Update: Multiple Pit Bulls Involved in Deadly Mauling
PECOS – Police are still investigating after an 83-year-old Pecos man was mauled to death by three Pit Bulls. The Pecos Police chief says this is the first time he has ever seen anything like this in his 30 years of being in law enforcement.
83-year-old Norberto Legarda had made plans to help out his relatives for a few days while they were out of town by feeding their dog. But, just before 10 a.m. the simple task of helping his family turned terribly wrong, and shook an entire neighborhood.
“It’s a crazy day,” said David Vajil, the man who dialed 911.
David Vejil walks his block every morning, but this day was different, his footsteps and the usual sound of traffic was drowned out by a sound he will never forget. “I heard a real horrible noise. Real horrible.”
Then, it was what he saw, three pit bulls in the backyard of his neighbor’s home attacking their Labrador retriever.
“I looked around and got a stick, and boom, boom I hit them in the head and that didn’t do nothing, so I started to poke them and was yelling at them you SOB’s and all that kind of stuff,” said Vajil.
Vajil felt it was time to leave and when he turned around, that’s when he found the unexpected. “I looked back and saw the man lying face down and I said ‘Lord have mercy’, then I dialed 911.”
CBS7 News / KOSA-TV
UPDATE: Multiple Pit Bulls Involved in Deadly Mauling of 83-Year-Old Man
“I looked back and saw the man lying face down and I said ‘Lord have mercy’, then I dialed 911.” CBS 7’s Lauren Lanmon speaks exclusively to an eyewitness.
http://cbs7.com/
83-Year-Old Pecos Man Killed in Dog Attack
Posted: Jul 02, 2015 10:32 PM CDT – Updated: Jul 02, 2015 10:43 PM CDT – By Julia Deng, NewsWest 9 Reporter
2015 Dog Bite Fatality: Multiple Pit Bulls Kill Elderly Man in Pecos, Texas
DogsBite.org reports
UPDATE 07/02/15: NewsWest 9 reported updates and clarifications just after 10:40 pm Thursday. At the time of the attack, 83-year old Norberto Legarda had been looking after his daughter’s labrador while she was way. According to investigators, he was feeding the dog at his daughter’s home on South Eddy Street, when three pit bulls belonging to a next door neighbor approached them. Pecos Police Chief Clay McKinney believes evidence will show that a dogfight ensued.
“Mr. Legarda probably tried to break up the fight and then the pit bulls turned on him” – Pecos Police Chief Clay McKinney
One witness told NewsWest 9 that all three dogs were involved in the attack. According to Chief McKinney, “at least two” attacked Legarda. Officials are still in the early stages of the investigation, gathering information, McKinney said. The attacked labrador was located near the residence by animal control. The dog is expected to recover from the injuries inflicted by the pit bulls. The owner of the pit bulls, identified as Oscar Rodriguez, gave consent to have all three of his dogs put down.
American Pit Bull Terrier
The American Pit Bull Terrier has a history and bloodline deep rooted in the blood sports of animal baiting and dogfighting. As with all breeds, they retain their original traits. They often to do not accept other animals, especially dogs, and can be extremely aggressive towards them. They may accept animals they are raised with, but have been known to kill other family pets even after years of living together happily.
Most APBT puppies get along fantastically with other animals, including dogs. Puppies often love to play with and have companionship with other animals. This often gives owners a false sense of security. As the APBT matures, their relationship with other animals can change drastically. Often dog aggression issues emerge from 1-3 years in age, but some dog’s exhibit aggression as early as 6 months of age. They often will actively seek out other dogs to engage in fighting with and have broken their collars, crashed through windows, and torn through fences to do so, and one recently leaped from an apartment 2nd story balcony, to get to a dog. They can get along with other dogs at times, but things can escalate quickly and they can attack suddenly and for no apparent reason. They often redirect onto humans who try to break up the fight14. Extreme caution should be used with all animal interactions and owners should never be completely comfortable. They can be unpredictable and a dog that plays nicely with dogs for years can suddenly change. Many owners have been shocked to see their beloved pet’s fighting instincts suddenly surface. It is highly recommended that the APBT is separated from other animals in the household when they cannot be supervised15. This is not a breed that is suitable for interactions at off leash dog parks16.
It is recommended that American Pit Bull Terrier owners have and carry a break stick17. A break stick is a device designed to open a Pit Bull type dog’s mouth while it is engaged in fighting. Pit Bull type breeds have a very distinctive fighting style and often will latch on their opponent and not let go. They usually will shake the other animal violently when they are latched on. This can cause horrific damage quickly. The break stick was designed by dog fighters to be inserted into the Pit Bull’s mouth and release his grip. The original purpose was to safely end a dog fight. The break stick often is the ONLY thing that will release the dog’s grip. People have been known to hit Pit Bulls with objects such as a bat or even shoot them and the dog still will not let go. Bully Breed owners should always have one handy in cause of an emergency. The break stick is not safe to use on other breeds of dogs and is only recommended for dogs in the Pit Bull family that were once used for dog fighting purposes.
Click here to learn more about the American Pit Bull Terrier