Another pit bull attacks, but gets to go home

Global BC

Wednesday, March 24, 2004

Charlie is recovering from neck wounds after being attacked in a Yaletown off-leash park Saturday.

VANCOUVER - The owner of a dog attacked by a pit bull last weekend says she is "shocked" the dog has been released back to its owners.

Charlie, a golden retriever, had just arrived at an off-leash park in Vancouver's Yaletown neighbourhood when a pit bull pounced and latched onto his neck.

It took four men more than 10 minutes to free Charlie from his attacker.

"I know that this wasn't what the police called a 'usual dog fight.' This was a vicious pit bull," said Shannon Patterson, Charlie's owner.

The pit bull was taken to the pound, but has since been released to its owners.

"It should not be on the streets," said Patterson. "And I'm a dog lover, [but] this dog should not have been released."

Charlie is recovering from several puncture wounds around his neck.

GUIDE DOG ATTACKED IN VICTORIA

An evening walk turned into a nightmare for a visually impaired Victoria man when pit bulls attacked his guide dog.

Oriano Belusic was walking his wife home with his seven-year-old yellow Lab, Hillie, when a pair of pit bulls viciously attacked his dog Monday night.

Despite help from passing motorists and pedestrians, the attack didn't end until Oriano reached into one of the pit bull's mouths with his prosthetic hand to dislodge it.

Hillie, which Belusic says did nothing to provoke the attack, underwent surgery Tuesday for extensive injuries.