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Law a 'Little Bit Skewed' on Dog Attacks

Owners of Victimized Dogs Have Few Rights
St Petersburg, FL - Sam and Jill Chapman evening dog walk turned into a nightmare when 2 roaming pit bulls attacked their jack russell and cairn terriers. Chapman heard the "ch-ch-ch" of canine nails running. He looked east into the alley across the street and saw two pit bulls approaching, rapidly. These weren't dogs he knew. He had never seen them before.

The dogs didn't stop. "Didn't circle. Didn't growl and stand off. They just charged," Chapman said.

They grabbed Dixie, the youngest dog, each attacker taking a different end, tearing at the animal's flesh. Chapman beat at the pit bulls. He called out for help. When he managed to get Dixie away from one dog, the other would hang on. Chapman is 6 feet 5, 240 pounds. He works out and looks trim for his 52 years. But at that moment, Chapman said, "I couldn't do diddly."

A neighbor heard Chapman's cries and came running to help separate the pit bulls from their catch. Finally, Chapman was able to hold the pit bulls by their collars. He asked the man to take his dogs, including the bloodied Dixie, across the street away from the pit bulls. The pit bulls no longer fought. Chapman said they sat at his feet, looking as if they expected to be petted.

Shortly thereafter, pit bull owner, Marcus G. McLellend stumbled on the the aftermath of the attack while out looking for his dogs. When police and animal control officers arrived, they told Chapman that no citation could be issued because the dogs, now leashed and secured. The animal control officer told him that the dogs couldn't be considered dangerous either because no reports had been previously filed against them.

Though time has passed since the attack, Jill Chapman, still trembles as she speaks about the incident. She insists that something must be done to give victims of dog attacks, and potential victims, more support.

"The laws are a little bit skewed," she said. "We know where the sex offenders live. We should know where the pit bulls live."

In other news:

Dog Fight May Change Park Rules
Arlington, TX - Barbara Steen's great dane puppy, Moosie, was attacked by a cane corso while visiting an off leash park. The cane corso is banned in several US cities and foreign countries. Ron Ackerman, the owner of the cane corso, claims the puppy threatened his dog, who he says is a "highly trained guard and service dog."

Ackerman, who teaches dog bite prevention in schools, blames the great dane for "getting in his dog's face" and blames the park patrons for screaming. Ackerman claims he takes his dog everywhere and hasn't had any problems. He was asked to leave the park and not to attend anymore.

Large Dog Attacks, Injures Two Women
San Diego, CA - A bullmastiff attacked a woman then went after another woman who came to her aid. Both women were taken to hospitals, one in serious condition. It took police and animal control 45 minutes to capture the dog. By then, medics had taken the injured women to hospitals. One of the victims was admitted for treatment of extensive wounds.

Dog Kills Other Dog In Attack
Lake Columbia, MI - In a separate bullmastiff attack -- typically a 100-120 lb dog -- a woman was walking her dogs when a neighbor's bull mastiff charged her and killed her terrier. She was able to grab her other dogs and escape. The owner of the mastiff has been identified and police are investigating the attack.