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Pit Bull Attack Still an Open Wound for 74-Year Old Victim

Pit Bull AWOL
Eugene, OR - Gloria Hodges still can’t make a fist with her right hand nearly three weeks after she and her dog, Pepper, were attacked by what she said was a pit bull during an afternoon walk in Eugene. Hodges is a church organist and pianist. The injury will undoubtably affect her ability to perform.

The pit bull owner left the scene of the attack without a word.

Hodges said she has walked dogs in the Ferry Street Bridge neighborhood without problems for 10 years. But that changed March 4. That afternoon, as she walked her schnauzer she saw a woman with an unleashed dog walking toward her, so she crossed the street to keep the dogs apart. This did little good.

As they got closer, Hodges said the other woman shouted, “Pick up your dog.” Hodges looked up in time to see the dog barreling toward her. She tried to pick up Pepper, but the dog hit the both of them full-bore. Hodges was knocked to the ground and the dog latched onto Pepper with its jaws.

The dog’s owner ran up, pulled out a leash and led the animal away, but said nothing. Hodges was bleeding steadily from her hands, due in part to blood-thinning medication. The woman pulled out a cell phone and made a call before disappearing. Meanwhile, Hodges fumbled with her own cell phone and called 911.

An ambulance took her to Sacred Heart Medical Center, where she spent five hours in the emergency room. Her husband took Pepper to the veterinarian. Lane County Animal Services wants to hear from anyone who has any information about the dog, its owner or the attack. The agency can be reached at 682-3646.