Banned Pit Bull Breaks Chain, Attacks Children

Cincinnati Pit Bull Owner Cited
Cincinnati, OH - A vicious dog attacked two young boys playing in front of their house in Evanston. The seven and nine-year-old boys had marks on their faces from the attack. One of the children suffered multiple bites. Rasheed Shakir witnessed the attack and ran over to scare the dog away. "He had a gash across, an inch across, 15 to 20 bites on this side of his face," says Shakir.

Dog owner Carletta Robinson says she has the pit bull mix to protect her family. Recently her home was broken into. But it is illegal to own a pit bull in Cincinnati. Pit bulls are banned in the city. The only pit bulls that are allowed must have been registered prior the ban, which was reinstated in 2003. These same owners must abide by the following rules:

• The dog must be tattooed on an inside thigh and have an identifying microchip inserted between the top of the dog's shoulder blades at the withers, by an individual licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the state of Ohio.
• Provide the Cincinnati Police Department with: Documentation from the veterinarian describing the tattoo and microchip number; Current color photographs of the dog showing the front face, side head, and whole body of the dog, and any other identifying characteristic such as color marking or scars; and The name, address, and phone number of the owner or harborer.
• If the owner or harborer has registered a dangerous or vicious dog he/she shall notify within 24 hours, the Cincinnati Police Department of a change of his address and/or phone number;
• If the owner or harborer of a dangerous or vicious dog has sold, given away, or if control of said dog has in any other manner been transferred for more than 48 consecutive hours, he shall notify the Cincinnati Police Department within 24 hours of the name and address of the individual harboring the dog.
• Within 72 hours of taking possession of a dog registered under this chapter, register the dog with the Cincinnati Police Department, if the dog is harbored in the city of Cincinnati.
• The owner or harborer of a dangerous or vicious dog shall re-register the dog with the Cincinnati Police Department annually.
• The owner or harborer of a vicious dog shall immediately notify the Cincinnati Police Department when the dog is loose or has attacked a person.

Robinson appeared to be "unaware" of the ban. She said that the dog, who has never harmed her kids, was outside on a chain when it got away. Police cited Carletta for owning a pit bull within city limits. Cincinnati's SPCA is holding the dog as evidence under the assumption that a case will be built against Robinson. Sgt. Taylor emphasized the point of the police department:

"Pit bulls are illegal in the City of Cincinnati and we're not going to tolerate people having pit bulls in this area and as you can see what happened today was very dangerous. They're vicious."

In other news:

Knoxville Woman Recovering After Pit Bull Attack
Knoxville, TN - The Knoxville Police Department says a woman was tired of a neighbor's dog getting into her trash. When she went to the neighbor's gate to discuss the problem, the dog attacked her as she opened the gate. The woman was bitten several times on the leg, and was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Animal control officers are investigating, and charges may be filed.

Fat chance of charges being filed in Knoxville County.

Related articles:
05/07/08: Pit Bull Busts Chain, Attacks Boy, Drags into Bushes
11/15/07: 2007 Fatality: No Charges Filed in Jennifer Lowe's Death