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Pit Bull of FABB Founder, Pro-Pit Bull Group, Attacks Dog
Pit "Bullies" in Seattle
UPDATE 09/17/08: The Stranger, an alternative newspaper in Seattle, confirms the victim's story -- the letter written and posted at DogsBite.org -- and points out a widely used pit bull advocacy tactic: intimidation. To clarify The Stranger's story, DogsBite.org will state a few things. DogsBite.org is a national dog bite victims group dedicated to reducing serious dog attacks by creating common sense laws. We are also Seattle-based.
Back in March, the founder of DogsBite.org, Colleen Lynn, submitted a 21-page whitepaper to the Seattle City Council that spelled out the national pit bull problem, as well as Seattle's pit bull problem. The paper made 4 recommendations for city-wide pit bull regulations: mandatory microchipping for identification purposes, liability coverage of $250,000, sterilization and prohibiting felons of own pit bulls.
Simultaneous to writing this paper, a group formed known as Families and Dogs Against Fighting Breeds (FDAFB). The mission of this group was to place a citizen initiative on the city's ballot to ban fighting breed dogs. The key member, Ellen Taft, already had legislation written for the initiative. Upon meeting Lynn of DogsBite.org, it was a natural fit for the two to share resources and together present multiple options to the City of Seattle.
Fast forward to the real story at hand, The Stranger fills in the details of the recent incident that involved an attack by a dog owned by a member of Families Against Breed Bans (FABB), an oppositional group to both FDAFB and DogsBite.org:A group working to ban potentially dangerous dogs from Seattle has abruptly canceled plans to submit a citizen initiative after receiving threatening e-mails from pit-bull enthusiasts, group members say. "You should be publicly executed for your actions against our beloved pets," one e-mail reads. "You all ought to be neutered," says another.
"The harassment was so bad, we decided it wouldn't be safe to send out signature gatherers," says Ellen Taft, a spokeswoman for Families and Dogs Against Fighting Breeds (FDAFB).
As the FDAFB regroups, pit bull advocates, organized as Families Against Breed Bans (FABB), are scrambling to downplay a recent attack by a dog owned by one FABB member, Faith Hynoski, and her husband Joel. The pit-bull supporters at FABB did little to promote their cause when one FABB member wrote The Stranger a letter, complete with smiley emoticons, threatening to sue the paper if it revealed Faith Hynoski to be the owner of the pit bull that attacked another dog; the letter went on to warn that "it would be advisable to run NOTHING pertaining to the events of Sunday, September [7]," the date the attack took place...[snip]
One such incident was the attack on September 7, during the grand opening of the Zak and Zoe pet store in Phinney Ridge. A large crowd of owners and their leashed dogs were milling around the store when, according to a report from the Seattle Animal Shelter, the Hynoskis' pit bull Zack attacked a yellow Labrador named Sam. The report says the Hynoskis' pit bull became aggressive, wrapped its jaws around Sam's neck, and would not let go.
After the attack, Sam's owner, Irene Mitri, called the Seattle Animal Shelter, which issued the Hynoskis a $269 citation for what shelter director Don Jordan calls "an unprovoked attack." While it initially appeared Sam was not injured, Mitri says a veterenarian later found "scabbed puncture wounds" on Sam's neck. The report also says that Joel Hynoski told a Seattle Animal Shelter officer that he was guilty and would pay the fine.
The Hynoskis did not respond to phone and email requests for comment, but Russell says they plan to appeal the citation.
According to the animal shelter's Jordan, the shelter had to put down 300 pit bulls or pit-bull mixes that were brought into shelters. "They're just so dangerous we don't want to place them with the public," he says. The Stranger's story confirms that Sam was attacked by a FABB member's dog and that a citation was issued to the dog's owner. The article also points out the irrationality of the Seattle Animal Shelter. The shelter puts down 300 pit bulls per year: "They're just so dangerous we don't want to place them with the public." The shelter also opposes breed-specific law, such as mandatory sterilization of pit bulls, because we guess, they'd rather put a needle in the dogs.
09/15/08: Pet Store Owner Writes to DogsBite.org
Nadja Chorba, the owner of the pet store, Zak and Zoe, writes to DogsBite.org and says that the quotes gathered by the Stranger's writer, Johan Spangenthal-Lee, are "inaccurate."
09/12/08: Pro-Pit bull Activist's Dog Attacks
Seattle, WA - The Stranger's Blog, known as the Slog, reports that a pit bull belonging to one of the founders of Families Against Breed Bans (FABB) reportedly attacked another dog last Sunday at the grand opening of a pet store in Phinney Ridge, according to the pet store’s owner."There [were] over 100 dogs through here on the weekend. We only had one incident," says Nadja Chorba, owner of the Zak and Zoe pet store. Chorba says members of FABB had been invited to the store to talk about breed bans and educate the public about pit bulls. Then, Chorba says, the pit bull "decided he was unhappy at the moment” and attacked another dog. "There weren’t any loud noises" or anything else that would have startled the pit bull, Chorba says. Prior to the Slog publishing this blog post, the owner of the victimized dog, had written to DogsBite.org. The below letter was sent to DogsBite.org in addition to various Seattle newspapers.
DogsBite.org publishes this Letter to the Editor in entirety:Dear Editor:
After listening to KUOW's "The Conversation" on September 10 about pit bulls, as well as learning about the horrific recent attack in Seatac, I am compelled to write a letter to the editor with a story that is eerily relevant.
This past Sunday, September 7, my yellow lab Sam was viciously attacked by a pit bull owned by the founder of F.A.B.B. (Families Against Breed Bans), at the grand opening of a friendly new dog store (Zak and Zoe) on Phinney Ridge. The attack was witnessed by many, and all were horrified. Everyone was also struck by the irony of the incident: the attack happened after we had all been standing around outside the store, calmly listening to the owners tell us about the sweetness of pit bulls, and how it is the owner's fault when pit bulls become violent. They had come to the grand opening event to make their cause known, handing out flyers and "educating the public" about pit bulls. And then, after 15 minutes of standing with them, chatting, all dogs on leashes, without any notice or provocation or visible signs of aggression whatsoever preceding the attack, their pit bull turned violently on our dog and locked his jaws on Sam's neck. Let me be clear, this was not in any way a fight. Sam was just standing there (he's known in our area as 'the sweetest dog on the planet') — this was an unprovoked attack.
After minutes (which seemed like hours) of watching our dog scream while their pit bull held Sam’s neck in his jaws, while no one, not even the dog's owner was able to release him, finally somehow he was freed. We immediately took Sam to a quiet place nearby, where he stood shaking uncontrollably for nearly 1/2 hour, with a racing heartbeat. A dog specialist who happened to be on the scene generously offered to work with him to keep him from going into shock. She said that given what she had just witnessed, she was very surprised that half of Sam's face wasn't ripped off. Many of us believed he was about to be killed right then and there, at Greenwood and 74th, on the sidewalk, with our families (including our 5-year-old daughter) all around.
My husband and I did report the incident to the police, and it is going, uncontested, on public record, with a citation issued to the pit bull owners. The day following the attack I received a phone call from a member of the F.A.B.B. organization and was told that “the woman whose dog it was has stepped down and is no longer in charge of the group".
You can imagine my irritation while listening to yesterday's guest on KUOW, representing F.A.B.B., three days after this attack, as she defended the ever-popular notion that “it's not the breed, it's the owner,” and that these are sweet dogs, completely trustworthy in public. I believe these particular owners to be caring, well-meaning people, offering a loving home to their pit bulls. It is my understanding that the dog that attacked Sam had been through some training, and was thought to be very sweet, and fine in social situations with people and other dogs. These are the good, conscientious, caring kind of pit bull owners. They just happen to have a dog whose predecessors were bred to fight and to kill, and so there can be a predisposition in all these dogs that is genetic, and can lead to unpredictable, dangerous behavior.
I would like this story brought to light, and readers can make what they will of this incident. I would not feel right knowing that our story went untold, in the midst of this heated discussion. At the very least, as a public service message, I think people need to know that it is illegal for a dog to bite another dog in Seattle (as of 2003). Even our wonderful dog trainer (voted best in Seattle 2008) didn't know that this was a reportable incident.
Irene Mitri
Seattle, WA Media members:
The author of this letter has asked that it be forwarded on exactly as worded -- not snipped or altered in any fashion.
Related articles:
09/13/08: Coverage of the Seattle Area Pit Bull Attack and ActivismLabels: seattle
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Seattle Pit Bull Statistics: Bites, Population, Euthanization
DogsBite.org - By requesting records at the Seattle Animal Shelter and referencing published data by other sources, we've combined relevant Seattle pit bull statistics. What stands out the most is that pit bulls make up a small percent of the dog population, a high number of bites and an alarming percent of dogs being euthanized (nearly half).
Pit Bull Bites & Menacing Acts
This analysis is based on a five year period (2003-2008)
- Pit bulls accounted for 3.4% of the registered dogs and 25% of all dog bites
- Labradors, the most popular Seattle breed, accounted for 17% of the registered dogs and 12% of dog bites
- Pit bulls accounted for 37% of menacing acts versus 11% Labradors
Pit bull dogs were defined as the American pit bull terrier, pit bull, American Staffordshire terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier and bull terrier for the purposes of this analysis. Data source: Seattle Animal Shelter
Pit Bull Population
The Seattle PI reported an analysis of Seattle's pit bull population.
- 2003: 2.97%
- 2004: 3.21%
- 2005: 3.27%
- 2006: 3.28%
- 2007: 3.11%
Classified Ad Search
On September 15, 2008, DogsBite.org searched under 6 different names to see how popular pit bulls are in the Seattle area. Of 432 dogs for sale in the combined classified ads for the Seattle Times and the Seattle PI, pit bull type dogs yielded 5, which is 1% of dogs.
- Search criteria: American Pit Bull Terrier 0; Pit Bull 2; Pitbull 1; American Bulldog 2; Staffordshire Terrier 0; Bull Terrier 0
- Other dog breeds yielded: Yorkies 38 (9%), Lab 24 (6%), Shepherd 22 (5%), Dachshund 20 (5%), Golden Retriever 15 (3%).
Pit Bulls Euthanized
KiroTV reported the average number of pit bulls euthanized.
- Between 2002 and mid-September 2007, Seattle euthanized a total of 3,407 dogs
- 1,762 (52%) were non-pit bull breeds and 1,645 (48%) were pit bulls
- Average: about 300 pit bulls euthanized annually
Related article:
09/13/08: Coverage of the Seattle Area Pit Bull Attack and ActivismLabels: seattle, statistics
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Political Cartoonist, David Horsey, Asks Obvious Question
Dubious Logic Prevails
Seattle, WA - David Horsey is the political cartoonist for the Seattle PI. Unlike the editorial staff, who thinks breed-specific laws are unworkable, and that toughening up the leash laws might do the trick, Horsey addresses the issue where it counts: the bite. A Chihuahua bites and a pit bull dismembers and kills. He writes, "Can someone explain why the rest of us should have to live with that kind of risk just so a few of our neighbors can have a particular kind of pet?"
He criticizes Seattle City Council for being reluctant to treat pit bulls different than any other dog breed, even though pit bulls are responsible for over a fifth of all bites, but make up about 4% of the total dog population. He adds that the statistic is outdated. The latest count reveals that, in 2008, pit bulls have been involved in half of all biting incidents. He writes, "Can anyone still claim these dogs are not in a category all their own?""Pit bull owners, of course, are outraged by anyone who maligns their pets. They insist their dear pups are sweet tempered and won't hurt anyone, that the problem lies with a few irresponsible owners, not with the dogs. I wonder how that argument would sit with the 71-year-old SeaTac woman who was mauled by two pit bulls last week. The dogs severed her ears, crushed her arm and left her with horrible wounds all over her body. Yes, the owner of the dogs failed to keep them from slipping out of his fenced yard and that makes him legally responsible for the attack. But it was the dogs, not the owner, that sank their teeth into the woman's flesh and it was their powerful jaws that wouldn't let go. However docile they may be 95 percent of the time, does it make any sense to allow a breed capable of inflicting such hideous wounds to flourish and reproduce in a crowded city?" Please leave a comment for Horsey in our comment section. We will send them to him in appreciation!
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09/13/08: Coverage of the Seattle Area Pit Bull Attack and ActivismLabels: comic, seattle
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Seattle Area Groups Mobilizing for Pit Bull Restrictions
Seattle, WA - Just hours before the brutal attack on Huong Le in SeaTac (just outside of Seattle), one of two major local newspapers, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, featured a cover story about pit bull advocates at an ice cream social event who had gathered to help "bury" recent proposals by Seattle activists designed to regulate pit bulls and other fighting breeds.
"Several dozen pit bull owners wandered through the downtown pet boutique, their muscular dogs sweetly approaching one another without the aggressiveness often associated with the breed." Hours later, Huong Le, 71, was violently attacked in her front yard by two pit bulls. As Le's adopted son pointed out, "This was not a dog bite, it was attempted dismemberment. There is no way to describe the savagery and carnage." The next day, the Seattle PI declared their stance on the pit bull issue. DogsBite.org hope's Le's family avoids this publication at all costs."We don't know enough to be sure, but we seriously doubt a ban on pit bulls or any other breed would work. The CDC points to what it says are "many practical alternatives" to breed-specific bans." Proposals Raised by Seattle Activists to Prevent Future AttacksFighting Breed Ban
Families and Dogs Against Fighting Breeds created legislation modeled after the UK's 1991 Dangerous Dog Act. It seeks to prohibit "new" ownership and tightly restrict "existing" ownership of the following breeds: Akita, American Pit-Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Cane Corso, Dogo Argentino, Dogue de Bordeaux, Juvasz, Presa Canario and Tosa Inu.
Mandatory Pit Bull Sterilization
As reported back in July, the founder of DogsBite.org, Colleen Lynn, submitted a 21 page white paper to the Seattle City Council that outlined the history of the pit bull problem from a national perspective, offered a detailed view of Seattle's pit bull problem and recommended 4 key options to consider (pages 13-14).
- Mandatory licensing and microchipping for identification purposes
- Liability coverage of $250,000 for victim medical recourse
- Mandatory sterilization to reduce attacks and pit bull euthanasia rates
- Prohibiting felons to own pit bulls
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09/13/08: Coverage of the Seattle Area Pit Bull Attack and ActivismLabels: seattle
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"Vicious" Dog Laws Stop at State Lines; Pit Bull-Mix Whisked to New State
 Dog Shifts States Before Impound
Boise, ID - After a dog is declared "dangerous" (or is about to be) by authorities, owners of these dogs often send the animal to another state where the label will not apply. Sometimes they move with the dog; other times, they send the dog to live with family or friends. This plants the dog in a new neighborhood, one that does not know the dog's history.
The dangerous dog is shifted to a new location. Victims of dog attacks almost always voice the same message, "I do not want this to happen to someone else." Criminal and civil recourse after an attack may be difficult to achieve. But victims always want the dog restricted or destroyed so that it cannot strike again. You can imagine how a victim feels when the owner of a dangerous dog sends it to a new state, beyond control of local authorities.
Lonnie Holloway was checking out a possible construction job when a large dog at the Boise home lunged at him and planted its teeth in his stomach. The dog released its grip when Holloway began fighting back, poking it in the eyes. "As he was going for the second bite, Lonnie got away," said Chris Eisenberg, who works with Holloway and saw the incident.
The dog's owner, Caitlynn Leach, didn't see her 70-pound dog try for a second bite. "That was probably me pulling him off," said Leach, who had the dog on a leash. While Holloway was at a hospital emergency room, the dog was taken to Washington State by its owner's family -- far from the jurisdiction of local animal control. Leach, a 19-year-old sophomore at Boise State University, received a vicious dog citation, a misdemeanor. But vicious dog laws only go so far. Jeff Rosenthal, executive director of the Idaho Humane Society, said there's not a lot he can do about dogs that are taken across county or state lines. "I don't have the ability to put out an all-points bulletin across the nation," he said.
The dog was taken to the Seattle area. Boise animal control officials asked their counterparts in Seattle's King County to impound the dog. Records show that the dog was quarantined at home and checked for rabies. But there's no way Holloway or Animal Control can compel Leach to bring the pit bull-mix back to Boise to be assessed and face possible punitive action.
Idaho is also a "one free bite" state, so euthanasia for the animal is likely not an option. However, requiring a locked enclosure, posting Dangerous Dog signs, attaining a hefty liability policy and off-property muzzling would be. Seattle area citizens should be attentive to a neutered white pit bull-mix with black ears named Domino. He might rip into another belly.
Animal control’s report on the incident said that Leach’s father, Steve Leach, took the dog to Washington State "before we could get it for impound." Holloway has retained attorney Bradley Poole, who said he’s trying to settle the matter out of court.
Related articles:
07/24/08: Duvall Girl Witnesses Pit Bull Attack Show Calf
06/17/08: Little Girl Bitten by Pit Bull in "Land Shark Attack"Labels: relocation, seattle
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Pit Bull Shot, Others Confiscated in Seattle
Woman Tried to Protect Her Dog
Seattle, WA - One pit bill was shot by police and two others have been confiscated by animal control after allegedly attacking a woman and her 8-year-old cocker spaniel mix in north Seattle. The woman was bitten on the hand during the attack. A witness said the three dogs escaped from a home and attacked a woman and her dog as they were walking down a street.
Mike Murphy said he heard the attack from the open door of his home and ran outside to help. Murphy said the cocker spaniel, known as Tobey, was being pulled down the street by the pit bulls while the dog's owner did her best to fend off the attacking dogs. "I think she went down twice trying to protect her dogs," said Murphy.
Seattle police officers arrived and shot one of the pit bulls in the leg. The dog is expected to survive. The other two were taken by Animal Control officers. Tobey's owner, who declined to talk on camera, said her dog has a large hematoma. The dog suffered numerous bites and will spend the night at an emergency veterinarian hospital.
Related articles:
07/11/08: Seattle Pit Bull Attack Victims Stacking Up
07/09/08: Proactive Dog Policy: Why Seattle Needs ItLabels: seattle
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Seattle Area Pit Bull Attack Victims Stacking Up
Seattle, WA - In 2007, 233 bites were recorded in Seattle; pit bulls were responsible for 52 (22%). 145 citations were issued for these bites; pit bull owners received 43 (30%). Pit bulls account for 3% of registered dogs. Seattle Animal Control does not record bites that result in "severe injury." A bite that breaks the skin and a bite that tears off an arm is equally recorded as "1 bite."
Roll Call: Seattle Area Pit Bull Victims (June 2007-Present)
Huong Le, 71
Attacked in her front yard
SeaTac
September 2008
Jorgann, 55
Attacked walking her dog
Also hurt: dog Gallagher
Tacoma
July 2008
2 Pet Dogs Attacked
Attacked for being dogs
Discovery Park
July 2008
Unnamed Woman
Attacked walking her dog
North Seattle
July 2008
Simone Evans, 9
Attacked on school playground
West Seattle
June 2008
Unnamed Teenage Boy
Attacked walking in street
Beacon hill
April 2008
Unnamed Man
Attacked walking in street
Westwood
February 2008
Maysia Smith-Moore, 9
Attacked playing in backyard
West Seattle
February 2008
Alex Sharpe
Attacked walking his dogs
Also hurt: dogs Charlie and Indigo
Columbia City
October 2007
Bob Walston, 70
Attacked walking his dog
Also hurt: dog Maggie
Mount Baker
September 2007
Sue Gorman, 59
Attacked sleeping in bed
Also hurt: Dogs Misty and Romeo
Gig Harbor
August 2007
Colleen Lynn, 38
Attacked jogging on sidewalk
Beacon Hill
June 2007
If you are a Seattle pit bull attack victim and you are not listed here, please contact DogsBite.org.Labels: seattle
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Proactive Dog Policy: Why Seattle Needs It
Seattle, WA - On March 4th, 2008, the founder of DogsBite.org, Colleen Lynn, submitted a white paper to Seattle City Councilman Tim Burgess. The paper examines the nationwide pit bull problem, Seattle's pit bull problem and the pit bull breed itself. It also offers solutions that other U.S. cities have found effective in preventing future victims, while simultaneously protecting pit bull dogs.
View full paper:
Proactive Dog Policy: Why Seattle Needs It
Highlights of the document include recognizing that the pit bull problem is over 20 years old. In this time, many policymakers have failed to take action. As a result, the pit bull population has exploded; euthanization rates have soared; dog fighting has escalated; animal shelter insurance has spiked and victim medical costs have flown out the window.
The document reveals Seattle's pit bull problem. Between 2002 and mid-September 2007, city shelters had to euthanize 3,407 dogs, 48% percent were pit bulls. Though 128 different biting breeds were recorded in Seattle, pit bulls were responsible for 24% and only make up 2.6% of the registered dogs. Before diving deeper into Seattle bite statistics, the document discusses, What constitutes a bite?
In the national section of the document, the paper shows the results of two widely known studies regarding breeds of dogs and fatal attacks. It reminds readers that in 2007, 35 fatal dog attacks occurred. Pit bull type dogs were responsible for 60%. A third study mentions the frequency of dog bite injury in U.S. emergency care centers. On a daily bases, about 1,000 Americans require emergency care treatment due to serious dog bites.
On several occasions, the paper asks a pointed question, "The argument that lies before the City of Seattle is not the "demonization" of pit bulls, it is instead: What steps can we take to prevent future attacks? And who pays when they do attack?" The question is underscored by the fact that many pit bull owners in Seattle are renters and cannot provide medical payment after an attack.
The paper also explores the genetic history of the pit bull and the opinions of leading researchers. Experts agree that pit bulls display unique traits when they attack. In a police officer training video, Randall Lockwood, the Senior Vice President to the ASPCA, specifies the unique dangers posed by pit bulls that non-fighting breeds do not pose:
"The main impediment to reading a dog's communication is when the dog is a fighting breed. The best strategy for a fighting breed is to not communicate your intention. This is why we hear about so many fighting breeds attacking without warning. Meaning there was no growl, there was no bark, there was no direct stare, the dog just went from point a to point b and did what he wanted to do. Likewise, they are disrespectful of the traditional signs of submission and appeasement." Alan Beck, a world-renowned dog ecologist, educator and author, was also quoted in the paper. In written testimony to the Province of Ontario -- a Canadian province that was in the stages of enacting a pit bull ban -- Mr. Beck writes:
"While all breeds of dogs can and do bite on occasion, pit bulls (due to their inherent fighting nature, strength and high pain threshold) have a much higher potential of being involved in a serious attack than most, if not all, breeds. There is no doubt that the fear of pit bull dogs is reasonable and social tension about them should also be considered when a community is developing policy." Three pages of the report are dedicated to the physical and psychological injury that victims suffer after an attack. Incorporated were topics such as, "sustained attacks," which is an attack that lasts 15 minutes or longer, and "massive soft tissue lost," both of which are unique to the pit bull breed. The paper also discussed the rising number of victims that require one million dollars in medical care after a pit bull attack.
The last portion of the paper provides recommendations to the City of Seattle to help prevent future victims and protect pit bull dogs. The items include: mandatory microchipping for identification purposes; liability insurance of $250,000 for victim medical recourse; and mandatory spay/neuter to reduce pit bull bites and euthanizations. The paper adds that under Washington state law, such policies are constitutionally sound.
View full paper:
Proactive Dog Policy: Why Seattle Needs It Labels: dog law, seattle
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Pit Bull Bites Girl At Seattle Elementary School Playground
School Plumbers Save Girl
UPDATE 06/19/08: Thanks to two school plumbers, 9-year old Simone Evans escaped serious injury in the recent pit bull incident. Bob Cruse and Eric Julson were working outside the school that morning when they saw a pit bull nipping at the heels of Evans. Cruse rushed her into the back of the truck while Julson called 911, all while trying to escape the dog.
06/17/08: West Seattle Has a Problem with Pit Bulls
Seattle, WA - In the third pit bull attack in West Seattle in as many months, a pit bull (or pit bull-mix) bit a girl at the playground of Lafayette Elementary School, causing a minor injury and sending the school into a temporary lockdown. School district maintenance workers fought off the dog until they could get the child to safety. She suffered a bite to the ankle and was back in school later in the morning. The only breed of dog that sends a school into "lockdown" mode is a pit bull. Officials believe the dog followed students to the school. As typical, the dog had no identification tag or microchip, and it will be quarantined for 10 days if its owner doesn't come forward. As typical, Seattle Animal Control said it is too soon to determine whether the dog will be euthanized. Like many US cities, attacking pit bulls in the City of Seattle -- that attack on school property no less -- have more rights than human being victims.
Related articles:
02/27/08: Police Shootings: Seattle Officer Shoots 2 Pit Bulls in Self Defense
02/22/08: Seattle Girl, 9, Hospitalized After Pit Bull AttackLabels: lockdown, school, seattle
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Pit Bull Attacks Teen on Beacon Hill -- South Seattle
Pit Bull Owner Non-Apologetic (Again)
Seattle, WA - A teenager was taken to a hospital Thursday evening after a pit bull ran from a Beacon Hill home and attacked him. The boy told police he got off a bus and was walking home when the dog ran out of a house in the 3200 block of South Portland Street and attacked him in the street.
The dog bit him on the right forearm, right calf, stomach and left hand, causing numerous puncture wounds, according to the police report. After the attack, police contacted the dog owner. She said the 1-year-old dog is usually chained, but had been inside the house with an open door.The pit bull owner "did not apologize for the dog's actions," the officer wrote is his report. The woman was not arrested. There is a high probability the owner is uninsured -- only one or two insurance providers cover pit bulls for homeowners in Washington State. The City of Seattle does not require pit bull owners to carry individual liability insurance either. The young boy, victimized once by the attack, will be victimized again by the high cost of medical bills.
The non-apologetic dog owner will likely get to keep the dog and pay nothing towards an obvious crime: an off-property attack due to massive negligence on her part. The reason why she won't pay is because she can't pay; she's judgment proof. Furthermore, the dog has a history. Neighbors told police that the dog had previously attacked pedestrians.Labels: seattle
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Seattle Girl, 9, Hospitalized After Pit Bull Attack
Dogs that Attacked Being Watched by Family
UPDATE 2/22/08: Richard Moore, the father of Maysia, who was attacked, said the two dogs had been chained in the backyard of his mother's house next door. His mother had been watching the dogs for a niece who was moving. The male, unaltered pit bull, broke free from the chain and attacked Maysia while she played in her adjacent backyard.
In Seattle, just because a dog bites a person does not does force the dog to labeled as "dangerous." So the city attorney is likely in a bind. How can he bring the following charges, "negligent control of an animal and owning a dangerous animal?" Once again, we see the failure of policy around dangerous dogs, not to mention a victim with little civil recourse.
02/20/08: Seattle Girl, 9, Hospitalized After Pit Bull Attack
A West Seattle girl was hospitalized Tuesday afternoon after being bitten by a pit bull. The 9-year-old suffered severe cuts to her upper and lower lips and to her chin and face, after being attacked at a Highland Park home.
Firefighters were called to a home at 7945 Delridge Way S.W. where the girl had been attacked by the 90-pound dog. A neighbor phoned for help after seeing the girl bleeding from her face. Seattle Fire Department medics arrived and treated the girl, but advised her parents that, because of the severity of the wounds, she would need to be taken to Harborview Medical Center.
The girl was rushed to the hospital by private ambulance. Harborview officials were unable to verify her condition Wednesday afternoon. Seattle Animal Control removed the dog, a 3-year-old pit bull, that was involved in the attack. A second dog also was taken from the house. Seattle police spokesman Mark Jamieson said the department will investigate the attack to determine whether any crime occurred.Labels: pit bull dump, seattle
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Navy to kill Discovery Park coyote
Navy to kill Discovery Park Coyote
Seattle, WA - Just after officials intervened to remove coyote traps from Discovery Park, a plan is afoot to kill the animal. The Navy, concerned about the safety of residents in military housing within the park, made a decision to have the coyote euthanized. A spokesman comments:
"The whole thing arose because of great concern about the health and safety of residents. There are a lot of small children there and the coyote has gotten very forward, even coming up on some of the porches, which is aberrant behavior." Julia Allen, who is on the board of Friends of Discovery Park, says that coyotes have been living without incident in the park for years. She also received an anonymous tip that someone may shoot the coyote. She is urging anyone who spots someone with a firearm in the park to call the police.
Diane Redfern, who lives near the park, has seen the coyote while out walking her small dog.
"It just looked at us, and sat down under a tree," she said. She hopes the coyote can live in peace. "What's wrong is people need to keep their pets inside or on a leash." Reality Check: A pit bull can bust through fence and kill a dog. The owner might be cited and the dog might be labeled dangerous. A coyote that walks onto a porch is automatically issued a death sentence. What is wrong with this picture?Labels: seattle
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posted by karen | permalink |
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Seattle Police Shoot Charging Pit Bulls
Police Shoot Charging Pit Bulls
Seattle, WA - A Seattle police officer fatally shot two pit bulls Sunday that charged him as he responded to 911 calls about vicious dogs.
Police were called after the pit bulls attacked one person, cornered another and mauled a German shepherd in the 9700 block of 57th Avenue South. The injured dog's owner first called at 12:55 p.m. to report the animals were nearly killing his pet. The owner called again to say the pit bulls had moved on to a yard two houses away, where they attacked the resident."Even the dispatcher said you could hear dogs barking in the background and lots of commotion," police spokesman Jeff Kappel said. Several units responded. The pit bulls charged toward the first officer to arrive and he shot both. Police were investigating who owned the pit bulls.Labels: seattle
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posted by karen | permalink |
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