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.

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