Pit Bull Attacks and Dogfighting in Illinois

Jul 22, 2015 Chicago Dog Attack Victim Says Owners Not Punished Enough

Chicago - Marilyn Grimes sought media help get the word out that not enough is being done for the victims of severe pit bull attacks.

Marilyn Grimes was severely attacked by three pit bulls that got out because their irresponsible owner didn’t make sure the gate was latched to keep people safe from her maulers. Her little dog was killed in the attack and she almost lost both her legs.

Reporter Mai Martinez dug up some background information on dog bites in Cook County and Chicago:

“A review of city and county records from 2012-2014 shows more than 5,700 dog bites were reported in Chicago, and another 8,600 in Cook County.

The city deemed only 280 of those dogs dangerous, the county, just 27. A small number were euthanized and most owners faced maximum fines of just $500.”

And there were no consequences for the irresponsible owner, Katesha Curtiss. Marilyn Grimes wants that to change.

CBS Local

Jul 22, 2015 Cicero Lawsuit: Pit bull allegedly attacks neighbor

Cicero - “A Cicero woman allegedly attacked by a pit bull is suing the dog's owners.

Diane Reyes filed a lawsuit July 16 in Cook County Circuit Court against Waldir Gonzalez and Elio Essant, alleging violations of the Animal Control Act.

According to the complaint, on July 30, 2014, Reyes was outside near her home in Cicero, when she was allegedly attacked by a pit bull housed by the defendants at 1818 51st Court, Cicero. The suit says, as a result of the attack, Reyes sustained bite injuries, as well as pain and suffering, disfigurement, disability, loss of a normal life and medical expenses.

Reyes seeks damages of more than $50,000, plus costs. She is represented by attorney William R. Cassian of Cassian & Carter in Joliet. “

Read more:
Cook County Record

Related posts:
Feb 27, 2015 Lawsuit: Tenants Claim Landlord’s Pit Bull Attacked Their Lab In Backyard
Feb 10, 2015 Chicago Woman Attacked by Pit Bull, Sees Pet Killed and is Shot in Foot at Jazz Festival
Nov 21, 2014 Schaumburg Mother of boy allegedly attacked by pit bull sues dog, property owners
Aug 29, 2014 Granite City resident sued over boy’s injuries in pit bull attack
Aug 27, 2014 Suit: Dog attacked man while delivering package
Aug 11, 2014 Suit: Three Cook County Pit Bulls Attacked Professional Dog Walker

Jul 21, 2015 Woodstock Pit Bulls Launch Serial Attacks on Dogs

Woodstock - Two pit bulls attacked a lab and a poodle in separate attacks on July 11 in rural Woodstock. In the first incident, the pit bulls allegedly attacked a Labrador retriever. A passerby found the injured Labrador lying in the ditch next to the road, one neighbor reported. The dog was taken to an emergency animal hospital in Crystal Lake for treatment.

Later in the day, the same two pit bulls allegedly attacked a small poodle further down the road. The homeowner shot one of the attacking pit bulls, authorities said. The poodle and the injured pit bull were taken to an emergency animal hospital in Crystal Lake for treatment. The whereabouts of the second pit bull is unknown.

Animal Control spokesperson Debra Quackenbush said the injured pit bull was eventually transferred into Animal Control’s care, and the dog later died. Quackenbush said the dog succumbed to injuries it sustained while fighting with the poodle and not from a gunshot wound.

Read more:
Woodstock Independent

Related posts:
Oct 12, 2014 Lawsuit: McHenry Former Mayor and Prominent Lawyer Attacked by Pit Bulls
Jun 28, 2012 Dog bites hand of USPS worker
May 23, 2012 Dog bites man walking pet; animal to be euthanized
Nov 5, 2005 Nick Foley Survives Agony of a Pit Bull Rampaging Attack

Jul 17, 2015 East Alton Pit Bull Used As Weapon Maims Victim

East Alton - “Police are searching for a 19-year-old male who has been charged with two counts of aggravated battery and seek the public’s help.

Kenneth Boner

The man – Kenneth Boner – of the 100 block of Herman in East Alton, is being sought for an incident where he allegedly ordered two pit bulls to attack two brothers in East Alton near the B and R Tavern in the 300 block of West St. Louis Avenue in East Alton on June 22.

Detective Christian Cranmer said apparently Boner, who lives across the street from the bar, became upset when he thought the two men were talking in loud fashion and exchanged words with the men. Then he allegedly ordered the two pit bulls to attack the brothers, although he didn’t own the dogs at the time.

“One thing led to another and he threatened to let the two pit bulls go and did,” Cranmer said. “One of the guys was hurt pretty bad. They had to stab the dogs to get them off them. I was able to tie in leads and witnesses who were good enough where I presented a case then the charges were authorized.”

The dogs were shipped to Madison County Animal Control and during early July were put down. Boner lived in the basement of the home across the street, Cranmer said.

The suspect may have left the area since the incident and is now wanted on these charges.

“I showed the extent of injuries, the older victim is likely permanently disfigured and his right hand changed forever," Cranmer said. "He has lost feeling in his thumb and pinky. The dog dug into his forearm and tore tendons and ligaments that had to be reattached. The two brothers were knocked to the ground and the dogs were chewing on them. The other guy had injuries to his chest and it was clear it was some type of animal bite. He also had bites to his leg. The older man had to be transported on to Barnes Hospital.”

Once police responded, the dogs were taken into custody by animal control.

Anyone with any information about the suspect, please contact the East Alton Police Department at 618-259-6212.“

Read more:
River Bender News

Related Posts - pit bulls used as weapons:
Apr 26, 2015 Chicago Police Shoot Pit Bull Used as Weapon
Jun 03, 2014 Galesburg pit bull released during fist fight attacks man

Oct 31, 2013 What kind of dog does a man use as a weapon to commit a hate crime?

Jan 14, 2013 Man let pit bull attack his mother three times.

All posts labeled "dog used as weapon" (all pit bulls)

Jul 16, 2015 Midlothian Pit Bull Kills Yorkie Mix

Midlothian - A resident told police she was forced to euthanize her small dog, a Yorkie mix, after it was attacked by a pit bill while she walking the dog July 16 in the 14800 block of Pulaski Road. The pit bull's owner was arrested on a Robbins warrant and ticketed for having a dog at large without a rabies vaccine or license.

Read more:
Daily Southtown

Related posts:
7 or more attacks on Yorkshire Terriers by pit bulls in Illinois

Jun 29, 2015 Chicago Girl Attacked by Pit Bull On South Side

Chicago - A 9-year-old girl in the hospital after she was bit by a pit bull on the city's South Side. It happened around 8 p.m. Monday near 48th and Racine. The girl's injuries are not believed to be serious.

Jun 28, 2015 Oswego Boy Bitten by “Boxer mix” on Prairie Path: Police

Oswego - A twelve year old boy was taken to the hospital after being bitten by a dog identified as a “boxer mix.” Pit bulls are often identified as boxer mixes by dog rescues and owners.

No photo was shown of the "boxer mix" that attacked a boy in Oswego, but here are some "boxer mixes" for reference.
This "boxer mix" is a pit bull:

This "boxer mix" is a pit bull:

This “boxer mix” that requires “an experienced adopter” is a pit bull:

This “boxer mix” that can’t go to a home with children or pets is a pit bull: