Posted on August 7, 2022 by Colleen Lynn

2022 Dog Bite Fatality: Family Dog Attacks and Kills Owner, a 62-Year Old Man, in Castaic, California

Robert Stevens, 62, died after being attacked by a family dog in Castaic, California.

Breed Information Released
UPDATE 08/09/22: On Monday, officials with Los Angeles Animal Care and Control released the dog breed information after the fatal attack. Despite information from dispatch audio files stating the dog is a pit bull, Don Belton, a spokesperson for Animal Care and Control, said the dog is a "rottweiler mastiff." It is unclear who made the 911 call, but this was a family dog attack inside the owner's home. Thus, someone in the home made the 911 call and incorrectly identified the breed?

Also, a rottweiler is already a mastiff-type -- it's one of the many molosser breeds that includes all mastiffs and bully breeds. So, labeling this dog a "rottweiler mastiff" is akin to labeling a Labrador retriever, a "Labrador retriever-retriever mix" or a bullmastiff, a "bullmastiff-mastiff mix." It's redundant for unknown reasons, unless the coat color deviates so significantly from a rottweiler's black with rich tan markings in certain areas, that this dog lacks any clear rottweiler appearance.

Finally, the canine is also being described as a "rescued" cane corso, which in southern California indicates a mastiff-mix of many possible varieties, not an Italian cane corso. "It was an unprovoked attack on one of the owners," said Detective Scott Matlock, an investigator with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau. "There was a married couple and they actually rescued the dog five years ago," he said. The investigation is being treated as an "accidental death," Matlock said.

08/07/22: Owner-Directed Fatal Attack
Castaic, CA - On Friday, a 62-year old man was attacked and killed by a family dog in Castaic, Sgt. Clark, of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station, said. Castaic is an unincorporated community in northwest Los Angeles County. Around 4:10 pm, first responders received reports of a dog attack in progress in the 31000 block of Gelding Road. The man was identified as Robert Stevens, 62, of Castaic, according to officials with the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office.

“The family dog attacked a male in his house. He did not survive from his wounds.” - Sgt. Clark, Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station

Audio dispatch log files from the Los Angeles County Sheriff, Fire and Aircraft - Santa Clarita Valley channel on Broadcastify.com report the attacking dog was a pit bull. "Bit by a pit bull. Unknown status. Fire and animal control is en route," states the dispatcher at 9:00 minutes. "We're on scene … states that her husband is currently being attacked by the dog right now in the house. Can you let sheriff know? Possibly a pit bull," states a responder at about 14 minutes.

Around 16 minutes, the dispatcher repeats the call information. 31000 block of "Gelding Road, cross of Royal in Castaic. Male 60. Bit by pit bull. Unknown status. Fire, animal control en route for Fire. [Male] is currently being attacked by this pit bull … Additional responders over to Gelding and Royal," she states. At 25 minutes, a responder replies, "Dog is contained in the backyard right now." No breed information was released by the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station.

Audio Dispatch File: Los Angeles County Sheriff, Fire and Aircraft - Santa Clarita Valley1

A report from The Signal states this was an owner-directed fatal attack. Lt. Dan Wolanski, watch commander for the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station, confirmed the dog killed its owner.

The fatal dog attack occurred Friday in the 31000 block of Gelding Road in Castaic, California.

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

1Audio file has been truncated to remove empty space-time and unrelated cases.

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 August 1, 2022 by Colleen Lynn

2022 Dog Bite Fatality: Man Killed by Dogs While Walking in Residential Neighborhood in Selma, California

Officers confiscate at least four dogs after the animals killed a man in a Selma neighborhood.

Bulldog Kennel Identified
UPDATE 08/01/22: The breeder of these mongrel English bulldogs has been located. It's "painfully" clear that Selma police are standing outside of the same residence that dominates the "Four Brothers Bulldog Kennel" Instagram and TikTok pages. Owner claims his dogs are AKC registered English bulldogs. Victor Carranza also claims he is "preserving the true essence, structure and temperament of the English bulldog," which apparently, includes killing people.

Four Brothers Bulldog Kennel is located at the same residence where the dogs were seized.

07/31/22: Selma Police Media Release
Selma, CA - A 59-year old man died Sunday after being mauled by dogs. Selma police officers were dispatched to the 3000 block of Goldridge Street at about 1:00 pm Sunday on reports of a man being attacked by several dogs. When officers arrived, one person was trying to separate the dogs from the victim. Offers rendered first aid until paramedics arrived. The man was transported to a hospital, where he died of his injuries, states a release from the Selma Police Department.

At least four dogs -- all of the same bull breed-mix -- were confiscated. During the course of the investigation, it was discovered the dogs escaped from a nearby residence and attacked the victim as he walked through the residential neighborhood. The person who came to the victim's aid was also bitten by one of the dogs, but the injury was minor. Detectives are actively investigating the case. "The owner of the dogs is cooperating with investigators," states the media release.

JRMedia559 was at the scene and filmed as Selma police and an animal control officer confiscated the dogs. Police used bean bag rounds and tasers to subdue the dogs. The animal control officer is seen dragging each dog out to his truck labeled with a Second Chance Animal Shelter logo. One woman screams in the background while watching one dog being struck by a bean bag pellet, then wrestled and hauled away by the animal control officer using a catch pole.

The dogs appear to be a combination of Olde English bulldogge and American bully. The Olde English bulldogge is a staple breeding component among many American bully breeders. "The American bully breed developed as a natural extension of the American pit bull terrier," according to the United Kennel Club. The breed was "subtly influenced by the infusion of several other breeds, which include the American bulldog, English bulldog, and Olde English bulldogge."

Back in 2012, 30-year old Remedios Romero-Solares was killed by a pack of similar dogs in San Diego County. The owner of those dogs was breeding the animals for sale. Those particular bulldogges were crossed with American bulldogs to increase their size. The shorter Selma dogs show an intense thickness (aka "bulliness"), which is an essential characteristic of the American bully, which comes in four sizes, including the pocket bully (smallest) and XL bully (largest).

Memorial, GoFundMe Created

KFSN reports that a cross and a candle have been set up at the site of the deadly dog attack on Goldridge Street near Balboa. "In Memory of Hutch," is written on the wooden cross. Police have not released the victim's identity. No information has been released about the dogs' owner, except that the individual is "cooperating with investigators." It is unknown if the dogs have a history of getting loose or behaving aggressively. It is unknown if criminal charges are being considered.

Late Monday, we located a GoFundMe for the victim, identified by family as Richard "Hutch" Barry.

fatal Bulldogs kill Selma man, Richard Hutch Barry

Two bull breed-mix dogs being confiscated after killing a man in a Selma neighborhood.

Bulldogs kill Selma man, Richard Hutch Barry

A memorial cross for the victim, Richard "Hutch" Barry, was place where the attack occurred.

Posted on July 30, 2022 by Colleen Lynn

Sebewaing Police Chief Takes Pit Bull 'Lucifer' into Custody; Issues Rare and Inspiring Community Advisement

Police Respond to "Neighborhood Living in Fear" of Vicious Dog

Sebewaing Police Chief Steven Repkie issues Community Advisement after dog seized.

Community Advisement
Sebewaing, MI - On July 29, Sebewaing Police Chief Steven Repkie issued a Community Advisement after a pit bull, named "Lucifer," viciously attacked a child in the face causing severe injuries. "The bite missed her carotid artery by mere centimeters," states the release, and she will need reconstructive surgery. The owner of the dog was arrested on municipal charges, but still did not properly contain his pit bull. "The neighborhood was living in fear of Lucifer," Repkie said.

The neighborhood was "basically being held hostage in their homes, hoping and praying that this dog did not break loose and injure or kill someone," Chief Repkie said. In order to obtain a vicious dog designation in the state of Michigan, there must be two unwarranted bites, "except in extenuating circumstances." Chief Repkie worked with Assistant Huron County Prosecutor Alexander Pahany to achieve this, and thus were able to obtain a court order to seize the animal.

In no surprise to DogsBite.org, as the paperwork for the extenuating circumstances was being completed, "Lucifer" attacked a second person. An order to seize "Lucifer" was signed by the Huron District Court Magistrate on July 28. Chief Repkie and another officer then physically seized the "100 pound beast," he said. "We had to enter the home and catch Lucifer on a snare pole," Chief Repkie said. "To be honest, I’m still sore today from being on the end of the catch pole."

Ironically, as the paperwork was being completed, a second bite report came into the Sebewaing Police regarding Lucifer. When interviewed, the victim, an adult male, said he was riding his skateboard when from out of nowhere, he was attacked by a Pitbull that knocked him to the ground and viciously attacked him, causing significant injuries to his right arm. Fearing for his life and while the dog had his teeth firmly clamped onto his forearm, he was able to take hold of the dogs collar with his left hand and twist the collar to the point that the dog nearly lost consciousness. It then loosened it’s grip and the victim was able to get away. He identified the dog that attacked him as Lucifer.

An order to seize Lucifer was signed by the Huron District Court Magistrate and on Thursday morning, after finding a secure facility to accept Lucifer, Officer Matt Kuhl and myself went to the home to follow the court order and seize the animal. The resident of the home would not or could not bring Lucifer out to Officers. We had to enter the home and catch Lucifer on a snare pole. We then had to wrestle the dog outside and into a cage. Lucifer was taken to a secure facility to be housed pending court proceedings. - Sebewaing Police Chief Community Advisement

Next Repkie gave a "statement from me" that no one could appreciate more than the late Richard Buffalin, a devoted commenter on DogsBite.org, who passed away in January 2022. "I will NOT allow my community to be held hostage by a dog. People should NOT be afraid to walk through their neighborhoods. People should NOT have to sit on their back porch with a gun on the table in fear of being attacked," Repkie said. "I thank God that neither of the victims had been killed."

Additional charges are pending against "Lucifer's" owner, Chief Repkie said in the statement. He checks in on the 5-year old victim's condition frequently, he said, and has offered both Zeus and Apollo, his unit's two police K-9s, for "K9 Therapy" to help the little girl with trauma from the facial attack. He has also spoken with the skateboarder, the second victim, "checking on his condition as well," he said. He closed his Community Advisement with: "Strength and Honor Sebewaing!"

I will NOT allow my community to be held hostage by a dog. People should NOT be afraid to walk through their neighborhoods. People should NOT have to sit on their back porch with a gun on the table in fear of being attacked. I will, as expeditiously as I can, address matters such as this and to the fullest extent of the law, fulfill my duties to the citizens that I serve and enforce the laws of this Village, the State of Michigan and the United States of America.

I thank God that neither of the victims had been killed. I check in on the 5 year old often and I have offered Zeus and Apollo as “K9 Therapy” if needed to help her with the trauma of the attack. I have also spoken with our skateboarder, checking on his condition as well.

So in closing, we have Village leash laws that state, a dog must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet and controlled by a person capable of controlling said animal. Dogs are to be licensed and vaccinated. They are not to be allowed to be at large within the Village and wander through others yards or in the street.

Strength and Honor Sebewaing! - Sebewaing Police Chief Community Advisement

Commenters

We encourage readers to go through the comments on Chief Repkie's post. One person wrote, "I wish we had this kind of attitude in Caro. Bravo to you, I fear for my safety everyday in Caro, because they are unwilling to fight for the people, and only help the owners keep the dog. Thank you for standing up for your community!" Another called Repkie a "True Blue Hero, and I'm grateful our community has been blessed by having you in charge." DogsBite.org agrees in full!

The father of the little girl also shared a photo of her in the comment section. The father then admitted to being the owner of a pit bull himself, whose dog "has been in training since he was born and will be until the day he dies." No one said the father's pit bull was anything like "Lucifer," but nevertheless, the father had to defend his dog as if someone had. And, "Chihuahuas," the father proclaimed, "are the lead dog for dog bites but you never hear about them in the news."

Summary

We wish there were many more Community Advisements like the one issued by Sebewaing Police Chief Steven Repkie. We were moved to tears upon reading it. That is how rare it is for dog mauling victims to feel heard -- to feel there actually are laws that protect them -- even antiquated laws that require two serious bites before a seizure and vicious declaration. Recall the extenuating circumstances; Repkie and the prosecutor had been working hard to avoid the second attack.

"Lucifer" the "100 pound beast," however, beat them to the punch.

That Chief Repkie made it a priority to declare that he "will NOT allow my community to be held hostage by a dog. People should NOT be afraid to walk through their neighborhoods," is another heroic rarity. Victims of dog bites and attacks understand just how much power the owner of one dangerous or intimidating dog has -- he or she yields the power to destroy an entire neighborhood -- and the only response by animal control is, "Nothing we can do about it until it attacks again."

Posted on July 27, 2022 by Colleen Lynn

2022 Dog Bite Fatality: Family Pit Bull Mutilates, Kills 70-Year Old Woman in Nassau County, New York

Near the scene after a family pit bull mutilates, kills a 70-year old woman in Nassau County.

Woman Killed by Family Pit Bull
Albertson, NY - A 70-year old woman is dead after being horrifically attacked by a 7-year old family pit bull. Police were dispatched to 10 Terrace Court at about 1:00 pm Wednesday. The 911 call came from the victim's husband, who witnessed part of the gruesome attack, Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder, said. "When he got home, he walked into the backyard -- at that time the dog was still eating on the body," Ryder said during a press conference today.

"The scene was pretty horrific we don’t know what time the attack took place," Ryder said. "There was obviously a lot of mutilation on the body."

"The wife was in the backyard, on the ground, mutilated by the dog," Ryder said. "[The husband] called 911. The first officer on the scene, the dog turned on our officer. The officer fired at the dog, killing the dog, putting down the 7-year old pit bull." That officer, who has 15 years of experience on the force, was so horrified by what he saw at the scene that he is being treated at a hospital. The pit bull belonged to the victim's step-son who died in a motorcycle crash a few weeks ago.

WNBC captured additional parts of the press conference, including that there had been no prior reports to police about this home. "We have had no domestic calls to this house," Commissioner Ryder said. "We have had no reports to this house regarding the dog. So at this time, we don't know why the dog turned on the woman." The pit bull was described to WNBC as a large and muscular animal, close to 100 pounds. Police said that no criminality appears to be involved.

"It is an horrific scene. When the husband arrived at one o'clock, he went into the backyard and he found his wife being attacked by the dog, at that time. Being dragged through the yard ... When he got home, he walked into the backyard. At that time, the dog was still eating on the body." - Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder

WNBC also uncovered images of the victim's step-son, Giorgi Chochia, who was tragically killed in a motorcycle crash on July 17 while riding his bike on the Wantagh, according to a GoFundMe, along with an image of his fatally attacking pit bull. WNBC reports the son and his dog had lived at the parent's home before his death, and the parents began caring for the dog after his death. Thus, the victim had been familiar with the dog before it attacked, mutilated and killed her.

Neighbors told CBS New York, "We didn't hear anything," Jamie Elqorchi said. "My husband was in the backyard. We didn't hear a dog. We didn't hear an attack. Nothing." This is a nonstarter -- a "focused" pit bull fighting, is typically noiseless. Another neighbor said that he remembered the son. "When he was alive, he used to walk [the dog] with both hands holding the leash. That dog was leading him," he said. The New York Post identified the victim as 70-year old Marina Verriest.

The victim's son-in-law (left), his fatally attacking pit bull and attack victim Marina Verriest.

View the DogsBite.org Google State Map: New York Fatal Pit Bull Attacks.

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Police Respond to "Neighborhood Living in Fear" of Vicious Dog