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Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Knoxville Pit Bull Had Bitten Before
Another On Property Knoxville Pit Bull Attack
Knoxville, TN - In the "dog lawless" realm of Knoxville, it is being reported that the same pit bull involved in a biting incident over the weekend was also involved in a similar incident less than two years ago.
Sandra Rudd suffered three bites to her legs in the attack. She entered her neighbor's gate despite the "beware of dog" sign (which may shatter civil recourse for Rudd). After seeing the news report, a neighbor, Betty Miller, contacted WATE news claiming her grandson, was attacked by the same dog two years ago.
The scenario in both stories is similar. The pit bull was inside its fence and nursing puppies. Miller says her 11-year-old grandson, Zachery, was leaning against the fence talking to another child inside. She said, "As the dog come racing across the property, Zachery come back off the fence and the dog still come up and snapped."
Pictures of Zachery at the hospital show a large cut to the lip and scratches on his nose. His parents filed a lawsuit against the dog's owners, Tawanna and JaJuan Russell. Miller said the case was settled and the dog's owner paid for her grandson's medical bills. Still, with a public park less than a block away, she worries.
"I've seen it [the pit bull] out running loose a lot and I've just been waiting on it to bite somebody else because once a dog bites, it's going to bite again," Miller says. Earlier this week, animal control officers removed the pit bull, but say they're having a difficult time making contact with the owner.
Related article:
04/07/08: North Knoxville Woman Recovering... (see second story)Labels: Tennessee
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Sunday, March 23, 2008
Killer dogs roaming town, citizens resort to sticks
Dozens of Pets Killed by Roaming Dogs in Tennessee
Memphis, TN - Neighbors bemoan the loss of their pets due to roaming dogs. They say they've contacted animal on numerous occasions with little response. Meanwhile, more of their pets die. Resident Lillian Dykes says:"These people lost their cat, she lost two, I lost one." She says two weeks ago, the dogs chewed a hole in her fence and killed her daughter's pet duck. "They just shredded it. It wasn't to eat, they're not hungry dogs. Now they've got the joy of killing." Months ago, the dogs caught her cat and left it to die in a neighbors back yard. The owner of Love's Feed says the dogs broke in and killed eight of his animals. Word has gotten around about the dogs. The neighborhood association sent out a warning and people put up posters. Neighbors report one futile attempt by Animal Control who cooed, 'here puppy, here puppy' as the vicious animals simply walked away.
"'Here puppy' is not how I would approach these dogs, says Dykes. "They're not afraid of anybody, they're not 'here puppy, puppy' type dogs. They're killer dogs." Some residents carry sticks now when they walk their dogs. Dykes is afraid, like the other neighbors, that they'll attack a person next. They want authorities to hunt the dogs down.Labels: Tennessee
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Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Tennessee Citizen Speaks Out After Pit Bull Attacks Elderly Man
Dog Owners Have Responsibility Toward Human Beings
Nashville, TN - The people of Tennessee continue writing to their newspapers. Beth Mitchell tells a story we know too well at DogsBite.org. Published in full from the Tennessean.com:
"Two weeks ago Sunday, an elderly man was attacked by a neighbor’s pit bull while rolling his trash container to the street in Green Hills. This is an action that he had performed hundreds of times before, but for whatever reasons, his life was imperiled as he did this mundane task.The pit bull was on a leash held by a youngster and when it saw the elderly neighbor, it jerked away from the child and went for him. The results were severe facial lacerations primarily to his nose, possible trauma to the eyes, and, in addition to the physical outcome of this dog attack, he will suffer emotionally for a long, long time. Needless to say, the medical expenses are adding up. No one knows what triggered the attack. We will never know. I think this is a warning to all of us who own and love our dogs to ensure the safety of our own beloved family members, our neighbors, and the public in general by always, always keeping the dog on a secure leash which is held by an adult.
The use of a muzzle is sometimes called for, too.
Along with owning certain breeds of dogs, comes great responsibility toward our fellow man and, sometimes, dog. Safety first should be our first goal as dog owners.
I hope we will all learn something from this tragic occurrence. I know I will."Labels: Grandparents, Tennessee
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Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Tennessee writer sounds off: Dangerous dogs can maim and kill
Moore to the Point: Dangerous Dogs Can Maim and Kill
Cookerville, TN - In a region of the country that suffers devastating pit bull attacks -- Putnam County Tennessee -- writer Steve Moore speaks out in his column, "Moore to the Point."
"There's no log chain, chain link fence or invisible fence that can contain a rottweiler or pit bull. These two breeds are primarily responsible for every mauling case that has been reported over the past several years. One has only to read the papers or watch the news to grasp the fact that these two breeds make up most of the dangerous dog populations in this country.Their apologists proclaim to all who will listen that they are really a gentle breed that will never turn on humans. They are the ones who, after their rottweiler or pit bull mauls, maims or kills someone, are the first to say the dog was provoked into attacking. Sometime in the summer of 2006 a Franklin woman, Dianna Acklen, out for her daily walk in her neighborhood, was attacked, mauled, and killed allegedly by a pit bull or rottweiler. It was one or the other; I can't recall which it was. DNA test could not absolutely verify that these dogs were responsible, but it was concluded that one of them did in fact attack and kill her."
This woman died a terrible death, having been bitten over 200 times.
Moore goes on to talk about a dangerous dog ordinance the town is considering. The proposed ordinance is comprehensive and defines what a dangerous dog is and what an owner must do to control the dog at all times. It also defines penalties the owner faces should his dog attack a person.
He disagrees with two aspects. He feels that a public liability policy should be $500,000 instead of the proposed $50,000, and that the fine for breaking the law should be a great deal more than $500. A better deterrent, he writes should start at $5000 and go up to $50,000 depending on the details of the attack.
Related articles:
02/23/07: Vicious Dog Attacks Must EndLabels: Tennessee
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Friday, February 29, 2008
Maryville Animal Control Officer Injured in Pit Bull Attack
Officer Kenneth Crowder Ready to Return to Work
UPDATE 02/29/08: Maryville Animal Control Officer, Kenneth Crowder, is ready to return to work after suffering 25 stitches in a pit bull attack. Friday is the first time he's talked publicly about the dogs who put him there. "When I was on the ground," he said, "I thought I was going to die."
Officer Crowder went to the Blount County home to confiscate the pit bulls after they allegedly attacked another man and his teenage son. Crowder had been to the house before but never had any problems with the dogs. That day, he says, he knocked and they attacked."Pretty much by the grace of God that dog latched onto my pepper gas canister. It bit through the canister and the holster, and it exploded in the dog's mouth. It pretty much disabled that dog." Just after, he fell to the ground and the other pit bull followed, mauling his leg. At this point, his baton was his only defense. He knew he had to stick the baton into the dog's mouth to break the jaw's grip, and that's what I did. He adds: "I felt like God was there protecting me. That's how I survived."
Pit Bulls Attack Blount County Animal Control Officer
UPDATE 02/22/08: AC officer Ken Crowder was checking up on the dogs after they had recently been quarantined for attacking a fifteen year old. Crowder became the dogs' next victim. But neighbors say these two incidents are only a partial list of victims.
Jimmy Hatcher, a neighbor, who was also bitten by the dogs said, "I got to see him pretty bloody and you know he [Crowder] got put on a stretcher and they hauled him out. He was pretty bad shape." Another neighbor says that her dog got on the victims list last December:
"She had 13 drainage tubes when we got her to the vet. They waited two days before they did surgery on her to see if she was going to make it. They didn't think she was going to make it," said Barbara McGill. Yet another neighbor, Taylor Page, said he was recently bitten while riding his bike. Neighbors are terrified the dogs could be returned to their owner. More importantly, they are afraid if Tennessee officials fail to "get something done" these dogs are going to kill a person.
02/21/02: Maryville Animal Control Officer Injured in Pit Bull Attack
Maryville, TN - Forty-four year old Deborah Kay Dyer is in jail today on a charge of reckless endangerment after her two pit bulls reportedly attacked a Maryville Police Department animal control officer. Dyer was arrested after AC officer Ken Crowder was mauled when he went to her residence to pick up the two dogs. Crowder was called in for mutual aid due to the violent nature and history of the two dogs.
Information was not immediately available on the nature of the attack beyond the report that Crowder was at the home to remove the dogs. Crowder was taken by ambulance to the hospital, his condition is unknown. The Maryville Police Department is currently holding the two pit bulls and has requested the dogs be destroyed. The animals should be euthanized by the end of the day.
Recent Tennessee stories:
01/25/08: Dog Owner Not Charged Because Dog Jumped Fence
01/18/08: Pit Bull Mauls 5-Year Old Returning From School
11/15/07: No Charges Filed for Owner of Pit Bull that Killed FriendLabels: Tennessee
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Thursday, February 28, 2008
Dangerous dogs taking over Tennessee neighborhood
Dangerous Dogs Taking Over Northaven Neighborhood
Memphis, TN - Potentially vicious dogs are taking over a Northaven neighborhood and residents say they are scared to come out of their homes. Patricia Sparks says her kids walk her dog, "Shonuff", in the evenings. When they return home, they tell her about all the dogs they see roaming around.
An Eyewitness News crew rode around the neighborhood on Wednesday, February 27 and spotted two pit bulls going through a pile of garbage. Further down the street, the crew saw a loose black chow and a yellow lab."It's usually bad out here with the pit bulls running around, there are two black chows too, but the pit bulls are the worst," said resident Faith DeForge. Residents say they feel it is too dangerous to leave their homes, even to go into their own yard. Sparks and other neighbors are rightly worried that someone will soon be attacked by one of the loose animals.
This Northaven neighborhood is the same location where a sheriff's deputy was recently bitten by a pit bull. Animal control officers say they have been called to that particular neighborhood several times. Animal Services officials say you can call them to report a stray animal and they will come out to pick it up as soon as they can.
Recent Memphis stories:
02/24/08: Driver Accused of Almost Running Down Deputy
02/18/08: Pit Bull Attacks Memphis Mom
01/25/08: Dog Owner Not Charged Because Dog Jumped Fence
01/18/08: Pit Bull Mauls 5-Year Old Returning From School
In other news:Another Shreveport Man Hospitalized After Bloody Pit Bull Attack
Shreveport, LA - For the second time in as many days, another man was attacked by a pit bull while taking his morning walk. Percy Netter, 51, was walking across Linwood Avenue near W. 74th Street around 4 a. m. Thursday when the animal suddenly pounced on him.
Authorities say that Netter apparently sliced at the dog with a box cutter and then grabbed some large branches, all in an attempt to fight him off. But the animal still bit him on the arms, legs, chest and head, creating an especially bloody scene. Netter was rushed to LSU hospital.
Animal control arrived on the scene shortly before 5 a. m. and found the pit bull in the front yard of a home -- one police believe belongs to his owner. "That's the culprit," said Roman Walker with Caddo Animal Control, pointing the dog whose snout was covered in blood. "You can see he's the culprit because the victim used a box cutter to slice his face."Labels: Louisiana, Tennessee
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Monday, February 25, 2008
Elderly Woman Knocked Out by Dog Attack
Elderly Woman Knocked Out By Dog Attack
Cookeville, TN - Elise Holt, 86, is recovering from injuries she sustained after being severely bitten by a Rottweiler while walking her granddaughter's dog Mojo. Last Friday, after the two made it to the bottom of the driveway, Holt looked up and saw the black Rottweiler staring at them from across the street. She scooped up Mojo and turned back up the driveway when the Rottweiler attacked.
From a kitchen window, a family member said they saw Holt on the ground with her arms bleeding and knocked out, but clutching onto Mojo. Meanwhile, the Rottweiler was still standing over Holt. Cookeville police found the Rottweiler several blocks away, where it was later shot and killed. Holt's son, Harold, said the dog's owner has absolute liability for what happened to his mother.
Instead the owner was cited for violating the state’s leash law.
In other news:Dangerous Dogs Attack and Kill Chihuahua
Independence, MO - An American Bulldog and Chow-lab mix got out of their fenced yard through an open gate and attacked and killed a family's Chihuahua. Animal Control officers took the dogs, each weighing more than 100 pounds, and planned to hold them until a decision was made about what to do with them. Chris Keightley witnessed the killing:"My dog was going crazy, so I looked out the window, and these two dogs had this dog like a chew toy, just fighting over it, and it was real gruesome." Pit Bull Rottweiler-Mix Attacks 4-Year Old
Canton, MI - A 4-year old is in the hospital after being attacked by what was apparently the family dog. The child was reportedly playing with the dog in the backyard of his grandfather's house when the dog attacked. The dog was described as a pit bull rottweiler-mix. The child has been taken to University Medical Center with serious facial injuries.
Woman Recovers After Dog Attacks
Macon, GA - Tina Merritt of Lizella, thought she would take a bike ride through her neighborhood. Little did she know, packs of unleashed dogs, were roaming around. She said she saw about seven to ten dogs coming toward her. As she tried to fight them off, more seem to appear. She suffered bite marks, but to what degree is unknown.
Bibb County law states that a dog must be under control by a person with a leash.
Tina Merritt says none of those dogs were under any supervision, and she thought this may be the last time she saw her family.Labels: Grandparents, Tennessee
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Sunday, February 24, 2008
Driver Accused of Almost Running Down Deputy Faces Charges
Pit Bull Owner Flees Cops; Sics Pits on Cop
Memphis, TN - Reco Johnson, 30, is charged with aggravated assault, resisting arrest, speeding, evading officers, driving on a suspended license and reckless endangerment.
Shelby County Deputies Gary Lambert and John Shields were checking for speeding drivers in a school zone February 22, 2008, when a white Mitsubishi Galant sped through the 15 mph zone going over 30 mph. When Officer Shields stepped out to flag down Reco Johnson, he sped up, almost hitting the deputy.
Both deputies got into their squad car and pursued Johnson's car to his home. Johnson then jumped out of his car and ran into the backyard, with Deputy Lambert chasing him. As the deputy was arresting Johnson:He told his two pit bulls to attack. Deputy Lambert was bitten in the leg by one of the dogs, which was then shot by Lambert. The second pit bull was taken into custody by animal control officers. Johnson's two year-old daughter was in the car and was not strapped into a car seat. At the time of his arrest, Johnson was a fugitive for violating his probation on drug charges in 2007.Labels: Tennessee
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Thursday, January 31, 2008
Violent Unprovoked Pit Bull Attack in Nashville
 Victim Lori Woods Speaks About Sudden Pit Bull Attack
UPDATE: 1/31/07: Victim Lori Woods wants to make sure Tank doesn't hurt anyone else after she was nearly killed by him last week. She spoke exclusively with Channel 4 about the attack and her fight to make sure the animal is put down.
Last week, when visiting the dog owner's home she kneeled down to grab her purse. Mrs. Woods says that the dog attacked her "absolutely unprovoked, and without any warning." The dog severely damaged Woods' eye and her head injuries required more than 100 stitches. The bleeding was so severe that she passed out on the way to the hospital."The blood was spewing out of my head. The dog nicked a main artery," she said. In addition to Lori's shock and severe injuries, she worries that Tank will be able to attack someone else. But, dog owner, Tyler Stowers, wants his pet back. In yet another unconscionable act by a pit bull owner, Mr. Stowers blames the victim:Stowers said Woods got down on all fours and went toward the dog, causing the animal to go on the defense. Like Lori, and many others, DogsBite.org voices the words spoken by Lori, "I can't believe someone wants to keep their dog that did this to someone. At what point do you value your dog more than somebody's life?"
Due to Tennessee law -- if you are a "guest" in a home and attacked by the homeowner's dog, you are ineligible for civil recourse -- Lori's insurance will not pay her medical bills. Mr. Stowers claims he will cover the costs. This is an unlikey scenario, given that the cost may skyrocket into hundreds of thousands of dollars.
1/30/08: Dog Attack Costs Woman Her Eye, 200 Stitches
Nashville, TN - The woman, who was not identified, told officials that she was visiting the home of a friend when she bent down to pick up her purse. This is when her friend's pit bull attacked. She suffered a lost eye and 200 stitches.
Metro Animal Control said it does not want the dog out on the street again. Tank, the 3-year-old pit bull, is currently in quarantine. Animal Services Director Judy Lauderbauche didn’t mince words when she described how dangerous Tank is."I don’t think there’s any doubt that the woman could have been killed. She's very, very fortunate that she wasn’t, even though she did sustain absolutely life-changing injuries that will take years of plastic surgery," Lauderbauche said. Tank’s owner, Tyler Stowers, visits his dog in quarantine every day and said that up until Tuesday, Tank had never attacked anyone. He was emotional as he looked at his dog in the cage. Animal Control commented they believe his tears are for his dog and not the victim.
Tennessee law has no civil provision for attacks that occur on owner property. So, once again, the victim -- who was a guest on the owner's property -- has no civil recourse.Labels: Tennessee
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Wednesday, January 23, 2008
A Tennessee city responds to the pit bull problem
Pit bull Ban Passes on First Reading in Rockwood
Rockwood, TN - After several pit bull maulings and the attack that killed Jennifer Lowe, one Tennessee community has had enough. This past Monday, Rockwood City Council passed its first reading to ban pit bulls with a vote of 5 to 1. There's one more vote to go next month. If it passes, there will be major restrictions placed on existing pit bulls and no more additional pit bulls will be allowed in the city.
Rockwood mayor Mike Miller proposed the ban. Miller doesn't want to see any more pit bulls in the city."I've been thinking about this for a long time and I just, I think they're a dangerous dog. I think if they attack, you have a hard time, if you can at all, getting them off of a kid or an adult or anybody." As common in the instance of bans, owners that have pit bulls now, would be grandfathered in, but they must have liability insurance, along with several other restrictions including: penning requirements and when off-property a muzzling requirement. The final vote from city council will take place February 18th.Labels: Tennessee
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Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Tennessee legislators are willing to get tough
Legislators Try to Rein in Dog Attacks and Abuse
Nashville, TN - Tennessee lawmakers are talking tough and considering strict new dog laws. Some of the proposals include: strengthening penalties against owners of vicious dogs that harm people and automatic civil victim recourse, even if the dog attack occurs on the dog owner's property. After noting that the city of Rockwood recently voted to ban pit bulls within city limits, Senator Kilby states:"If someone has a vicious dog that attacks you and mangles your arm, you should be compensated." At the same time, he wants to raise awareness about certain breeds, such as pit bulls, which are often behind many high-profile attacks. Additionally, legislation that targets animal abusers is being reviewed. The bill would create an online registry for animal abusers, much like the sex offender registry maintained by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
According to the bill, studies show a link between children and teens that repeatedly hurt or kill animals later becoming violent criminal offenders and even serial killers. Among information available to the public would be the abuser's name, age, convictions, addresses and photo. The legislation adds:"There is a compelling and necessary public interest that the public have information concerning persons convicted of severe animal abuse offenses...to adequately protect themselves and their animals." DogsBite.org applauds the Tennessee legislature for committing to realistically evaluating the dangers fighting breeds pose to public safety in addition to clamping down on the dogfighters themselves.Labels: Tennessee
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Sunday, January 20, 2008
Packed parenting class teaches pit bull care
Knoxville Residents Attend Free Pit Bull Parenting Class
Knoxville County, TN - In reaction to the violent killing of Jennifer Lowe by two pit bulls, the local animal control shelter began offering classes for pit bull owners. The goal of the class is to teach people how to be a good parent for the potentially violent pups.
Kristen Hill and Matt Turner, who recently rescued a whole family of pit bulls, were among those in attendance. She said the class has given her a new understanding of the breed."You have to raise them together and teach them to love each other,” she said. “Keep them spayed and neutered and if you socialize them, you shouldn't have any problems." The class at Young-Williams Animal Shelter had such a good turnout that the shelter has scheduled another class that's already full with a waiting list. Parenting classes of a variety of breeds are something the shelter does all year. In January, they focus on pit bulls, next month they will look at hounds.Labels: Tennessee
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Thursday, January 17, 2008
Pit Bull Owners -- Not So "Dog Loving"
No Pit Bulls Registered As Deadline Nears
Arkadelphia, AR - With the February 1st deadline approaching for registering pit bulls within city limits, no dogs have been registered as of January 14th. Glen Beedle and Jennifer Bryant, the city's accounts clerk, are responsible for registering the dogs. "We've had many inquiries," Beedle said, "but no registrations."
Some residents have already told Manning they don't intend to comply with the law. They have contacted the animal control officer, Buster Karr, to pick up their dogs February 1st for automatic euthanization. The new Arkadelphia ordinance requires pit bull owners to meet several requirements to register their dogs, including: $25 registration fee per year; microchip implant by a licensed veterinarian; proof of rabies and other vaccinations; mandatory sterilization and $100,000 liability insurance coverage.
There are confinement requirements too. When an animal is not confined, it must be securely muzzled and restrained by a leash. Dogs cannot be kept on a chain, rope or other type of leash outside its kennel or pen, and dogs are not to be leashed to inanimate objects, such as trees, posts or buildings.
Failure to comply is punishable by a fine of $500 per day. If the dog is seized by animal control for violations, the dog's registration can be revoked and owners must reclaim the dog by paying a fee. The dog will not be returned to the owner until the fee is paid and all requirements are met.DogsBite.org praises Arkadelphia City Council for creating progressive dog policy that undoubtedly targets irresponsible owners and strongly promotes public safety. Labels: Tennessee
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Wednesday, January 16, 2008
West Tennessee: shelter animal abuse
County Shelter Locked Up, Animals Left for Dead, Worker Studding out Pit Bull
Camden, TN - Police officially shut down the Benton County Animal Shelter today. On Friday, January 11, 2008 several rescue volunteers and authorities entered the facility. Once inside, they found at least 12 dead animals. The remaining 60 were suffering from illness and starvation. One dog was found close to death beside her litter of decaying puppies.
Apparently, the shelter's one full time employee, Jackie Boyett, had simply locked the shelter one day and left. Boyett is already facing drug charges, and is due in court January 23rd. Boyett was also found this week to have one of the shelter's pit bulls at home where the dog was being used in a stud service.Labels: Tennessee
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Monday, January 14, 2008
Knoxville commissioner "toughening up"
Animal Control Statute Urged
DogsBite.org praises Knox County Commissioner Ivan Harmon's recent proposal to help protect future victims from dogs deemed "dangerous."
Under the ordinance, if an animal control or law enforcement officer finds that a dog poses an immediate threat to public safety, the officers may "immediately seize and impound the dog" pending a court hearing. Such a law may have saved the life of Jennifer Lowe. Such a law will save future lives.
Tennessee divides its Dangerous Dog ordinance into two levels. It is unclear exactly what actions classify a dog as level 1 or level 2. Common to both levels in the new proposal is the addition of mandatory sterilization and microchipping. What is uncommon is a mandatory insurance policy of $100,000.
DogsBite.org would like to underscore that the primary goal behind dangerous dog legislation is to ensure victim recourse -- $100,000 doesn't cut it. The standard insurance amount is $250,000. This is due to the fact that dog attacks frequently result in facial injury, which is highly expensive to treat. Even when treatable, the victim is usually left with lifetime scars.Labels: Tennessee
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Saturday, January 12, 2008
Pit bulls take 'parenting'
Knoxville County Animal Shelter Class Addresses How to Keep Dogs in Line
Tennessee - In the wake of Jennifer Lowe's fatal mauling by two pit bulls, two Tennessee cities (Johnson City and Rockwood) are researching ordinances that ban or restrict the breed, joining an international movement toward anti-pit bull laws.
The Knoxville County Animal Center, which regulates the region where Jennifer's attacked stemmed, is dealing with public concerns by offering a "pit bull parenting class" taught by volunteers over the course of a weekend. The class will teach pit bull owners or would-be owners about socializing the dogs and encouraging obedience.
While DogsBite.org supports all public education about dog safety, a one-weekend "pit bull parenting" class hardly addresses the problem. Moreover, irresponsible dog owners aren't likely to attend such a course. Prior to San Francisco's mandatory sterilization law, the city's animal shelter offered free sterilization to help entice pit bull owners to spay and neuter their dogs. The free service proved ineffective.
Vicky Crosetti, the Director of the Humane Society of the Tennessee Valley, comments:"By offering a class on Pit Bull Parenting, the Young-Williams Center board does indeed recognize that pit bull-type dogs are in fact dogs which require specially trained owners." She points out that several Humane Society shelters in the area, including hers, refuse to offer pit bulls for adoption. Crosetti praised state Sen. Tim Burchett's state-wide call to mandate the spaying and neutering of pit bulls. "This would have been an excellent first step in protecting our community and particularly our children from dogs who can and frequently do maim, cause serious injury and death."Labels: Tennessee
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Family, Friends Hope Vigil for Jennifer Lowe Brings Change
 Attendees Hope Officials Toughen Ordinances on Vicious Dogs
West Knox County, TN - Jennifer Lowe would have been 22 years old this past Monday. On November 12, 2007, Jennifer was fatally attacked by Charles Smallwood's two pit bulls while she visited his home. Because she was on "dog owner property," no criminal charges have been filed. Writer Jim Balloch of Knoxnews.com describes the vigil:"For a second, a precious, fleeting second, just as sundown was turning to dusk, the flickering of a candle across the framed picture of Jennifer Lowe made it seem like the corners of her smile were turning up just a tiny bit more." Family, friends and relatives gathered on the City Council building steps and held a candlelight vigil in Jennifer's memory and to encourage Knoxville and Knox County to improve their respective ordinances governing dangerous or vicious dogs. Some family members would also like a deeper investigation into the circumstances that lead to Jennifer's death.
The dogs that killed Jennifer Lowe had been declared dangerous in August, after attacking another dog, and were supposed to be kept leashed or caged, but there was little authorities could do even after the dogs were witnessed later out of cages and unleashed.
Related articles:
Jennifer Lowe Foundation - Just New LawsLabels: Tennessee
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Monday, January 7, 2008
Animal Shelters Taking a New Stance: Supporting Pit Bull Bans
 Johnson City, TN Researching a Possible Pit Bull Ban
In the best recent news from Tennessee regarding the pit bull plight, a brave animal shelter has come out in support of banning the breed. Animal control director Debbie Dobbs says:"I hate to condemn a breed for some bad ones. But you have to remember their origin, their genetics, and what is already in-bred into them." Like our daily experience at DogsBite.org, Dobbs reports "pit bull attack news alerts are filling her inbox." Referring to Jennifer Lowe, she adds:"I think when a lady was killed by her boyfriend's pit bulls in Knoxville, it kind of brought it all to a head." Johnson City mayor, Phil Roe, is taking a closer look at a ban. Like all sensible bans, existing pit bulls would be grandfathered-in with mandatory sterilization. The goal being 10 years down the road, the breed would be fully banned.
What pit bull advocates do not get -- and more and more animal organizations do get -- is that bans protect pit bulls from severe abuse, not to mention massive euthanization rates. Breed bans also offer instant authority to animal control departments, a level of enforcement that can't exist without such laws.Labels: Tennessee
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Thursday, November 15, 2007
Tennessee Senator Calls for Ordinance to Mandate Sterilization of Pit Bulls
UPDATE 12.21.07: Several months before Jennifer was fatally attacked, Tennessee updated its dog bite statute. The new law disallows civil liability for maulings and killings of people who are guests in a dog owner's home, but allows recourse if the owner's dog attacks a person walking down the street. Because of this law, Jennifer's family has little recourse.
11/15/07: Tennessee County Urged to Pass Pit Bull Law
Knoxville, TN - In light of the recent tragedy of Jennifer Lowe, State Senator Tim Burchett of Knoxville is urging Knox County Commission to pass a law requiring mandatory sterilization of pit bulls. In a letter to the commission released yesterday, Burchett writes:"Across Tennessee and now locally we have a story that has ended tragically. Due to the fact that pit bulls do attack humans, I think it is time for us to act before we have another instance like this." The letter follows the death of Jennifer Lowe, 21, who was attacked and killed by two pit bulls. Lowe died of severe injuries to her face, shoulder and arm. Knox County sheriff's deputies shot the dogs, one of which died at the scene. The other was wounded and fled but was captured later. Both adult dogs had previously been declared "dangerous" by Knox County Animal Control.
The dogs' owner, Charles Smallwood, was not present at the time of the attack. The Sheriff's Office will present its investigation to the Knox County District Attorney General's office for review of possible charges. Burchett's letter states that other communities have established laws that have been successful, and that Knox County can follow their lead.Labels: Tennessee
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2007 Fatality: No Charges Filed for Owner of 2 Pit Bulls that Killed Jennifer Lowe
 Jennifer Lowe was Fatally Mauled Monday Afternoon
Knoxville, TN - A vicious dog attack that killed a young woman, Jennifer Lowe, sheds light on Tennessee's dog bite law. The law disallows civil liability for maulings of people who are guests in a dog owner's home but allows recourse if the dog attacks a person walking down the street. Because of this law, Jennifer's family has little recourse.
Jennifer was alone in the house when her friend's pit bulls attacked and severely injured her. She fought back both dogs as they tore away her face, neck, shoulder and arms. Jennifer died shortly after reaching the University of Tennessee Medical Center. She did not lose consciousness until her death.
Prior to the mauling, animal control officers had visited the home 5 times, and both dogs had been deemed "dangerous." This means that the owner, Charles Smallwood, was required to have the dogs muzzled if the dogs were "off-property." But because Jennifer was on-property at the time of the attack, he faces no criminal penalty.
Related articles:
Jennifer Lowe Foundation - Just New LawsLabels: Tennessee
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