Chicago - Officer Lisa Cornish, just off duty and still in uniform, was walking her 3-year-old miniature schnauzer, Pepper, early Friday when an unleashed pit bull pounced on her dog, flinging it back and forth "like a rag doll."
Unable to free her dog with her hands, Cornish took out her service weapon and held it two inches from the dog's back. She said she told the people walking the pit bull, "I'm going to have to shoot your dog." They agreed. She fired.
"I didn't second-guess myself," the eight-year Chicago police veteran said at her home Friday afternoon. "It was basically for my safety, the safety of my family pet."
Police said that Cornish was within guidelines when she fired the shot and that she followed all necessary procedures after the incident correctly.
Police spokesman Pat Camden said an officer shooting a dog is "a judgment call."
"Obviously, if she shot the dog at 3 in the afternoon in a playground full of children, it would be a bad decision," he said. "But it was 1 a.m., and she shot the dog at close range."
Shooting out of control animals is a fairly routine action, and there is no specific rule stating when it's acceptable for an officer to shoot a dog.
After the attack a woman took away the pit bull, which was still alive, Camden said.
The whereabouts and condition of the dog are unknown, he said.
Cornish said she filed a police report detailing the incident and why she used her weapon.
The city's Animal Care and Control Department received a call about an attack, but the dogs were gone when their truck arrived, spokeswoman Melanie Sobel said.
As Cornish got ready for work Friday afternoon, Pepper seemed normal, wagging her tail and begging for attention. Pepper had two gashes--one behind her ears and another on her throat--and fresh rabies vaccine and antibiotics shots from the veterinarian's office.
Cornish said the other dog is probably worse off.
"They need to find that dog," she said. "I'm sure that dog is not in great shape."
Chicago Tribune
Jun 11, 2005 Aurora Pit Bull Mauls 11-Year-Old Boy
Aurora - The owner of a pit bull that mauled an 11-year-old Aurora boy this week will not be charged by police.
Orville Wayne Cockriel was questioned by Aurora police Thursday night after being arrested by Kane County sheriff's deputies. Citing lack of criminal intent, police declined to charge Cockriel, 54, of the 400 block of Dayward Court.
The investigation has been turned over to Aurora animal control authorities, who will decide whether to bring charges under local ordinances, police said.
Sunday night, Cockriel's white pit bull, Popeye, attacked neighbor Xavier Benavidez. The boy was bitten numerous times and received between 30 and 40 stitches to his face, shoulder and ribcage.
The dog was euthanized Monday morning.
Cockriel continues to be held on an arrest warrant for contempt of court over a child-support issue, according to the Kane County sheriff's office.
Read more:
Chicago Tribune
Orville Wayne Cockriel was questioned by Aurora police Thursday night after being arrested by Kane County sheriff's deputies. Citing lack of criminal intent, police declined to charge Cockriel, 54, of the 400 block of Dayward Court.
The investigation has been turned over to Aurora animal control authorities, who will decide whether to bring charges under local ordinances, police said.
Sunday night, Cockriel's white pit bull, Popeye, attacked neighbor Xavier Benavidez. The boy was bitten numerous times and received between 30 and 40 stitches to his face, shoulder and ribcage.
The dog was euthanized Monday morning.
Cockriel continues to be held on an arrest warrant for contempt of court over a child-support issue, according to the Kane County sheriff's office.
Read more:
Chicago Tribune
May 22, 2005 Rockford Dogfight Bust - First Bust of Modern Era
Rockford - "Ten days ago, locl law enforcement officials found what they believe is evidence of a major dogfighting operation at a home on West State Street. There to arrest a man on federal charges of credit card fraud, they discovered a makeshtip fighting pit in the home's basement; a stash of veterinary supplies, including syringes, training devices, 18 pit bull terriers, some with visible wounds on their front legs, wooden huts with heavy chains, signature housing for fighting dogs, a mound of paperwork and two computers, all of which was seized.
Then, less than 24 hours later, six of the dogs were stolen from the animal shelter - just another sign, experts say, that this was a dogfighting ring.
Not only was the discovery a first for the Rockford area, it was one of the largest busts in Illinois and neighboring states in the past year. And it confirmed what officials had feared - organized dogfighting had found a home in Winnebago County."
The article states that this was the first bust in Rockford, but Rockford actually has a big history of loving dogfighting.
Rockford Register Star, Rockford, IL, May 22, 2005, p. 1D
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Then, less than 24 hours later, six of the dogs were stolen from the animal shelter - just another sign, experts say, that this was a dogfighting ring.
Not only was the discovery a first for the Rockford area, it was one of the largest busts in Illinois and neighboring states in the past year. And it confirmed what officials had feared - organized dogfighting had found a home in Winnebago County."
The article states that this was the first bust in Rockford, but Rockford actually has a big history of loving dogfighting.
Rockford Register Star, Rockford, IL, May 22, 2005, p. 1D
Related posts:
Feb 13, 1906 Dogfighting illegal in Rockford
Jan 29, 1906 Days after Pit Bulldogs Banned, Frat Boys' Bulldogs are Shot
May 10, 2005 Chicago Pit bull that mauled a Child Had Attacked Before
Chicago - A dog that mauled a 3-year-old Chicago girl Sunday had been confiscated by the city last month after it bit another child, then released 10 days later.
The 60-pound pit bull reportedly broke loose from its chain in a Northwest Side home Sunday and attacked Akina Jackson, who was visiting the home. The dog knocked the girl down, bit her face and ear and dragged her across the yard and sidewalk before neighbors could rescue her.
The dog was euthanized Sunday night. Authorities declined to discuss the condition of the girl, who was released from the hospital Monday.
Last month Bruno, a 1-year-old pit bull owned by Devarryl Joiner of the 1600 block of North Moody Avenue, bit a 12-year-old boy on the hand and was quarantined for 10 days by the city's Department of Animal Care and Control, spokeswoman Melanie Sobel said.
A city animal control officer euthanized Bruno Sunday night. Joiner was cited for failing to restrain and failing to muzzle his dog, police spokesman Matthew Jackson said. He faces fines ranging from $300 to $10,000, Sobel said. He is scheduled to appear before a hearing officer on June 17.
Akina was treated overnight at Children's Memorial Hospital. Her family did not return phone calls Monday.
Lee Joiner, Devarryl Joiner's mother, said Akina was at her home Sunday to buy candy, which she sold from the second floor of her home.
Lee Joiner said the dog was restrained in the family's basement, but bit through a "thick metal chain."
"The dog broke out of the chains and came out the front door when the little girl was leaving," said Lee Joiner, who was not home at the time of the incident. The dog then attacked the girl on the front steps of the family's home.
Read more:
Chicago Tribune
The 60-pound pit bull reportedly broke loose from its chain in a Northwest Side home Sunday and attacked Akina Jackson, who was visiting the home. The dog knocked the girl down, bit her face and ear and dragged her across the yard and sidewalk before neighbors could rescue her.
The dog was euthanized Sunday night. Authorities declined to discuss the condition of the girl, who was released from the hospital Monday.
Last month Bruno, a 1-year-old pit bull owned by Devarryl Joiner of the 1600 block of North Moody Avenue, bit a 12-year-old boy on the hand and was quarantined for 10 days by the city's Department of Animal Care and Control, spokeswoman Melanie Sobel said.
A city animal control officer euthanized Bruno Sunday night. Joiner was cited for failing to restrain and failing to muzzle his dog, police spokesman Matthew Jackson said. He faces fines ranging from $300 to $10,000, Sobel said. He is scheduled to appear before a hearing officer on June 17.
Akina was treated overnight at Children's Memorial Hospital. Her family did not return phone calls Monday.
Lee Joiner, Devarryl Joiner's mother, said Akina was at her home Sunday to buy candy, which she sold from the second floor of her home.
Lee Joiner said the dog was restrained in the family's basement, but bit through a "thick metal chain."
"The dog broke out of the chains and came out the front door when the little girl was leaving," said Lee Joiner, who was not home at the time of the incident. The dog then attacked the girl on the front steps of the family's home.
Read more:
Chicago Tribune
May 04, 2005 Arlington Heights Pit Bull Kills Yorkie at Petsmart
Arlington Heights - A yorkshire terrier puppy was killed in a Petsmart. Both dogs were waiting in line to got to the in-store vet clinic. When the pit bull owner handed the leash to a store employee, the pit bull got loose and immediately ran to Pastina, a yorkshire terrier puppy grabbed it in its jaws, shook the little dog, immediately killing her.
Petsmart was very emphatic that they were not responsible at all for allowing pit bulls into their stores, but they did give the woman $1,200.
Daily Herald, Arlington Heights, Il, May 04, 2005
http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-132580746.html
Petsmart was very emphatic that they were not responsible at all for allowing pit bulls into their stores, but they did give the woman $1,200.
Daily Herald, Arlington Heights, Il, May 04, 2005
http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-132580746.html
May 03, 2005 Belleville owner of attacking pit bull sued
Belleville -- The mother of an 8-year-old Illinois girl who was attacked by a pit bull is suing the dog’s owners for more than $200,000.
Demetria Spealman filed suit against Wayne and Judy Stonecipher of Belleville alleging her daughter Danielle Glasco suffered extensive head and facial wounds from a dog named “Midnight” on Dec. 4, 2004, while she was playing at their house.
“(The) dog had a vicious disposition and was accustomed to attacking and biting people, children and other animals,” according to the suit filed April 26 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.
Spealman claims the Stoneciphers were negligent because they advised her daughter and other children to go outside and play with the chained dog.
“Danielle Lee Glasco suffered severe, extensive and permanent injuries, both physically and emotionally, including substantial flesh wounds on her face, removing muscle, tissue and nerves, injuries throughout her face and head from the dog’s teeth and from the dog shaking her,” the suit states.
Spealman, represented by W. Michael Gnavi of Collinsville, claims her daughter has undergone plastic surgery and incurred substantial medical bills.
Read more:
Demetria Spealman filed suit against Wayne and Judy Stonecipher of Belleville alleging her daughter Danielle Glasco suffered extensive head and facial wounds from a dog named “Midnight” on Dec. 4, 2004, while she was playing at their house.
“(The) dog had a vicious disposition and was accustomed to attacking and biting people, children and other animals,” according to the suit filed April 26 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.
Spealman claims the Stoneciphers were negligent because they advised her daughter and other children to go outside and play with the chained dog.
“Danielle Lee Glasco suffered severe, extensive and permanent injuries, both physically and emotionally, including substantial flesh wounds on her face, removing muscle, tissue and nerves, injuries throughout her face and head from the dog’s teeth and from the dog shaking her,” the suit states.
Spealman, represented by W. Michael Gnavi of Collinsville, claims her daughter has undergone plastic surgery and incurred substantial medical bills.
Read more:
Jan 27, 2005 Erie Pit Bull Attack Kills Lydia Chaplin, 14
Erie –– Lydia Chaplin, a 14-year-old girl, found dead along a rural road northwest of Erie Thursday was attacked by dogs and died of hypothermia, according to authorities late Friday night.
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| RIP Lydia |
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CBS 4 QC (Archived by WebCite® at http://www.webcitation.org/64Rxjh34w)
Find-a-Grave
Related posts:
All Fatal Pit Bull Attacks in Illinois
Find-a-Grave
Related posts:
All Fatal Pit Bull Attacks in Illinois
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