85 Replies to "Whose dog was it? Man, dog bitten in North Delridge attack"

• Bonnie July 24, 2013 (2:17 pm)

  So sorry about your dog! We were at the parade on Saturday when a lady coming out of a house on California lost control of her pit bull and it ran down and attacked a greyhound. Horrible to see. The dog was on a leash but she still couldn’t control it.

• Michelle July 24, 2013 (2:48 pm)

  I hope both your Dad and dog fully recover – very sorry that this happened! Glad they found the dog, hope they find the owner!

• Chris July 24, 2013 (2:57 pm)

  I live on the 4700 block of 26th ave and I heard what sounded like a distressed dog down the street in that direction last night (7/23) around 7PM. I wonder if this is related…

• kt July 24, 2013 (3:01 pm)

  large black pit mix, just sayin’. I know there’s some good ones, but there’s so many bad ones, due to bad owners, etc. that it causes me to walk very wide around them when I encounter them, esp off leash. It also keeps me from getting a dog as if they went for my dog on a walk, as they will do, I would be toast. When this breed goes in for the kill they are vicious, their jaws, necks so powerful, etc. they can really do damage, as is the case here. Sad story. Hope the elderly man and his Bichon Frise, Katie, come out okay. I know one very sweet pitt bull but she belongs to a responsible owner, who owns a car repair shop. I am sure there are plenty more but I don’t know them personally. There are very many now, they must breed like rabbits, and I really don’t understand the “in” dog thing when there are so many wonderful breeds.

• Ronnie A July 24, 2013 (3:02 pm)

  Thanks for posting this. So sorry to hear about your dad and your little doggie. This was very close to Cottage Grove Park, and I walk my dogs over there every day to play frisbee. I am always keeping sharp eyes out for loose dogs. I’ve seen quite a few, but none have ever been aggressive. I’ll be extra careful now. Hope everything turns out alright for your family!

• AM July 24, 2013 (3:05 pm)

  This brought tears to my eyes. I’m so tired of people who can’t control their dogs.
  Please keep us updated on Katie’s status. And if the bills get too high, perhaps you can start a fundraising site on “gofundme.com” or something so if people of west seattle are so inclined, then can help with the expenses.

• Chrysta July 24, 2013 (3:11 pm)

  So sorry to hear about this and I hope both the dog and owner are found. Can you let me know if there is a way to help with Katie’s medical bills? My dog was recently bitten at a dog park (in CA), so I can appreciate that it will cost a lot to get her fixed up.

• Chrysta July 24, 2013 (3:12 pm)

  So sorry to hear about this and I hope both the dog and owner are found. Can you let me know if there is a way to help with Katie’s medical bills?

• MetPatrick July 24, 2013 (3:15 pm)

  So that’s why E-36 rolled past my house @ 933 am this morning, I think I know the neighbor attacked, If so he and his dog have my sympathy, Wonder if the dog was Yellow Lab Mix with Shepard, saw one last week roaming my street around 1 am

• miws July 24, 2013 (3:28 pm)

  Sending healing thoughts to Katie and her “Grandpa”.

  .

  Mike

• Mike July 24, 2013 (3:35 pm)

  Yep, pit bulls are harmless.

• Gyngersnap July 24, 2013 (3:49 pm)

  This makes me sick. It is my worst nightmare. Praying for quick recovery of both your dad and doggie. And I hope for justice when/if they find the owner. This is just wrong.

• bbubby July 24, 2013 (3:50 pm)

  So sad, does make you want to cry for the poor man and dog. I feel actually badly for the loose dog too as it obviously doesn’t have a caring owner. This type of incident seems to put the coyote “problem” in perspective — many more people and pets harmed by domestic dogs.

• Chandra July 24, 2013 (3:52 pm)

  Just a quick update – My dad is back home, all stitched up. His hand had several puncture wounds, but the x-rays showed nothing was broken.

  The folks at the VCA West Seattle Vet called about Katie awhile ago. It’s not our normal vet, so I was worried, but they have been very kind. The vet said Katie should be able to come home later tonight. She suffered extensive damage around her lip and gums.

  We still haven’t figured out which neighbour stopped to help my dad. If you know who it was, please let me know so we can thank them!

• carolei July 24, 2013 (4:03 pm)

  @MetPatrick The dog was a black female pit bull or pit bull mix. She was captured.

  • WSB July 24, 2013 (4:10 pm)

    Seattle Animal Shelter did just confirm to me that they have the dog and are still trying to find its owner; adding that to the story – TR

• Delridge Chick July 24, 2013 (4:10 pm)

  So sorry to hear about this, Chandra! Healing thoughts to your little Katie and to your dad. Just got a brand new bichon puppy on Sunday, who looks just like your Katie. I couldn’t imagine…so glad everyone pulled through!

• kayo July 24, 2013 (4:37 pm)

  I am a 26th ave resident. I am just sick that this happened to your father and Katie. Wishing both a swift recovery.

• pupsarebest July 24, 2013 (4:50 pm)

  What a terrible thing to have happen.
  I am glad your dad is ok, and hope your baby pulls through and heals quickly.
  As a dog owner, I know the bond one can develop with a canine.
  As for pit bulls, there are some sweeties out there, but between some inbred traits and the wrong people owning them, bad things can happen, as this sad story illustrates.

• Lisa July 24, 2013 (5:02 pm)

  Sending Katie and your dad healing vibes; so scary! Hope Katie recovers from surgery quickly.

  Mike, I know several pit bulls that are the sweetest, gentlest dogs. Not all pit bulls are dangerous. This is an issue of an irresponsible owner.

• Kristen July 24, 2013 (5:05 pm)

  Donations for Katies recovery are being accepted at the VCA West Seattle 206-923-3551

• Noelle July 24, 2013 (5:05 pm)

  Irresponsible pet owners annoy me to no end! It is a shame the “attacking dog” was off leash and not it a securely fenced area. Sorry to hear there were people and a pet hurt. Sad story. Hope Katie and the dad heal up fast. Best wishes!

• Sarahi July 24, 2013 (5:20 pm)

  I think the neighbor who helped lives up the street on opposite side of street and has a son named Jacob. Sorry, don’t know his name. So glad everyone is ok!

• west seattlite July 24, 2013 (5:53 pm)

  This breaks my heart! I hope your little girl and her grandpa recover quickly.

  Bad things can happen when the wrong people own dogs, not just pit bulls! Train your dogs folks. Keep them fenced or on leashes AND in your control. Don’t let this kind of thing happen. It only takes a second for things to get out of hand!

• Bug&Storm July 24, 2013 (6:08 pm)

  Chandra- it was my husband that helped out today. We are so glad to hear everyone is doing ok. We would love to say hi to Katie when she gets home and feeling better! We are across the street and a few houses south. You take care of your family and we will connect sometime soon.

  Our street has had more then 1 overly aggressive dog loose lately. Be careful with your kids and pets!

• bn July 24, 2013 (6:44 pm)

  I wish we would all quit playing the stupid PC “don’t blame the dog, blame the owner” game. Pitbulls are obviously more dangerous than other dogs, and we need to start treating them that way.

• West Seattle luv July 24, 2013 (7:10 pm)

  As a dog owner I know how much your Katie must mean to you. Hoping your entire family gets well very soon.

• Virgilbikes July 24, 2013 (7:32 pm)

  David, Goliath and myself wish Katie and your father a speedy recovery.

• Chandra July 24, 2013 (7:47 pm)

  Thank you for all the well wishes. Katie’s home. I would post a picture, but it is downright horrifying. She had over $900 in injuries and her face is swollen she can barely breathe. It just breaks my heart. My dad, in true form, popped an Advil and went for a run with his mangled hand.

  I don’t have any personal opinions about pitbulls, but I do have a lot of anger about bad dog owners.

• Chandra July 24, 2013 (8:03 pm)

  Also, Bug&Storm – just saw your comment. Thank you for stopping by. We were so overwhelmed we didn’t catch your names. I’m sure my dad will try and track you down and thank you in person.

  Thank you again for everything,
  Your neighbours – Chandra, Antonio (my husband), and Janet (my mom); and Dick (Dad – who is retired and often up here visiting). And also, Katie, who, thank heavens, loves the taste of pill pockets.

• Ajax July 24, 2013 (8:37 pm)

  @bn – I was involved in rescue for many years and I’ve met far more sweet, goofy pits than aggressive ones. Even those who have been horribly abused can usually be rehabilitated. Follow an aggressive, bullying dog (or kid) home, and you’re likely to find an aggressive, bullying human who has made them that way. Pit bulls are like airline flights – you only hear about them when something goes horribly wrong, which isn’t very often. And there’s almost always human error involved. And yes, I have been attacked by dogs before, both times by unsocialized border collies kept in inadequately secured yards.

• DSC July 24, 2013 (8:56 pm)

  Was it a pitbull? I saw one running loose on delridge on Sunday.

  Glad to hear the man and his dog are doing ok. What a horrible event. So scary.

• justme July 24, 2013 (9:01 pm)

  It figures it was a pitbull. Typically the owners are irresponsible which is sad for the dog mostly. Can you imagine living in a stressful home as a dog and running loose and confused? Their only defense or learned behavior is agression. I hope this dog is not returned to its previous owner. Obviously not a good pet owner. This story makes me sad in many ways.

  • WSB July 24, 2013 (9:18 pm)

    Just to be clear before this gets too far into the “pit bulls are bad/their owners are bad” sidelines – Seattle Animal Shelter did not describe the breed of dog. I haven’t seen a photo (not that I am any great recognizer of dog breeds …) – we did not know about this incident until hearing from Chandra a few hours later. I am by no means defending them or any other creature that has attacked another creature but the heart of the story remains how Katie and Chandra’s dad are doing. She wrote me to emphasize how heartened she is about how neighbors have reached out after seeing the report here and that is good to hear too – TR

• KJ July 24, 2013 (9:06 pm)

  I don’t know very much about dog breeds and their personality traits, but in my experience, it doesn’t matter what breed the dog is if he/she has a terrible, irresponsible, selfish owner. (If anyone needs to know what that looks like, you’re welcome to spend a day staring out my kitchen window — my next-door neighbors are excellent examples.)

  I’ve had pets my entire life and know that they become a part of your family — as Chandra said, they practically become your children. I would be absolutely devastated if something happened to my pets, even worse, being in the middle of the attack and witnessing the horror up close. Chandra, I’ll be keeping your dad and Katie in my thoughts and prayers, hoping that both of them recover quickly.

  And Bug&Storm, your husband should get a gold medal or something for his bravery!

• Mike July 24, 2013 (9:13 pm)

  Pit bulls are like loaded guns. When they go off, the consequences are severe.

• The Velvet Bulldog July 24, 2013 (9:20 pm)

  Just a quick story: My little Italian aunt (not EVEN 5′ tall) always had big dogs, always obedience-trained them and those dogs always loved her like crazy. When Rottweilers were the “Thug Dog” of choice, she got a Rottie and named him “Bear.” If my aunt even talked to Bear, he would get so excited that his tail would start wagging like crazy and start knocking things off of the coffee table. She’d tell him, “Quit being so happy!” Bear, that big not-so-scary beastie, was one of my all-time favorite dogs.

  There are some difficult dogs for sure, but as someone pointed out–those are the ones you hear about and the behavior can almost always be traced to abuse, neglect and bad owners.

  I’m fostering a dog through the Animal Aid and Rescue Foundation (AARF) and have been privy to a LOT of Pit Bull stories and they’ve been great stories of happy, rehabilitated Pibbles going to happy homes.

  Chandra, the foster dog and I are sending good vibes to your family and hoping for fast recoveries, physical and emotional for Katie and your Dad.

• keden July 24, 2013 (9:34 pm)

  That picture of Katie is so cute! I hope everyone recovers quickly.

• WSR July 24, 2013 (9:54 pm)

  Hope dad and Katie are home doing well! For the pit bull naysayers on this thread, enough. There are more reported dog bites from goldens and labs than pits. I personally own Rotties. My well mannered, well trained Rottie and I were attacked earlier this year by a loose husky/lab mix who’s owner refuses to recognize that her dog has dog:dog aggression and decides it’s okay to let him out the front door off leash. We were peacefully walking down a public sidewalk when it happened. My so called ‘man-eating’ Rottie, as you who label pitts as bad would call it, did not even fight back. I almost got bit getting the dog off of my dog. Please stop labeling breeds. All dogs are capable of biting. All of us who own dogs should recognize that. Be a responsible owner. Properly train your dog, keep your dog on leash (yes the rules apply to you), treat your dog with kindness and please stop buying dogs from back yard breeders (BYB). They do not breed for the betterment of the breed. They do not breed dogs with proper temperament. They breed for greed…it’s all about money. Get a dog from rescue or if you choose to get a purebred, get only from a code of ethics breeder. And when you do get one, train it. And that means more than a single puppy 101 class. Training should be ongoing at a minimum through to maturity phase around 3 years of age. And while I’m on my soap box, pick up your dog’s poop. You make all dog owners look bad when you don’t!

  I’ve been there with being attacked (twice….my old guy was attacked when a boxer scaled its owners low fence and got him on the sidewalk tearing open the main artery in his ear about 8 years ago). I understand the fear your father and dear Katie went through. One word of advise, when your pup is feeling up to it, have a well mannered dog come by to socialize with her b/c you don’t want this traumatic experience to cause a fear and aggression towards dogs for her. Best~

• Chandra July 24, 2013 (10:12 pm)

  I don’t mean to start a war about dog breeds. Bichons aren’t always angels themselves:). My dad’s description was given during a very stressful time. If I confirm the exact breed, I will let people know, but only to assist in finding the owner.

• cj July 24, 2013 (10:45 pm)

  Any dog large enough can become dangerous if mistreated and likely will not scare off as easily as a wild animal. The only extra issue really I see with pit bulls is the bite they are capable of. I once had a small dog follow me the length of an alley then run up and bite me on the calf then ran off. Well we bred them to be hunters in early times and so they are. Hope she heals up ok.

• Denise July 24, 2013 (10:51 pm)

  Wishing Katie and your father a smooth and swift recovery.
  As a runner I have had some scary encounters with all kinds of dogs(and owners quick to assure me that their pets would never hurt anyone). I wish dog owners, in the interest of protecting the public and protecting their pets, would simply respect leash laws.

• DH July 25, 2013 (7:39 am)

  @WSR. As a dog owner I totally agree. Please for everyone’s sake leash, train, and pick up poop if you have a dog. I get so tired walking my dog and running into people with off leash dogs who say “he’s friendly” or “he’s under voice control” esp when going to and from the dog park. If your dog gets out of your fence more than once do something different Please!

• miws July 25, 2013 (7:57 am)

  Chandra, please don’t feel bad for reporting this incident to WSB. You did the right thing in doing so.

  .

  Not only to hopefully assist in finding the dog’s owner, so they can be held fully responsible, but to also warn others, for the time that the dog was still on the loose.

  .

  Mike

• JoAnne July 25, 2013 (7:58 am)

  PIT bulls are dangerous dogs, and that is one reason they are often abandoned.
  .
  Sadly many good people adopt these dogs thinking they can alter the dog’s temperament through kindness and good treatment. You cannot.
  .
  PIT bulls are forbidden on military bases and in several cities, for good reason.
  .
  Dog bite statistics from the CDC and other reputable sources repeatedly have PIT bulls at the top of the list of dogs that attack and maim other dogs and people.
  http://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/Dog-Bites/dogbite-factsheet.html

• Debbie July 25, 2013 (8:32 am)

  @WSR – Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers are not the top biters. If you had ever done any biostatistics, you would know that first you have to take the total population of every breed and adjust the number of reported bites. Since goldens and labs rank in the top five most popular breeds in the US, there are more of them, of course there are more reported bites.

  Nevertheless, please consult this table and you will find that even the raw numbers show that you are wrong: http://www.dogsbite.org/pdf/dog-attack-deaths-maimings-merritt-clifton-2012.pdf

  The typical defense is that people can’t accurately identify a bully breed, well, they can’t accurately identify a retriever either, they think any black dog must be a lab. The ones who are the worst at identifying a “retriever” are the owners of dogs that are high on the biting list. They think yellow labs are called “golden labs” or “retriever” must generically mean a “golden retriever,” and completely ignorant of flat-coat or the Cheseapeake.

  • WSB July 28, 2013 (11:32 pm)

    For anyone checking back on this thread, Animal Control told Katie’s family that the dog owner has been found. I’ll be working on a followup for Monday after I find out directly what they have to say.

• Antonio July 25, 2013 (8:53 am)

  Thank you everyone for your support. Katie is a tough little dog and I’m super proud of her in this ordeal. For those people mentioning donations, if this is something you wish to do, please pay it forward to another pet’s owner who may not be able to afford veterinary services. Kate’s bill is paid in full and she’s on the road to recovery. Again a big thanks to the North Delridge community. If it wasn’t for great neighbors getting involved quickly, there is no doubt in my mind that this more than likely would have been far more tragic.

• Cait July 25, 2013 (9:28 am)

  My thoughts have already been expressed by more articulate people than myself here. I am the proud owner of one of the sweetest pits in the world – when people shy away from her in parks she even gets noticeably hurt about it. And in my experience it truly doesn’t happen often – moms, kids, older folks, they ALL like to come say hi and they generally don’t react negatively when they are told her breed. There are still good people out there who understand that misconceptions happen.

  Socialization is key with any dog, but pits especially – being afraid of them and treating them like monsters won’t help anyone. My concern with people fearing pit bulls is that it’s easy to get complacent – people start to scapegoat pits and then they forget that there are other breeds (ones you wouldn’t suspect) who can do just as much if not more damage with less warning. It helps to know the signs – they aren’t always what you would think. Look for exaggerated yawning, obsessive staring and pinched mouths. Pits are very common and they are VERY easily misidentified. I’m glad it was acknowledged that it was ID’d during what must have been a really stressful time – I can’t imagine trying to pinpoint something like that with all that going on.

  I’m so sorry about what happened to little Katie – all dogs are precious to their owners. Hopefully she and your Dad are on the mend.

  • WSB July 25, 2013 (10:03 am)

    And with that – the offtopic dog-breed discussion is over. We will not approve for publication any further comments along those lines; it’s already gone beyond our usual bounds on these things, and I apologize for that. Anything to say about the specific situation, that’s fine. Otherwise, no; it’s been hashed to death previously on this site and a million others and serves no purpose. Thanks – TR

• Cait July 25, 2013 (10:16 am)

  If it’s doing more harm than good, maybe it’s not worth mentioning the dogs breed at all if it’s that big a hot button.

  • WSB July 25, 2013 (10:19 am)

    In this case, they’re still looking for the dog’s owner, at last report. In that case – like in some other circumstances that make news – any descriptive factor at all might help. I will be checking with SAS again today to see if they found the owner. – TR

• Cait July 25, 2013 (10:29 am)

  It would probably be more helpful to get general info like color, size, build then to count on people being able to properly identify a pit bull. Just a thought.

• carolei July 25, 2013 (11:02 am)

  I live across the street from this attack and I want to add a note about the hero of this event. The following is an excerpt from an email from a neighbor who was present. I have edited to delete references to the breed of the attacking dog.
  “The dog bit into the poodle’s face and locked down and shook. My neighbor went to the ground in an effort to unlock the dog’s grip. He got bit in the hand. A friendly neighbor on my block ascended the steps and rescued the poodle via asphyxiation (by taking off the poodle owner’s belt and noosing it enough to cause the attacking dog to release for air). The rescuer pulled the dog down the steps to the sidewalk and tied it to a tree until first responders arrived.”
  The rescuing neighbor (Bug&Storm husband) was a true hero of the event and most likely saved Katie’s life. While many of us stood at a distance and called 911, he charged up the steps, knew what to do, and took action. Thank you neighbor!

• Cait July 25, 2013 (11:15 am)

  OH MY GOD! What a nightmare! I really hope that they find the owner and that they are forced to take responsibility for this… I can’t believe they had to use a belt – that’s quick thinking under pressure.

• Susan July 25, 2013 (12:22 pm)

  I think the situation is serious enough that a breed description is warranted…this is a public safety issue. From the description of the attack, the gentleman and his small dog tried to avoid this dog, yet this dog stalked them in a very predatory manner, showed no fear, launched a potentially fatal attack on a small dog, then redirected the attack onto it’s owner. This is very, very dangerous behavior in a dog, since it was off leash and off property, and in no way provoked. This is the type of dog that could end up killing a frail elderly person, or a small child, not to mention the next dog it gets access to.
  Time to stop all the PC nonsense and get an actual picture of the dog. AC can forward a picture, you can post it here, since many neighbors are reading this, someone may recognize who the owner is. The owner needs to be identified and held responsible for the victims medical and vet bills, fined for numerous infractions of leash laws, harboring a vicious dog, etc. If the dog looks like a pit bull, so be it…..the important thing is that the owner is held accountable, and the victim is compensated.

• wseadawg July 25, 2013 (12:34 pm)

  Thanks JoAnne @7:58a.m. Facts are stubborn things.

• Nicole July 25, 2013 (12:45 pm)

  @MetPatrick – when and where did you see the lab/shep mix? My girl has been missing since Saturday night (7/20). You can email me at nicolestair@Gmail. Com or call me at 509.539.2395. There is a pic of her on WSB in the lost pets section under “lost dog -Landry” if that helps

• WSgal July 25, 2013 (1:16 pm)

  So sorry to hear about what happened to those who were injured by the dog off leash. Hoping for a speedy recovery.

  I haven’t read all the comments but I know some people must be saying negative things about pit bulls. I’ve been attacked by an aggressive golden retriever (shocking, right?!) and I needed stitches. I’ve been chased by aggressive terriers who were off leash. I’ve been licked to death by a pit bull. I will always blame the owner, not the breed.

  Also, I’ve met more aggressive chihuahua’s than any other breed!!

• nemobeansmom July 25, 2013 (6:11 pm)

  HOLY SMOKES Bug&Storm what quick thinking (BELT)!!! You are a HERO!

• Amrakx July 26, 2013 (6:39 am)

  Animal Control needs to patrol and start enforcing leash laws in all areas, particularly public areas like Alki during the summer months. Many “visitors” and locals alike conveniently forget to keep their dogs leashed. Enforce compliance, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

• Antonio July 26, 2013 (10:25 am)

  I agree about leash laws 100%, but I suspect that this incident was a neglected or disowned animal. I want to believe that, since nobody is taking accountability. The fact that someone would neglect an animal is heartbreaking. If I had lost my Katie this Wed, it seriously would have destroyed my world. I’m so thankful that she is alive and doing better each day. She went for her first walk yesterday and did great! I’m so proud of her, she is my hero. Jason, I can not ever express enough gratitude. Thank you.

• Susan July 26, 2013 (1:09 pm)

  Any update on the victims? Have they identified the owner of the attacking dog? If not, will the gentleman have to get preemptive rabies shots? It is my understanding that if AC doesn’t have a dogs vaccination records, dog bite victims must undergo a series of rabies shots.

• Antonio July 26, 2013 (5:03 pm)

  @ Susan. No idea who owns the dog, nobody has come forward and we have not heard from the police or animal shelter. We specifically asked about rabies, but they said that there hasn’t been a case of rabies in a domesticated animal in WA state for the better part of 70 years. They don’t even test for it. They said that if it was a bite or scrape from a Raccoon or Bat, that it would be high risk for a rabies infection. They would then pump you full of rabies shots. We’ve been keeping a close eye on the dad, and so far he’s not going crazy and foaming at the mouth any more than usual, unless he’s watching politics on TV and then outbursts are to be expected :) Thanks again for your concern.

• Chandra July 26, 2013 (6:39 pm)

  No word on the dog’s owner. My dad says he thinks it had tags on it.

  Katie is still doing okay. Her face is very swollen and all stitched up. I believe her shots were up to date because we have boarded her once this year and they require it.

  Dad’s hand is swollen. The doctors actually told him they don’t do rabies shots for dog bites because its very uncommon in WA. They will do it for bat or raccoon bites. He did have to have a tetanus shot and take some antibacterial/antibiotics.

  • WSB July 26, 2013 (7:10 pm)

    I tried reaching both the Seattle Animal Shelter director and the manager who answered my query the other day, and got out-of-office messages for both. So nothing official from that side, either. – TR

• Susan July 27, 2013 (10:03 am)

  I am glad to hear everyone is doing OK. The biggest risk in dog bites is infection, keep an eye on your dad, and on Katie; my neighbors dog was attacked by a pit bull, and seemed to be recovering well, until an infection caused serious complications (seizures). They ended up with over three grand in vet bills. Other serious illnesses can be transmitted through bites, like babesia gibsoni, which is prevalent in pit bulls used for fighting. If little Katie seems lethargic and weak in the future, you may want to have your vet test for it.

  Don’t let AC off the hook….get a picture of the dog and share it with local news organizations and social media outlets. A picture is worth a thousand words, I am guessing someone will recognize the dog. You may also want to check on Craigslist pets section, to see if anyone is posting looking for a lost dog that meets this description.

  Be persistent….medical complications can occur for both your dad and Katie down the road, you don’t know what that could entail….the dog owner needs to be found and held accountable, both legally and financially. Good luck to you all. Let us know how you make out.

• Kidwrangler July 27, 2013 (12:54 pm)

  When I hooked the dog to the tree he had a collar with 2 tags on it. Animal control should be able to track down the owner by those. Sorry I didn’t look closer at tags but didn’t want to get bit as dog was just coming out of suffocated daze. Keep on them for answers to who’s dog it is. You might try pressuring the officers who responded. Isn’t it there JOB to help victims.

• Debbie July 27, 2013 (11:12 pm)

  Sure would have been nice if WSB had actually done what they said they would do — which was moderate comments about breed @10:03 am rather than allowing it to continue by allowing further discussion of breeds and biting around 1:00 pm on 7/25

• Susan July 29, 2013 (5:27 am)

  Thank you…….it will be interesting to hear the outcome. Hoping they don’t hand the dog back to the owners. I would also love to know the origin of the dog….was it adopted from a local rescue group? It’s important that the public know which groups are placing unsafe dogs into the community.

• lynn July 29, 2013 (1:37 pm)

  no one is placing unsafe animals into the communities. i know this dog personally and she is a sweetheart. this was all provoked issue and irresponsibility of making sure your gates are closed and locked. no one is placing vicious dogs in homes. I know vicious dogs and this is not one of them. Dogs sometimes will be dogs, they don’t ALL get along. if it was vicious the rescue would have been able to know as soon as the dog was rescued and fostered. this dog was abused her whole life and now is getting slapped with a label just because it is easier than educating yourself.

• lynn July 29, 2013 (1:38 pm)

  dog puncher infections that cause infections are ones that usually occur when it was a full on ATTACK. cats can bite once and cause serious infection. cats carry staph infection easily, dogs do not. who is the real victim in this situation? the humans or the dog? goodluck to all parties involved.

• Susan July 30, 2013 (5:31 am)

  Lynn, this dog should be PTS. This dog is not a “sweetheart”. Normal dogs don’t kill other dogs. This was not a dog that was cornered and fearful/defensive, this was not a dog reacting to another dog coming onto it’s property. This attack was predatory AND a human was bitten also. The dog was off leash, off property, and it stalked and pursued another on leash dog that was trying to avoid it. What if a child had been walking their small dog and was attacked? The outcome could have been tragic. The only reason Katie is alive, and her owner not injured more seriously, is because of the actions of heroic neighbors who intervened.

  If this dog was a rescue, the group that placed it is responsible for placing a very dangerous animal in the community. If WSB or anyone else knows which group placed this dog in a pet home, they should share this information….this rescue is NOT doing REAL behavioral evaluations on its animals, and is putting the community in danger.

  WSB, please update us, if possible, on the outcome.

  • WSB July 30, 2013 (7:32 am)

    I am just trying to confirm that they did indeed locate the owner, and what the pet’s fate is. Still haven’t heard back from SAS management. “Where it came from,” however, is not information that is ever publicly available – TR

• lynn July 30, 2013 (3:02 pm)

  the pet is being put into a sanctuary for bite case dogs. it will not be released into the city again.

• Antonio July 30, 2013 (3:38 pm)

  I feel tremendous sadness that a pet was separated from it’s owner. I’m very happy to hear that it’s going to a sanctuary instead of being PTS. I was actually really concerned about this. I’m not sure what people think, but what happens to an animal is pretty much up to the city and it’s owner. It’s not our decision and nobody was advocating death to an animal in my household. Despite the circumstances, I do not harbor any ill will towards this animal. I’m thankful to know it’s going to get plenty of love and a safe place to reside. Thank you for the update Lynn.

• Susan July 31, 2013 (6:54 am)

  Glad to hear that this violent dog will not be back in the neighborhood…my continued prayers for the victims, and gratitude to the neighbors for their bravery and compassion.

  While it may make the humans involved feel better to think that an aggressive dog will spend the rest of it’s life in a “sanctuary”, the reality is much less rosy. Many “sanctuaries” for aggressive dogs are actually hoarding situations, where dogs are kept in appalling conditions, out of sight of the public. Spindletop Rescue recently made national news, after operating for years as a “highly reputable rescue/sanctuary”, when it was discovered to be a house of horrors. The financial cost and manpower required to meet the physical and emotional needs of several dogs with behavioral/aggression problems for perhaps a decade or more, makes running a sanctuary humanely virtually impossible. At best, most dogs sent to these “sanctuaries” end up kenneled for the rest of their lives, literally going “kennel crazy”, spending their days neurotically pacing, spinning, barking, or engaging in self-mutilating behaviors,(lick granulomas, etc.)

  I believe that humane euthanasia is actually the kindest option for dangerous, violent dogs. This keeps the public, and other beloved family pets safe, and ensures the aggressive dog will not suffer a “fate worse than death”.

  With so many wonderful, loving, friendly, safe dogs euthanized for lack of space and resources, it makes no sense to funnel so many resources into keeping the violent, aggressive ones in our communities.

• carolei August 3, 2013 (10:25 pm)

  I’d like to hear the official word from the Animal Shelter and/or SPD regarding charges/fines for the owner and the outcome for the dog.

• Antonio August 5, 2013 (10:58 am)

  Nothing official and my wife has the details as she spoke with the officer. Sounds like they may put the animal back in the neighborhood. I’m shocked to say the least… I’m unsure of just how much more evidence you need.

  • WSB August 5, 2013 (10:59 am)

    I got a bit of information on Friday. Then I heard from the victim dog’s owner again and that raised more questions so I’m going back to animal control before publishing an official update.

• lynn August 5, 2013 (1:48 pm)

  the dog is NOT going back into the neighborhood. IT LEGALLY WILL NOT BE RELEASED BACK INTO THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

• Chandra August 5, 2013 (3:36 pm)

  I don’t know who Lynn is, as that’s not the name I got for the owner, but animal control said nothing had been decided about where the other dog would go. That was Friday.

  • WSB August 5, 2013 (4:08 pm)

    And unfortunately my contact on this, second-in-command at SAS, is off until Wednesday. But she told me citations would be issued this week so here’s hoping by the time I talk with her on Wednesday, that will have been settled. To my knowledge, unlike police and court cases, there is no public database where animal-control issues can be researched; wish there were – TR

• Susan August 6, 2013 (8:50 am)

  Maybe Lynn could identify herself and where she is getting her information? I get the impression that Lynn is affiliated with the rescue or shelter that the dog came from, or is a member of the household where the attacking dog lives.

  If AC indeed does place the dog back into the neighborhood, one thing neighbors should do is determine whether the dog owner rents or owns; if they rent, find out who the landlord is and notify them of the attack. Chances are they will require the dog to leave, as they will not want the liability. If the dog owner owns the home, find out who their home owners insurance carrier is, and notify them that they are harboring a dangerous dog with a bite history. The insurance company will cancel their policy if they do not get rid of the dog.

• lynn August 13, 2013 (4:32 pm)

  I never said I was the owner, if you read back in my posts, I stated I know the dog and the owner. The dog is not back with the owner, all fines have been paid and the case is closed. At this point any further events from this will be dealt with the owner and the victim. goodluck

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