Posted on July 13, 2023 by Colleen Lynn

Rescue Rottweiler Leaves Victim with "Uncontrollable Bleeding;" Police Lockdown Town's Recreation Center

Rosendale Police rescue victim with "uncontrollable bleeding" after rottweiler attack.

Rescue Rottweiler Attacks
Rosendale, NY - On Tuesday, the Rosendale Police Department responded to a life-threatening dog attack on Madeline Lane, where a caller reported the dog was "ripping the arm off" the victim. "As a result of the nature of the attack and the proximity to the Rosendale Recreation Center, a lockdown of the Rec Center, including the summer camp was conducted," states the release. Responding officers were able to remove the rottweiler from the victim and secure the animal.

Rosendale Police Department

On July 11, 2023 the Rosendale Police Department responded to a reported serious dog attack on Madeline Lane in Rosendale, in which it was reported the dog was "ripping the arm off." As a result of the nature of the attack and the proximity to the Rosendale Recreation Center, a lockdown of the Rec Center, including the summer camp was conducted. Responding officers were able to separate the rottweiler dog from the victim and safely secure the animal. The victim received severe injuries and had uncontrollable bleeding at the time, which resulted in tourniquets being applied to prevent death. The victim was transported to Mid-Hudson Regional Hospital.

The Ulster County SPCA took custody of the dog and after an investigation including a review of past incidents involving the dog, the animal was euthanized. The dog had previously been a rescue animal.

The Town of Rosendale Police Department was assisted at the scene by the New York State Police, Ulster County SPCA, Ulster County Sheriff's Office, and Mobile Life Support Services.

The Ulster County SPCA, which acts as the Dog Control Officer (DCO) for the Town of Rosendale, took custody of the rottweiler. The SPCA left a comment on the Rosendale Police Department's press release stating that the "rescue" rottweiler was not adopted from their shelter. The SPCA designated the bite as a Level 5 Bite on the Ian Dunbar Scale -- a Level 6 Bite is death. A Level 5 Bite is "extremely dangerous and mutilates." The SPCA euthanized the "rescue" rottweiler.

However, the SPCA also claimed that "the origin of this dog (rescue/shelter) is not relevant to the behavior or the outcome, as each dog is an individual, and behavior is determined and expressed by a variety of influencing factors." Since the Ulster County SPCA did not assess this dog prior to its adoption, how could the SPCA verify any aspect of their claim? We predict that a civil lawsuit could result from this attack because actions of the origin rescue/shelter may indeed be relevant.

Ulster County SPCA -- Dog Control Officer

Although the Ulster County SPCA serves as the only Humane Law Enforcement (HLE) agency in the County, our response to this incident was in our capacity as the Dog Control Officer (DCO) for the Town of Rosendale. This dog had not been adopted from our shelter, but as the DCO, the dog was impounded to our custody and transported to our shelter. In accordance with the Dunbar Dog Bite Assessment, this was a Level 5 bite incident, defined as "multiple bites at Level 4 or above. A concerted, repeated attack." This level of bite additionally categorizes a dog as "unhealthy and untreatable," as this behavior is neither rehabilitative nor manageable. The resulting outcome is euthanasia. It is important that the public understands the objective methods used in determining euthanasia decisions. The origin of this dog (rescue/shelter) is not relevant to the behavior or the outcome, as each dog is an individual, and behavior is determined and expressed by a variety of influencing factors. These situations are emotional and difficult for all involved and, especially with social media, it can be easy to make assumptions and lay blame. We ask for compassion and thoughtfulness for those involved in this tragic incident. Thank you.

The age and gender of the victim were not disclosed. "Uncontrollable bleeding" and "ripping the arm off" of a victim can have different implications for a 35-year old male, versus and 65-year old male or female. Mid-Hudson Regional Hospital in Poughkeepsie is a Level II trauma center. Victims with these types of injuries are typically taken to the nearest Level I trauma center or transported to a Level II and upon "being stabilized," the victim is flown to a Level I trauma center.

Posted on July 7, 2023 by Colleen Lynn

Rational Voice Emerges in the UK as Violence by the XL Bully Surges - Dr. Lawrence Newport

Dr. Newport explains the rising violence of the XL bully in the UK and why breed matters.

London, UK - Dr. Lawrence Newport, a law and criminology lecturer at Royal Holloway University, recently published a video about the growing violence of the XL bully in the UK. Last year, we issued a special report calling on the UK to define a status dog phenotype, because too many pit bull-type dogs are evading the "banned breeds" in the Dangerous Dog Act. The Act bans American pit bull terriers but does not restrict "designer" pit bull breeds, such as the XL pit bull or XL bully.

Dr. Newport takes viewers on a historical journey that most readers of this website already know: the history of the pit bull breed and why breed matters. "So why is it so controversial to say that a breed is more violent than any other?" he asks. "After all we know that different dog breeds have different traits." Newport then uses the exceptionally apt comparison of racing dogs, who endure horrific lives of confinement and abuse, but have never been implicated in a fatal dog mauling.1

After eight fatal dog maulings over a 4-week period in the U.S., of which 88% (7/8) involved pit bulls and the other involved a large bull terrier and cane corso, we wanted to share Dr. Newport's research in this area. "Whilst not all dogs of a breed will show these characteristics, breed matters. To say it doesn't ignores thousands of years of history," he states. We add that denying breed matters also ignores thousands of years of human observation and selection for specific traits.

Dr. Newport explains the rising violence of the XL bully in the UK and why breed matters.

Posted on July 5, 2023 by Colleen Lynn

2023 Dog Bite Fatality: Boy Dies After Severe Injuries Inflicted by Family Pit Bull on July Fourth in North Port, Florida

A North Port child violently attacked by a family pit bull on the Fourth of July has died.

Boy Dies After Dog Attack
North Port, FL - A 6-year old boy is dead after sustaining "severe injuries" from a family dog on the Fourth of July. The North Port Police Department (NPPD) responded to a home in the 2700 block of Badger Lane at about 10:30 am on the holiday. The boy was airlifted to Sarasota Memorial Hospital, a Level II trauma center, then transferred to Tampa General Hospital, a Level I trauma center. By 3:15 pm Wednesday, the boy had died due to injuries suffered to "the upper torso."

As first responders were en route, audio dispatch log files from Sarasota County Fire state, "6-year old male was bitten in the throat." North Port Police Chief Todd Garrison stated in a press release, "Our hearts are broken for this young child and his family. As a father and pet owner, I know this is one of the worst tragedies you can imagine. We ask that everyone take a few moments to pay respect and reflect on those you care for in your life. Our time here is precious.”

The dog involved, a 3-year old pit bull-mix, was taken into custody by Sarasota County Animal Services, and remains in their custody. At this stage, NPPD officials said investigators are not aware of any previous incidents involving the dog's behavior. Officials also confirmed that the dog lived in the same home as the child since it was a puppy. The case remains "active and ongoing" as of Wednesday afternoon, according to North Port Police spokesperson Josh Taylor.

At least eight Americans have been killed by dogs in the last four weeks. 63% of these deaths involved a pet dog killing a family member. Each of these deaths involved a pit bull or bull breed. The North Port attack appears to have been savage. It was clearly a disproportionate response to whatever event, if any, precipitated the violent attack. This "family pet" repeatedly attacked the child in the stomach, upper torso and neck, if one combines the different media reports.

North Port Police Department

UPDATE: The North Port Police Department continues to investigate the dog bite incident involving a 6-year-old child Tuesday. The boy passed away at Tampa General Hospital as a result of the severe injuries sustained. They included trauma to the upper torso area.

Initially, life-saving measures were performed and the child was flown to Sarasota Memorial Hospital with extensive traumatic injuries. Once the child was stabilized, he was later flown to Tampa General for additional procedures.

This is an active and ongoing case. At this time, no charges have been filed. The animal involved was taken from the home by Sarasota County Animal Services, where it remains. The 3-year-old dog’s breed is considered a pit bull mix. NPPD is not aware of any previous incidents involving the animal’s behavior.

“Our hearts are broken for this young child and his family. As a father and pet owner, I know this is one of the worst tragedies you can imagine,” said North Port Police Chief Todd Garrison. “We ask that everyone take a few moments to pay respect and reflect on those you care for in your life. Our time here is precious.”

The North Port Police Department will continue to provide support to those impacted by this case. As this is an active and ongoing case, no further details will be released at this time.

EARLIER: The North Port Police Department responded to the 2700 block of Badger Lane in reference to a dog bite involving a 6-year-old child around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday morning. The child was flown to Sarasota Memorial Hospital as a trauma alert. Both the child and the animal reside at the home.

Sarasota County Animal Services has also responded to assist in the handling of the animal.

No further details will be released at this time. More information will be provided when appropriate.

Child is Identified

Late Wednesday, local news outlets began identifying the child as Daylan Guillen. NBC 2 News spoke to people who knew Guillen at the North Port Area Little League. Guillen loved to play baseball. He never wanted to leave the field. “He was just a really sweet, happy-go-lucky kid. Loved to play baseball," said Nicole O’Brien, a secretary for the league. The league has organized a GoFundMe to help the boy's family pay for his extensive medical costs and funeral costs.

The fundraiser states that Guillen was also an organ donor. Doctors "were able to save his kidneys and they will be donated to two other little kids in need," states the fundraiser. "He was flown twice to two different hospitals by helicopter. They did so many procedures to try to save sweet Daylan’s life. The hospitals and doctors were amazing and did the best they could and everything they could to save him but unfortunately there wasn’t anything left to do to save him."

NBC 2 News also captured part of a Ring video that shows people rushing to help the boy moments after the attack. NPPD Spokesperson Josh Taylor added more details too. “The dog was in a bedroom, the child walked into the bedroom to get something," Taylor said. "Next thing you know, people heard screaming and jumped into action.” Some commenters have speculated that the sound of firecrackers triggered the dog, but the attack occurred at 10:30 in the morning.

Daylan Guillen, 6-years old, died after sustaining traumatic injuries from a family pit bull-mix.

The middle pit bull, "Theo" came into the home in November 2019. He is currently 3 years old (the suspect). Left, "Decklyn" is 5 years old. Right, "Carter" is 4 years old and a different breed.

child killed by family pit bull on badger lane

Badger Lane neighborhood where a family pit bull-mix attacked a child on the Fourth of July.

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

Baseline reporting requirements:
Law enforcement departments across the United States should release consistent "baseline" information to the media and the public after each fatal dog mauling, including these items.

Posted on July 4, 2023 by Colleen Lynn

2023 Dog Bite Fatality: Man, 67, Killed by Daughter's Dogs While Dog Sitting in Johnston County, North Carolina

Anthony Bastardi, 67, was killed Monday while dog sitting for his daughter in Johnston County.

Dogs Had Bitten Earlier
Wilson's Mills, NC - One day before the July 4th holiday, a 67-year old man was killed by a pair of dogs while dog sitting them. The attack occurred around 12:40 pm in the 100 block of Eddleston Court, the Johnston County Sheriff's Office said. When Wilson's Mills police arrived at the scene, both dogs were still actively attacking the man. The responding officer shot and killed both dogs. The dogs, a pet cane corso and a bull terrier, belong to the victim's daughter and son-in-law.

WRLA-TV reports the responding officer found Anthony Gerard Bastardi on the ground in the front yard of the home, where the attack occurred, with "one of the dogs over his head." Bastardi had gone to check on the dogs while the couple was out of town. WTVD reports the cane corso was at least 80 pounds and the bull terrier around 50 pounds. Thus, it was not a mini-bull terrier, but a standard size, which has no height or weight limits, according to the UKC Breed Standard.

According to the JoCo Report, the couple had hired a veterinary hospital employee to care for the dogs while they were out of town. While at the home, the female veterinary hospital employee let both dogs into the fenced-in backyard. That's when the cane corso bit her on the leg. She then retreated back inside the home to safety and notified the pet owners. The family then contacted Bastardi, who was familiar with both dogs, asking for his help. Bastardi arrived at about 12:30 pm.

While in the home alone, Bastardi was attacked by the dogs inside the home. The vicious attack continued after Bastardi exited the front door of the home on Eddleston Court. According to investigators, Bastardi was already dead in the front yard by the time they arrived at 12:40 pm. The timeframe, at least at this stage, indicates that Bastardi was immediately, and fatally, attacked by the pair of dogs just after Bastardi told the hospital employee that it was okay for her to leave.

Pet Sitting Deaths

This man's death marks the fifth fatal attack of a dog sitter this year. In May, Rita Vasquez, 58, was killed while dog sitting her daughter's pit bull-mix in Texas. Also in May, Marion County Deputy Tamieka White, 46, was killed while dog sitting three pit bulls for a friend in Indiana. In April, Dezmond Trawick, 22, was killed while dog sitting four pit bulls for his brother in Minnesota. In March, Kristen Potter, 38, was killed by two great danes she was dog sitting in Pennsylvania.

In each of these cases, the victims were adults, ages 22 to 67-years old. Four of the five deaths involved the dog sitter caring for multiple large dogs at the time. Three of the five deaths involved pit bulls. Bastardi's death also marks another fatal dog mauling in Johnston County, North Carolina since 2021. During the 2021 pandemic year, a pair of family rottweilers killed a baby in Willow Spring, whose parents worked for Wake County law enforcement and Johnston County EMS.

killed while dog sitting johnston county

WRAL-TV obtained images of the dogs when the cane corso was younger (July/2022).

johnston county man killed while do sitting

We were able to locate images of "Rocky" and "Bruno" a tad more recently (Sept/2022).

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