Pit Bulls Attack Man in Indianapolis

Officers Fend Off Attacking Pit Bulls
Indianapolis, IN - Three Marion County sheriff's deputies fought off two pit bulls that attacked a man on the north side yesterday. Deputies Travazz Buckley, Paul Fetchik and Keith Spencer were conducting a warrant sweep when they saw three people, one adult and two children, come out of a home in the 2800 block of Washington Boulevard.

The deputies said two pit bulls were attacking the man, identified as Frank Powell. As the dogs mauled Powell, one of the deputies struck the dogs with a baton as another moved the children to safety. The officers put both animals back into the house. It is unknown if the house or the dogs belonged to Powell, who suffered severe puncture wounds to a hand and cuts to his face.

As recently as last June, Indianapolis, reignited the great pit bull debate: Is it the breed or is it the owner? The Dangerous Dog ordinance the town adopted in late 2006 was not breed-specific and for this reason, ended up doing little to curb the number of pit bull attacks. Mayor Bart Peterson agreed. In a practical, blunt manner he stated:

"I don't know how long this stuff has to go on before we start taking a look at these animals and say we don't want them in our city. I'd just as soon ban them and get them out of our city forever. I don't want to have anything to do with pit bulls."

After a strong push by the mayor for council members to consider a ban, the idea fizzled out. This may be because a tough election season was coming up. In a hotly contested fall election, Democrat Bart Peterson was replaced by Republican Greg Ballard.

06/30/07: Indy Mayor Wants Pit Bull Ban
06/19/07: Pit Bull Debate Continues
05/16/07: Pit Bull Tears into Child, Attack Others
11/14/06: Indy Dangerous Animal Ordinance Passes

Labels: Indiana