Last Friday the owner of two vicious dogs that chased a mail carrier and bit a police officer appeared in court. On Aug. 1, the two dogs, a pit bull and a Rottweiler, broke through a window screen and chased the mail carrier in the 2400 block of Newland Street, Edgewater.
The mail carrier called 911 and used mail to fend off the dogs. When police arrived, they found two teenage girls trying to control the dogs. The Rottweiler slipped loose and attacked one of the officers. The dog bit him several times on the thigh before the officer escaped. The Rottweiler then attacked the other officer, who shot the dog in the head.
The owner was fined $780, and a hearing was scheduled for Aug. 23 at 10:30 a.m., to determine the fate of the pit bull, named Spooky. Spooky is being held the Foothills Animal Shelter.
As trite as the story appears, it is not uncommon for serious physical injury to occur from dog attacks. According to dogbite.org, 33 U.S. fatal dog attacks occurred in 2010. Despite being regulated in Military Housing areas and over 500 U.S. cities, pit bulls led these attacks accounting for 67% (22). Pit bulls make up approximately 5% of the total U.S. dog population
The Humane Society gives the following advice when attacked:
- Resist the impulse to scream and run away.
- Remain motionless, hands at your sides, and avoid eye contact with the dog.
- Once the dog loses interest in you, slowly back away until he is out of sight.
- If the dog does attack, "feed" him your jacket, purse, bicycle, or anything that you can put between yourself and the dog.
- If you fall or are knocked to the ground, curl into a ball with your hands over your ears and remain motionless. Try not to scream or roll around.
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