Dec 24, 2012 Pit bull bites man in front of store; owner bails

Chicago - A West Town man was bitten by a pit bull tied outside a grocery store.  The owner just left the man bleeding.
Witnesses say that she regularly ties her pit bull out on the street even though it is "crazy, not normal."
Just another responsible pit bull owner - blaming the victim and running away.

Read more:
DNAinfo.com Chicago

Dec 06, 2012 Dog fight bust in Dolton, IL

UPDATE: photos of the dogfighters who, if pit bull advocates have their way, will get no jail time in exchange for blood money to put fighting dogs in your neighbor's home:

Dolton - Eight people were arrested and four pit bulls were recovered when police broke up a dog fight in progress.  The dog fighters scurried like rats every which way and six of them were found hiding in the rafters - like rats.

Chicago area media, well-tutored by the pit bull promoters, reported that the dogs "looked like pit bulls" or didn't ascribe a breed to them at all and reported that the dogs had been "rescued."

Here is a fight bust dog next to a champion pure bred fighting pit bull:


And as usual, because this is Chicago, commenters are hoping that the "poor babies" can be adopted out.  No thank you.  I do not want a fight bust dog owned by a nincompoop who thinks they have to be forced to fight landing in my neighbor's yard.

Here is what these bad boys are all about:

Read more:
Fox Chicago   Accessed: 2012-12-06. (Archived by WebCite® at http://www.webcitation.org/6CiXXJVl1)

Related posts:
Mar 13, 2012 Trail of Blood Leads Cops to Injured Dog
Who runs CACC and why won't Chicago Punish Irresponsible Pit Bull Owners?
Jul 16, 2011 Dog Fighting in Our Neighborhood
May 31, 2011 Felon Arrested for Pit Bull Fighting
Sep 03, 2011 Owner of decapitated dog hopes to save other pets
Jul 01, 2011 Crackdown on NW Side gang nets 5 dogfighting arrests
Dec 30, 2010 Seven Arrested at Maywood Dogfight in Progress
Jun 28, 2010 No Jail in Dogfighting Case, but 3 Must Pay for Dogs' Care
Jul 14, 2007 Cops say dogs bred to kill

Dec 05, 2012 Chicago police shoot pit bull sicced on them by thieves


Chicago - One of the six people who robbed a pizza delivery driver released a pit bull to attack pursuing Chicago police.  Officers shot the pit bull twice, but it survived.  Police caught all six robbers and no one was hurt.

This occurred just a few days after the Seattle Times published a story about a new study by the NCRC, a pit bull advocacy group, that laments the number of dogs shot by police as largely avoidable if only police understood dog body language.  Why is a pit bull advocacy group leading the charge?  Statistics of police shootings of dogs from a couple of Illinois cities might make that clear:

Between 2008 and July 2012 Elgin police were forced to shoot 23 dogs, 20 of which were pit bulls.
In the same time period Aurora police shot 8 dogs, 5 or 6 of which were pit bulls.
Illinois Pit Bull Attacks has found 78 accounts of pit bulls being shot.  Roughly 76 were shot by police.

Now it becomes clear why the NCRC has published this study - because the vast majority of dogs shot by police are pit bulls.

The Seattle Times article leads with this statement:

There has never been a documented case of a dog killing a police officer.

I'm just spit balling here, but that might be because police officers are armed and are willing and able to fire on dogs to protect themselves when they are threatened.

There certainly are cops who wrongly shoot pets. Officers need education and discipline to avoid that.  However, very few of the 76 or so police shootings of pit bulls that have been reported in this blog suggest that the officer was unjustified.  Often, pit bulls can only be stopped from attacking by shooting them.

But, if cops seem more willing to shoot all kinds of dogs since pit bulls have come on the scene and more and more cops are witnessing pit bull attacks believing they are typical of all dog bites, well, then that is simply yet another way that selfish pit bull owners are hurting us and our normal dogs by bringing their fighting dogs into our communities.

The only way to make sure fewer pit bulls are shot is to make sure there are fewer pit bulls.

Pit bull owners, it might be noted, give their blessings to cops who shoot their pit bulls when the pit bulls are attacking them, the owner.

Read more:
CBS local
Chicago Tribune
Police One

Related posts:
Sep 13, 2012 Berwyn pit bulls attack woman, police officer and kill small dog
Aug 06, 2012 Police: South Elgin officer kills pit bull attacking family
It is Time, Elgin
Apr 12, 2012 Cook County Cop Details Off Property, Unprovoked, Serial Attack to Defend Pit Bulls
Jun 29, 2011 Victim Of Dog Attack Speaks Out
Nov 25, 2010 Rockford alderman, daughter bitten in pit bull attack
Aug 07 2010 Pit Bulls Attack 5 Year Old Boy

Nov 26, 2012 Woodridge pit bull fatally mauls gentle maltipoo

UPDATE: More information has been received that the attacking pit bull had a previous dog attack that was not reported in exchange for the pit bull owner paying for medical bills.  And since the fatal attack on Buddy, the attacking pit bull was designated dangerous, but that did not stop the owner from negligently letting his dog run loose and it was picked up in April.  Can you imagine this dog that absolutely loves attacking and killing dogs running loose?  And NONE of this was reported in the media.

Woodridge - Ann Kramer sent in an account about the fatal pit bull attack that killed her sweet companion dog, Buddy.  She says that she wants to share the experience even though it was painful to sit and write it down.  She wants to share her story because she wants pit bull attacks to stop.  The media did not cover this.

Part of what makes sharing her story difficult is knowing she would have done things differently had she known how dangerous and lethal pit bulls are.  And now that she knows, she looks back in sorrow, feeling guilt that she should have done more to protect Buddy because Buddy  looked to her for protection.  She wants to share her story so other people can know and protect their beloved pets from pit bulls.
RIP sweet Buddy
Her story:
My experience was last year November 25th.  It was a really beautiful Sunday afternoon and my granddaughter and I had been sick for the 2 weeks before Thanksgiving.   But I felt great that day and wanted to take Buddy my little Maltipoo out for a long walk.

My Granddaughter was not with me when I decided to take Buddy for a walk, she was visiting with her mom.

I went out of my door ( I live in a condo on the 2nd floor) and started walking down the hall.  I heard something down the stairs (I had seen my neighbor walking out with their Pit Bull earlier) and figured it must be them coming back in.  So instead of going directly to the stairway, I stayed back and looked over to see who or what I could see.  I saw the dog coming up the stairs but didn't see the owner. I know the dog was on a leash but I could also tell it was a retractable leash.  I stepped back and said "I'll wait back here until you take your dog home"  I don't really know what he said maybe he said OK.  Not sure at this time. But I stayed back and was up against the wall watching the dog continue to come toward us.  I asked him "hey is your dog going to be ok?"  because at that time the dog was coming closer and I realized I wasn't far enough away from the dog.  Buddy got behind me up against the wall. The Pit came closer and I never saw the owner.  Then the dog was standing next to us against the wall looking down at Buddy.  The next thing I know was the dog just grabbed Buddy, and I started screaming "come and get your dog"  Just then I saw the owner for the first time.  But the dog took Buddy and got in another position in front of us.   At that point the owner started punching the Pit but it never let go.   At some point the owners brother came out and tried punching at the dog also but the dog never let go.   Finally and what seemed like a very long time of screaming and screaming and feeling like I was going to pass out.   I think I was screaming and crying as much as Buddy was crying.  This is so hard to go over again.  Then my neighbor came out and came running toward us and he was the one that got the Pit to let go.

I brought Buddy to the vet she had one puncture wound and two other wounds that didn't break the skin.  She had drains and stitches and they let me take her home.   But the shaking is what did the damage.  It seemed like it never ended.  She actually passed away on 11/26.

I hope that you can use my story for some good.  My sweet little Buddy wouldn't hurt a fly and I just couldn't get over how awful this was for her.  I know Buddy looked to me for protection and I feel like I failed her.  I will not ever get over how horrible this was.

Thank you, Ann, for sharing your heartbreaking story so others can save their pets.

Other pit bull attacks not reported in the media:
Aug 27, 2013 Bolingbrook police shoot pit bull attacking puggle
Jul 29, 2013 Zion teen receives $1.125 million after bullmastiff attack
Mar 06 2012 Pit Bulls seriously maul two dogs in Logan Square
Apr 18, 2011 Unreported Pit Bull Attacks in Chicago's 33rd Ward

Nov 26, 2012 Kids in Chicago don't see a problem with dogfighting

Chicago - Thanks to policies and programs by Safe Humane Chicago and Best Friends Animal Society that encourage pit bull ownership in poverty stricken neighborhoods infested with dogfighting, and placing fight bust dogs back into Chicago communities, small children are now wondering what the problem with dogfighting even is.  They see it all the time, and, as 14 year old Jason Walker says, "I really don't see what the big deal is about making dogs fight.  If two dogs want to fight then how is that illegal?"

Even though Safe Humane Chicago has been propagandizing about pit bulls to kids  in Chicago communities for years, kids still don't see what the big deal about dogfighting is.  Dogfighting is still a way of life.

So, by all means, let's continue to pump more pit bulls back into impoverished neighborhoods. And, by all means, let's take fight bust dogs and put THOSE pits back in Chicago neighborhoods providing cover for the dogfighters and endangering normal dogs.

Heaven forbid we ban pit bulls, removing cover for dogfighters and the opportunity for pre-teens to fight their pet pit bulls informally, preparing them for the big league.

Let's keep working to make Chicago more dangerous and more inhumane.

Read more:
DNAinfo.com

Related posts:
Dec 06, 2012 Dog fight bust in Dolton, IL
Who runs CACC and why won't Chicago Punish Irresponsible Pit Bull Owners?
Jul 16, 2011 Dog Fighting in Our Neighborhood
May 31, 2011 Felon Arrested for Pit Bull Fighting
Sep 03, 2011 Owner of decapitated dog hopes to save other pets
Jul 01, 2011 Crackdown on NW Side gang nets 5 dogfighting arrests
Dec 30, 2010 Seven Arrested at Maywood Dogfight in Progress
Jun 28, 2010 No Jail in Dogfighting Case, but 3 Must Pay for Dogs' Care

Nov 11, 2012 Kane County Health Dept. Confirms That First Responder Dawn Brown Killed By Bullmastiff

Health Dept. officials confirm that Dawn Brown's mastiff
was a bullmastiff gripping breed

Big Rock - The mastiff that killed its new owner, firefighter Dawn Brown, was a bull breed.  Just as developers of the pit bull terrier cross bred terriers with bulldogs to give them deadly gripping traits, developers of the bullmastiff were bred from 60% mastiff and 40% bulldog to create a more aggressive mastiff.

As has been widely reported, the bullmastiff was a new addition to the family and the dogs were not getting along together.  There has been speculation that Brown attempted to break up a dogfight.
Dawn Brown was a gripping breed lover.  Her two other dogs were a pit bull mix and a boxer.

The bullmastiff was euthanized.

Read more:
BND  Accessed: 2012-11-22. (Archived by WebCite® at http://www.webcitation.org/6CMwu476C)
dogsbite.org
CBS Chicago Accessed: 2012-11-22. (Archived by WebCite® at http://www.webcitation.org/6CN07vera)

Related posts
Jun 07, 2012 Cops Shoot Dog After One Attacks Elgin Firefighter, 2 Charge Firehouse
May 20, 2011 Woman Mauled by American Bulldogs in Rural Monmouth
Mar 23, 2011 Grandparents rescue boy being attacked by dog


Nov 16, 2012 Dog attacked by pit bull then fatally shot by police



Champaign - While attempting to save a labrador that was being attacked by a pit bull, police accidentally shot the labrador.

The victim dog was an exceedingly well-trained, gentle labrador retriever that was a beloved and cherished pet.  The owner's daughter had to witness a protracted attack by an aggressive pit bull and then see her dog shot dead.

The young woman was walking her dog on a leash when a pit bull ran up to them for the express purpose of attacking her dog.  The woman and another person tried to kick the pit bull off the lab, but when police arrived, the pit bull was still attacking the lab.

In an attempt to kill the pit bull and save the labrador, a police officer accidentally fatally shot the labrador.

The story on Illinois homepage.net headlines this as a dog fight when it is revealed that the victim dog was an exceedingly well-trained, gentle dog.  This was NOT a dog fight.  This was an attack by a fighting breed dog on a beloved, cherished and well-trained pet in a supposedly civilized society.

Read more:
The news-Gazette
Illinois homepage.net

Related posts:
Mar 31, 2011 Broadlands: Man Shoots Neighbor's Pit Bull
Aug 27, 2009 Pit bull attacks 80 year old woman
Jun 03, 2009 Pit Bull Attack on little boy
May 05, 2007 Pit bull invades home attacks 85-year-old for 30 minutes, breaks her back

Nov 12, 2012 Wilmette neighbors band together to sue pit bull owner



Wilmette - Four neighbors, concerned for the safety of their neighborhood, have reluctantly banded together to sue pit bull owner MEGAN ALBRIGHT and her parents.

Her pit bull has gotten out and acted aggressively three times and in a neighborhood where at least 40 children reside, no one wants to wait for an attack to happen.

It is alleged in the lawsuit that MEGAN's father has admitted that the pit bull is "mean" and MEGAN has said that the pit bull can't go to a kennel because it will attack the other animals.

MEGAN is very active in pit bull rescue and contends on her facebook page (which has since been set to private) that the neighbors just don't want a pit bull in the neighborhood and the loose black dog that has been seen in the neighborhood is really a black lab.

John Grady, a neighbor, said, “This is a very sad situation. I really like my neighbors, but “we are not waiting for the first bite, which could mean tragedy for a child.”

Please note that MEGAN ALBRIGHT undoubtedly sees herself as a responsible and knowledgeable owner who deems herself able to educate the public about pit bulls.  Meanwhile, her neighborhood is being held hostage by her loose pit bull.  It is not pit bull owners that educate people; the pit bulls themselves are educating us.

Read more:
WGNTV  Accessed: 2012-11-12. (Archived by WebCite® at http://www.webcitation.org/6C8RY4LKf)

Related posts:
Jul 03, 2012 Suit: Chicago Cop Matthew Bracken failed to stop his pit bull from ‘gruesomely killing’ smaller dog
Apr 18, 2012 Cop suspended over dog attack at Montrose Beach
The Nature of the Beasts: Illinois pit bull bullies
Dec 27, 2011 Wilmette boy treated for injuries after pit bull attack



Nov 07, 2012 Loose pit bulls attack and kill cat un Ukrainian Village


Chicago - "This morning around 8 am Smith Park resident was getting out of her car in the 2500 block of Superior when she observed 2 off-leash pit bulls heading towards her. When she didn't see an owner, she quickly went inside her fence. At this point a stray cat that several neighbors feed crossed their path. They immediately pounced on the cat killing her. Carrying the dead cat, the dogs headed away from the neighbor, so she ran back to her car and started following them."

Read more:
Everyblock

Related Posts:
Oct 10, 2012 Loose aggressive pit bulls menace Humboldt Park resident and her dog


Oct 25, 2012 Boomington couple attacked by pit bulls, hospitalized with very serious injuries

Bo, the mauling pit bull, the incompetent pit bull owner
SHANIE DOSS and her other pit bull
UPDATE: Connie Ljams remained in the hospital five days after she was attacked by SHANIE DOSS' pit bull.  She was initially listed in critical condition, but has since been upgraded.  The aftermath of this mauling has ruined Connie and her husband, Scott's, plans for Christmas.  The emotional and physical trauma will be long lasting, but both Connie and Scott are grateful to an unknown man whose actions may have saved their lives.

Bloomington - A bloomington couple delivering phone books to an apartment building were mauled by  pit bulls that rushed out of the building as the couple approached.  First responders say there was a lot of blood on the ground and the victims' injuries are very serious and both were taken to the hospital.

Watch video of owner SHANIE DOSS describing the attack here.

Bloomington has regular problems with pit bulls and the issue of enacting BSL to protect residents came up most recently this spring in May.

The McLean County Animal Control is going to evaluate the dogs to determine if they're "safe enough to bring home."

For their story, the Pantagraph asked a local no kill shelter to voice their opinion on BSL with predictable reponse.

Bloomington aldermen and the mayor ought to look at some of the over 500 towns and cities that have enacted successful pit bull laws across the US.

Pit Bull Laws Save Lives

Lancaster, CA found that instituting a pit bull ban helped lower gang crime as well as dog attacks.

Pawtucket, RI with a similar size population to Bloomington, has found enormous success with their legislation:

"Holmes says he predicted that it would take two years for Pawtucket to experience the full benefit of the law after it was passed, but the results were actually apparent in half the time.
"It's working absolutely fantastic," said Holmes. "We have not had a pit bull maiming in the city since December of 2004."

The Pawtucket ban is so successful, neighboring Woonsocket is working to institute their own ban.

Read more:
wmbd
msnbc
Pantagraph
UPDATE:
Pantagraph

related posts:
May 25, 2012 Carmi citizens want pit bull ban
May 16, 2012 Bloomington may review pet registration law after pit bull attack
Mar 24, 2009 Recent dog bites put animal safety back in public view



Oct 18, 2012 Pit bull that attacks elderly woman and her dog is shot dead

File photo of another lab attacked by a pit bull with extensive injuries
which are almost exactly like those described in this attack.
Evanston - A woman in her 70s and her labrador retriever mix were attacked by a pit bull.  The attack was protracted and when police arrived the pit bull had cornered the lab in a vestibule, and was still attacking it.

A neighbor attempted to stop the pit bull by throwing a brick paver at it, but that did not faze the pit bull.  When police arrived, the lab was bleeding heavily and the pit bull was STILL attacking it and the elderly owner.

The owner was bitten multimple times in the leg, and the labrador retriever mix had extensive bites on the neck, back, shoulder and leg.  Police shot and killed the attacking pit bull.

The owner of the pit bull has been identified and will probably be cited after the animal Warden has collected evidence.

Read more:
Sun Times
ABC local  Accessed: 2012-12-13. (Archived by WebCite® at http://www.webcitation.org/6CsygdCyE)

Related posts:
May 21, 2012 Skokie considers stricter law after 3 dog-on-dog attacks
May 07, 2012 Dog attacks in Skokie lead to ordinance changes
May 07, 2012 Pit bull attack takes precious pet from family
Dec 27, 2011 Wilmette boy treated for injuries after pit bull attack
Aug 08, 2011 Evanston Police want more teeth to proposed dangerous dog ordinance



Oct 10, 2012 Loose aggressive pit bulls menace Humboldt Park resident and her dog

Chicago - Everyblock member reports aggressive pit bulls loose in her neighborhood.
Other commenters share their pit bull attack stories and everyone agrees that calling animal control is useless.
One commenter discovers that the person to call is Ivan Capifali, Deputy Director of Chicago Animal Care and Control at 312-747-1384.
Two suggestions for Mr. Capifali's email address are:
icapifali@cityofchicago.org
ivan.capifali@cityofchicago.org.
Or, you can call 311 and get a reference number that you will need in order to contact CACC at: 312-747-1412.

Read more:
Everyblock

Related posts:
Sep 03, 2012 Pit bull attack 2 days ago in Chicago
May 22, 2012 Chicago Police warn of Vicious Pit bull on the loose in neighborhood
May 17, 2012 Aggressive Pit Bulls Argyle x Keystone in Chicago
Apr 25, 2012 Dangerous pit bulls on N. Sheffield ave in Chicago
Mar 21, 2012 When animals attack - Pit bulls lead Chicago Bite counts
Jan 12, 2012 There are too many uncontrolled pits in Chicago
Aug 07 2011 Neighborhood Notices Cats Disappearing Fear Dogfighting is Responsible


Sep 25, 2012 Dekalb pit bull kills dog - woman seeks stronger laws for dogs that attack pets


DeKalb - "Lilly meant the world to Doris Sermovitz."

Lilly, a miniature schnauzer, helped Sernovitz lose 70 pounds.  Lilly gave her a reason to get up and go for walks which helped her lose weight.  Then, during one of their walks, a pit bull escaped from a yard and mauled Lilly who died in Sernovitz' arms.  Servovitz was bitten by the pit bull.

"She also has trouble sleeping at night. Sernovitz’s boyfriend used to place Lilly on her in bed, and she would hold her as she fell asleep. Now, she has nightmares about dog attacks."

The pit bull had attacked a husky previously.  The pit bull owner has been unusually compassionate.  He said he had the pit bull put down because he didn't want this to happen again and he said he realized that it would have been difficult for Sernovitz to see the pit bull remain in her neighborhood.  He also sent her a condolence card with his phone number.

Police chief Gene Lowery stated that owners can only be penalized if a dog in public maims or kills a person and that there is no recourse in Illinois code for dogs attacking other dogs. 

He is wrong.  The pit bull had previously attacked a husky, and could have been designated dangerous for that offense.  


Illinois law also states that the owner of a dog is liable for any injury caused by a dog.  And state law does not limit municipalities' power to enact ordinances to further control and regulate dogs.

Lowery states that he supports legislation that only takes effect after a person or pet is attacked rather than acting proactively to prevent further horrors described here.

DeKalb is a home rule municipality which means that if residents of Dekalb prefer to not have pit bulls in their community, they may regulate pit bulls by banning them or by mandating that owners be responsible by requiring any or all of the following:
1. One million dollar liability insurance policy on the pit bull
2. All pit bulls be spayed or neutered
3. Secure fencing that might include 6 ft privacy fence and 6 sided kennels with a top and a cement
4. mandatory muzzling

Many municipalities fear two issues related to breed specific legislation concerning pit bull.  The first problem they fear is pit bull identification.  However, over 600 municipalities across the US have breed specific legislation and have been successfully able to enact a procedure for identifying pit bulls.  These ordinances have occasionally been challenged in court, but have withstood those challenges.

The second concern is the cost associated with enforcing BSL.  Best Friends Animal Society has created a wildly inaccurate "calculator" to scare municipalities with unbelievably fantastic costs.  The BSL calculator has been proven to be bogus.

Recently, that BSL calculator calculated that it cost 3 million dollars a year to enforce the 28 year old pit bull ban in Miami-Dade county.  When asked about this, the head animal control officer said that their entire budget is less than 3 million dollars and that enforcing BSL only cost 2 to 3 percent of their entire budget.

That does not seem to high a price to pay to protect residents from the horror of pit bull maulings on people and on beloved pets.  We all can agree that Doris Semovitz lost more than a pet and more than a companion that day she lost Lilly.

Read more:

Comment after story:
Diane D., Sycamore, Il (dkd607) wrote on September 25, 2012 2:46 p.m. ...
My Sheltie and I were attacked last summer at the Sycamore cemetary by a pitbull. Thankfully with the help of many neighbors we survived. Fortunately the pitbull was put to sleep because that area has many children and other dogs and obviously the pitbull could not be trusted. I did not get compensated by the owner and that is wrong. If you own a dog, you take full responsibilty for that animal. No animal can be trusted and owners need to be liable for them. I am sorry Ms. Sernovitz for your loss, I know what you are going through.
file photos of the breeds attacked
Related posts:
Sep 13, 2012 Berwyn pit bulls attack woman, police officer and kill small dog
Sep 06, 2012 Dog Owner: 'Neighbor's Pit Bull Killed My Dog'
Aug 13, 2012 Family tries to recover after fatal attack on pet
Jul 10, 2012 Waukegan woman’s canine companion killed by pit bull
Mar 27, 2012 Family Looking For Owner Of Pit Bull That Killed Their Pet






Sep 17, 2012 Pit bull jumps fence to bite 6 month old Yorkie in own yard

File photo of Yorkie puppy
Midlothian - Police responded to a call about a pit bull biting another dog in the 3800 block of 153rd Street. At the scene, officers located the pit bull, known as Princess, in the backyard of a home, but they were unable to catch it. The dog jumped a fence into another yard, where it bit a 6-month-old Yorkie, named Sparkles, on the leg, breaking the skin.

Sparkles was taken to the University Park animal clinic for treatment.

Charles R. Wilke, 37, of the 3800 block of W. 153rd Street, Princess' owner, was cited for allowing the dog to run at-large, and issued a Nov. 5 court date. A Cook County Animal Control Animal Bite Report was completed and faxed to animal control offices.

Read more:
Oak Forest Patch Accessed: 2012-09-19. (Archived by WebCite® at http://www.webcitation.org/6AnaZKKMr) 

Sep 13, 2012 Berwyn pit bulls attack woman, police officer and kill small dog


UPDATE: Sep 19, 2012
Berwyn police had issued at least 29 citations to the owners of the pit bull that killed a small dog in the two years previous to the attack.  NORMA ARGUETA and FERNANDO TREVINO of 2640 Ridgeland ave. had abused their dogs, terrorized their neighborhood, failed to pay their fines, and Berwyn police failed to take the pit bulls away before a small dog was killed and the owner sent to the emergency room.

Berwyn - A pit bull crawled under a fence to attack a small dog being walked by a woman.  The woman was attacked when she tried to protect her dog.  The small dog was killed.

When police arrived, instead of immediately shooting the pit bull, police attempted to capture it and a police officer was also injured.  Once police had determined that the pit bull was extremely aggressive and an "immediate threat to everyone in the area," police fatally shot it.

At the same time, a second pit bull jumped over a five foot fence and was also fatally shot.

Police Chief James Ritz said that the pit bulls were very aggressive and it was a very dangerous situation.  Police are looking at charging the pit owners, but does not yet know if the charges will be criminal charges or local dog ordinance charges.

Read more:
Chicago Sun Times  Accessed: 2012-09-14. (Archived by WebCite® at http://www.webcitation.org/6Afn2H3mK)
Chicago Tribune  Accessed: 2012-09-14. (Archived by WebCite® at http://www.webcitation.org/6Afn7n7lT)

Sep 12, 2012 Thank you Virginia for keeping weapons grade pit bulls from coming to Elgin, Illinois


Loudoun VA - Tremain Dene Johnson, 44, of Lithonia, Ga., and Harry Ortice Puckett, 33, of Elgin, Ill., are charged with importing pet dogs into the Commonwealth of Virginia from another state without certificate of veterinary inspection, a Class 1 misdemeanor.

The men were stopped on the Dulles Greenway when an Loudoun Animal Control officer...found the men were in possession of 10 dogs that appeared to be pit bulls or pit bull mixes of varying ages and degrees of health.

“By law we can seize animals if we feel their health is a direct or immediate threat. These dogs met that criteria and we had grounds for seizing,” said Adrienne Burton, chief of Loudoun County Animal Control.

Read more:
Loudoun Times  Accessed: 2012-09-12. (Archived by WebCite® at http://www.webcitation.org/6AdaQ281m)

Sep 12, 2012 The Troubled Past Of Teen Pit Bull Victim Charged In Fatal Highland Park Crash

UPDATE:  Carly Rousso who was 18 when she crashed into a family killing a 5 year old girl in 2012 has been released from prison after serving 3.5 years of her 5 year sentence.

Highland Park - A teen-aged girl hit a group of people with her car killing a five-year-old girl. Years before, the driver had been a victim of a pit bull attack that left her with scars, and psychological problems which led to substance abuse.

Last week, Rousso, 18, was charged with misdemeanor driving under the influence of an intoxicating compound after a crash that killed a 5-year-old girl in Highland Park and injured her mother and two brothers.

On Tuesday — the same day the funeral was held for the girl, Jaclyn Santos-Sacramento — Rousso was briefly jailed before she was released on bond with a curfew and an agreement not to drive or consume any intoxicants. During a court appearance, her lawyer also revealed that she is receiving outpatient treatment, though he did not specify for what.

Carly Rousso said she was afraid to sleep. After the Highland Park teenager was attacked by a pit bull three years ago, she had frequent nightmares in which an animal — often a dog but always something with teeth — would attack her.

She switched schools; her grades fell. She reported hallucinations and suicidal thoughts, according to court records filed in a lawsuit against the pit bull's owner.

Court records reveal that Rousso has had past struggles with substance use and emotional problems that stretch back years. Her family claimed in a lawsuit against the pit bull owner responsible for her attack that the attack led to many of her troubles. She also was later cited for marijuana possession and as a result participated in a 12-step rehab program, court records show. The information gathered from court records reveals a more complex portrait of the woman charged in the Labor Day crash.

Through a family spokesman, Rousso's parents declined to comment about the pit bull attack or their daughter's past struggles.

On May 1, 2009, Rousso was visiting a friend's home in Highland Park when a pit bull her friend's brother was walking on a leash suddenly attacked her without provocation, according to the lawsuit.

Read more:
UPDATE Chicago Tribune  Archive
Chicago Tribune
http://trib.in/1EP3mKm



Related posts:

Jun 26, 2009 Highland Park, Elgin consider restrictions on pit bulls 
May 15, 2009 Highland Park Crumbles On Pit-Bull Ban Failing Victim
May 4, 2009 Highland Park Mulls Pit Bull Ban After Attack




Sep 06, 2012 Oak Forest Dog Owner: 'Neighbor's Pit Bull Killed My Dog'

RIP Powder


Oak Forest - Bonnie Fouts-Bell, owner of two American Eskimo dogs, was horrified to find that her 15 year old male, Powder, was in the neighbor's yard with the neighbor's pit bull.  Powder had been so severely mauled, the pit bull broke his neck, that the had to be euthanized.

The veterinarian that saw Powder after the mauling said that he believed Powders injuries were consistent with being dragged under the fence, but could not state this with certainty.

Even though the owner of the pit bull, RAUL BUSTOS, was not at home at the time, having left the pit bull unattended in the yard all day, he feels that the 15 year old dog must have wriggled under the fence into his yard to be killed by the pit bull.

BUSTOS also criticizes Power's owner because she has sprayed both her dogs and his dog when they have barking matches at the fence.  An interesting question to pose to BUSTOS would be "What did you do to stop the barking at the fence?"

Police chief Greg Anderson said that they could only send letters of recommendations to the owners to prevent the pit bull from killing again.  Anderson told Bouts-Bell that it is she who should make her fence pit bull proof.

Read more:
Oak Forest Patch  Accessed: 2012-09-10. (Archived by WebCite® at http://www.webcitation.org/6AaLRmYl2)

Related posts:
List of Invasion Attacks
These are attacks where the dog invades a home, place of business, occupied building or securely enclosed yard expressly to attack.  Attacks in which the pit bull pulls another animal through their fence in an attempt to kill them are also considered invasion attacks.  Invasion attacks by dogs other than pit bulls are virtually non-existent.

Sep 05, 2012 Glen Ellyn Pit bull immediately euthanized after attack on child in home


Glen Ellyn  - Justin Wolter called police to help him dispose of a pit bull after it bit an 11 month old relative in their home.  When police arrived, the family had already taken the girl, who was bitten in the face, to get medical attention.

Glen Ellyn police called DuPage Animal Control who euthanized the dog and sent the pit bull's head to a laboratory for rabies testing.  Tests came back negative for rabies.

The dog owner was owner was cited for failure to license the dog and failure to get the dog vaccinated for rabies.

Read more:
Glen Ellyn Patch
89 WLS  Accessed: 2012-09-07. (Archived by WebCite® at http://www.webcitation.org/6AVdbuM1p)
Chicago Sun-Times  Accessed: 2012-09-07. (Archived by WebCite® at http://www.webcitation.org/6AVdggdT8)

Aug 16, 2012 Man Killed By Own Pit Bulls In Englewood


UPDATE - A subsequent news article shows an interview with Hagerman's family who say that the dogs were not the friendly pets described by Daryl Williams, the owner of the dogs.  Hagerman's mother, Salithia Maybell, and his neice, Zarquil Boston, both described previous attacks on animals and humans, one killing a dog.   These updates are discussed at dogsbite.org



Chicago - The Cook County Medial Examiner's office concluded that Charles Hagerman, 44, was killed by one or both of his pit bulls in his Englewood home.

When his wife and her son returned to their home, Hagerman was dead and some reports indicate one dog was still mauling his body.  The dogs had torn off all his clothes and torn off half of his face.

The dogs, 3 1/2 yo Scrappy and  his offspring, Rocco, were reportedly well cared for and loved and there was no indication that the dogs were dangerous, though Scrappy was territorial.

A neighbor reported seeing the dogs being walked regularly.  Daryl William, the son of Hagerman's wife, reported that the dogs slept in Hagerman's bedroom.  The family, at a loss to explain why these dogs killed their owner,  suspects that Hagerman may have had a seizure which scared the them.

Police had to shoot the dogs to remove them from the apartment.

Read more:
CBS Chicago
Related posts:
Aug 15, 2012 Officers fatally shoot dog while serving warrant in Englewood
Mar 21, 2012 When animals attack - Pit bulls lead Chicago Bite counts
Jan 02, 2012 Lakefront jogger critically injured by pit bulls: 'They wouldn't let the man go'
Dec 07, 2011 Animal Services: Pit bulls killed Rockford woman
Jan 18, 2010 Cops: Chicago Man Mauled to Death by Daughter's Pit Bulls
Aug 25, 2001 South Side tot hurt in pit bull mauling



Aug 15, 2012 Officers fatally shoot dog while serving warrant in Englewood

Chicago police shot and killed a dog as they served a search warrant at a home in the Englewood neighborhood on the South Side, authorities said.

No officers were injured during the 10 p.m. incident in the 6900 block of South Loomis Boulevard, police said.

The officers were serving the warrant when the man named in the papers ran into his backyard and told his pit bull terrier to attack the officers, Englewood District police said.

by William Lee
Chicago Tribune  Accessed: 2012-08-15. (Archived by WebCite® at http://www.webcitation.org/69wgeHt4v)

Aug 13, 2012 Family tries to recover after fatal attack on pet


Villa Park — Julie Ketter’s 11-year old daughter hasn’t been able to sleep. At night she’s kept awake by nightmares, and during the day she’s afraid to go outside or ride her bike.

Her mother pleaded with the owner to get rid of the dog because her daughter is scared to go to the park and there worries that neighborhood children will be safe.  It is unlikely, however, since that owner is breeding the dog and has a litter of pit bull puppies.

At this point, pit bull advocates will say, "He should be responsible." or "Ban irresponsible owners!" or something equally juvenile and ineffectual.

The real question for the grown ups is: What can anyone realistically do at this point in the situation to either stop Munez from owning pit bulls or force him to be responsible (and intelligent).

Read more:
Villa Park Argus  Accessed: 2012-08-14. (Archived by WebCite® at http://www.webcitation.org/69uxsHktg)

Related posts:
Sep 13, 2012 Berwyn pit bulls attack woman, police officer and kill small dog

Sep 06, 2012 Dog Owner: 'Neighbor's Pit Bull Killed My Dog'




Aug 06, 2012 Police: South Elgin officer kills pit bull attacking family

This pit bull attack occurred in the small Village of South Elgin which is not to be confused with the City of Elgin.  South Elgin has a median household income of $80,879; 3% of the population lives below the poverty level; has a 90.6% home ownership rate.
Sgt. Craig Steurer

South Elgin - Police Sgt. Craig Steurer was called to a dog attack in progress in a South Elgin home.  He said he could tell by the call that this was no "normal" bite and release kind of dog attack.

When he arrived, he found the woman faintly crying for help, lying motionless face down on the floor with a pit bull clamped on her arm.  Steurer reported that she was completely covered in smeared blood.

The pit bull was "actively chewing and pulling on her right arm."

He managed to get the pit bull off her, but when it appeared menacing, he shot the pit in the head.

Sgt Steurer is being hailed as a hero.  This is not the first time he has had to shoot a pit bull to stop it from attacking.  Last year he shot a pit bull that was biting the heel of a fellow officer on duty.

He said that what went through his mind was, "The damage these things can do."

The woman's niece and nephew had closed themselves in a bedroom, but the nephew had also been bitten.

Initial reports said that both the woman and the nephew had been taken to St. Joseph Hospital in Elgin and later had to be transported to Advocate Lutheran General Hosptial in Park Ridge with serious injuries.

Read more:
Courier News Accessed: 2012-08-08. (Archived by WebCite® at http://www.webcitation.org/69lvSUKAI)
Daily Herald  Accessed: 2012-08-08. (Archived by WebCite® at http://www.webcitation.org/69lvPExHR)

Related post:
It is Time, Elgin