May 29, 2009 Rockford Officer Shoots Pit Bull When Dog Attacks

Rockford - A police officer has to kill a pit bull when he's attacked.

Officers were called out to the 1300 block of Blaisdell Friday night for shots fired. They found some cars that had been shot up, but no one hurt.

Investigators say a pit bull attacked one of the officers and he had to use his gun on the dog.

No one has been arrested.

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WREX 13
http://bit.ly/1GNHMnC

May 15, 2009 Highland Park Crumbles On Pit-Bull Ban Failing Victim

Highland Park - After pit bull advocates cried foul, Highland Park officials backed off a proposal to ban the breed from city limits while they research the issue for discussion in June.

Mayor Michael Belsky proposed the pit bull prohibition this month after a dog attacked a 14-year-old girl, leaving lacerations on her face and shoulder that were not life-threatening but required hundreds of stitches.

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Chicago Tribune
http://bit.ly/1GXUgM0

May 04, 2009 Pit bull bite sends 8-year-old to hospital


CHERRY VALLEY — A pit bull bit an 8-year-old child this afternoon near East State and Van Buren streets.

The child was taken to OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center as a precaution, said Cherry Valley police Sgt. Mike Neville.

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Rockford Register Star  Accessed: 2012-01-17. (Archived by WebCite® at http://www.webcitation.org/64lh49Opd)

May 4, 2009 Highland Park Mulls Pit Bull Ban After Attack

Highland Park -  Mayor Michael Belsky called for a citywide ban on pit bulls today, three days after a 14-year-old girl was bitten on the face and arm, requiring hundreds of stitches, he said.

"I am very concerned about what happened," said Belsky, who said the child's injuries were not life-threatening.

"These are mercurial dogs, they are unpredictable and they are lethal," Belsky said. "I think we need to lead by example here, and maybe other communities will follow suit and create a groundswell, like the smoking ban."

by Lisa Black
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