Pit Bulls Attack Blind Man and Service, Therapy Dog

Blind Man and Dog Attacked
Deerfield Beach, FL - A legally blind man recently suffered serious injuries trying to protect his small dog from a vicious pit bull. 40-year-old Dan Hout, spent time recovering in the hospital. His mother, Margaret Stevens, said he suffered multiple bites to his face, cuts to his head and deep bites to his hand. Hout also underwent the rabies vaccination.

Hout's dog, Odie, suffered serious wounds to his face, body and scrotum. The 5-year-old Bichon mix was heavily medicated, had six drains inserted to clean his wounds and was placed into an Elizabethan collar. Hout is thankful that his pet is still alive. Hout had been walking Odie in front of his condominium when he heard a growling dog barreling down on him. He told police that an instant later he heard little Odie fighting for his life.

Hout's mother said he struggled with the attacking dog, grabbed Odie and ran back to the condo. But since he couldn't see, he tripped and fell. The pit bull grabbed him and the mauling continued. Neighbors were able to drive the pit bull away with a broom. Broward sheriff's deputies searched the neighborhood but couldn't find the dog. Animal control investigated as well. This video shows that authorities captured the likely culprit.

In other news:

Healing Dog Attacked by Pit Bull
Windsor, Ontario - This week, a healing dog that helps stroke victims recover was saved by passersby after it was attacked by a pit bull outside a hospital. Jody Leboeuf said she was on Erie Street Tuesday after leaving the hospital, where her Rhodesian ridgeback Hanna works as a healing dog, when a pit bull came out of nowhere. "It just went right for her neck," said Leboeuf. "It clamped onto her neck for several minutes."

Leboeuf added that it took some bystanders to help save her dog. "They actually used a couple sticks to open the dog's mouth...We were hitting it and kicking it. Finally, I told someone to grab a stick and two guys pried open the mouth while I grabbed Hanna and put her into the van." The attack left Hanna with several deep puncture wounds in her neck. The offending dog was placed into custody at the Humane Society.

Related articles:
08/03/08: Pit Bull Attacks Columbus Man, 85, in Wheelchair
07/20/08: Service and Therapy Animals: Changes to the Americans...
05/31/08: Pit Bull Attacks Seeing Guide Dog in Surrey

Labels: service animals