Pit bulls kill beagle, injure owner

Humane society officials stress danger of breed

August 16, 2011|By TOM MOOR Tribune Staff Writer

MISHAWAKA — Local humane society officials are urging people to be aware of the dangers that can come with owning pit bulls after two pit bull terriers reportedly mauled a beagle and injured a woman during an attack on Monday afternoon.

The beagle has since died, while the pit bulls will likely be put down this week, officials said.

"These dogs can show no signs of aggressive behavior, and something kind of sets them off," said Jordan McGuire, animal control officer with the Humane Society of St. Joseph County. "It could be over a bone or a toy, and reports show that it was a family dog. They have been breed to fight other dogs. There’s no way of telling which dog came from what type of blood line."

In the Monday attack, officers were dispatched to the 1500 block of Cove Place on the city’s northeast side about 5:20 p.m. after neighbors called 911.

According to the woman, who owns the two 6-month-old pit bulls and the 12-year-old beagle, the incident happened while she, her son and the three animals were playing in the backyard like normal.

At some point, the pit bulls turned on the beagle and began attacking it, according to a police report.

The woman said she used a metal shovel to push the dogs back and was yelling at them to leave it alone. She was eventually able to get the beagle into a bathroom inside; she thought it was dead because the dog was not breathing.

One of the pit bulls was placed in a portable kennel, while the other was left in the fenced in yard.

The larger pit bull was aggressive with police officers and a humane society officer, growling and biting at the control stick, police said. The dog continued to do this before both pit bulls were eventually placed in the humane society van. The other dog was not as aggressive, McGuire said.

The beagle, meanwhile, was alive when officers checked the bathroom. It stood up but quickly but laid back down. It had a severe laceration across the front portion of its neck, police said, and was taken to an emergency clinic where it was put down.

There were four children inside the home at the time, all visibly shaken from the attack, police said.

Ecker said the dogs were deemed dangerous because they killed another animal. Ecker said the owners had planned on signing them over to the humane society to be put down on Monday.

The woman had several small scratches and abrasions to various locations on her body, according to a report.

Ecker defended the decision to have the animals put down.

"You’re asking for trouble when your dog has killed another dog and you have small children," Ecker said.

"They’re going to hurt someone if you get them in the wrong situation."

McGuire said people should research if they plan to own a pit bull.

"They should all be handled with caution," he said.

Humane Society officials also confiscated two pythons at the residence, which are not allowed in city limits.

Staff writer Tom Moor:
tmoor@sbtinfo.com
574-235-6234

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