Pit Bulls Maul Oregon Man's Face; LifeFlight Helicopter Called

Pit Bull Owner Previously Charged
UPDATE 06/26/08: The owner of the pit bull that tore off part of a man's face pleaded not guilty to unrelated violations involving her dogs two days after the violent attack. Diana Taylor, 51, appeared in court June 17th. She had been cited twice for having a dog as a nuisance after separate incidents were reported to the Grant County Sheriff's Office.

No charges have been filed in relation to the most recent incident involving the attack on William Barloon. The attack seriously injured Barloon, including ripping off his nose. Getting Barloon to adequate medical treatment required: 2 separate ambulance rides by 2 separate hospitals and a LifeFlight helicopter to reach a third hospital.

06/18/08: Nose Torn Off, Massive Facial Wounds
Long Creek, OR - In a developing story, and devastating attack, two pit bulls ripped a 29-year old man's face off severing his nose and causing massive facial injuries. William Barloon Jr. was attacked as he started to walk into the residence of Diana Taylor's home, the owner of the dogs, and presumed friend. Details by the Grant County Sheriff's office will be forthcoming.

DogsBite.org records many stories of friends and family members with long-term relationships to the dog owner and the dog that end in similar violence. No one knows why a pit bull chooses to attack on the 5th or 20th visit to the dog owner's home. The owner of the pit bulls in this instance, Taylor, may have told Barloon on prior visits that her dogs might "lick him to death" and that her dogs were as "harmless as flies."

Sheriff Glenn Palmer said the front door was partially open, and Barloon opened the screen door to enter. As he did so, a male pit bull lunged at Barloon and latched onto his face, nearly knocking him off his feet. A second dog grabbed Barloon by the left arm. Taylor pulled the dog off Barloon's face. The article does not state how long the other dog shook and severely damaged the victim's arm.

Palmer said the Long Creek Ambulance was dispatched to the scene to pick up Barloon. That crew was met en route to John Day Hospital by the John Day ambulance for the trip to Blue Mountain Hospital. An Air Life helicopter was then dispatched to take Barloon to St. Charles Medical Center in Bend for emergency treatment.

One pit bull attack equals 2 separate ambulance rides by 2 separate hospitals and a LifeFlight helicopter to reach a third hospital.

Before the flight, Dep. James Burgett located Barloon's nose at the attack scene. He enlisted the John Day Police Department's help to rush the appendage to the hospital in time to be transported with Barloon on the helicopter. Dep. Todd McKinley also responded to the call, and subsequently destroyed one of the pit bulls. The incident remains under investigation. DogsBite.org cannot send enough prayers to this young man.

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