Pit Bull-Mix Redirects Attack onto Cairn Terrier at Rye Beach

Owner Also Hospitalized
Rye, NH - Police are looking for witnesses to what a local dog owner said was a vicious attack by a pit bull type dog on her 13-year-old Cairn terrier, Tim. Denise Saurman was walking Tim on Rye Beach when she saw a group of four large unleashed dogs coming toward them. Scared they might hurt her dog, she turned and headed home.

Little good that did. As soon as she turned, a nearby leashed dog appeared suddenly riled by the four loose dogs approaching. That dog sunk its teeth into Tim, injuring him significantly. "One bite ripped the skin off his back," Saurman said. It looked like a fur coat hanging off from around his belly. I had to fight off all those dogs and pick up Tim and I ran screaming."

Pit bulls can "snap" into fight mode at the sound of a shout. Four oncoming, loose dogs would certainly spike a pit bull's arousal.

In these instances, the pit bull is likely to attack whatever is nearest, be it a person, animal or car tires. Cases of the latter have been reported when a person is inside a vehicle and the pit bull can't get to him. So the dog directs the attack on what it can bite, the car tires. These attacks are called "redirected attacks." Unfortunately, Tim caught the brunt of this one.

The ordeal also took it’s toll on Saurman, who had to spend the night in the hospital with heart palpitations. Tim has been her companion since he was a pup and had already gone through so much, including surviving cancer. The beach walk -- Tim’s first since surgery -- was supposed to be a treat. "He’s like my child." Saurman said. "It was just very traumatic."

Police are now trying to locate the dog and its owner. The two neglected to stick around after the attack. Saurman, who owns a rental property in Rye, said she and Tim encountered the owner of the dog that attacked Tim in past trips to the beach. She said they discussed how the four unleashed dogs, which are regulars at the beach, are not controlled properly. But the two never exchanged names.

In other news:

One Owner, Two Sets of Pit Bulls Euthanized for Attacks
Rockton, WI - Two pit bulls were placed with the Rock County Humane Society and will be euthanized because of their history of violence. The pit bulls, one male and one female, were reported to have attacked a cocker spaniel puppy on June 1 and again on June 3. Beloit Police were called to the 200 block of South Street where the cocker spaniel received bites to the neck and ear.

The owners, Timothy Poff and Bre Calhoun, were given municipal citations for having animals at large after the first attack and surrendered the pit bulls to the Humane Society after the second attack. Poff was issued citations about two years ago for having two aggressive pit bulls at large as well. These two pit bulls were also euthanized by the Humane Society.