Dear Editor:
This attack happened in Silver City on Palm Sunday after my brother-in-law returned home from church.
The responding Silver City Police Department officer 'bumped' it down to "Animal Control". As of yesterday, 4/17/2014 Animal Control had not contacted my family. This attack was on Georgia Street - a street used by MANY individuals with/without pets.This information was not even listed in the Police Reports published by any of the newspapers covering Silver City. Personally, I am stunned.
The actual event was MUCH more vicious and brutal than I posted - my reason for posting was to inform, not inflame the tired old argument "Pits are nice/No they aren't."
The 'walking' public has a right to know if there are dangerous, vicious animals that will attack with absolutely NO provocation and on a street, which MANY people use to get to the dog park, WNMU or just for an afternoon stroll.
Although I do not live in Silver anymore, I still have family there and therefore it does concern me.
Sunday, my sis and brother-in-law (both disabled, battling cancer and other serious medical issues) were walking out their door with their 2 little dogs on leashes. One weighs about 9 lbs and the other about 14 lbs.
Silently and without any warning, a huge Pit Bull came thundering up the driveway, my sis tried to pull up the leash, my bro-in-law picked both dogs up. The Pit knocked my sister down - Then HORROR, a second Pit Bull was also joining the fray. They tried putting their dogs on top of the car, one of the dogs knocked by bro-in-law down. There he lies with both pets clutched close to his chest, flat on his back - the Pit attacking him, my sis screaming for help, neighbors running. Thankfully, my nephew drove up, jumped out of his vehicle. By now, the mess was at the front door and my nephew was able to pick up one of the Pits and throw her over the porch railing. The other one had hit/bit the littlest one in the back and had the leg of the other one in his mouth.
Both were taken to the vet immediately - internal damage is severe.
My sister and brother-in-law are in no condition to be thrown to the ground and wrestle with two 100 lb dogs. Police, neighbors, blood - TOTAL MAYHEM for a lovely Sunday afternoon. One of the Pit Bulls was killed, the other - questionable. And what was the cause - faulty gate closure.
People, PLEASE make sure your animals have an environment safe for them AND innocent bystanders. Back to the vet today, littlest one, spent the night crying in pain.
Suzanna Watkins
Globe/Miami