Pit Bull Attacks and Dogfighting in Illinois: 2011

Showing posts with label 2011. Show all posts

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 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.

Read more:
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)

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)