Pit bull roundup 5/24/2020 Repeat offenders, pit attacks upon shelter workers and volunteers, police shoot attacking pits, children and political candidates attacked by pit bulls, police bitten by pit bulls they were trying to help

12/9/2019
Lorain Ohio
Lorain County
A girl was bitten in the face by a pit bull mix reportedly "let out accidentally" by the pit bull owner's son.  The pit owner, responsibly, put the dog in the house and called 911 while providing first aid until first responders arrived. 

The dog owner reported that her dog has bitten other dogs in the past but never a human.  The child was transported to Mercy Health for treatment.

How does this happen?  Why are known biters allowed to remain in communities?  Nobody could see this coming?

Per the Morning Journal "Police issued a summons to the owner and that the dog would need to be on a 10-day quarantine in her home.

She said she contacted a veterinarian to discuss euthanasia at the end of the quarantine period, the report said.

This is the third incident in the last two years involving the dog. Though in the two prior incidents, no significant injuries occurred and no apparent aggression was demonstrated by the dog.

It is unknown what provoked the attack in this incident, as the dog has not been reported to have displayed any previous aggression, the report said."

But... but... but... this is the THIRD incident involving the dog in the last two years, "the dog has not been reported to have displayed any previous aggression"?  What?  

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12/11/2019
Cleveland Ohio
Cuyahoga County

A dog was euthanized after attacking a shelter worker AND a volunteer.  No breed was mentioned but as of 12/12/2019 the Cleveland Kennel offered 86 dogs for adoption and 83 of them are pit bulls so we can make a guess that the offending dog was a pit bull.

The volunteer suffered minor injuries, the shelter worker lost a finger which was recovered.  Cleveland.com did not indicate that the finger was reattached. Both the shelter worker and the volunteer were transported to Metrohealth for treatment.  The kennel was closed for the remainder of the day on Thursday while authorities investigated the attack.

The Cleveland Kennel

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12/16/2019
Heath Ohio
Licking County

A 9-year-old child and two adults were critically injured after being attacked by 2 pit bulls inside a Heath Ohio residence.  Police received a call on a "dog bite" and found one of the two pit bulls still attached to a victim.  Lethal force was used. 

All three critically injured victims were hospitalized.  Six puppies and the two dead pit bulls were taken by local animal control.  Two uninjured children found in the home were taken to a local hospital for evaluation.

"In a 911 call recording, a woman who identified herself as Cathy Singledecker, told a dispatcher her two pitbulls had attacked "everybody in the house." The woman asked the dispatcher to send someone to come put the dogs down."  
"Heath Police Chief Dave Haren said officials found 'unlivable' conditions inside the home.

"The animals were not let outside, maybe at all. But definitely not regularly," Haren said. "The conditions in all areas of the house were unacceptable related to health and sanitary issues."

Heath police reports three children, including a 9-year-old with critical injuries, were barricaded inside the home to prevent further attacks. Police said lethal force was used against both dogs."

How does this even happen?  This is not normal.

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12/9/2019
Lorain Ohio
Lorain County

If you have some extra money here is a great place to send it.  A Lorain Ohio child was with both her sisters and her mother.  They were walking to their car when the 8-year-old was mauled by the neighbor's pit bull.  I will not include a photo out of respect for the child's privacy but send some cash, please.  Click here for the gofundme page.

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2/27/2020
New Marshfield
Athens County

This is not a first in our state.  A judicial candidate hs been attacked by pit bulls while canvassing door-to-door.  Several years ago Virginia Conlan Whitman was similarly attacked while posting signs for her husband's re-election.  Mrs. Whitman was seriously injured, required hospitalization, surgery and rehabilitation. 

Candidate Rusty Rittenhouse was attacked by two pit bulls that escaped from a secluded home through a doggie door.  Mr. Rittenhouse required stitches in his leg and in his hand. 

  

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2/27/2020
Willoughby Ohio
Lake County

Two Willoughby police officers were bitten by a male pit bull mix they were trying to help.  The pit bull was running at large in very cold weather.  Officers were attempting to get the animal into the back seat of the police cruiser.  Both officers were treated for minor hand injuries at Lake West Medical Center.
Never approach a pit bull even if you think he might be cold.  No good will come of it. 


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3/28/2020
Rocky River Ohio
Cuyahoga County

A resident of the peaceful community of Rocky River reported that she was out walking her dog and it was attacked by a neighbor's pit bull.  Her dog required surgery and Rocky River Animal Control is following up. In other news, no resident or pet was injured by an attacking Irish Setter or Pug.

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4/23/2020
Galion Ohio
Crawford County 

Per Crawford County Now.com.  Moral of the story, take them off the streets when they bite someone the first time.

1:52 p.m.-A report of two pit bulls running loose in the 100 block of First Avenue. The dogs were picked up by the Crawford County Dog Warden as they bit someone last week.

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5/2/2020
Mayfield Heights Ohio
Cuyahoga County

Per Cleveland.com, Animals: West Miner Road

A pit-bull attacked a leashed dog on a sidewalk May 2. The owner of the pit-bull came from the home and was able to stop the attack. He returned to his home without exchanging any information with the other dog’s owner. The victimized dog was injured, and officers subsequently spoke to the owner of the pit-bull, a 40-year-old man, about the incident, which was forwarded to the animal warden for review.

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5/22/2020
Ohio Pit Bull Rescue Network
Location shown as simply "Ohio"

The Ohio Pit Bull Rescue Network has posted a request from a Florence Kentucky pit bull owner.
"I'm looking for any help/suggestions please! This is my male Pitt Rambo. I rescued him about 6 months ago. He turned a year in March. He was my snuggie buddy, he was very protective of me and loved me.. until last Friday evening. We were playing fetch in my backyard. After about the 3rd throw. He just stopped I seen something come over him.

The next thing I know. I'm in the fight of my life. He attacked me and seriously could have killed me. But I know how he was before this happened. He's at the shelter for 10 days. 5 days in already to see if rabies develop. Then they will put him down.

I'm so torn with emotions all I do is cry. And I know he can't come home. But as crazy as it sounds. I don't want him to die. I'm not sure if a professional trainer can help him. I'm a mess! Sorry for the long post and typos."

While we may be sympathetic to the plight of this pit bull owner, it is not difficult to see where this went wrong.  The woman did what she thought would be a good deed and "rescued" a 6-month old-pit bull.  Why did a 6-month-old pit bull require rescue?  The most obvious guess would be aggression. This dog has turned on at just over a year of age, not unusual.  The owner was attacked without provocation and acknowledges the danger here.  The dog can't come home.

A professional trainer cannot train away DNA.  Shamefully, shelters and rescues promote dogs with known aggression or an unknown history as pets to those who will suffer when DNA kicks in. 

Stop promoting dangerous dogs.  Do the right thing for public safety as painful as that might be.


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5/6/2020
Mayfield Heights Ohio
Cuyahoga County

Two loose pit bulls chased after several people in the area near Oakville Road.  The pit bulls bit a woman who required transport to a medical facility for treatment. A man was bitten but uninjured.  The pit bulls also chased police officers, one officer was forced to fire his gun at them, striking the pit bull twice.  The pit bull ran to its home (should make writing the citations easier).  The other pit bull ran off.  Those who live in the area should be VERY careful.



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11/19/2019
Westlake Ohio
Cuyahoga County

How long do we think Lester will remain in the "sanctuary" before he is placed with someone who has no knowledge of the dog's history?  Reported in the West Life News.

Owners fined; agree to move dog from Westlake neighborhood

• By JEFF GALLATIN
• Nov 19, 2019

Lester the dog, who had bitten other dogs in his Westlake neighborhood, is headed to a pet sanctuary in Lorain County as part of an agreement reached in Rocky River Municipal Court.

The pitbull mix’s owners, Edward and Amy Salim of Westlake, were fined $250 and placed on one year of probation as part of the agreement with Magistrate Marisa A. Marniella on Nov. 12.
The Salims entered into a plea agreement for having a dog at large and not keeping Lester under reasonable control. They are required to notify the local animal warden of Lester’s location and comply with the state’s dangerous-dog laws.
The Salims were in court because Lester had bitten Chelsea, a golden retriever, while she was walking with one of her owners near her home in the Riviera Lane neighborhood Sept. 11 and because of other biting incidents dating to the spring, police said.
Todd Rambasek, one of Chelsea’s owners, said he is satisfied with the decision.
“I’m happy that he is out of the neighborhood,” Rambasek said. “I’m happy that the dog wasn’t put down and I’m happy that the dog’s owners can go visit their dog if they choose.”
Rambasek said he knows most people care about their pets and that people in the neighborhood are happy with the outcome.
“Now people will have the chance to heal from all of this,” Rambasek said.
Chelsea is recovering from her wounds as well, he said.
Edward Salim said Thursday he understands the rationale behind the decision.
“People want their homes and families safe, including their pets,” he said.
Salim said he doesn’t think he’ll visit Lester in Lorain County.
“He’ll have a new home and family around him there,” Salim said. “It should be good for all the people involved.”
Salim said he was going to find a new home for Lester even before the court decision because of the tension the biting problems had caused.
Westlake Law Director Michael Maloney said the decision allows people to move on.
“I am glad we were able to reach some closure,” Maloney said in a statement. “It was a dangerous situation. The case created tension in the neighborhood, which no one wants or needs, but the matter had to be addressed. The city was not going to wait for something even worse to happen. There are young children on the defendant’s street. I do not have to explain what can happen with an aggressive dog this size running on the loose.”

This was not Lester's first offense and he was not alone.  Lester's owners had two pit bulls and they were both involved in the attack upon Chelsea.   Here is the photo featured with this article.


This was not "discrimination" it was stone cold experience.  Here is a link to a response by the owner of the Golden.  She is much more tolerant than I would be but she makes a strong point for enforcement of dangerous dog laws.  

Pit bull roundup, short form 4/26/2019 Pit bulls on the roof, repeat offender pit bulls back with owners who can't contain them, pit attacks with multiple victims by pits with a multiple bite history, dog fighters harboring pitbulls (surprise) and interesting out of state rulings.

It has been far too long since the last Pit Bull Roundup, this is not due to lack of material but rather to the futility of reporting what does not change.  We are so far behind in reporting Ohio pit bull attacks that we will never catch up. Today we share a few recent attacks with many more to follow.

We will begin.

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12/24/2018
Lorain Ohio
Lorain County

4/2/2019
Cleveland Ohio
Cuyahoga County

The Lorain County Dog Warden was called to remove a pit bull from a roof.  This is not unusual with pit bulls but unheard of with Irish Setters or Beagles.




Cleveland Police were called for a similar scenario.  A dog had been tied up on a second story porch, jumped the railing and was found dangling off the front of the house.  Police were able to rescue the dog, a pit bull.  Video is available by clicking here.  The pit bull was uninjured and ran off after his rescue.  Bet the neighbors were thrilled.



Have police ever been called for a Pug on the roof?






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3/13/2019
Greenville Ohio
Darke County

A couple was joyfully reunited with a pit bull that they had lost two different times.  The couple, Jason Hunt and Hillary Frech, live outside New Madison. Their 6-year-old red-nose pitbull terrier, Kiara, had run off once before, prompting a man who worked nearby to threaten to kill the animal if it strayed back onto his property. When Kiara vanished again in September of last year, they feared that was just what had happened.


The threat was not enough to convince the pit bull owners to improve containment and supervision of their pit bull.  Kiara vanished again, gone for months until they saw a posting from the Darke County Shelter.  There she was, held in a shelter that does not adopt pit bulls directly to the public.  In order to reclaim the pit bull that the owners clearly can't contain or control, Hunt and Frech had to rely on a rescue as an intermediary 501c3 rescue to avoid liability for the County shelter.

Now that they have their repeat runaway pit bull back will containment improve?  Not likely.  It's a revolving door for pit bulls.




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3/5/2019
Akron Ohio
Summit County

This story is hard to follow.  Please hang in there.  Three people were hospitalized and a mail carrier was injured in multiple dog attacks by the same dogs on the same day.

A woman, peacefully walking in her own community was attacked by three "dogs".  Three men driving by noted the attack in progress and stopped to help the woman.  These courageous men were unable to pull the dogs off their victim so they changed tactics and beat them off.  The victim was transported to a local hospital with extensive injuries.

Prior to the attack upon the woman reported above, three other people reported attacks by three "dogs."  A second woman reported being attacked as she attempted to get out of her own van.  Hearing the victim's screams, a man came to help her.  The man was attacked as well.  Both of these two victims were transported to a local hospital with extensive injuries.

The "dogs" ran away and attacked a mail carrier.  The mail carrier sprayed the "dogs" with mace but was bitten on the thigh. The "dogs" were picked up by animal control.

Photos of the three dogs are found on this link.  They are all pit bulls but we already knew that.

Update 4/9/2019

The pit bull owner, Diane Yanke, had a pre-trial hearing in Akron, she has been charged with 21 misdemeanors, including five counts of having vicious dogs, t hr ee counts of physical harm, not having insurance and not having her pit bulls confined.  Per ABC News 5, Cleveland "  Criminal charges, related to controlling pit bulls, have been filed against Yanke three others times since September. In one case, a 62-year-old man was bitten, suffering a puncture wound on his right arm.

One case was dismissed. In the second case, Yanke was found guilty of having a vicious dog and for not securing a pit bull. She was given 180 days in jail, but the time was suspended. She was also fined $500.

In the third case, Yanke was convicted of not securing a pit bull. Her 60-day jail sentence was suspended and she was fined $50.

Diane Yanke in court.                                                            

Update 4/26/2019
Pretrial is scheduled for 4/26/2019.  Pit bull owner Diane Yanke still harbors pit bulls and the first victim in the March 4th Akron attack, Social Worker Sarah Friddle refuses to back down.  This will play out in court.

Yanke's dogs were put down but she still has another dog.  Bet her neighbors are thrilled.

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These are not Ohio stories but one out of Iowa has a lot to do with the Reynoldsburg ruling so we are throwing it out there for your consideration.  The other is a change in law in Citrus County Florida that indicates a long overdue change in direction with the treatment of vicious dogs.  We begin with Citrus County.  Citrus County has had far too many violent dog attacks and has changed shelter procedures in an effort to better protect public safety. Per the Citrus County Chronicle " commissioners gave unanimous approval Tuesday to a set of procedures designed to provide closer care of dogs and cats, preparing them for adoption.

In doing so, the board removed the rule giving rescue organizations five days to retrieve dogs considered dangerous or too aggressive for adoption.

The five-day hold was eliminated, but also the county will no longer provide dogs to rescue groups that it would not allow for adoption."   

If a dog is too vicious to adopt out directly to the public it is inappropriate for handing over to a rescue that will adopt it out into a peaceful community.  Logic is a beautiful thing.  

On to Iowa.  The Iowa Supreme Court backed the rights of a community to declare a dog dangerous.  Pinky (a pit bull) attacked a cat and was declared a dangerous dog.

After the attack, Des Moines animal control declared Pinky a vicious dog/high risk based on her breed, and a dangerous dog based upon her conduct.  Local law required insurance and proof of vaccination from her original owner, Charles Brickell.  Brickell did not challenge the high-risk designation of his dog at the time he obtained Pinky but let insurance and vaccination lapse for six years until Pinky's attack upon Rebel the neighbor's cat.  When Pinky was seized by animal control, Brickell sold Pinky to Diana Helmers, the owner of an animal rescue located outside the city of Des Moines. This began a three-year slog through the courts.  The end result was an evenly divided Supreme Court ruling.  The evenly divided ruling deferred to the lower court ruling that declared the Des Moines high-risk dog law constitutional.  Here is a link to the final brief from the City of Des Moines.  Bottom line, the constitutionality of Des Moines proactive law was upheld.

Can it be hoped that these rulings might indicate a change for the better in protecting the peaceful public from violent dogs?



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4/4/2019
Columbus Ohio
Franklin County

Twenty dogs were "rescued" from the property of German Sanchez, in addition, a dead dog was found.  Sanchez was charged with one count of dog fighting and one count of possession of crack cocaine.  Sanchez was found during an investigation into drug trafficking and his connection to dog fighting became clear.
Thirteen of the dogs were mature pit bulls, one was a Yorkie, six puppies of an unspecified breed were "rescued" per Mark Gofstein, a spokesman for the Franklin County sheriff's office.  The dogs are in the custody of the Columbus Humane Society.   “To be able to get all of these dogs away from a horrible situation is a good days work,” Gofstein said."
At least 13 of these dogs are game bred, pit tested fighting dogs. Their situation was horrible but the peaceful public is not responsible for this and should not be put at risk by any foolish, reckless attempt to turn at least 13 pit tested fighting dogs into pets.   The Yorkie should be a safe placement.    German Sanchez, booking photo.

                                                     

Ohio Pit Bull Roundup 2/10/2017 - special Valentine's Day edition, also pit bulls abused by their owners, poor public safety policy, more dead pets, random bites, and communities drafting new law in response to pit bull attacks

Here we are again.  Another batch of pit bull lunacy from Ohio.  There will be no attempt at any particular order here.  I have two accounts full of these stories and will never be caught up.  

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12/28/2016   

Girard Ohio 

Trumbull County

Lawmakers in Girard Ohio are constantly badgered by pit bull advocates demanding that the city drop their pit bull regulations.  Girard is not impressed and here is why.  A pit mix recently adopted out of the Mahoning County Pound  attacked and killed a Yorkie being walked by a 69 year old man. The man and his wife were also injured during the attack.  Girard bans pit bulls, the new owner of the pit mix stated he was unaware of the breed ban. Feel free to roll your eyes.
Per WFMJ "  A owner of a mixed breed pitbull gave police the okay to shoot and kill his dog after the animal attacked another dog and injured two people.  

The owner of the pitbull-mix asked 21 News to not identify him. But, wanted his side of the story told after the dog he had for only three months attacked and killed a Yorkie being walked by a 69 year-old man. That man and his wife were also injured during the attack. 

"I feel for the family that that happened to, I really do," said the dog's owner. "And I am sorry to them and I would love to help them."

After the dog left the neighbor's property, its owner, along with other residents and police chased and attempted to corral the animal in a wooded area.

Police say at that point, due to the aggressive nature of the dog and fears that the attacks would continue, an officer received permission from the owner of the dog to use deadly force.

"My thought was if that dog gets from the woods back in the neighborhood, could be a child, could be another animal," said the owner. "And I told the officer to do what was right."
An additional interesting fact, this very pit bull was selected to be trained as a service dog for a disabled veteran.  "The Co-Founder of the "The Together Journey," which provides service dogs and training to individuals with disabilities, provided video to 21 News of the dog during a pairing session. The co-founder says the only reason the dog wasn't paired with someone is because on that particular day there wasn't a good match.

The co-founder says had the dog been paired with someone the home would have been required to have several safeguards in place. Such as proper fencing. She also notes that the assessment of service dogs includes several levels. This particular dog was in the first stage and may not have necessarily made it through the remaining three levels of assessment."  Here is a link to more on the dog trainer's assessment of the killer pit bull.

       This dog was shot by police.  Girard will keep their pit bull ban.    The pit bull owner, Courtney Chupka, age 24 entered a not guilty plea.

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1/25/2017

Warren Ohio

Trumbull County  

An Ohio law, passed in December of 2016 makes bestiality illegal in the state. The very first person charged under the new law is Amber Finney of Warren Ohio. Per WKBN " Warren Police have issued a warrant for the arrest of a woman that they say was shown on video performing sexual acts on a dog.

WKBN received a video from a viewer showing a woman participating in a sex act with a dog and brought it to police. Police then began an investigation."

The dogs are pictured on Ms. Finney's Facebook page and they are pit bulls. She saved everyone trouble by labeling one of them as a pit mix while she was offering him for placement. 

  Ms. Finney  
This is a departure from normal business here on Scorched Earth.  Valentine's Day approaches and I see a match here. You can't make this stuff up but there is a ray of sunshine. In fact, I'm humming the lyrics from Fiddler on the Roof's Matchmaker song as I type.  For those unfamiliar with the song, here are the lyrics.  

Hodel:
Well, somebody has to arrange the matches,
Young people can't decide these things themselves.

Chava:
She might bring someone wonderful----

Hodel:
Someone interesting----

Chava:
And well off----

Hodel:
And important---
(Sung)
Matchmaker, Matchmaker,
Make me a match,
Find me a find,
catch me a catch
Matchmaker, Matchmaker
Look through your book,
And make me a perfect match!

There IS a soulmate for Ms. Finney.   I bring you Mr. Wonderful, Bradley Hubbard of Pensacola Florida.  TA DA!

 Bradley Jean Hubbard of Pensacola Florida was charged with bestiality as well.  Per the Daily Mail 

" A Florida man who was arrested on charges of bestiality involving his dog last month has been out on bond, while his alleged four-legged victim, a pit bull mix named Baby Girl, still languishes behind bars.

On Thursday, 23-year-old Bradley Jean Hubbard, of Pensacola, was formally arraigned on charges of cruelty to animals and sexual acts involving an animal

Hubbard was arrested on January 9 on suspicion that he had had sex with his pet dog, Baby Girl, more than 100 times over the course of three years."

"Bradley Hubbard was arrested after a family member called police last month to report the alleged sexual abuse of the family's pet dog.

According to an arrest report, the relative 'could not take it anymore' after seeing Hubbard take the dog to his room to allegedly have sex with her.

The woman reportedly told deputies the abuse had happened more than 100 times over the last three years."

"She explained how she had been able to witness the attack as Hubbard's bedroom door had a hole in it, as a result of a violent outburst. 

The witness reportedly said she heard the dog whimper and cry out in pain during each incident. 

She also told police how the dog would initially cry out and whimper during its attacks, but over time it had stopped making noises as it was victimized.

    Bradley Hubbard booking photo.  In a sly play on words, the Daily Mail labels this photo "Dog Lover Arraigned."
Mr Hubbard has apparently had contact with law enforcement many times.  The Daily Mail article has 4 more booking photos.
The perfect match! I have nothing more to say on these two, other than "ick".

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1/29/2017

Lorain Ohio

Lorain County

A two year old pit mix was found in atrocious condition in Lorain Ohio.  The dog was reportedly chained outside, but the Daily Mail article went on to describe large sores on the dog from crate confinement.  Of course a donation drive is underway to cover the medical expenses of Amos the pit mix.  

 

Wouldn't mandatory neuter and spay be better than this?  

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2/7/2017

St. Clairsville Ohio

Belmont County                                     

St. Clairsville is writing new regulations on vicious dogs after attacks by pit bulls.  Per  the Times Leader "Mayor Terry Pugh also presented the draft of a proposed ordinance regulating vicious dogs, requiring they be fenced in and kept on a leash. Pugh noted two incidents had come before him in mayor's court involving dogs that has bitten other dogs, one involving a pit bull and another involving a mixed breed pit bull.

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2/6/2017
Mansfield Ohio
Richland County

Richland County Public Health is asking the public for help in locating a black pit bull mix that has been implicated in a bite to a human.  Per the Mansfield News Journal "  The dog is described as a black pit bull mix, fluffier than a pit bull. The dog was last seen in the area of Marshall Alley and Buckingham Street on Feb. 4.
Call Richland Public Health at 419-774-4500 with any information in regards to the location of the animal. Do not attempt to restrain the dog yourself."  

I have never seen the phrase "Do not attempt to restrain the dog yourself" included in a story about a Beagle bite.  

Pit bulls are currently banned in Mansfield and video of a recent pit bull attack in Shelby was shown to the Mansfield City Council. Per the Richland Source" Mansfield Law Director John Spon arranged for a video viewing of Shelby Police officers forced to fatally shoot a pit bull attacking a man at a residence on Joelynn Drive. The incident took place shortly after 10 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10.
Spon asked that the video be shown twice: once as an initial viewing, and once so that viewers could imagine if the attack victim had been a small child, not an adult man. The video was taken from the body camera of Shelby Officer John Reed; viewer discretion is advised.                              For a link to the video, click here. 

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1/14/2017
Newark Ohio
Licking County  

After watching the Shelby Ohio video that was shown to the Mansfield Ohio City Council to support breed regulations, consider the recent actions of the Licking County Commissioners.  The Licking County Commissioners approved a time limited change to county shelter procedures to allow pit bull adoptions direct from the shelter to the peaceful public.  Per the Newark Advocate " Dog Warden Dave Shellhouse approached the commissioners in December to see if they would be willing to reverse what has been an unwritten policy about not letting pit bulls be adopted. The issue is the shelter has been getting more and more pit bulls. It began to receive more after the city of Newark changed its law, which no longer automatically classifies pit bulls as vicious. In the past, the shelter has relied on rescue groups to take the pit bulls they had in custody, but the rescue groups have not kept up with the numbers.

The Columbus Dispatch gives this insight "  Though the shelter can't pinpoint a reason for the increase, the number of pit bulls went up dramatically in the spring after the Newark City Council voted to remove breed-specific language from the city's dog ordinances, Shellhouse said. Newark previously had designated pit bulls as vicious dogs.  By authorizing pit-bull adoptions, the county is "trying to solve an issue at the shelter that seems to be getting a little bit bigger every year," Shellhouse said Thursday while discussing the change with the county commissioners. "Hopefully this will help out." The county will try the pit-bull adoptions this year on a trial basis.

"These dogs came off the streets of our county; they didn't just come out of nowhere," said county Commissioner Tim Bubb. "What do you do with these animals, that for the most part, probably many of them could be good, loving pets? What you hope for is responsible ownership to go with it."                

Hope is poor public safety policy. 

In short, the shelter has even more pit bulls than it had before the city of Newark dropped all regulations on pit bulls and welcomed them in with open arms.  Instead of mandatory neuter and spay to limit the number of unplaceable pit bulls the county the commissioners have accepted the dog warden's suggestion to hand out these dogs like candy.

Here is a hint. More effective control would be obtained by limiting breeding than by pushing the dogs out the door to anyone willing to take them.   Turn off the hose at the faucet.

                                                                 * * *

2/9/2017
Springfield Ohio
Clark County Ohio    

This comes from the "a pit bull's worst nightmare is frequently his owner" file. Malik Shaw, age 24, is accused of breaking a 7-week-old pit bull puppy's leg by striking it with a metal pipe.  Per WKYC " Police say officers were dispatched to Shaw's home in Springfield on Nov. 18 following reports of a fight.

Officers were told after arriving that the fight started over Shaw's pit bull puppy.Police say the children of Shaw's girlfriend allegedly had taken the puppy without his permission because they believed he had been hurting it.Court records show police saw the puppy in the home and said it was unable to stand on one of its rear legs." 

Malik pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor animal cruelty in Clark County Municipal Court.  

Pit bull roundup 9/2/2016 Pit bulls attack at schools, at cookouts, attack visitors in the home, attack at yard sales, attack police, attack children on bikes and children on porches, and pit bull advocates complain of discrimination.

Here is a sample of the backlog of Ohio pit bull attack news stories.  If my demise depends upon being caught up on pit bull attacks in Ohio I will live forever.

7/7/2016

Elyria Ohio

Lorain County

An Elyria High School coach and assistant principal rescued four of his players from an attack by a pit bull mix  just outside the school.  The dog chased, and bit the four players.  Coach Brett Heighberger reacted quickly.  Per Newsnet5 "Police said soccer coach and Elyria High School assistant principal Brett Heighberger held down a large brown pit bull mix by the neck while sitting on the dog’s body, all in an attempt to keep the dog from charging his players.

“I’m just doing what I would normally do," Heighberger said. "I’m the assistant principal there. I’m the head coach. My job, my number one job, is to make sure the kids are taken care of and in a safe place."

The players were treated and released. The pit mix was taken to the County shelter.  If the dog's owner is not located the dog may be euthanized. 

Thanks Coach Heighberger!

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6/10/2016
Lorain Ohio
Lorain County 

A six year old boy was bitten in the face by a friend's pit bull while visiting the home of that friend. The Morning Journal reported " An officer responded to a Euclid Avenue home where the boy’s father said the boy was playing with another 6-year-old boy at another Euclid Avenue home. A short time later, the boy returned home crying with the dog bite.

The dog’s owner said when the bite occurred, he was upstairs at the home where the boys were playing, and the dog usually was friendly with the boy, the report said.

The boy was taken to Mercy Regional Medical Center for treatment."

 It was reported that the pit mix was in heat, this is not an acceptable excuse.  The "nanny dog" strikes again. 

                                                                      * * *

7/2/2016

Cincinnati Ohio

Hamilton County

An eight year old boy was bitten by a family pit mix while at a cookout with his father's relatives.  The child was not treated for over an hour while family members attempted to treat the bites by running water over them.  After failure of this inappropriate treatment the mother received a phone call from a guest at the party informing her of her son's injuries.  The mother was at the hospital waiting when her son arrived.  There have been no offers of help from those responsible for the pit bull mix. 

When police went to the home to investigate, SURPRISE! The dog was not there.  

Click here to step into the Emergency Room with  video of the treatment of this child.  He cries but bravely endures. Impressive child!  Why are we putting our children at risk?  Why do pit bull owners feel free to turn their backs on their responsibilities and go on to hide the mauler?  

                                                                                           * * *

5/11/2016
Oberlin Ohio 
Lorain County

A fourteen year old boy was attacked by his neighbor's pit bull as the boy was sitting on his own front porch.  Per the Morning Journal "Officers responded to Mercy Allen Hospital in Oberlin around 10:40 a.m. where they learned from the victim and his father that a white dog with brown spots that is believed to be a pit bull attacked the boy while he was sitting on the stoop by the front door of his apartment. According to the report, several blood spots and a significant puddle of blood were located in the front door to the victim’s residence.

The victim’s father and residents in the area believed this was not the first time the dog had bitten someone.

Police attempted to contact the dog owner but were unable to do so.  It is expected that the pit bull will be euthanized. 

                                                                                       * * *

6/3/2016

Fremont Ohio
Sandusky county 

The Sandusky County Sheriffs Office reported a Chihuahua was killed by a pit bull.  The little dog crawled under a fence into the yard where the pit bull was harbored.  Chances that the Chihuahua would have died if the neighbor harbored a Beagle are remote.   


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7/6/2016
Avon Lake Ohio
Lorain County

In an attack you will never hear about, a West Highland White Terrier was mauled as it was being walked by a neighbor and two children.  The Terrier was later euthanized due to the severity of his injuries.  The attacking dog was a shepherd mix.  The owner of the shepherd mix was cited and the dog was designated a dangerous dog through the Avon Lake Civil Court. 

                                              * * *
5/2016
Kenton Ohio
Hardin County

Per Kenton Today "Information from the Kenton Police Department report states that an aggressive dog was in the area of the 1100 block of South Detroit St. The Pit Bull allegedly attempted to bite a women who was holding a yard sale.

It was determined that the dog belonged to a residence on Letson Ave. Nobody was at home at the time and the dog was found running in the middle of the street on Letson Ave. The Hardin County Dog Warden was contacted and the dog was apprehended.

The owner of the Pit Bull dog was issued a summons for failing to properly confine a vicious dog."

                                                               * * *
3/15/2016
Lakewood Ohio
Cuyahoga County

Lakewood officials have decided to allow Scrappy the pit bull to remain in the community.  Lakewood has a pit bull ban but it was claimed that Scrappy was an assistance dog for a child with cystic fibrosis.

A privacy fence must be erected on the property where Scrappy is harbored and Scrappy must be muzzled in public. 

                                                        * * *

3/21/2016
Dover Ohio
Tuscarawas County

A pit bull was euthanized after it attacked an Urichsville K9 officer as he was responding to a call about the near attack of a child.  Sounds like the person who called this in had great instincts.  Officer Hickman required stitches to his right hand after the dog bit him as he attempted to defend himself.

                                                               * * *
2/28/2016
Dover Ohio
Tuscarawas County

On Feb. 28, a Dover police officer fatally shot a dog that he said charged him while he was responding to a call that the 100-pound dog entered a neighbor's backyard and attacked the neighbor's dog.    

According to two police reports on the incident, John Tucker, a Race Street resident, told officers his leashed 3-year-old pit boxer was attacked by the pit bull while in his backyard. He said a nearby resident was walking his three dogs, each without a leash, and one of the dogs — the pit bull — ran into his yard and attacked his pit boxer. Officers noted Tucker’s dog had visible blood on its ear and face. Tucker's neighbor called police after the attack.

Tucker said the owner of the three dogs has often walked his dogs without a leash, a claim the neighbor who called police backed up. "It's very irresponsible," Tucker said. "It's dangerous."

 A Dover police officer responding to Tucker's call went to the home of the pit bull owner. 
SURPRISE!  The pit bull owner was nowhere to be found but the dogs were in the yard.  Per the Times-Reporter   "One of the responding Dover police officers walked to E. Sixth Street to speak with the owner of the pit bull that attacked Tucker's dog. The officer was unable to immediately find the owner, but saw the three dogs in the owner's backyard walking in a fenced area. The officer wrote in his report that one of the dogs, similar in stature to a bull mastiff, began charging him and was not on a leash or in an enclosure.

"Its ears were pulled back, snarled, and showing all teeth and gums as it barked," the officer wrote in his report. "I identified this as an aggressive posture. I anticipated the dog taking me down."

The officer ran away from the dog to increase the distance between him and the aggressive animal. According to police reports: A mother was playing with her children in a nearby yard; the officer said he wanted to protect the family and "squared up with the dog with knife in hand."

The woman yelled at her children to get on the trampoline to avoid the dog. At that point, the officer said he noticed the two other dogs approaching him.

"I pulled my firearm and feared one or all of the dogs would attack, taking me to the ground, and then mauling me," the officer wrote in his report. "I held off on firing in case the dogs would suddenly stop, but the black dog continued. As it neared me, within 1.5 to 2 feet, I fired on the dog two shots as center mass as possible, as the dog was running perpendicular toward me."

The dogs ran back into the owner's yard, the dog that was shot died.  More from the Times -Reporter " I think the Dover Police Department handled the situation very well and in the best way they could," Tucker said. "If people don't like the way things are handled with the police, don't put yourself in the situation. I feel bad for the dog (that died). The dog didn't have to lose its life if the owner took proper precautions." The dog's owner could not be reached for comment."

Common sense from Mr. Tucker. 

                                                          * * *

4/19/2016

Greenville Ohio

Darke County 

The family of a 13 year old boy knocked off his bike and  bitten by a pit bull want changes in local regulations dealing with biting dogs.  Per the Daily Advocate "Shawn Crumrine, the father of the victim, spoke to the Darke County Board of Commissioners during its Monday session. Crumrine said he was also planning to address the Greenville City Council on the same topic during its Tuesday night meeting.

“I’d like for the city and county to amend their ordinances on how it handles dogs that bite,” he said, suggesting that a dog which bites a person should be placed under immediate and indeterminate quarantine in custody of the Darke County Animal Shelter until a court can make a determination on its danger to the public.

 Greenville police reports indicate the boy was chased and  bitten by two dogs, one of them a pit bull.  The dogs were unlicensed and have bitten before, several times.  One of these was a postal worker.  It  was reported that the owner of the dogs, Jamie Hensil, was told to have his dogs put down but did not comply.

 The boy received 30 stitches and endured a series of rabies injections.  He, and other children in the household remain traumatized. The family has filed a civil lawsuit against the owner of the two dogs, they seek restitution and punitive damages.  It is appropriate to demand accountability.  

In this case the dogs were home quarantined.  Crumrine says in addition to having biting dogs quarantined by the county, he would like to see a “biting dog” registry established, tracking dogs which bite people, particularly within a school zone or public park."  

Makes sense to me.

Photos of the boy's injuries.  This was not a simple dog bite, t his child was mauled as he rode his bike home.  

This story  is a segue to more, per Bluebag Media "Just a couple weeks before the Greenville biting incident, local residents became aware of an online petition asking Darke County Animal Shelter to revise its policy on euthanizing pit bull-type dogs. The petition appears on the website change.org. People from across the United States have signed the petition and called the animal shelter.

Darke County Animal Shelter Director Duane Sanning has been fielding these calls, but is not comfortable with changing the county’s policy.

“How can I adopt out a pit bull to a family with kids, with another dog of a family cat without being able to evaluate them?” he told The Early Bird last week.

Sanning said most temperament testing procedures “have been proven to the degree of yes you do or no you don’t.” 

Hold this thought. 

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4/17/2016

Greenville Ohio

Darke County   

A petition was posted on the mostly ignored website Change.org by Columbus pit bull advocate Luke Westerman. The petition asks Darke County commissioners to change their "discriminatory" policies at the Darke County Shelter so pit bulls can be adopted out  to the public.  Why is Mr. Westerman, a resident of Franklin County making demands in Darke County?  Good question, I have no answer. 

The Dark County commissioners support the work done by County Dog Warden Duane Sanning.  Per Bluebag Media " “I just wish people would find the facts out before commenting,” said Commissioner Diane Delaplane. Especially those who believe the county shelter is rushing to kill dogs instead of attempting to either find their owners or place them for adoption. “They’re making statements that just aren’t true.”

Commission chairman Mike Stegall agrees.

“His (Sanning) policy is very, very satisfactory. Duane is very sensitive about the pit bull issue. He’s gone over the limit (required number of days to keep a dog at the shelter) trying to work with them. Animals are treated well by our shelter. He’s following the guidelines and goes above and beyond.”

Ohio policy states that unlicensed dogs brought to the shelter are to be kept for three days; while licensed dogs may be kept up to 14 days in hopes of finding their owners.

The Darke County Shelter spends a lot of resources, Sanning said, promoting dogs they have for adoption – with a radio spot, newspaper advertising and on the shelter’s website.

“Our adoption rate is 85 percent, the best in the state. Other shelters run about 45 percent,” Sanning explained.

Sanning said he has concerns about adopting out pit bulls or other aggressive dogs.

“The problem I have with pit bulls is the damage they do when they bite,” he said, noting that the breed originally was bred to fight. “How do I know they will not end up in a fighting ring in California?”

“The story, I think is simple. A golden retriever is a retrieving dog – it’s their instinct. A border collie is a herding dog. Pit bulls are a fighting breed. It’s in their DNA. They were bred to fight bears and other large animals. There’s just no way to know.”

Conducting temperament testing for dogs also is questionable, Sanning believes.

“None of them (tests) have been proven to the degree of yes you do or no you don’t,” he said. 

There are no plans to change policy in Darke County. Pickaway County got a very similar petition from Change.org.  Pickaway County does not  adopt pit bulls out  directly to the public either. The writer acknowledges that while no pit bulls have been euthanized in the County shelter due to space concerns in the last TWO YEARS this "discriminatory" policy MUST be changed.  Lets review, no pit bulls have been put down in two years, when pit bulls are available for the public nobody wants them anyway, they languish for months to years because the peaceful public reads actual news from actual news sources, the county commissioners are satisfied with the status quo but the discrimination must end.  I don't get it.          

                                                      * * *

8/27/2016

Oklahoma City

Oklahoma  

This is as good a place to put this as any other, it is not local but it illustrates the perils of pit bulls. If you want to harbor these dogs you will be held accountable for them.  The owner of five pit bull mixes that killed a sixty year old man has been charged with second degree manslaughter. Edgar Brown, the victim was killed in his own yard by the pit mixes owned by Juan Marcos Diaz.

The victim's brother has filed a lawsuit against Diaz.  "The lawsuit says Diaz “failed in his duty to keep his vicious, fierce and/or dangerous dogs from assaulting Edgar Brown.”

Dexter Brown's attorney, Noble McIntyre, said the lawsuit isn't about money but about sending a message.

“Sometimes cases are about collectibility and sometimes cases are about accountability, and this is one that's about accountability,” McIntyre said Friday.

“There's no money in this for me. ... There won't ever be any money. There's no insurance policy.

“At some point, you have to hold these people accountable and send a message to the community as a whole that you're not going to be able to hide behind the fact that you don't have an insurance policy. You still are responsible,” McIntyre said.

“I'm going to go forward with the lawsuit for one purpose: to get a great big verdict, even though it's not collectible, to send a message ... to other dog owners.”

Accountability, yes!


Booking photo for Juan Marcos Diaz.  The maximum sentence for second degree manslaughter in Oklahoma is four years in prison, the minimum sentence is two years in prison.  Not enough in my opinion but it's a start.  If you want to harbor pit bulls you will be held accountable.