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Flashback: Owner Denies Pit Bull Attacked Horse and Rider at Park

Pit Bull Attacks Horse
North Olmsted, OH - April 29, 2007 was supposed to be a relaxing Sunday morning trail ride in the Rocky River reservation for Carol Miller and her horse Blue. "I was riding along, just crossed the road, when I saw a couple coming along," Carol said. "They had a dog on a leash, very politely stepped to the side of trail, and the dog was sitting." But Carol says that quickly changed.

The dog lunged at her horse and did not quit. She watched in horror as the pit bull repeatedly bit her six-year old horse on his neck, belly and hind legs. Both horse and rider tried to defend themselves. "He bucked, he kicked," recalled Carol. "I just grabbed a tree as one went by, and pulled myself on the tree."

The dog chased Blue down the path. Carol tried to keep up. A half hour later and a mile away, rangers eventually found the bleeding horse. Blue needed 26 stitches for his injuries. Cleveland MetroParks rangers began an investigation, and charges were brought against George Perz III for failing to control his dog. Perz III, however, was unconcerned with his minor misdemeanor crime.

"Perz said the dog slipped out of its collar and approached the horse out of curiosity, not malice. He called what happened next "a blur," but said both animals seemed spooked and reacted accordingly. He said he never saw the dog bite the horse. He speculated that the horse injured itself running through the woods."

The horse's owner, Carol Miller of Olmsted Township, accused Perz of trying to rationalize bringing a dangerous dog out in public. She described the attack in chilling detail, and said that her horse -- named Blue -- remains traumatized by the mauling. She said, "My horse is maimed, and he thinks his dog is framed," Miller said. "It's laughable."

Perz called the dog a "boxer mix" but later said the dog had pit bull bloodlines. Two veterinarians familiar with the dog called it a pit bull. Baby Girl was placed under a 10-day rabies quarantine at an undisclosed location. Miller requested the quarantine after reporting that the dog bit her in the chest during the attack. Perez was scheduled to appear in court May 15, 2007.

Related articles:
05/03/07: Dog's Caretaker Charged in Horse Attack
05/01/07: Horse and Rider Attacked By Pit Bull