Pit Bull Attacks and Dogfighting in Illinois: 08/01/2012

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

Chicago Sun Times
ABC Local

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.

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)

Trib local Elgin Accessed: 2012-08-09. (Archived by WebCite^® at http://www.webcitation.org/69nhEUWY7)

Aug 05, 2012 Union Grove allows dangerous pit bull to go to Illinois

RIP Adorable Milo

Union Grove - A pit bull that is known to police as one that gets loose and has caused unspecified problems in the past has killed an adorable Bichon Frise puppy while his traumatised owner watched.

Union Grove authorities, not having had the backbone to remove the dog from the owner (who is now incarcerated) in the past, allowed this to happen. They also, lacking a backbone, instead of responsibly putting the killer pit bull down, allowed it to be removed to Illinois. Thank you, Union Grove!

I used to love Wisconsin, but after this, and reading in the comments section that someone from Racine felt it unjustified to banish Princess the killer pit bull just for one measly little puppy, I don't know if I can stand to go back there.

What kind of people put pit bulls before people and normal dogs? It is time that town leaders and authorities be reminded that these cowardly actions send far reaching messages to the people you were elected to protect through governance. Have some backbone and show families that you're not going to let felonious pit bull owners run the show.

AND STOP SENDING KILLER PIT BULLS TO ILLINOIS! WE ARE ALREADY INFESTED WITH ENOUGH.

Aug 01, 2012 Pit bull kills small dog in Villa Park, owner cited

The question is: What kind of community do we want to live in? One that safeguards and protects children and pets? Or one that values dogs that are an immediate threat to living things if they escape their yard over children? The way local governments respond to tragedies like this will answer that question. Who wants to live in a community that values pit bulls over children and gentle pets?

If he wants to do something for me, he should get rid of his dog because now I’m afraid for the kids in our neighborhood. I don’t want that dog in our neighborhood. Julie Ketter

Beloved Daisy was attacked and killed in front of Delaney Ketter, 11, and several other children

Daisy, a 3 year old bichon frise-poodle mix, was killed by a pit bull
on Sunday in Villa Park. photo courtesy of Julie Ketter

Julie Ketter says that all the children in her Villa Park neighborhood knew her dog, Daisy.

Kids often would play with the 3-year-old bichon frise-poodle mix. Young girls would even dress the small dog like a doll and push her around in a baby stroller.

“Daisy would just let them do whatever,” Ketter said. “She was kind of the neighborhood dog.”

Daisy was with a small group of children on Sunday morning when she was attacked and killed by a pit bull that came from a neighboring backyard. The kids, including Ketter’s 11-year-old daughter, witnessed the fatal confrontation, which also left a young girl with minor injuries.

by Robert Sanchez
Read more:
Daily Herald

Aug 01, 2012 Bolingbrook pit bull attacks police and shot and killed

Bolingbrook - Police responding to a fight report were attacked by a pit bull that was released from the home. The pit bull was shot and killed.

Read more:
Bolingbrook Patch