Rockford - After at least three attacks in the last four years, neighbors on one Rockford street want one dog removed.
Two dogs have died, and now another is in the hospital. Neighbors say they fear their children could be next.
"I looked out the window and they weren't fighting, it was a straight attack."
Tuesday night, Tina McFarland says a chow wandering her street was brutally attacked by Jasmine, a rotweiller-boxer-pitbull mix.
"As a parent, I’m scared to death."
And just a year ago, neighbor Dayma Coy says her dog Lassie was attacked and later died, also because of a fight with Jasmine.
"She was in my yard and the dog came and attacked her." She's since put up a fence.
PHILLIP SMITH, who evidently let his dangerous pit bull mix run loose regularly, says “…there' ain't no sense in having a dog if she ain't a guard dog, that's the bottom-line."
Smith paid Lassie's vet bill after she died and also admits to another dog killed by Jasmine.
“Something needs to be done, because I don't want this to be a kid, because if that was a child, I don't know what you could do to stop it."
These neighbors say they've had enough.
"They need to get rid of the dog or they need to put up a fence, because if they love their dog they’re going to protect it and the neighbors."
Winnebago County Animal Services says it's investigating the case and Jasmine could potentially be taken away.
But the fight with the Chow Tuesday night is the only incident with a dog in the neighborhood actually reported by neighbors.
Smith says he would consider putting up a bigger fence if the neighbors would help pay for it.
No word on the chow's condition.
Read more:
My State Line
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