Woman attacked by four pit bulls
(CNS): Police have confirmed that a woman who was walking her own dog on Thursday afternoon in Prospect Drive was attacked by four other dogs, which she believed to be pit-bulls. An RCIPS spokesperson said a report regarding the incident was made to George Town Police Station around four o’clock yesterday afternoon. The attack happened as the woman passed a private property and the four suspected pit bulls came after her and the dog.
The woman has reportedly been treated for what other sources have indicated were significant injuries. Police said the matter is now under investigation by uniformed officers.
The issue of dangerous and ferocious dogs being at large continues to cause concern in the community as, despite laws banning and controlling the importation of dogs, some breeds, such as pit bulls, are being bred and sold locally. There have been complaints, too, that the laws regarding the control of dogs are not being properly upheld.
Sandra Catron, a local activist who has been vociferous on the issue of dangerous dogs, has dealt with a number of attacks on herself and her own pet Shih Tzu by a neighbouring dog that was not being properly controlled. Catron said she had warned that someone was going to get seriously hurt unless the law was enforced.
“I’m appalled that someone has been attacked by off-leash dogs but I am certainly not surprised,” she told CNS Friday following the news about what is understood to have been a frightened incident.
“From my own personal experiences it was only a matter of time. When pet owners have no regard for the safety of others, it’s a serious concern. These dogs need to be picked up and dealt with. My greatest fear is that a child will be killed by stray dogs. Only then is this likely to be taken seriously. The Animal Law has sufficient teeth even as currently drafted for the authorities to take immediate action. Pet owners must realize that they will be held accountable for any damage that their pets cause and I hope this lady can receive compensation for her medical bills. Being attacked by a dog is a very scary situation.”
Catron said it was more than one year since the last attack she experienced by a neighbouring dog but she remains anxious every time she walks her own dog, adding that she now always walks with a stick.
What’s even more scary…when one is riding in the road…quite often no sidewalks..a crazy dog jumping out at you on your bicycle tends to make you swerve…not much change out of a possible fatal collision with a car there….
This is very sad for all involved here. As a responsible owner of three large dogs
(admittedly they are house dogs during the day) not one of my dogs is ever
allowed to leave our property without being on a leash and walked by either
myself or my husband. I too live in this area and am more than aware of off leash dogs, some of which are very friendly but some of which cause trouble. I have
even witnessed nuisance dogs being “walked” off leash by their owners and when you politely request that these dogs are put on a leash as they have approached me and tried to interfere with my dogs, you are either ignored or have a mouthful of abuse thrown at you. We were also victim to one of our dogs whilst on a walk being attacked by a dog that had “escaped” and I use the term loosely. The vet’s fees for
stapling my dog’s chest and legs back together as you can imagine was in the
hundreds of dollars. I actually grabbed this dog whilst it was mauling my dog as another 30 seconds and the fight would have been over with one dead dog on our hands – putting my safety at risk too had this dog decided to turn on me. I leashed
this dog and took it back to its “home”. Having banged on the door numerous times and seeing the curtains twitch I ended up tethering this dog to a tree in the front
yard of its owner’s property. When I went round there with photos of my bleeding dog I was told that “it is not my dog but my boyfriend’s”. When told that I would like to speak to said “boyfriend” as I believe some financial assistance would be acceptable towards the vet’s fees, I was told he was “not there”. I could not be bothered to argue and left it at that. I do not want to see dogs living a miserable life constantly chained; I also don’t want to witness any further violent attacks on humans or other dogs; nor do I want to witness a loose dog getting hit by a car and left for dead. If the Animal Control department were backed 100% by the Police to enforce laws and to
take action when required then people may think twice about owning a dog in the
future. Fines should be imposed on those owners that frequently let their dog loose during the day (mainly because they can’t be bothered to walk the animal themselves – pure laziness) but also dogs being treated badly need to be removed without the Animal Control officer being threatened which, apparently, is very common. If the Police were in attendance then I think such threats might not be so frightening to hear as all of this could form part of a very good “case” against the owners. Those owners that cannot afford the fine can obviously not afford to look after their dog properly and, sad to say, it would be better for the dog to be removed. These
loose dogs who have also not been “fixed” are a problem. There are more than enough unwanted dogs on this island yet owners of “unfixed” dogs are too damn arrogant to do anything about it and allow their animals to roam free. There is a breeder close to me who constantly breeds and half of her dogs are allowed to roam – they are in a terrible condition yet she has been reported time after time and NOTHING has been done about her or her poor dogs – she CAN afford to do something about her dogs, especially when she is selling puppies for over CI$2k a time! There are charities set up for those that cannot afford the vet’s fees for having their animal spayed or neutered. Transportation is even arranged free of charge yet people, once again, are too lazy to make the phone call. I would propose that it be made law that any “loose” dog that has not been fixed is picked up and fixed. If it does not have any ID on it then it is put up for adoption – easier said that done, I know as the HS is bursting at the seams and the animal charities are also stretched. Most people know these dogs AND their owners in their own neighbourhood: my husband and I are most definitely known for walking our dogs on leash and in ALL weathers because we care. Just a shame other “owners” don’t have
the brains to be a “responsible” owner.
I wonder how many readers of CNS have ever seen West Indians walking their dogs on leashes regularly for exercise and or companionship. I suggest it is a rare occurrence-not totally unheard of- but rare. In the vicinity of where I live there are nine dogs, seven large ones two small ones. The two small ones are walked, one by an expat, the other by a Caymanian. Of the remaining seven, five are permanently chained (and barking) and two are loose now and then to allow them to mess up outside of their yards. These seven are “owned” by West Indians. In several years I have never once seen them walking any dogs.
I have often come across West Indians walking their dogs on leads, when out walking my own two large dogs on leads on the beach. I have had no problems with locals but I can honestly say I have repeatedly had problems with ex pats (and I am one) letting their dogs run loose on the beach and when I shout ahead and ask them to secure their dogs always get the same reply “oh its alright he/she/they are friendly, but that’s assuming my (leased) dogs are friendly and even if they are, it doesn’t help me when I am suddenly getting dragged all over by my two dogs trying to play with the loose dogs running circles around us. Having said that, I do agree that there appears to be a widespread culture on Cayman of having pets simply to keep them chained or tethered in yards without proper exercise; just as I see many pet owners turning their dogs loose to roam the streets and tip up all the bins spreading trash all over the streets – now that is something that does need to be addressed.
My friend was attacked by two dogs and bitten by one of them a couple of weeks ago – I am terrified to run anywhere I think there may be stray or loose dogs running around – SOMETHING MUST BE DONE NOW to enforce the leash laws here……
Animal welfare by locals is a disgrace……. another story to make a mockery of the caymankind mantra
A young child was recently killed in Jamaica by a big do breed – just last week. Is that what we are waiting for? http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/latestnews/Toddler-mauled-to-death-by-dogs-in-St-Ann
This is so sad! I wonder if her dog is ok? She could have easily been killed by 1 dog much less 2. We need to address this issue and I know that Ms. Catron spoke out about it all that time ago and still nothing has been done!
I do not expect anyone to do anything other than pay lip service. I live in the neighbourhood and am aware of this shocking incident. The DOE came around and did nothing other than give the owner a friendly warning! Does someone have to die before action is taken against the owner?
The island is awash with “ferocious dogs” today. Just the other day as I was teaching my niece to ride her 1st bicycle, it was a next to impossible task due to the barking and charging of said dogs (thankfully tied or gated) in the neighbourhood. She was scared stiff and married to the stressful experience of learning to ride a bike, it was hopeless.
It is only a matter of time until a child is actually killed by these animals.
I get the point that the issue is not the dog but the owner, however, had the worst happened that day, such an excuse would mean absolutely zilch to me or her parents. Not to mention, the dog would have been immediately killed (and perhaps anyone who decided to get in the way as well).
I suggest banning certain breeds and even destroying them if they slip through the filters.
Many will obviously disagree, but we are talking about the safety and lives of our children, and in this case, adults as well.
No Sandra ! ” these dogs dont need to be picked and dealt with ” the pets owner needs to be picked up and dealt with.
I understand your comment, Okra, and the reasoning behind it which I agree with, but, sadly, given the circumstances the dogs do indeed need to be picked up and dealt with – humanely – as their actions will likely be repeated. Just research dog attacks in the UK to see what can happen.
Em the law not being enforced, where have I heard that before.
Looks like we need some paraquat.
No, we do not need paraquat. That is vile and cruel and you should be ashamed of yourself even if it is supposed to be some sort of ironic joke. What we need is a very active, long term drive by Government through the RCIPS and Animal Control/Agriculture Department to implement existing laws which would address the out of control issue of dog owners (“owners” in the loosest sense of the word) who pay no real attention to their animals other than feeding them, chaining them all day and night and then letting them off the chain to wander the districts to urinate and defecate in other people’s yards, kill and leave chickens strewn around the place and attack and often kill people’s cats. And now they have attacked a person. The UK is having dreadful problems with dog attacks on a weekly basis. It will happen here soon. Within 200 square metres of my house there are four large stray dogs roaming at “bathroom break” times and two persons breeding and selling puppies for chaining up as watch dogs. Just try the reasonable, neighbourly approach of trying to talk to the “owners” about the problem, if you know who they are, and see what abuse you get. Some time back, I pointed out to the “dog catchers” that when I drive around the island, I see many dogs just roaming the sides of the roads so surely they must see them too? Why don’t you just stop your van and pick them up? They agreed they saw many such loose dogs but “you see, sir, we are understaffed, we don’t have the space for them, the owners have rights etc etc”. Horse dead, cow fat, the usual excuses for non action. I began this post by criticizing the (possibly facetious) suggestion of the use of paraquat. I abhor the poisoning of animals. But the sad fact is that I do understand the frustration and despair of people constantly harassed by stray rampaging dogs taking matters into their own hands. I repeat, I understand it, but I don’t condone it. Something else-humane- must be done.