Pit Bull Attacks and Dogfighting in Illinois: 2011

Dec 30, 2011 Irresponsible Owner's Pit Bull with Bite History Shot While Wandering Neighborhood

Mary Gholston had an un-spayed pit bull terrier with a bite history that she routinely let outside to wander the neighborhood. Gholston admits to the dog having one litter of puppies.
On Christmas day, while it was off property, unattended and uncontrolled, someone in the neighborhood shot it.
And Brian Stanley of the Herald Tribune paints this most incredibly irresponsible owner as a victim. Why should a neighborhood be held hostage by a free roaming pit bull with a bite history?

Dog’s Christmas Day slaying ‘so cruel’
By Brian Stanley bstanley@stmedianetwork.com

Joliet Township - It was around 11:15 a.m. when she opened the back door of her house in the 200 block of Louis Road so Angel could go out into the yard. “She’d go to the bathroom by the fence and then sometimes go next door, but she never ran around and would come back,” Gholston said.
Read more:
Herald News
Accessed: 2011-12-31. (Archived by WebCite® at http://www.webcitation.org/64LnFqz9h)

Dec 27, 2011 Wilmette boy treated for injuries after pit bull attack

Wilmette - A Wilmette dog owner was cited after her pit bull attacked a 13-year-old boy on Christmas Eve.

The boy was taken to Evanston Hospital for treatment of injuries to his left triceps, upper right torso, both legs and buttocks, according to a police report. The injuries were not life-threatening, but resulted in lacerations, punctures and bruises to his body and led doctors to X-ray his chest for possible broken ribs.

Trib local Accessed: 2011-12-27. (Archived by WebCite^® at http://www.webcitation.org/64G73LgHN)

Dec 20, 2011 Arlington Hgts. toughens penalties for dangerous animals following pit bull attack

The attack that inspired this new dangerous dog legislation involved two unleashed pit bulls that attacked a leashed poodle/labrador retreiver mix off property and unprovoked.

Arlington Heights - Previously, a dangerous animal would need to be convicted in three or more physical attacks before a court could rule to put the animal to sleep or order the owner to pay a fine, said Robin Ward, manager of the village legal department.

Now, if the first attack is serious enough, the dog can be destroyed.

Daily Herald Accessed: 2011-12-21.(Archived by WebCite® at http://www.webcitation.org/646wrHPYQ)

Dec 19, 2011 Dogs Attack Students During Recess as SW Suburban Elementary

So, a pit bull and a pekingese attack school children...Don't miss the part where the reporter says a teacher kicked "one of the dogs" that had knocked a child down. Wonder if that was the pekingese?

Evergreen Park - Three first-grade students at an elementary school in south west suburban Evergreen Park were at recess Tuesday when stray dogs attacked. Two faculty members came to their rescue.

Two dogs, a pit bull and a Pekingese, escaped from a house in Chicago’s Mount Greenwood community and wandered to Southeast Elementary School at 9800 S. Francisco Ave., according to police reports.

WLS Accessed: 2011-12-19. (Archived by WebCite^® at http://www.webcitation.org/643t7gnUG)

Chicago Sun Times Accessed: 2011-12-20. (Archived by WebCite^® at http://www.webcitation.org/645OE9mkH)

Dec 12, 2011 Heights Family's Dog Shot by Unknown Gunman

A 34-year-old Chicago Heights woman told police her son let Plexa, a brown medium-sized pit bull, out of their home unleashed to relieve itself, and the dog returned a few minutes later bleeding heavily.
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There had been several neighborhood complaints of Plexa running unleashed, according to the woman, who said those complaints were unfounded.

Read more:
Patch Chicago Heights

Dec 07, 2011 Rockford woman dies after attack by her pit bull

Rockford - A woman died Tuesday after being mauled by one of her two pit bulls in November.

Tonia C. Parks, 39, was attacked by one of her two 8-year-old pit bulls as she had a seizure in her home Nov. 18 in the 3200 block of Collins Street, said Jennifer Stacy, deputy director of Winnebago County Animal Services. Reports say she suffered injuries to her head and that her jugular vein had been bitten. Had remained in critical condition until she passed away.

This fatal pit bull attack was not picked up by national news outlets. The initial local reports correctly identified the dogs as pit bulls though subsequent reports suggested the dogs were american bulldogs. AP Illinois' miniscule coverage mentioned no breed in a report a month after local Animal Services confirmed the dogs were pit bulls through a FOI request from the Rockford Register Star.

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Rockford Register Star Nov. 18 (Archived by WebCite^® at http://www.webcitation.org/6XgbRT9yr)
Rockford Register Star Dec 7 (Archived by WebCite^® at http://www.webcitation.org/63rgSHJW0)

ABC local Accessed: 2011-12-11. (Archived by WebCite^® at http://www.webcitation.org/63rirBzbF)

WREX

WIFR (Archived by WebCite^® at http://www.webcitation.org/63rhq7gxx )

ABC local Accessed: 2011-12-11. (Archived by WebCite^® at http://www.webcitation.org/63rirBzbF)

Dec 02, 2011 Dog bites all too common in Texas

By John K. Bini and Stephen M. Cohn, Guest Voices

A study showed that people who were attacked by pit bulls had more severe injuries than those attacked by other breeds. It’s estimated that 885,000 people a year need medical attention for dog bites.

A story in the Express-News, on March 31, 2009, by Eva Ruth Moravec, “7-month-old boy dies from dog attack,” told how an infant was literally torn to shreds as he was mauled, maimed and bitten to death by his grandmother's two pit bulls in her home.

When the grandmother attempted to intervene, these violent animals turned their aggression on her. The dogs were so vicious they had to be shot to death by the police so rescuers could reach the infant. Sadly, according to neighbors and family, these dangerous dogs had attacked previously.

As trauma surgeons, we feel obligated to bring to attention a life-threatening issue we have observed in San Antonio — that of dangerous canines posing a public health risk.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates 885,000 people per year require medical attention for dog bites. In 2006, more than 31,000 Americans required reconstructive surgery as a result of dog attacks.

We're writing to bring this problem to the fore, along with information from Spain about an effective program to mitigate this issue. We cite two articles, both published in respected medical journals:

The first paper, “Mortality, Mauling and Maiming by Vicious Dogs” was published in the Annals of Surgery, April 2011. We looked at mortality and morbidity in patients hospitalized at our trauma center due to dog bite injuries.

We compared data for patients attacked by pit bull-type dogs to those attacked by other breeds and found patients attacked by pit bulls had more severe injuries, higher hospital charges and a higher risk of death.

The second article, published in Injury Prevention in 2010, is entitled “Decline in hospitalizations due to dog bite injuries in (Spain) 1997-2008. An effect of government regulation.”

It looked at hospitalizations caused by dog injuries before and after the enactment of stricter regulations on dog ownership and found a nearly 40 percent decline in hospitalizations after regulation.

The U.S. does not have standardized legislation regarding dangerous animals from state to state. Also, dog bite injuries aren't reportable, according to CDC guidance, so such data are captured inconsistently, probably underestimating the magnitude of this problem.

Texas has dubiously been a leader in the number of dog bite deaths over the past decade. Texas also has legislation that specifically prohibits municipalities from enacting breed-specific legislation regarding dog ownership, regardless of recognized epidemiology.

Regardless of this legislative restriction on counties and municipalities, many communities and subdivisions restrict breed ownership in their covenants and restrictions. And the federal government enforces prohibitions on certain dangerous dog breeds on multiple federal military installations.

We think a hearing is required on this public health problem, and that the Texas Legislature should take steps as Spain has done to deal with the problem — so no other family has to face the pain of losing a child to this senseless, violent and fully preventable cause of death.

John K. Bini and Stephen M. Cohn are San Antonio physicians.

MYSA

Nov 23, 2011 Councilman: Almost all dogs shot by Elgin police are pit bulls

"Fifteen dogs have been shot by police in Elgin since February 2010 and 14 of them were pit bulls, according to statistics City Councilman John Prigge received from police."

Prigge originally spearheaded a push to ban new pit bulls from town in 2009. But in the face of opposition from dog enthusiasts, the proposal never made it through the city council to take effect.
Read more:
Daily Herald

Nov 17, 2011 Here’s rest of the story about those lost dogs

Sterling – On Oct. 30 at 4 a.m., walking down the sidewalk in the 500 block of 14th Avenue, Sterling, we saw two sets of eyes come across the street. When they got closer, it was two dogs. We slowed down and said, “Go on, git.” They stood there looking at us. We stopped, and my husband raised his voice, telling them, “Go on, git out of here.”

The dogs puffed up their chests, growled and lunged at us. We started walking backward, and they attacked us.

Mickey attacked me from behind and bit me on the back of my left leg. My husband was fighting Mater. Mickey bit me the whole time running to the house, knocked me down on the steps, bit my hands and arms as I tried to open the door, and was up on my back coming in the house.

I had a bad bite on my leg and hands, and bruises on my right arm.

Sauk Valley
Accessed: 2012-02-06. (Archived by WebCite^® at http://www.webcitation.org/65GUYIweK)

Sauk Valley - pit bull owners making excuses for their dogs.

Accessed: 2012-02-06. (Archived by WebCite^® at http://www.webcitation.org/65GUh135t)

Nov 09, 2011 Lawsuit claims Joliet police killed woman’s dog

By Jon Seidel jseidel@suntimes.com

A Crest Hill woman claims in a lawsuit Joliet police shot and killed her pit bull, Pebbles, while executing a search warrant at her home last fall.

Herald News

Nov 07, 2011 Elgin: Pit Bull owner prevents neighbors from receiving mail

A mail carrier was yelled at by a resident in the 300 block of Healey Street about 2 p.m. Nov. 4. The resident was mad his mail hadn’t been delivered several times because his neighbor’s pit bull was out in the front yard.

by Melissa Jenco

Trib Local Elgin

Nov 07, 2011 Logan Square: 2 Pit Bulls attacked my dog

Chicago - This is a pit bull owner who's pit bull was attacked by 2 other pit bulls. She laments that the incident reinforced their bad rap. Unable to conceive of how a pit bull could do this she and another neighbor postulate that the couple walking their two pits down a public street were, in reality, dogfighters who had actually taught their pits to attack instantaneously. The same couple evidently forgot they'd trained their pits to do this when they saw Christina's pit and forgot to avoid a confrontation.

Every Block Chicago

Jul 16, 2011 Dog Fighting in Our Neighborhood

Arrests were just made at the 3500 block of West Montrose the 1st week in July.

I want everyone to be aware of a very sad thing which occurred in our neighborhood in the summer of 2009 and persisted through Jan/Feb of 2010.

On Sunnyside just after Pulaski (yes, right behind the police station) there was a 60-dog dogfighting pit. The operation had become so big that people were flying in from other countries and placing bets on these dogs.

My neighbor's female pitbull was stolen from him by this group (btw - she has just given birth to puppies, and the thieves left the puppies...days old, to die). He was contacted by a higher authority (NOT the Pulaski Police Station) to wear a wire and pretend he wanted to buy a dog from these guys. He was hoping to get his dog back and complied.

Months prior many small dogs and cats went missing from our neighborhood. I later learned that the dogfighters were stealing them from yards and/or picking them up off the streets and feeding them to this starved pack of dogs.

Needless to say, the day came when the operation was finally busted. There was a small blurb online for a few days after the bust (March 2010) but has since been deleted. Unfortunately my neighbor never got his dog back, but I am very proud of him for doing a scary but brave thing in helping put an end to this heinous operation.

I wrote to the Pulaski Police to see if they could shed more light on the details of the situation. I never received a response.

Thought you should know.

Every Block Chicago
(Archived by WebCite^® at http://www.webcitation.org/64Ta56Ig4)
Chicago Sun Times
Accessed: 2012-01-05. (Archived by WebCite^® at http://www.webcitation.org/64Ta56Ig4)

Nov 03, 2011 Angela Carpenter Cited After Pit Bulls Attack Dogs, Man in Benton

Benton - The Benton Police Department reports that a man was taken to Franklin Hospital after being injured while trying to break up a dog fight.

According to reports, the owner of two German Shepherds was at his residence on North Grand Street when his pets were attacked by some pit bulls. The man attempted to protect the German Shepherds from the attacking animals, and reportedly suffered hand and arm injuries in the process. In addition to his injuries, one of his dogs was hurt during the incident.

The 40-year-old woman who owns the pit bulls is identified as Angela K. Carpenter. Police cited her, though the charges were not specified in reports.

Read more:
Find My Accident

Related posts:
Nov 01, 2012 Off duty cop kills attacking pit bull
Sep 03, 2011 Owner of decapitated dog hopes to save other pets
Feb 28, 2007 Owner of three pit bulls sentenced to jail, fines for dog attack

Oct 31, 2011 ELGIN: Pit bull killed after attacks on woman, Elgin police officer

Elgin:

Pit bull shot: Elgin police said they shot to death a pit bull after it first attacked a 45-year-old woman Friday and then attacked a police officer called to investigate the first attack. Police said the incident took place about 9 a.m. in the 300 block of Purdue Drive. Police said the woman was taken to Sherman Hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening, and the police officer was not injured. The dog’s owner was issued nine citations relating to the incident, including not having the proper inoculations or dog tags.

Dog killed: The city’s animal control department has been asked to investigate an incident in which one person’s six dogs killed another person’s single dog. According to reports, a 31-year-old woman who lives on Barrett Street let her poodle run loose at about 10:30 a.m. Sunday.

Courier News

May 31, 2011 Felon Arrested for Pit Bull Fighting

CHICAGO - A Chicago man was arrested and charged Tuesday in connection with pit bull fighting and breeding.

Larue Jackson, 52, of the 7100 block of South Oakley was charged with 12 counts of neglect of owner's duties and two counts of cruel treatment, the Cook County Sheriff's Office said.

Jackson was arrested and pleaded guilty to animal crimes in June 2008 after authorities recovered 32 dogs. He is also a registered sex offender, convicted felon and has a long criminal history.

Jackson is due in court on June 27.

NBC Chicago Accessed: 2012-12-06. (Archived by WebCite^® at http://www.webcitation.org/6CiVeoPUh)

Oct 15, 2011 Belleville Pit Bull Attacked a Woman Walking Her Dog

Belleville Police Blotter- Tuesday

6:04 p.m. Burglary to residence -- 200 block of South 16th Street. The victim reported between noon and 5 p.m. a side door was pried open and several flat screen TVs were stolen.

6:31 p.m. Dog at large, dog bite -- 4000 block of Betty Drive. Victim stated she was walking her dog when Cedric Swygart's pit bull attacked her dog. The victim was bitten on the foot in the process. Swygart could not provide proof of vaccination so the pit bull was taken by Animal Control. Swygart was issued a nontraffic citation and released with a notice to appear.

BND

Oct 12, 2011 Quincy woman cited after her two dogs get loose, kill three other dogs

Two dogs were euthanized after they got loose from a backyard pen and killed three other dogs Sunday afternoon in the 600 block of Payson.
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Humphrey said dogs often get loose from Lashbrook's backyard, and neighbors have tracked them down and brought them back "on numerous occasions."

Quincy Herald-Whig

Accessed: 2011-12-03. (Archived by WebCite^® at http://www.webcitation.org/63fBCe7P2)

Oct 12, 2011 Ottawa Pit bull attacks Man and dog

Ottawa - A pit bull was killed after attacking a man and his dog Tuesday on Ottawa's East Side.

"If it wasn't for the good fortune of the man bringing me a pitchfork, my dog would have been dead," Agostinelli pointed out. "I'm thankful for everyone who helped and the police, but I get no glee from the pit bull having to be killed. It had to be put down."

The Times Accessed: 2011-12-27.(Archived by WebCite^® at http://www.webcitation.org/64GB6SvMN)

News Tribune Accessed: 2011-12-27. (Archived by WebCite^® at http://www.webcitation.org/64GB9AgQw)

Oct 11, 2011 Pit bulls attack Poodle in Arlington Heights

This pit bull attack inspired new dangerous dog legislation passed in December 2011.

Arlington Heights - The following was taken from Arlington Heights Police records on Oct. 11.

Animal complaint

Two uncontrolled pit bulls from a home on the 1700 block of West Olive Street attacked a retriever/poodle mix on the 1200 block of North Illinois Avenue causing a puncture wound and laceration on the dog. The retriver/poodle was leashed, but the pit bulls were not. The owner of the pit bulls was issued two citations for uncontrolled animals.

Triblocal Arlington Heights Accessed: 2011-12-21.(Archived by WebCite^® at http://www.webcitation.org/646yWzf4P)

Oct 11, 2011 Cops bitten by dog during chase on South Side

By Carlos Sadovi | Tribune reporter

Two Chicago police officers were hospitalized this evening after both were bitten by a pit bull terrier on the South Side as the officers were pursuing a suspect, officials said.

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Both officers were taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in good condition where they were

chicagobreaking@tribune.com

Chicago Tribune

2011-12-06. URL:http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-10-11/news/chi-officer-injured-after-being-attacked-by-dog-during-chase-20111011_1_dog-bites-police-officers-pit-bull-terrier. Accessed: 2011-12-06. (Archived by WebCite^® at http://www.webcitation.org/63jokH5fW)

Oct 08, 2011 Tom Loewy: Pit bull attacks on service dog must stop

Galesburg – Art Cartee and Bernie went on their version of a walk Tuesday morning — the 60-year-old man riding in his scooter and the black Lab work dog leashed to the scooter’s handle.

It was close to 10 a.m. Minutes later they were rushed by a brindle pit bull that crawled from under the back fence of a home on Cottage Avenue — just one block east of South Chambers Street.

“The dog came at us and went right for Bernie’s legs,” Cartee said. “I didn’t know what to do — punch the pit bull or what. I finally got Bernie away from the other dog and got him home.”

Unfortunately, Cartee and Bernie are no strangers to dog attacks. Including Tuesday’s incident, the pair have been attacked three times in the last 18 months.

“I’m tired of this,” Cartee said. “Audra, my wife, and I live in fear of the neighbors’ dogs. There is no reason for this.

Galesburg Register Mail Accessed: 2011-12-06. (Archived by WebCite^® at http://www.webcitation.org/63jouxOf8)

Sep 27, 2011 Pit bull victim wants Chicago Ridge to toughen law

BY STEVE METSCH smetsch@southtownstar.com

CHICAGO RIDGE - A Chicago Ridge woman whose Shih Tzu died after it was mauled by a pit bull wants the village to stiffen its penalty for letting dogs run free, and Mayor Gene Siegel said he would look into it.

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The attack took place in the parking lot of the Animal Welfare League, 10305 S. Southwest Highway in Chicago Ridge, where the pit bull named Jock was being taken because the owner was “unable to properly care for it,” according to a police report.

The incident was so unnerving that Christine Starr said she never will forget the horror she witnessed as her beloved dog Maddie was mauled. The Shih Tzu underwent emergency surgery but died 11 days later.

Southtown Star

2011-12-06. URL:http://southtownstar.suntimes.com/news/7500872-418/pit-bull-victim-wants-chicago-ridge-to-toughen-law.html. Accessed: 2011-12-06. (Archived by WebCite^® at http://www.webcitation.org/63jp8VNr8)

Sep 23, 2011 Cops: Off-duty officer shoots pit bull in West Side alley

CHICAGO - An off-duty Chicago police officer shot and wounded a pit bull after it and another dog growled and advanced on him as he was getting out of his car Thursday night on the Near West Side, police said.

The dogs' owner and his family said the dog that was shot about 8:20 p.m. and its sire were able to get out of the yard by pushing on the gate of the family yard in 700 block of South Claremont by the owner's grandson. The officer is a longtime neighbor of the owner's family.

lford@tribune.com

Chicago Tribune

Accessed: 2011-12-06. (Archived by WebCite^® at http://www.webcitation.org/63jpKhpJq)

Chicago Sun-Times

Sep 20, 2011 Neighbors worried about dog fighting on the North Side of chicago

Posted by LO'Brien

There were 2 Hispanic guys with pit bulls fighting in the alley on the 3900 Block of N Lamon ave this afternoon. I was walking with my young child. Truly frightening.

SEPT. 20

jdianovsky

Did you call the police?

SEPT. 20

Jellybeanqueen

I really, really, hope you called the police.

SEPT. 20

Good Neighbor

That's really scary. These two idiots may be stealing dogs, too. I hope the police were called.

SEPT. 20

Gene K.

50 year resident of Jeff Park

I hope you called the cops also.

SEPT. 20

Childhood Neighbor

Call the police and the alderman

SEPT. 20

Jaxx

I could call the police and give them the address. If the dogs are not neutered and these guys have a felony, which they may or may not they will be arrested and the dog will be taken. A person with a felon can not own an unaltered dog in Chicago. The dog would be taken to animal control and they would have to alter the dog to get it back. The owner always challenges it and then they have to go to court to fight it. They always loose. The dog becomes a court case dog and is offered training and rehab at animal control then they ask dog rescues to help in finding a home for the dog. My friend has a "court case dog" she was intended to be bait.

SEPT. 20

LO'Brien

Yes, I called the police, when we got further away. I spent the evening trying to convince a 2 1/2 yr old that the dogs were ok.

Chicago Every Block

(Archived by WebCite^® at http://www.webcitation.org/63jpYpest)

Sep 14, 2011 Same story, different end

Wonder Lake – While walking my two Thailand Ridgeback dogs on the west side of Wonder Lake recently, we were attacked by a brown pit bull that shall remain nameless.
It was trailing a leash.

Both my dogs and I gave it the benefit of the doubt and waited to see what it was going to do after charging across the street to us.

My dogs were calm. I was calm. The pit bull attacked. Twice.

Read more:
Northwest Herald Accessed: 2012-02-09. (Archived by WebCite^® at http://www.webcitation.org/65KkSZUun)

Sep 03, 2011 Owner of decapitated dog hopes to save other pets

Chicago - Last week, someone stole a 7-month-old German Shepherd out of a yard in the Austin neighborhood, and three days later the dog turned up dead — its head in one trash can and its body in another.

“They took the dog to fight a pit bull and chopped the dog’s head off,” he initially told me.

"The heinous act has struck such terror in this community; the owner asked that I not use his name."

by Mary Mitchell
Read more:

Sun Times (Archived by WebCite^® at http://www.webcitation.org/63jpiQaOW)

Sep 03, 2011 Neighbor defends stabbing dog

McHENRY – The McHenry man who stabbed a pit bull Tuesday said the dog was anything but friendly.
“The pit bull came literally charging across their front yard onto the road,” Steve Schneider said. “The dog was headed right for my dog’s head or neck.”
Schneider had a pocket knife with about a 3-inch blade, which he used to stab the dog in the side.
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“...I’m telling you, this will happen again.”
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“[With] pit bulls, I think there should be restrictions on them..."

Northwest Herald

Accessed: 2012-02-09. (Archived by WebCite^® at http://www.webcitation.org/65Ks6lgNb)

Aug 23, 2011 Central City Police Chief Shoots and Kills Pit Bull About To Attack Him

Central City - Central City Police Chief Mike Berger says he shot and killed a pit bull dog that was about to attack him Tuesday.

Berger says he was called to the Central City Grade School where the dog was running loose on an adjoining street.

WJBD Accessed: 2011-12-12. (Archived by WebCite^® at http://www.webcitation.org/63rv8iN2D)

Aug 22, 2011 ELGIN: Police Reports Pit bull attacks poodle

Elgin – A poodle was attacked by a pit bull at about 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the 400 block of South Edison Street, according to a police report. The poodle owner reported it Saturday when the owner of the pit bull refused to pay the vet bill. The pit bull grabbed the 6-month-old poodle by the neck and shook it but should recover.

Daily Herald
Accessed: 2011-12-17. (Archived by WebCite^® at http://www.webcitation.org/63zUoegoT)

Aug 20, 2011 Iroquois County Pit Bulls Attack 3 year old

Iroquois co - Three year old Coyer Murray was playing in his yard when three pit bulls escaped from their outdoor kennel and attacked him. His father, Edward Murray who is afraid of dogs, said it was like a miracle because when he saw the pit bulls attacking "the father thing kicked in" and he was able to pull them off of his son and keep them at bay until the owners could get them in their house.

Half of Coyer's head was covered in blood. He was taken by ambulance to the hospital where he stayed overnight. He was released the next day with 20 staples in his head and leg. He suffered three gashes to his head and bites to his calf.

Read more:
The Daily Journal

Aug 20, 2011 Pit bull shot, killed after attacking E. Bluff residents

PEORIA — Two East Bluff residents were attacked by a dog early Friday morning that ultimately ended when police shot and killed the animal.

Police and animal control arrived and attempted to apprehend the dog. Police eventually shot and killed the dog. The owner of the dog was issued a citation for allowing his dog to run at large.

Peoria Journal Star

Aug 18, 2011 Pit bull attack in Cahokia results in lawsuit

Cahokia - A woman claims she was attacked by a vicious pit bull while visiting her son's Cahokia residence.

Nancy Yon filed suit against Marcus Acoff and Fannie Acoff on July 15 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

Yon claims the dog came onto her son's property at 2405 Donna Drive without permission and attacked her without provocation.

By Ann Knef
Read more:

The Madison St. Clair Record

Aug 14, 2011 Park Forest Police Reports For August 15, 2011

An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Allegheny Street on August 10 when an anonymous caller stated that a man and his dog were being attacked by a "vicious pit bull" in that block.
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Police observed that the man's dog was bleeding from the neck and head and was unable to support any weight on one of his front legs. The incident was forwarded to the Community Service Officer for follow-up.

ENews Park Forest

Aug 08, 2011 Elgin dog violence leaves a poodle and pit bull dead

Elgin police responded to three different calls Sunday concerning violent dogs. In one, a poodle died from a pit bull attack. In another, police had to shoot and kill a loose pit bull. And in the third, a dog suffered puncture wounds to its neck after being bitten by what its owners defined as a boxer/Labrador mix.

Aug 08, 2011 Police want more teeth to proposed dangerous dog ordinance

Evanston - Evanston Police Chief Richard Eddington has asked aldermen to give his officers more authority to seize dogs that have been deemed “dangerous,” saying the move is necessary to deal with those dog owners who ignore citations issued due to their dog’s behavior.

Eddington said an incident over the weekend serves as the “poster child” for irresponsible dog ownership...

(A resident) was chased by a pit bull. Burrus said the dog’s owner also has two other dogs, and has been repeatedly ticketed since 2008 for his dogs’ behavior.

The pit bull attacked the resident and his dog until he was able to reach his home, Burrus said, at which time the pit bull remained outside, barking and scaring neighbors.

Trib Local Evanston Accessed: 2011-12-17. (Archived by WebCite^® at http://www.webcitation.org/63zVelyuz)

Evanston Review

Aug 07 2011 Neighborhood Notices Cats Disappearing Fear Dogfighting is Responsible

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Jul 31, 2011 Wisconsin Man Caught in Sting Trying to Sell Dog for Fights

MAYWOOD - A man came all the way from Wisconsin to sell his pit bull for dogfighting, and he likely won't be going home anytime soon.

The sheriff's office released surveillance video of the meeting.

WTSP10News

Accessed: 2012-01-05. (Archived by WebCite^® at http://www.webcitation.org/64ThhJa8a)

Jul 22, 2011 Chicago Heights Police Blotter: Loose Dog

Chicago Heights – Police were called after it was reported that a loose dog had been chasing small children near the intersection of Hickory and Euclid. Police saw the dog (possibly a pit bull) running wild without a leash and notified a canine officer, who took the dog into custody. The dog was transported to the South Suburban Humane Society.

Read more:
Patch Chicago Heights

Jul 15, 2011 Police Shooting of Dog Creates Outrage in Midlothian

Midlothian - A note from police saying they had left a “large dog” in his back yard awaited Michael Ryan when he returned to his Midlothian home one day last week from a trip to the grocery store.

Shortly thereafter, police came back to his house, claimed the dog was a vicious pit bull, shot it three times, watched it push its way under a fence and then searched for it up and down the block, trying in vain to catch it, according to witnesses and the police report.

Southtown Star Accessed: 2012-01-15. (Archived by WebCite^® at http://www.webcitation.org/64j6Vtcza)

Jul 14, 2011 Pit Bull Brutally Attacks Illinois Woman

On July 14th 2011, Nik, who is 4'8" and weighed 95 lbs, was brutally attacked by a pit bull. The pit bull initially lunged for her neck, but she darted backwards and it sunk its teeth into her left shoulder. The pit bull bit her 2 more times in her arm, the last of which took 2 much larger individuals to pry the dog off of her broken arm. The pit bull's teeth sunk into her arm all the way to her ulna and fractured it in 2 places. 3 surgeries and multiple plates later, she still has consistent pain and nerve damage. These are not the only life altering injuries; her mental health has deteriorated. Those of you who know her understand how much this has devastated her. She still suffers from nightmares and PTSD. Please help her raise the money that the insurance company doesn't think she deserves. Buy a gi, make a donation www.pulsekimonos/donations or share her story. All proceeds go directly to her.

Justice for Nik Facebook Page

Jul 13, 2011 Man, woman sought in pit bull attack

CHICAGO - A Far South Side couple was hospitalized Wednesday after being attacked by a pit bull let loose on them during a family fight.

The victims – a 35-year-old woman and a 34-year-old man -- were bitten by a 60-pound pit bull named “Rhino” at a home in the 10700 block of South Green Bay Avenue, according to South Chicago District police Sgt. Michael Dineen.

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Calumet Area detectives are investigating the incident as an aggravated battery.

Chicago Sun-Times

UPDATE: Harmony Dawdy's Recovery

Click here to go to video from WAND-TV about Harmony Dawdy's attack and recovery

Springfield – It's only fitting that "Rocky," arguably one of the greatest underdog stories ever told, is one of Harmony Dawdy's favorite movies.

Less than one month after two pit bulls came within a millimeter of gnawing through her femoral artery - which probably would have killed her - Harmony is back at home and playing outside again.

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Want to help?

A fund has been set up by the Dawdy family to help with Harmony Dawdy's medical bills. If you're interested in donating money, checks or cash can be mailed to P.O. Box 7396, Springfield, IL 62791.

Jul 07, 2011 Rockford man charged; pit bull killed in drug raid

ROCKFORD — Belvidere narcotics officers partnered with state and federal agents Tuesday to cross the county line to arrest a Rockford man on drug charges.

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After the arrest, Belvidere police, members of the Stateline Area Narcotics Team and Drug Enforcement Administration agents attempted to raid Bowlds’ residence in the 1700 block of South Sixth Street. Before they could do so, the officers were attacked by a pit bull.

The dog was shot and killed by the officers

Rockford Register Star

July 5, 2011 Woman Chased into pond to escape pit bulls

Lombard – The owner of two pit bulls was cited for violating local ordinances after his dogs chased a woman in Westmore Woods and she jumped into a pond to get away from them.

Triblocal
Accessed: 2012-02-06. (Archived by WebCite^® at http://www.webcitation.org/65GXAS37y)

Jul 01, 2011 Crackdown on NW Side gang nets 5 dogfighting arrests

CHICAGO - Five alleged members of the Maniac Latin Disciples street gang were arrested on dog fighting charges Wednesday. The arrests are connected to an on-going police investigation into the gang that began after one of its members allegedly shot and wounded two girls while aiming at rivals earlier this month in a Northwest Side park.

Sun Times Accessed: 2012-01-05. (Archived by WebCite^® at http://www.webcitation.org/64TZPlKwT)

Jun 29, 2011 Victim Of Dog Attack Speaks Out

Chicago — Police shot a pit bulldog to death Wednesday evening after it attacked a real estate agent in front of his West Ridge home.

Victim says, “Nothing like this has ever happened to me and certainly nothing you’d expect to happen in this neighborhood."

CBS Chicago local (Archived by WebCite^® at http://www.webcitation.org/63jqZVqr2)

Jun 28, 2011 Pit Bulls Attack A Neoga Woman's Pet Dog, Owner Blames Dogs

Notice this pit bull owner and self-proclaimed rescuer who allowed his dogs to kill a chihuahua at its owner's feet wants to portray himself as a responsible owner. So, what does he do? Blame his dogs. Does this sound like a sincere apology to you?

Neoga - Two pit bulls killed this woman's dog right before her eyes.

But she fears nothing will be done about it.

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The case is now in the hands of the Cumberland County state's attorney.
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"I was sad about it, and I was pretty angry with the dogs," said Scott Tucker.

This pit bull owner knows his dogs made a terrible mistake. Now he's taking steps to say sorry.

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Tucker rescues pit bulls and knows their tendencies, which is why he has a 6 feet high fence in his backyard.

"I made sure it's high enough that they can't jump over, it's blocked on the bottom," he said.

Read more:

Illinois Home Page

Jun 15, 2011 Young victim of serious pit bull attack refusing to quit

By JASON NEVEL (jason.nevel@sj-r.com)

Springfield – Two pit bulls may have chewed up her body, but they didn’t seize Harmony Dawdy’s spirit, according to her mother, Amber Dawdy.

Four days after the dogs nearly mauled Harmony to death — coming within a millimeter of her femoral artery — Amber Dawdy said Harmony’s vital signs are strong, she’s alert, and she’s even managed to laugh.

“She’s in really good spirits considering everything that’s happened to her and all the pain that she’s going through,” her mother said. “She’s refusing to quit and continues to be as happy as she can be.”

Dawdy said the two pit bulls shredded Harmony’s left leg, left gaping wounds on her right leg, ripped part of her ear off and bit nearly every inch of her young body.

Cards welcome

Amber Dawdy, the mother of dog-attack victim Harmony Dawdy, said Wednesday a fund for monetary donations has not set up for her daughter. However, people can send cards of support to:

Care of St Johns Hospital PICU – Harmony Dawdy, 800 E. Carpenter St., Springfield, IL 62769.

Non-family visitors are not allowed to visit Harmony, she said.

State Journal-Register Accessed: 2012-01-16. (Archived by WebCite^® at http://www.webcitation.org/64j8OuhMa)

State Journal-Register Accessed: 2012-01-16. (Archived by WebCite^® at http://www.webcitation.org/64j8XMhC6)

Illinois Home Page

Jun 01, 2011 Pit bulls on the prowl? Residents express concern over dangerous dogs

Freeport - Freeport resident Joann Farnsworth, who has lived on West Broadway Avenue for over a decade, said she is very concerned about dangerous dogs in her neighborhood.

Last October, two loose pit bulls attacked her miniature schnauzer, Avery. The dog nearly died during the attack, and Farnsworth said Avery would have been killed if two Freeport police officers hadn’t arrived on the scene.

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Hail has lived in the 400 block of West Broadway for the past 18 years. Until recently, however, the presence of pit bulls has not been a big concern.

“To me it is a new problem, probably within the last year or so,” she said.

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And as the presence of dangerous dogs continues to grow, the sense of urgency is escalating in Freeport.

Journal Standard Accessed: 2012-01-16. (Archived by WebCite^® at http://www.webcitation.org/64kU4S8bV)

May 30, 2011 Police: 3-year-old bitten by pit bull

By Pantagraph staff

BLOOMINGTON -- Bloomington police say a three-year old was bitten by a pit bull in the 500 block of North Roosevelt Avenue at about 3:30 p.m. Monday.

An ambulance was also dispatched, but the family refused transport, say police.

Injuries to the child were not thought to be serious.

Pantagraph Accessed: 2012-01-16. (Archived by WebCite^® at http://www.webcitation.org/64kUO6DbS)

May 28, 2011 Two-year-old Dog Bite Case May Be Decided This Summer

Bear (right), a pit bull, and Buddy, a mix, stand in an enclosure

at Bobby and Karen Warren’s Lockport home. Bear is at the

center of a Lockport legal case that has continued for 26 months.

LOCKPORT — A pit bull is at the center of a 26-month-long legal case that could be decided this summer.

The dog got out of Bobby and Karen Warren’s Lockport yard through a gate in March 2009, Karen said. The pit bull, named Bear, ran loose with another family dog, Buddy, a mix.

The city has determined that the dog attacked a man in the neighborhood, said City Attorney Ron Caneva.

Karen disputes this point, saying, “They’re just assuming it was our dog because the dogs were out.”

By Tony Graf
Read more:

Herald News Accessed: 2012-01-16. (Archived by WebCite^® at http://www.webcitation.org/64kUXRce3)

May 20, 2011 Monmouth American Bulldogs Mauled Woman

Monmouth - Warren County sheriff’s deputies were sent to a rural Monmouth home at 8:20 p.m. Thursday after a neighborhood report of someone calling for help.

The first deputy on the scene discovered a woman being mauled by two American bulldogs. The deputy destroyed both animals in order to save the woman, according to a news release from the Warren County Sheriff’s Department.

Read more:
The Register-Mail http://www.webcitation.org/64kUp0EmV

May 16, 2011 Mount Vernon Police Blotter

Bonnie – A resident in the 200 block of West Third Street in Bonnie told police two pit bulls attacked her dog, severely injuring it, at 10:22 a.m. Monday.

Read more:
Mt. Vernon Register-News

May 10, 2011 Police Shoot Pit Bull

Valley council weighs lawsuit over bond

By Allison Ryan svreporter@newstrib.com

SPRING VALLEY - Resident Jill Emerson briefly addressed “the pit bull incident,” a dog attack last Wednesday which sent Emerson’s adult daughter to the hospital and resulted in a police officer shooting a pit bull.

Read me:
News Tribune

Accessed: 2012-01-16. (Archived by WebCite^® at http://www.webcitation.org/64kVFOQ7L)