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Pitbull killed after attacking girl

Dog reportedly attacked child, 2, then charged an officer, who shot it.

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By Jessica Heffner, Staff Writer 10:52 PM Monday, September 26, 2011

Police shot and killed a pitbull Monday after it reportedly attacked a girl inside her home.

The 2-year-old girl walked between a 13-year-old male pitbull and a female dog, which was in heat, and the male became aggressive and attacked the child shortly before 5:30 a.m. Monday on Hensel Avenue, said James Straley, director of the Clark County Humane Society.

The girl sustained “severe” injuries to her arms, Straley said. She was transported to Springfield Regional Medical Center and then flown to Children’s Medical Center in Dayton. She was listed as a patient, but hospital personnel could not release her condition.

Two officers responded to the call and the pitbull reportedly got loose outside and charged one of the officers. The officer shot the dog in the torso and when it continued to charge, he fired again, killing the animal, said Springfield police Sgt. James Hall.

Hall said the officer was following procedure.

“Usually the dog will take off running once you hit him,” Hall said. “For the dog to come at him again, that is something.”

The dog was owned by the girl’s parents, Stephanie Moore and Brian Fugate. Hall said neither have been charged in the case.

There are three other dogs in the home, but their breeds are unknown. Straley said the dogs are licensed but the Humane Society is still checking if the pitbull was properly vaccinated and insured as required by Ohio law.

“We will go back once these things calm down a bit. The parents were obviously distraught and worried about their child, so we weren’t going to press the issue (Monday),” Straley said.

Straley said similar dog attacks can be avoided if pet owners spay and neuter their animals.

“It doesn’t have anything to do with the breed. It was a situation that could have been avoided if they had fixed their animals,” Straley said. “At the same time, anything with teeth can bite.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 673-6336 or jessica.heffner@coxinc.com

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