Dog Owner Found
UPDATE 06/14/09: In a surprising twist, Mower County Sheriff Terese Amazi reported that the victim, Kyle Anthony Boelman, and the dog's owner, 19-year old Leverne Michael Altenburg Jr., came together several days after the incident to the Law Enforcement Center to tell police about the pit bull involved in the case. Boelman, who apparently knows Altenburg, determined Altenburg's dog bit him. At the time of the bite, Boelman wasn't sure of the dog's owner.
It's unknown if Boelman continues to receive the rabies series (3-5 shots and about $2,000).
06/13/09: Bites Victim's Face After Being Pet
Austin, MN - After a 19-year old man attempted to befriend a loose pit bull in a park, the dog bit him in the face. The pit bull had reportedly approached the victim, Kyle Anthony Boelman, in a friendly manner. Boelman said he bent down and petted the dog. When he stood up, the pit bull leapt at his face, grabbing his nose, biting him. The bite caused four open wounds to his upper and lower lips. Boelman is also currently undergoing the rabies vaccination series.
The unpredictable genetic attack trait of a pit bull is extremely dangerous on its own, but a pit bull with an unknown history presents an even greater risk.
After biting Boelman, the dog ran off. The victim said he didn't see anyone trying to catch it or willing to claim responsibility for it. The dog was described as black with white paws and wearing an orange collar with tags attached. If the owner of the pit bull does not step forward and the dog remains unidentified -- as is often the case -- Boelman will be stuck with the costly medical bills, as well as the facial scarring the "seemingly" friendly pit bull left behind.
Related articles:
11/25/08: Pit Bull-Mix Owner "Surprised" by Sudden Attack
09/09/08: Top Dog Experts Fooled and Surprised by Pit Bulls
This is a very important blog post and warning!
A stray pit bull may appear friendly and loving, but many of these dogs ARE strays because they have had problems and been dumped on the street. Some have killed other animals, or hurt someone.
The dog also may come from the fighting world.
There are countless "do gooders" that are picking up stray pit bulls and bringing the dog home, only to have the pit bull kill their other pets or bite a human.
And the attacks will happen usually with NO WARNING from the dog!
Just because you treat the pit bull with love does not mean the dog won't attack, and your life may be changed forever in a terrible way if that dog does attack.
Your loving pets or children may pay with their lives.
CALL THE POLICE AND/OR ANIMAL CONTROL AND MAKE SURE THEY PICK UP THE DOG! Insist on it.
If animal control is not doing its job, and picking up strays, file a formal compliant with the mayor, city council, or whatever governing body hires animal control- and write a letter to the editor to warn people in your area that animal control is failing and that strays aren't being picked up!
In San Antonio, Texas animal control decided to stop doing its job and stop picking up strays, and people and pets are getting attacked as a result.
It's not at all surprising that an owner didn't step forward. The owner either wasn't present, and just let the dog roam at large as many pit nutters do, or saw what happened and knew he or she would be facing charges and medical bills. You're more likely to see the tooth fairy or the Easter Bunny than a pit owner willing to take responsibility for an attack.
The owner of the dog has come forward, and let me tell you, the story is beginning to smell very fishy. Turns out the dog was owned by a friend of the victim. They went together to the police station.
http://www.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?z=28&a=403877
Who can forget the heartwariming tale of how the City of New York paid out a $5 Million settlement last year, after one of it's police officers pick up a stray pit bull off the street and gave it to a poor, petless family? In foreseeable fashion, the grateful pit mauled one of the children in the household.
Anon, do you have a link for that NY story? And do you know if there was a lawsuit?