California
Pitbull euthanized after several attacks, including 8-year-old girl in Martinez
Pitbull euthanized after a number of assaults, together with 8-year-old woman in Martinez
A pitbull liable for a minimum of three assaults together with a bit of woman, was surrendered by the canine’s proprietor and euthanized by Contra Costa County Animal Providers on Thursday.
MARTINEZ, Calif. – A pitbull liable for a minimum of three assaults, together with a bit of woman, was surrendered by the canine’s proprietor and euthanized by Contra Costa County Animal Providers on Thursday.
Neighbors referred to as for the canine, Spot, a 15-month-old pitbull, to be put down after in attacked 8-year-old Layla Silva as she performed on a swing in her entrance yard in Martinez on Monday. She suffered puncture wounds and chunk marks on her arm and again.
“It’s heartbreaking,” mom Heather Silva stated. “I needed to kill the canine. I used to be simply so offended.”
The canine was leashed on the time of the assault Silva stated, however the proprietor’s pal was unable to regulate the pitbull.
However now there’s a way of solace realizing the canine is not going to be returning house.
“I feel the most important menace is gone,” neighbor Stephanie Moon stated. “It was preventable. Every thing up till this level has been very reactive.”
Moon was additionally concerned in an unprovoked assault by Spot within the driveway of her Saxon Avenue house.
SEE ALSO: Canine bites and assaults girl weeks after harmful animal designation dropped
Following Moon’s encounter, Spot was designated as a probably harmful canine, underneath Contra Costa County’s harmful animal ordinance. It required the proprietor to endure a house inspection, submit warning indicators, and muzzle the canine anytime it was outdoors of the home.
A number of neighbors advised KTVU they had been upset animal management had not taken swifter motion. However officers stated they’ll’t simply take a canine as a result of pets are thought-about private property.
“It doesn’t simply occur in a single day,” Capt. Jane DeMay Andreotti answerable for area companies stated. “We’ve got to undergo the steps, enable the proprietor due course of after which make choices based mostly on our inside protocols and state regulation.”
On this case, the investigation revealed the proprietor didn’t comply with the regulation and situations of the possibly harmful canine allow. Spot was not muzzled on the time he bit Layla and the proprietor’s pal failed to keep up management of Spot.
It was due to these violations and the very fact the canine had a historical past of biting that the county made the choice to euthanize the canine.
SEE ALSO: Pitbull assaults for third time, neighbors name for canine to be euthanized
“Not each animal is a protected animal to be put again out into a house. On this circumstance, sadly, for this canine that rang true,” Andreotti stated.
Whereas the proprietor didn’t reply to KTVU for remark, some neighbors made playing cards and wrote messages of gratitude and empathy to the proprietor in hopes peace will return to the neighborhood.
“Thanks for placing our security first,” 11-year-old Abrianna Bittner stated as she learn her card. “We respect it very a lot. I notice it was one thing very onerous so that you can do.”
“He’s doing the appropriate factor,” mom Andrea Bittner stated. “Our children ought to really feel protected in their very own properties. It’s an enormous reduction.”
Brooks Jarosz is an investigative reporter for KTVU. E-mail him at brooks.jarosz@fox.com and comply with him on Fb and Twitter @BrooksKTVU