days to be checked for rabies at the Caldwell County Animal Shelter.

Turner said she didn’t know the dog posed a threat because it seemed friendly when she adopted it.

"They really didn't tell us much about the dog,” Turner said. “They just told us to pick out a dog and to take it to the play yard to play with it. The dog seemed kid-friendly."

The humane society handles all adoptions in Catawba County from the intake to temperament screening prior to adoption.

SUPPOSED 'RANDOM VISITOR' WITH PIT BULL INTERVIEWED 

"They're around these animals every day,” said Paris Wright, a visitor at the Catawba County Humane Society (who just happened to be walking a Pit Bull). “They see their temperament. They see how they carry themselves. So, I figured that's what they would be able to give me insight and they did."

Humane society officials said an adopted dog can act differently once it's in a home and around children.

Turner said people need to be careful adopting older dogs.

"I just wanted him out of the house,” she said.

The Catawba County Humane Society adopts more than 1,000 dogs each year and has not had an issue like this.

The dog had been in the humane society for more than two months prior to being adopted.

Notice the Catawba County Humane Society didn't say they would euthanize the dog. That's because after its quarantine period, they'll send him home with some other unsuspecting family or put him into the "shelter shuffle" - where they ship vicious dogs to rescues or other shelters in other counties and states, hiding the dog's history so someone else can end up taking it home without knowing it likes to attack children.

(WSOC - May 4, 2018)

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)

Louisiana: "Tomorrow makes another year that our baby was taken from us by a pit bull"

LOUISIANA -- Richard Derouen posted on Facebook March 24, 2018  ·

Tomorrow makes another year that our baby was taken from us by a pit bull, so don't feed me any bullshit about it being the way you raise them!

Earlier:

• Louisiana: Pit Bull Mauls, Kills Four-Year-Old Girl Days Before Her Birthday

Washington: Pit Bulls attack each other, then attack both of their owners before one dog is finally shot by police

WASHINGTON -- Shortly after 9:00 this morning, Yakima Police officers responded to the 1200 block of Roosevelt Avenue, in reference to a report of a domestic violence incident.

The first arriving officer was immediately attacked by a pit bull dog. The officer responded by shooting the dog twice. The dog did survive and City of Yakima Animal control officers took custody of the dog.

A subsequent investigation revealed that this particular dog had initially broken through its fence to attack a neighboring pit bull. The owners of the dogs attempted to separate them and were both attacked with one of the owners transported to a local hospital.

The other pit bull was not immediately located. City of Yakima Animal Control officers will be responsible for any enforcement action in this case.

The investigation revealed that the reported domestic violence issue was actually the owners in the process of separating the two fighting pit bulls.

(KNDO/KNDU - March 19, 2018)

Texas: Family's Pit Bull mauls their four-year-old son to death

CONVERSE, TEXAS -- Authorities identified the 4-year-old boy who was killed Sunday evening after he was bitten by a dog in his own backyard.

Noah Trevino, 4, was pronounced dead at the hospital. The Bexar County Medical Examiner has not determined the cause or manner of death.

Authorities were called to the 8900 block of Twin Creek Farm at about 3:45 p.m. for reports of a dog attack.

The Bexar County Sheriff's Office said the 4-year-old was in the backyard Sunday with the family dog, when the "large mix breed" dog bit him on the neck.

Yeah, let's stop with the "large mix breed" nonsense. You can clearly tell in the photo it's a Pit Bull.

His uncle told police that he went outside and the family started CPR to resuscitate the child.

Authorities said the child was airlifted to University Hospital with life-threatening injuries and "excessive trauma." He was later pronounced dead at the hospital, officials said.

The family said the dog has never attacked people. The dog will likely be taken by animal control, authorities said.

(Fox29 - March 25, 2018)

California: Parents arrested on child endangerment charges after their Pit Bull mauled their 3-year-old son

CALIFORNIA -- A pit bull mauled a 3-year-old Wednesday in North Edwards after the child fell out of a window and into a dog run while the child's mother slept, sheriff's officials said.

A neighbor heard the attack, tore down a portion of chain-link fence and rescued the child, according to sheriff's officials.

The child suffered severe facial injuries and was airlifted to a local hospital. 

Sheriff's officials said the child is expected to survived.

"During the course of the investigation, deputies found the home to be filthy and living conditions were hazardous and not suitable for children," officials said in a news release. 

The child's mother, Samantha Meyers, 22, and Nathan Albey, 25, were arrested on felony child endangerment charges, according to the release.

An 8-month-old female at the home was taken into protective custody by Child Protective Services.

The incident occurred at about 3:19 p.m. in the 13000 block of Davenport Street.

(Bakersfield.com - March 22, 2018)

Illinois: Authorities close out the case of Dorothy Ford, 76, who was attacked and mauled to death by her own Pit Bull back in December

ILLINOIS -- The death of a woman who was mauled by a pit bull last year in south suburban Alsip has been ruled an accident by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Officers were called about 3:30 p.m. Dec. 11, 2017 when someone reported the woman was being attacked by a dog in the backyard of a home in the 11600 block of South Komensky, according to Alsip police.

Dorothy Ford, 76, was pronounced dead at the scene after suffering multiple injuries during the attack, according to police and the medical examiner’s office.

On Monday, the medical examiner’s office announced her death had been ruled an accident following an investigation by the agency.

Both Ford and the dog, which was described as a pet, lived at the home, authorities said. The dog was killed by officers when they arrived and found it acting aggressively.

At the time of the attack, police said no complaints involving the dog were previously reported to authorities.

No charges or citations were filed in the case.

 

 

 

(Chicago Sun Times - March 12, 2018)

Earlier:

• Illinois: 76-year-old woman mauled to death by her own Pit Bull

New Jersey: Boy attacked in the face by his Pit Bull; mother trying to find someone to go get the dog from the shelter so it won't be euthanized

NEW JERSEY -- Nita Gullsri posted on Facebook February 25, 2018 ·

Please help HAWKEYE, I am looking for any rescuer , trainer to take on my 3 year old pit bull mixed.

Last Sunday brandon and hawk were in the bed watching basketball game. Brandon was cheering the game and lean over it hug hawk while he was sleeping. He got startled and bit brandon on his face and required stitches.

Brandon is ok now but I can no longer keep Hawk. He can show aggression toward strangers. Hawk needs sometime to warm up with new people. Brandon’s father wants Hawkeye DEAD!!!

Right now hawk is at bloomfield animal shelter for the ten days quarantine. I have called and emailed so many places but no one is able to help us.
Please help me safe hawkeye.
Please SHARE
HE NEEDS A RESCUE

Nebraska: You can't fix stupid. Woman nearly killed by her Pit Bull wants dog to be adopted to new home

NEBRASKA -- A Lincoln woman who was attacked by her own pit bull Tuesday morning said it's not the dog's fault and pleaded for his life to be spared.

Michelle Gandara, 25, said she has had Zeus since he was six weeks old.

She said the two year old pit bull has never acted up towards her or her four young children

"Because if he was aggressive, I never would have had him around my children." Gandara said.

That's why it surprised Gandara when Zeus attacked her.

"He grabbed my whole stomach and pulled me down and tried biting me on my face," Gandara said recovering from a room at Saint Elizabeth Hospital.

"He bit me on my hand my leg. I was getting drug around like a rag doll in my living room I was getting drug every where," Gandara said.

Gandara said the attack lasted about 30 minutes.

Lincoln police used a taser on Zeus to get him release his grip and run off.

"I was scared when they found him they were going to put him down right away," Gandara said.

Lincoln Animal Control officers found Zeus with a neighbor Thursday morning.

He is quarantined for 10 days to check for rabies, and determine if he is vicious and has to be destroyed.

"He's not a bad dog. He doesn't deserve to die," Gandara said.

"Because honestly it was my fault."

She said Zeus originally went after her husband Corey.

She said she tried blankets, water and pepper to distract him.

When that didn't work, she grabbed a baseball bat.

"When I had that bat and made that loud noise, that's when he attacked me," Gandara said.

She struck the dog several times during the attack.

"It was scary it was," Gandara said.

She said even though she is not angry with Zeus, she can't take him back.

"When he sees me, he'll only see me now as someone trying to hurt him, not somebody that had a bond with him," Gandara said.

She hopes officials will allow her to give Zeus to a new owner.

"I have a lot of people know what type of dog he is. I have two people that want to adopt him already," Gandara said.

  

  

 

(KETV Omaha - March 9, 2018)

Earlier:

• Nebraska: Woman beats her Pit Bull with baseball bat after it attacks her; police Taser it to stop attack

Nebraska: Woman beats her Pit Bull with baseball bat after it attacks her; police Taser it to stop attack

NEBRASKA -- A pit bull that attacked a woman at a north Lincoln home early Tuesday remains on the loose, a police spokeswoman said.

The dog became aggressive inside the home, in the 1700 block of North 31st Street, at 12:45 a.m., Officer Angela Sands said. A 25-year-old resident there grabbed a baseball bat and began hitting Zeus the pit bull in the head after it bit her hand and chest, Sands said.

The dog then latched onto her leg and wouldn't let go after she hit it about 30 times with the bat, Sands said.

The woman and her husband tried to get the dog out of the house as police arrived, she said. Zeus was still biting the woman’s leg, so officers stunned it with a Taser, and it ran off.

Hmm, if they'd simply shot it and killed it then it wouldn't have run off...

The woman was driven to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The 2-year-old white pit bull is believed to be injured and remains dangerous, Sands said. Police do not have a photo of the dog.

Police have notified Lincoln Public Schools officials.

Anyone who encounters the dog should call Animal Control at 402-441-7900 and should not approach it.

UPDATE:
Pit Bull that attacked owner found by Lincoln Animal Control

Animal Control officers have found the 2-year-old pit bull that attacked his owner at her north Lincoln home early Tuesday.

Zeus was found near his home in the 1700 block of North 31st Street shortly after 10 a.m. Thursday, said Animal Control Manager Steve Beal.

His officers are investigating why the dog bit and latched on to one of his owners, who then hit the dog 30 times with a baseball bat.

The dog didn't let go until police arrived and stunned it with a Taser, Officer Angela Sands said.

Zeus did not appear injured from the incident when he was turned over to officers Thursday, Beal said. Officers took the dog to the Capital Humane Society, where it will undergo a 10-day bite quarantine to assess whether it shows symptoms of rabies.

Animal Control had no previous bite reports for Zeus.

(Lincoln Journal Star - Mar 8, 2018)

Missouri: Owners bitten and unable to stop their three Pit Bulls when they attack and kill their fourth Pit Bull - which were all running loose in the neighborhood

MISSOURI -- A dog attacked by three other dogs has died. The city said all four of the dogs involved were pit bulls.

KC Pet Project took it in and tried to save it, but its wounds were too severe.

A man next door saw those three other dogs charging at it a little before noon on Friday.

He said the Pit Bull's owner came out to try and break up the fight, then his wife came out and tried to stop their Pit Bulls.  Both of them were bitten in the process.

KCTV5 News was there as animal control picked up the three dogs, which belonged to another neighbor.

They are still investigating what led up to the attack.

The neighbor who saw the attack said he didn't know what to do when it started.

  

He said he woke up to barks and growls coming from his backyard.

“I was worried if I went out to help, I'd put myself in harm or that my dog would get out and make it worse,” Eddie Castle said. “The only thing I could do is call my neighbor immediately and make sure things were okay and that cops were on their way."

Castle said that, eventually, the three dogs ran back to their house across the lot from his.

  

SURPRISED PIT BULL OWNER
We spoke to the owner of the dog that was attacked off-camera. He has several small cuts and bite marks on his legs, but his wife needed stitches.

[In the video clip, the neighbor pointed to his thigh to show where the female owner of the Pit Bulls had been attacked, then held up his hands making a circle to show just how large the hole in her leg was]

He said he had never had a problem with those dogs before this morning.

Animal Control picked up the three dogs later in the day. They said KC Pet Project tried to rescue the dog that was attacked, but it later died.

 

 

KC Pet Project is keeping the other three dogs while the city looks into what led up to the attack.

John Baccala with Animal Control said that incidents like these can be prevented by fencing in animals or keeping them on a leash.

Castle said he's upset that his neighbors were injured.

"I think the neighborhood's frustrated by dogs running around loose," he said. "You have to worry about taking your dog out on a leash on any given day."

(KCTV5 - March 2, 2018)