Pit Bull Bends Metal Catch Pole Before Strangling Self to Death in Noose
Uncooperative OwnerUPDATE 02/18/09: After his pit bull violently attacked his mother, Lorrie Ellis, causing severe injury on February 8, Jeffrey J. Kirlin, 25, has refused to meet with investigators. According to a Humane Society statement issued today, investigators have asked the city prosecutor to issue an arrest warrant for Kirlin. Official intend to cite Kirlin on suspicion of not having proper license and vaccination on the dog, as well as insurance, which is a
new requirement for all pit bulls residing in the City of Omaha.
02/09/09: Pit Bull Fought to the "Very End"Omaha, NE - In October, Omaha firefighters
received special training for the purpose of dealing with dangerous dogs (pit bulls) at rescue scenes. In instances when police and animal control have not yet arrived to control the dog, firefighters cannot render first aid until they get past the pit bull. On Sunday, firefighters were required to use these new skills. After they managed to place the loop at the end of a metal pole around the pit bull's neck, the dog thrashed around wildly. It even bent the pole before finally choking itself to death.
Summary of Attack:Just before 6 p.m., a pit bull named Caesar growled at an infant in the living room of a home. 48-year-old Lorrie Ellis was attacked when she tried to distract the dog from the baby. Ellis fled to the bathroom after being attacked by the 95-pound, three-year-old male pit bull. Shouts of Ellis crying for help could be heard in the 911 call made by the girlfriend of the dog's owner, Ellis' son. When firefighters arrived, Ellis had pinned the dog against the door of the bathroom. The dog's body was in the hallway and the head was in the bathroom. The dog was still after the victim.
One firefighter held the door closed to keep the dog pinned. Firefighter Stan Shearer used a metal pole with a loop on the end of it in an attempt to secure the pit bull. But the loop wouldn't go over the dog's head completely because the door jam was in the way. Shearer had to bend down and slip the loop over the dog's head while a third firefighter tightened it. The dog went berserk. Two firefighters had to wrestle with the dog to restrain it so that rescuers with paramedic training could attend to Ellis. The struggle was so intense and the dog so strong that the metal pole was bent.
Ellis was critically injured in the attack. She underwent surgery at the University of Nebraska Medical Center for injuries to her neck and arms. She was listed in fair condition today. The pit bull had reportedly bitten someone last November, but the incident went unreported. The son, who was not identified, will be cited for failing to license or vaccinate the dog. He also will be cited for not purchasing $100,000 in liability insurance for the pit bull, a rule adopted by the City of Omaha last year after a series of pit bull attacks.
Ellis' son, the girlfriend and their seven-month-old baby were temporarily staying with Ellis. Family members declined interview requests.
Omaha World-Herald text excerpts of 911 call.[Caller] I'm at my baby's dad's house and the dog just attacked a lady. I cannot get him off of her and there is blood everywhere.
[911] What kind of dog is it?
[Caller: It's a pit bull.
[911] Is it still attacking the female?
[Caller] Yes. My daughter is inside locked in the bedroom. I cannot get this dog off this lady and there is blood everywhere.
[911] Okay, where is it latched onto the lady? Where?
[Caller] Um, on her arm. It bit her neck. There is blood coming from everywhere. I cannot get this dog off of her.
* * *
[911] Where's the dog?
[Caller] He is trapped in the bedroom with, or in the bathroom with him. She has a hold of him but he is still biting her. My seven-month-old daughter is in the other bedroom. I cannot get to her.
* * *
[911] Everybody is on their way. The fire department and the police department.
[Caller] Honey, I'm coming!
[Woman in background screaming] Get him out of here.
* * *
[911] Who is yelling?
[Caller] The lady is yelling telling me to get the dog. I can't get the dog, Lorrie! The cops are coming, just hold him.
Related articles:10/31/08:
Omaha Firefighters Receive Dangerous Pit Bull Training09/18/08:
Video: Cenedi Kia Carey, 4-Months Old, 911 Tape06/28/08:
Coverage of the Omaha Pit Bull Attack - DogsBite.org
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