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Multiple Dog Attacks in South Bend Injure Three

Officer Shoots Pit Bull; Taser Ineffective
South Bend, IN - Vicious dog attacks happened on opposite sides of the city on the same afternoon. In one attack, a South Bend police officer fatally shot a dog after it reportedly attacked two men. A large tan pit bull reportedly broke out of a home and mauled a man who was fighting outside with the owner. The dog then attacked its owner, police said.

Shortly after first responders arrived, the dog charged Patrolman Paul Strabavy, forcing the officer to Taser the dog. The Taser had no effect on the animal and it began rushing the officer again. Strabavy pulled his gun and shot the dog three times, killing it. One of the bitten men suffered serious injuries to his leg and was taken to an area hospital with uncontrollable bleeding.

In the other attack, a small child was bitten several times by a white Labrador mix and was taken to an area hospital. Mary Borman, who lives next to where the Labrador lives and where the attack happened, said the animal and a pit bull mix broke out of a backyard and attacked the 7-year-old boy, who was out riding his bike.

The dog’s owner tried to pull the Labrador off the boy, while Borman took the child into her home and called paramedics. Borman said the dog’s owner also was bitten. Borman said she rushed the boy into her house, and the red dog (pit bull mix) chased us and tried to bite them. The boy suffered cuts to his face, hands and legs.

She said the bites to his face were so bad she could see bone.

Borman said police officers came and had their guns drawn, but the owner was eventually able to get the animals back inside. The Labrador had blood coming from its mouth. Animal Control took away the Labrador, which has been taken at least once before by authorities. Later, officers returned and took the pit bull mix, after receiving a call it also may have bitten someone.