ILLINOIS ATTACKS SINCE 11/13/09

Nov. 14, 2009
This is not quite an attack but since we are seeing so many now I will include those stories where a pit bull is used as a weapon and people are threatened.
http://www.pjstar.com/news_police/x1659501150/Pit-bull-used-as-weapon PEORIA — .A large "pit bull type" dog was used as a weapon Friday morning, ultimately getting its 29-year-old owner arrested for aggravated assault.Timothy J. Jowers, of 1418 NE Madison Ave. was arrested shortly after 1:30 a.m. at his residence after allegedly telling his dog to sic a tow truck driver and passenger for removing a vehicle from his property. He was booked on the charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. THE ARTICLE STATES THE TOW TRUCK DRIVERS LEFT IN FEAR, THINK THEY WOULD HAVE RUN IF IT HAD BEEN A POODLE?

Nov. 30, 2009 FATALITIES
http://www.kmox.com/Pit-Bull-Terrier-kills-woman-and-her-dog/5784347
FLORA, Il. (KMOX) -- An elderly woman, walking her dog in Flora Illinois, was attacked and killed by a Pit Bull Terrier. Flora Police say the attack occurred in the 200 block of Austin Avenue around 2:18 P.M. 85 year old Rosie Humphreys was walking her smaller dog, which was also killed by the Pit Bull. Police managed to cage the Pit Bull, but both the elderly woman and her dog were dead on the scene. Animal Control in Clay County Illinois has taken custody of the dog. An autopsy will be performed on the woman's body. HEY, NUTTERS, WHAT IF THIS WAS YOUR MOTHER, GRANDMOTHER, GREAT GRANDMOTHER? SUCKS!!!!
UPDATE:
http://mywabashvalley.com/content/fulltext/?cid=93811
Statement from Chief John Nicholson: Before I go into a timeline of the events of November 30th, I would like to clarify some mis-information, clear some dis-information and stop some on going rumors. The particular breed of the dog involved in the attack was an American Pit Bull Terrier. He was an un-neutered 3 year old male, with full registration. The dog was purchased from a registered breeder at 6 months of age by Brian Pennington of Flora. There is no available information that it had ever been trained by its owner, Brian Pennington to attack or fight in any manner. The dog was Pennington’s family pet. The Flora Police Department or the Clay County Health Department Animal Control office have never received a single call as to this particular dog or the owners address at any time. There has been no documented or reported cases, where this dog has displayed any aggression towards people or other dogs. The dog did not appear malnourished or abused and had no visible signs of mistreatment. The dog did not slip its collar, break the chain or dig its way out of the kennel. The dog according to several neighbors seemed friendly and was not habitually loose. TOOK THE WIND RIGHT OUT OF THE SAILS OF THE NUTTERS MAKING THEIR EXCUSES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dec. 6, 2009
http://www.wbbm780.com/Dog-shot-by-police-after-attacking-five-people/5829253 CHICAGO (WBBM) -- Five people were bitten by a dog on Chicago's South Side Sunday afternoon. An officer on patrol in the Grand Crossing neighborhood saw a dog chasing three little girls near 74th and Blackstone at around 1:45 p.m., according to Chicago Police news affairs. Officer Gabrielle Lesniak says the officer shot at the pit bull after he saw it latch on to one of the girl's legs. She says the dog was not hit, but it released the child and the officer then put the girl in his squad car. Lesniak says the pit bull then lunged at a second child and the officer fired a number of shots, killing the dog. Five people - including four children - were taken to Jackson park hospital, according to the Chicago Fire Department.The dog was not wearing a collar, according to Lesniak. SUPER NANNY DOG NAILS 4 CHILDREN IN ONE ATTACK.

Dec. 11, 2009
http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/1933812,south-side-dog-attack-121109.article Two police officers may have saved a man's life when they shot a dog that knocked down and attacked the man late Thursday on the South Side. The 49-year-old man was walking when a dog -- possibly a pit bull or pit bull mix -- “jumped up onto the citizen” at 6041 S. Vernon Ave. about 10:55 p.m. Thursday, according to a Grand Crossing District police lieutenant. JUST TRYING TO TAKE A WALK.

Dec. 23, 2009
http://www.southtownstar.com/news/1953846,122309dogbitegirl.article Sticking out through the tip of Girthamarie Gary's middle finger is a metal pin. Doctors inserted the pin, which travels the length of her entire finger, so that her finger will have a structure until the bone heals and the tissue inside her finger is able to grow back the right way. Catina Jones, 37, 1520 Edgewood Ave., was subsequently given a ticket for not having a city license for her dog, which is still around. The day she was bit, Girthamarie was traveling from her home in the 400 block of Hickory Street to the Chicago Heights Public Library, 25 W. 15th St., she said. She was walking with her little sister on a sidewalk along Lincoln Highway when she ran into Jones, who was walking her dog on a leash on the sidewalk. Girthamarie said that when she walked past the dog, it bit her leg and hand. The attack lasted about five minutes.
"It was horrible," she said. "The hand was bleeding and I couldn't feel anything."
When dog removed its teeth from her hand, she saw that the animal had bitten the tip off of her ring finger and left her middle finger hanging "by some tissue and some bone." Following the bite, Girthamarie said the dog owner got frightened and ran off with her pooch, leaving the girl bleeding on the sidewalk. "I hope they get the lady because she ran off and left her," Girthamarie's mother, Diane Beattie-Gary said. "She could have bled to death, she's just a kid." On Wednesday, Jones denied that she or any of her family members were walking the dog Nov. 21. She said her two-year-old pit bull Star, which she keeps in her basement, is a gentle animal that would not maim another human. IF IT IS SO "GENTLE" WHY KEEP IT IN A BASEMENT, PUT IT IN YOUR BABY'S ROOM AND LET IT NANNY.

Jan 18, 2010 FATALITY
http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2010/01/man-found-dead-after-apparently-being-attacked-by-dogs.html Police are investigating the death of a 56-year-old man whose daughter came home Sunday night to find him covered in blood and apparently killed by the pit bulls she was raising, police sources said.Johnny Wilson, of the 10200 block of South Aberdeen Street on the Far South Side, was found in his living room with numerous bite marks on his body, according to a spokesman for the Cook County medical examiner's office. Other sources said he suffered massive head, chest and upper body trauma.Four pit bulls and two puppies in the home were turned over by police to Chicago Animal Care and Control.A source said the daughter was breeding the dogs, but there were no signs of dogfighting in the house. She told investigators that the dogs were afraid of her father because his voice was loud. NUTTER KILLS HER OWN FATHER TO MAKE A BUCK FROM BREEDING.

March 5, 2010
http://www.southtownstar.com/neighborhoodstar/homewood-flossmoor/2085104,030510dogattack.article A 4-year-old Country Club Hills girl is recovering from a violent attack by a pit bull at her great-grandmother's home. The dog "pulled her scalp off her head," the girl's mother, Consuela Dawson, said Thursday. The girl was being treated at Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where she was taken after the violent attack, Dawson said. "She's doing better. I don't know how many stitches she had," said Dawson, who wouldn't release her daughter's name. The girl was bitten in the back of the head, according to the police report. Two other people suffered minor injuries, police said. The dog, which has since been put down, attacked the girl about 2:30 p.m. Sunday, police said. The girl was at the Country Club Hills home of her great-grandmother, Ella Lewis. The girl had stayed there overnight, Dawson said. The girl was playing when the dog suddenly attacked, police said. "We don't know why it happened. He's been around her before and nothing happened," Dawson said. According to the police report, Lewis said the dog had never before attacked anyone. When police arrived Sunday, the dog was running loose in the front yard, police said. They asked Lewis to secure the dog, and she did, police said. Earlier, while trying to get the dog away from the girl, Lewis, 77, was bitten on her right hand, police said. Shannan Lewis, 24, was also bitten on her right hand, police said. The younger Lewis is Dawson's cousin and lives with the elder Lewis in a bi-level home in the 18200 block of Ravisloe Terrace, Dawson said. Both women were taken to South Suburban Hospital for treatment, police said. "They're doing fine," Dawson said. Dawson said she hopes her daughter is not afraid of dogs despite the violent incident. "She's been asking about our dog. She misses him," Dawson said of Buddy, the family's Airedale terrier. There was no response when a reporter visited the Lewis home Thursday. But a dog was heard barking inside. THE CHILD MAY NOT BE AFRAID OF DOGS BUT DOES NEED TO BE AFRAID OF A PIT NUTTER GRANDMA.

March 10, 2010
http://www.sj-r.com/breaking/x324656978/Pit-bull-shot-by-police-after-attacking-another-dog A Springfield police officer shot a pit bull dog Tuesday afternoon after he attacked another dog and aggressively approached a porch where a 1-year-old boy was playing.The incident happened about 3:20 p.m. at 15th Street and Capitol Avenue. A woman who lives there told police her grandson was on the porch with her, when a stray pit bull walked toward them in an aggressive manner. The dog was going to attack the boy when the grandmother picked him up, she told police.As the dog went onto the porch, the woman’s dog, which was chained on the porch, intervened. The pit bull began to attack the woman’s dog, and the woman began to hit the pit bull with a bat as she held on to her grandson.A police officer arrived as the pit bull was still attacking the woman’s dog. He ordered the woman to step away and shot the pit bull multiple times until he stopped attacking the victim’s dog.Police searched the neighborhood for the owner of the dead pit bull but couldn’t find anyone. Animal control was notified and took away the pit bull. JUST TRYING TO ENJOY THE DAY SITTING ON THE PORCH.

March 11, 2010
http://www.thetelegraph.com/news/officer-37399-street-attacked.html A pit bull dog was shot to death after attacking an Alton police officer today in the 1000 block of Union Street.Officer Jonathan Lukowski was taken to a hospital by ambulance for treatment of an upper leg bite after the incident, which occurred at 9:35 a.m.The dog's body was in the middle of the street when other officers arrived. An animal control officer was called to retrieve it.The white, spotted pit bull terrier bit the officer in the inner thigh.It was not immediately clear if the attacked officer or another fired the shots that killed the dog. Several shots were fired, authorities said. Paramedics from the Alton Fire Department and an ambulance service took Lukowski to an Alton hospital for treatment. His condition was not immediately available. ANOTHER OFFICER DOWN AT TAXPAYER EXPENSE.

March 19, 2010
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/news/police/2111219,4_1_JO19_BLOTTER_S1-100319.article JOLIET ­-- Police shot and killed a dog that kept attacking another dog and its owner Wednesday.The victim was walking the black dog around 3:35 p.m. near Catherine and Cleary streets when a loose tan pit bull ran up and started fighting with the other dog."When the owner and other witnesses attempted to separate the animals, the pit bull bit the man on his right hand," Deputy Chief Mike Trafton said.The dogs were separated as officers arrived, but the loose dog reportedly tried attacking again when officers shot it.Trafton said no citations had been issued, but police were planning to interview the pit bull's owner. HOW DOES PUNISH THE DEED WORK WHEN THERE IS NO OWNER???

April 7, 2010
http://www.sj-r.com/breaking/x1838129456/Pit-bull-attacks-man Police are searching for a man whose pit bull dog attacked, bit and broke the hand of another man Tuesday morning.The victim, who is 24, suffered a broken right hand and dog bites to both hands. He was treated at Memorial Medical Center.The victim told police he was walking at 24th and Cook streets about 5:30 a.m. when a black pit bull charged him. The dog bit the man’s hands as he tried to push and punch the dog.Another man ran over, and the victim said he at first thought the man was going to help him. However, the man, apparently the dog’s owner, punched the victim in the face and nose, grabbed the dog and took it to a maroon four-door car parked nearby and drove away.The victim told police he did not know the man and he was unable to get a license plate for the car. He described the man as white, with blonde hair and apparently in his 40s. He wore glasses and a white rainbow-striped shirt.Anyone with information about the dog owner can call the Springfield Police Department at 788-8325. NUTTERS ARE JUST AS CRAZY AS THE DOGS THEY OWN.

April 10, 2010
http://www.pontiacdailyleader.com/news/x1661778946/Police-officer-takes-down-dog Pontiac Police early Thursday evening were forced to kill a pit bull as it attacked another dog in the neighborhood.“Officers were called to 409 E. Madison St. where a brindle-colored pit bull was attacking a German shepherd that was tied out on a leash by its owner at that address,” said Pontiac Police Maj. Jim Woolford on Friday. “The residents at this address actually had two dogs tied out, one of which was a small beagle but it was not attacked. The beagle was also tied out in its yard and the two dogs tie-outs became entangled.” NUTTERS AND THEIR PITS !!

April 17, 2010 FATALITY
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/somethingtotalkabout/2168030,5_1_WA17_DOGATTACK_S1-100417.article A peaceful afternoon of fishing went terribly wrong Wednesday afternoon for Mike Pengilly, who saw his leashed, 8-pound miniature pinscher mauled to death by a loose pit bull in unincorporated Gurnee."He cut him in half. It was horrible," Pengilly said of the attack by the male pit bull, who belongs to a neighbor. "The cops couldn't do anything about it."
The pit bull, named Astro, is now in custody of the Lake County Health Department, which is conducting an investigation.Health Department spokeswoman Tiffany Bronk said that under state law, because Astro did not bite a person, the strongest action the Health Department can take is to have the dog designated as dangerous.If a dog is declared dangerous in three separate instances not involving an attack on a human, it can be given a designation of vicious, the same designation given to a dog that seriously bites a person. At that point, the owner is required to take additional protections with the animal, such as muzzling it when it is not in an enclosed area.Pengilly, who lives on Walnut Lane, said he and his wife, Carla, were fishing Wednesday afternoon in a pond at Walnut and Washington Street with Louie, whom they have owned for two years, tethered to a stake next to them.He said his neighbor's two pit bulls, Astro and a female dog, apparently escaped the neighbor's home through a garage door and ran toward Louie. Astro attacked the smaller dog and killed it, although both Pengilly and the neighbor attempted to stop the attack."He loved everybody," Pengilly said. "He was a small little dog and he just loved everything."The neighbor has already provided him with his homeowners insurance information, but Pengilly said he is talking with an attorney about possible civil action over the attack.He also questioned state laws that only begin to have teeth if a human is attacked. "I kind of wish I did get bit," he said. PIT NUTTER/BREEDER, NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO SEE THEIR PET KILLED LIKE THAT. ANOTHER PIT TRIGGER, FISHING.

May 8, 2010 FATALITYhttp://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local-beat/Lawsuit-Pit-Bull-Kills-Dog-at-Vet-93187469.html Usually you take your dog to the vet expecting it to get better, but a Minooka woman claims the opposite happened.The Joliet Herald News reports that Cyndi Campbell filed a civil complaint this week against Minooka Animal Hospital after Tootsie -- her 12-year-old West Highland terrier -- was attacked and killed by a female pit bull at the facility.The suit accuses the hospital and its owner of negligence, and seeks up to $50,000 in damages.According to a Grundy County Animal Control report, the pit bull -- which was known to be aggressive -- was in an adjacent cage, chewed through it and "pulled Tootsie by her head and neck through the openingJay Frederickson, the animal hospital's owner, told the Herald News that the two outdoor kennels where the incident happened aren't being used now and that he's decided to never board agressive animals again.Campbell's attorney, Cosmo Tedone, says the hospital offered to reimburse her for the price of a new dog and a year of free services. A MORE APPROPRIATE OFFER IS THE SURRENDER OF HIS LICENSE.

May 11, 2010
http://www.pekintimes.com/news/x968909918/Terrier-recovering-after-pit-bull-attack PEKIN, Ill. — Spike The Man Jumping Bean (his full name) is a small terrier who was recently attacked and bitten by another dog, according to his master, David Brown.
“I just call him Spike for short. He’s my companion. I love him — we go everywhere together,” said the 49-year-old man who travels around town in a motorized chair. “Spike’s lovable.”But Spike got bitten by a pit bull recently and now is wearing a cast on his leg.“(The pit bull) was loose and out chasing dogs in the neighborhood. Some people saw it and called the police. I didn’t realize it until it was too late, but he started chasing Spike, so I grabbed Spike and (the pit bull) jumped up and started biting him like he was going to eat him. That’s why Spike’s leg is in a cast.”Dr. O’Rourke said Spike does indeed have a broken leg. “It’s a fracture … but it’s not displaced. We put a splint on it and he should do fine. It’s not a life-threatening thing; just a broken bone. I don’t expect any complications.”The veterinarian’s bill initially totaled $288, and both Brown and the pit bull’s owner have promised to pay on the bill, which now stands at $251. But O’Rourke said he isn’t worried about the money. “We’re okay with the situation — we’re not going to send it to a collection agency. I’m sure the bill will be paid eventually.”Brown, who said he is paralyzed and can’t walk, didn’t get hurt in the dog scuffle. He contends that “If I would have gotten bitten they would have put (the pit bull) to sleep. Spike is a small and timid dog and he wouldn’t hurt anyone. He’ll bark at people but he’s real good.”Nevertheless, Brown says he wants to “make it right with the vet.”“But I’m on disability with Social Security and just barely making it. I’m behind on a few bills (and) my credit isn’t very good … I’m trying to do everything possible to make ends meet now. I’m picking up aluminum, wire, old bicycle rims and whatever I can find to help pay my bills,” said Brown, who scours the city for aluminum, which he tosses into a make-shift wagon attached to the back of his motorized chair.He claims that little bit of recycling income helps with bills and extras. It’s not a lot, but he’s hoping to make “a killing” on aluminum cans at Pekin Mineral Springs Park this summer.“I’ll go to the park on the Fourth of July and pick up cans. Man, I’ll be making a killing on those ’cause I’ll have two wagons then,” Brown said, noting that Spike also will be riding along … and anyone is welcome to stop and sign Spike’s cast. LET'S SEE IF A PIT OWNER PAYS UP, THEY NEVER DO.

May 13, 2010 FATALITY
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/southsouthwest/ct-x-s-blotter-pitbull-0514-20100514,0,3005275.story Four pit bulls escaped from a Joliet man's yard earlier this week, injuring two neighborhood dogs –– one of them fatally –– before police arrived, police said. Alberto Guzman, 37, had been keeping six adult pit bulls and six pit bull puppies at his residence in the 2500 block of Ruth Fitzgerald Drive and was cited for having too many dogs in violation of local ordinances. Guzman turned the dogs in the attack over to animal control, police said. WONDER HOW MUCH GUZMAN IS PAYING IN TAXES FOR HIS BREEDING OPERATION.

June 1, 2010
http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/news/metro/elgin-pit-bulls-animal-ordinance-20100601 Chicago - A hotly debated animal ordinance that lets animal control officers to designate a dog dangerous or vicious in case of an attack goes into effect Tuesday in Elgin.An earlier effort to have the ordinance apply specifically to pit bulls failed.A dog attack over the weekend involving a 9-year-old boy could refuel the debate. Two pit bulls attacked the boy.The child is expected to be okay, but officers were forced to shoot the dogs. TIME TO THINK AGAIN, ELGIN.

May 30, 2010
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=384671&src=1 Will Elgin leaders reconsider stricter laws for pit bulls and their owners?That's one question that has been raised after a weekend incident in which officers shot and killed two loose pit bull dogs after one bit a 9-year-old boy in front of about 100 people at the fountain at Festival Park.Councilman John Prigge, who pushed for a grandfathered pit bull ban earlier this year but later backed off, said he will meet with city officials and other council members to see what to do next."I knew we would be back here," Prigge said Sunday. "I'm rearing to go on this."The incident occurred about 4:44 p.m. Friday near the north end of the park at 132 S. Grove Ave.Officers had already been tracking reports of two stray dogs on the city's near east side for 20 to 30 minutes when the dogs were spotted at the park.Elgin Police Lt. Matt Udelhoven said two boys were walking down a sidewalk when one of the dogs that was laying in the grass bit a boy on his left hand and wrist area and started scratching at his back.When one of the responding officers moved forward to interrupt the attack, the dog then turned from the boy and lunged toward the officer, who shot it. The second dog then began circling the officers and lunged toward the second officer, who then shot it, police said. Both animals were taken to the Dundee Animal Hospital and later euthanized, Udelhoven said.The boy, from Elgin, was treated for minor injuries to his hand and released to his family with the understanding they would take him to receive medical treatment, Udelhoven said. The dogs' owner later was identified but was nowhere near the dogs throughout the incident, added Sgt. Dennis Hood. The owner has been cooperating with police's ongoing investigation into whether any ordinances were violated, Hood said. No charges had been filed or fines levied as of Sunday.In March, Elgin councilmen enacted a new law classifying any dog that attacks another animal or human as "dangerous," triggering a number of added regulations for the owner of such an animal.This was considered a compromise of an earlier proposal that would have automatically classified all pit bulls as "dangerous," thus mandating stricter laws.Some of the regulations that come with owning a dog classified as dangerous include muzzling it outside the home, building a 6-foot fence for any outdoor area where it's kept, obtaining $100,000 in liability insurance, use of a 6-foot-long leash whenever the dog is walked by a person who must be at least 18 years old and paying a $50 registration fee every three years.The new law is supposed to take effect Tuesday; the current law carries a $50 fine.Prigge, who vowed in March to be on the lookout for any further pit bull attacks in the city, said he wants to see what feedback he gets from the public from now until the next city council meeting June 9."I don't know what to tell you," said a frustrated Prigge. "Let's see what the people say. We listened to them in March. We'll listen to them again."One reason council members backed off the pit bull laws was because scores of pit bull owners said the city needed to hold owners responsible and to "punish the need, not the breed.""The whole thing we heard over and over again was 'make the owners responsible.' It's a long process. It's not going to happen overnight," said Mayor Ed Schock. WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR, A DEAD KID??

June 9, 2010
http://www.wjbdradio.com/index.php?f=news_single&id=22041 A Centralia Police officer was attacked and bitten by a pit bull dog Tuesday night when trying to gain entry to a home to make an arrest in a domestic battery case. Officer Billy White was able to draw his service revolver and shoot and kill the pit bull. He was later treated and released at St. Mary's Hospital in Centralia for the bite injury.
Meanwhile, Centralia Police eventually forced their way into the home where 27-year-old Joseph Tate of the 900 block of East Broadway refused to come out despite repeated requests. Once inside, police say Tate reportedly turned aggressively towards the officer with a clenched fist and didn't comply with the demand 'to get to the ground'. Police then tazed Tate, who fell to the floor and was handcuffed without further incident. Tate was taken to the Marion County Jail for alleged domestic battery, disorderly conduct and resisting a peace officer. The other person allegedly involved in the domestic disturbance also was arrested. 24-year-old Ashley Tate of East Broadway in Centralia is being held for alleged domestic battery and disorderly conduct. LOST PRODUCTIVITY AT TAXPAYER'S EXPENSE.

June 8, 2010
http://www.pjstar.com/news/luciano/x1602634232/Luciano-Neighbors-dogged-by-daily-fears Neighbors Bob Buchanan and Kristen Michaud say they live in fear for the same reason: pit bulls.But they differ in their opinions about them.Buchanan was attacked by Michaud's pit bulls last month. He says all three of her dogs bit him; she says just two went after him.Two were put down. Buchanan fears the remaining pit bull might attack him."It's already attacked," he says. "It'll attack again."Meanwhile, with two dogs gone, Michaud frets that her Near North Side home isn't protected well enough anymore."We do not feel safe," she says. "We have had to lock up my house for the first time in 10 years."Buchanan, 72, owns Buchanan Insurance, 3327 NE Adams St., and the adjacent Irish Villa restaurant.Michaud, 29, lives around the corner, at 407 Homestead Ave. The exterior is marked with multiple "Beware of Dog" and "Private Property" signs.She got her first pit bull, Duke, as a puppy 10 years ago. Seven years ago, she got a female pit puppy, Saaya. She bred them four times, and kept one of the puppies: Rajah, now a year old. She says they are full-blooded American pit bull terriers.
Also living at her house are her three children, ages 15, 7 and 5 months. She says the dogs were wonderful around children. In fact, the baby bonded with the oldest dog on the day Michaud brought her girl home from the maternity ward, Dec. 31.
"I laid my baby right next to Duke," Michaud says. "And he laid with her and loved her to death."She says the dogs were well-behaved. "My dogs have never bitten anyone," she says.Well, three years ago, a passer-by reported having been bit by Duke. The Peoria Animal Welfare Shelter fined Michaud $100, as the bite wasn't serious. Reminded of that bite, Michaud said it was a case of mistaken identity; her dogs weren't even in town on the day of that alleged bite.She acknowledges that she'd often let the pit bulls outside without a leash."My being a single parent with no job, I have no money to put up a fence," she says.
Buchanan says he had never seen the dogs attack anyone, but they have chased pedestrians. He'd never had trouble with the dogs before.But on the afternoon of May 2, Buchanan went behind his businesses to mow a small plot of grass. He saw a flash from the rear of Michaud's house."They opened the door back there, and out charged three pit bulls," he says.But she says there were only two pit bulls outside; the youngest stayed inside. Still, there's no doubt that Buchanan was attacked. Her dogs knocked him down, and he tried to push them off. But they ripped their teeth through his clothes and into his left arm and stomach."They were going for my jugular," he says.Michaud heard the commotion, came outside and pulled off the pit bulls. Buchanan says he asked her to call 911, but she wouldn't. Michaud says she had her hands full with the dogs, no thanks to Buchanan."Bob laid in the (expletive) grass, saying he was dying," she says. "I asked him to get off the ground so I could contain my dogs. But he just stayed there."As she pulled off the animals, Buchanan struggled to his feet and staggered into his eatery. There, he called 911, and an ambulance took him to Methodist Medical Center. The wounds required multiple stitches, which were covered with gauze bandages for three weeks."It still hurts," he says.Michaud acknowledges, "It was an unfortunate event. . . . I'm sorry the man was bit."
But she says he bears some responsibility."Common sense would say that if I'm gonna mow (the grass), I'm gonna knock next door and say, 'I'll be out here,' " Michaud says.Plus, she says, when the dogs would approach Buchanan previously, they'd back off as soon as he'd say, "Whoa." But not on that fateful day."Instead . . . he raised up his hand and started screaming," Michaud says.That gesture threatened Duke, who attacked out of protective feelings toward Michaud, she says. And Saaya joined in.All three dogs were quarantined that day by PAWS. But it let loose the youngest after witnesses said only two had attacked.Buchanan says that's not fair: Most of the witnesses know Michaud. Still, as PAWS Director Lauren Malmberg says, "We did not have enough evidence to say the third dog was outside."PAWS deemed the two dogs vicious, a designation that alleges serious physical injury and permits euthanasia. That designation can be fought in court, but Michaud declined to do so."These are not dangerous pets," she says. "They are family pets. . . . If I'd had the money, I would've fought PAWS."Instead, she agreed to having the dogs put down."I'm hurting," she says, her voice cracking with emotion. "My entire family is hurting. We feel like we lost a member of the family."Plus, she says, she's penalized further. She has to pay more than $1,000 in fines and other costs.Plus, when customers of Buchanan's eatery come outside to smoke, they routinely shoot her nasty looks."I'm so tired of this man telling people I have a vicious dog," she says. "I feel harassed."Meanwhile, Buchanan can't believe Michaud is allowed to keep the remaining pit bull. He thinks that if you are an irresponsible pet owner, you should not be allowed to keep animals.PAWS' Malmberg agrees. She and other animal advocates are working toward a state law prohibiting pet ownership after a serious bite."This is, I think, a serious (legal) flaw," she says.Michaud thinks the idea is crazy. The remaining pit bull wouldn't hurt anyone, she says."She is a puppy," Michaud says. "What the hell could she do?" THIS PIT NUTTER NEEDS TO BE IN A LUNEY BIN TELLING THE MAN TO GET UP SO HER PITS WOULD STOP ATTACKING AND HE SHOULD HAVE LET HER KNOWN ABOUT HIS MOWING HIS YARD.