Posted on April 10, 2012 by Colleen Lynn

2012 Dog Bite Fatality: Elderly Oklahoma Man Killed by Two Pit Bulls

James Hurst, 92-years old, was brutally killed by his neighbor's two pit bulls.

DNA Confirmation
UPDATE 08/17/12: DNA results show that blood found on two pit bulls captured at the mauling scene matched the victim, according to Sheriff's Investigator Nathan Calloway.1 James Hurst died shortly after arriving at the hospital due to his grievous injuries. The two pit bulls had a history of escaping their yard a few houses down from the Hurst home. District Attorney Emily Redman was informed of the DNA results Thursday. The owners of the dogs have since left the jurisdiction.

04/10/12: Killed in His Front yard
Mead, OK - In a developing story, a Bryan County man was mauled to death by two pit bulls in his front yard. James Hurst, 92-years old, was discovered badly mauled and bleeding on his property Monday afternoon. Neighbors say the same dogs had been aggressive in the past. Bryan County Undersheriff Kenneth Golden said Hurst was working in his yard when he was attacked by the dogs. Golden says of all the dog attacks he has seen, he has never witnessed one this bad.

"Both feet, his face, his ears. His lips were gone. He didn't even look like the same person ... They eat him up real bad." - Neighbor Levi Duncan

Hurst also suffered "extensive injuries to his feet" -- both may have been torn off -- and was taken to a Durant hospital where he later died. Neighbor Judy Boone told reporters, "It's terrifying to know that you can't come out on your own front porch or stand in your own yard without being mauled and attacked." Neighbor Ryan Matlock, 11-years old, said that he had an encounter with one of these pit bulls -- "It crawled through a hole in the fence and got a hold of my leg."2

View the DogsBite.org Google Map: Oklahoma Fatal Pit Bull Maulings.

1It is great to see that small jurisdictions, such as Bryan County, OK and Person County, NC, are reaching out to DNA labs to prove culpability in the instances of fatal dog attacks.
2A subsequent news article indicates that Ryan's bite was not reported.

Posted on April 4, 2012 by Colleen Lynn

Pit Bull Ordinance Passes in Malden City, Massachusetts

Pit Bull Muzzle Law
Malden, MA - On Tuesday, Malden City Council approved a measure requiring pit bull-type dogs to wear a muzzle in public. The city now joins a growing number of municipalities in Massachusetts to place restrictions on the notorious breed, including: Boston, Lowell, Lynn, Worcester and others (See: Full list). The 7-4 vote follows three years of discussion and debate and represents a legislative victory for Councillor Neil C. Kinnon who has fought for the pit bull muzzle law.

At one point during Tuesday's meeting -- packed with hollering pit bull fans -- Kinnon questioned three "animal experts" who advocate against breed-specific laws. Ethics sell-out Dr. Amy Marder,1 director of the center for behavior and training at the Animal Rescue League of Boston, said: "A leash will prevent dog bites as well as a muzzle." Obviously that is entirely untrue. Who knows? Perhaps Kinnon even read the anniversary post written by the founder of DogsBite.org?

Notably, the new muzzle law will not effect existing pit bull owners who register their dog before May 1. The ordinance only applies to pit bulls obtained or brought into the city after this date and to current owners who fail to register their dog. The question is, how many so-called responsible pit bull owners in Malden City will follow through with registration by May 1? This overly generous grandfather clause was apparently missed by the hollering pit bull owners Tuesday night.

1Amy Marder is an "adviser" to the Jane Berkey owned pro-pit bull propaganda machine. Also, the "enforcement of leash laws" as the solution to preventing dog bites is the default position of the American Kennel Club (AKC).

Posted on March 28, 2012 by Colleen Lynn

2012 Dog Bite Fatality: Victoria Boy, 4, Mauled to Death by Chained Pit Bull

Kylar Johnson, 4-years old, fatal pit bull attack victim #329.

News Conference
UPDATE: 03/28/12: The Victoria Advocate released the 30-minute news conference given by Victoria County Sheriff T. Michael O'Conner. In summary, investigators do have answers to many questions, but are not releasing them yet. The time of the boy's death has yet to be determined by the medical examiner's office. O'Conner does address many aspects of Kylar's death including that many "conspiracy theories" were formed and launched in social media channels.1

03/27/12: Preliminary Autopsy Results
Preliminary autopsy results indicate that Kylar Johnson was mauled to death by a single pit bull. Manuel (Manny) Garcia found Kylar's body in his backyard Monday morning near one of 10 pit bulls that he keeps chained up in his yard. Officials said Garcia's dogs were used for hog hunting. Investigators speculate that the boy may have been hiding from searchers on purpose, playing a type of game. The Click2Houston update did not reveal the time of the boy's death.2

03/27/12: Mauling Death Confirmed
KHOU.com reports that, "Evidence shows the child was mauled to death by a pit bull kept chained in the neighbor's yard. The Victoria County sheriff believes Kylar wondered into the mostly-fenced yard about half a mile from his home." The neighbor and owner of the pit bull, who joined in the search effort, has so far not been named and owns as many as 10 pit bulls. A new Victoria Advocate article says that preliminary autopsy results should be available by Tuesday.3

03/26/12: Boy Discovered Monday
Victoria, TX - In a developing story, the body of a missing 4-year old boy was discovered today and was reportedly mauled to death by pit bulls. The boy, Kylar Johnson, disappeared about 8 pm Sunday night. A neighbor found the boy about 10:30 am this morning. A family friend, Ken Hutchins, told The Victoria Advocate the boy was mauled to death by pit bulls kept in a neighbor's enclosure near his home. Police, however, have not yet confirmed the cause of death.

An extensive search was carried out over Sunday night and into the morning by police search teams, K-9 units, and family members, but it was hampered by tall grass and fog. The fog finally lifted about 10:30 am. The boy's body was found near Village Lane several hundred yards from his home. Cole Johnson, the boy's father, had been cleaning his car on Sunday with Kylar playing nearby. He looked up and Kylar was gone. The boy's family will speak to the media soon.

View the DogsBite.org Google Map: Texas Fatal Pit Bull Maulings.

1The distance Kylar traveled is still being reported as a half-mile, quarter mile and several hundred yards.
2A 4-year old played such a game all night long?
3The Click2Houston video shows that the dog owner is "pit bull in a barrel" breeder. Nice.

Photo: KTRK-TV

Posted on March 9, 2012 by Colleen Lynn

2012 Dog Bite Fatality: Rottweiler Kills 17-Month Old Boy in Jacksonville, Florida

Dylan Andre, 17-months old, was killed by his neighbor's chained rottweiler.

Bitten Repeatedly
Jacksonville, FL - A 17-month old boy died today after being mauled to death by a rottweiler. The attack ending Dylan Andres' life occurred in the 1000 block of Maynard Street just before noon. According to Chief of Detectives Tom Hackney, the boy left his mother when she was unpacking groceries from her car and walked into a neighbor's yard across the street and was attacked by the dog, which was chained to a pole. Hackney said the dog bit the child repeatedly.

Neighbor Jessica Golden said that she had just been to the store with Dylan and his mother, Destiny Kieszler, and was inside her home when she heard Kieszler's screams. She ran outside and saw Dylan's father trying to pull him away from the dog. "The dog had the baby in its mouth," Golden said. Hackney said the owner of the rottweiler was not home at the time of the incident. Family members wept near the horrific scene as they spoke about their nephew to reporters.

      "We were unloading groceries and the next thing we know we hear screams running out of the house and the dog had the baby in its mouth," said neighbor Jessica Golden.
      Neighbors took Dylan to UF and Shands hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Dylan's grandparents told Action News that this canine has been a concern for parents in the past, they've even reported it to police before. But Chief Tom Hackney, with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, says the dogs owner has never been cited by animal control.
      "I know they've had some issues with dogs in the streets within the past couple months. This dog does not appear to be involved in any of the previous incidents," said Hackney. - Action News Jax, March 9, 2012

View the DogsBite.org Google Map: U.S. Fatal Rottweiler Attacks By State

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