A Man and His Terrier Suffer Dog Bites in Attack by Pit Bull

A Pit Bull terrier and its person, a 28-year-old Benicia man each face possible charges after the dog attacked another dog and a person at the Southampton Shopping Center Tuesday evening around 7:15.

The Pit Bull was wearing a harness but was not on a leash when the attack occurred according to Lt. Mike Daley of the Benicia Police Department.  The Pit Bull’s owner had gone into the Superstop to make a purchase and had asked a woman in the vicinity to hold the dog.  While the man was in the store the Pit Bull spotted an Airedale terrier being walked by a 69-year-old Benicia man. 

The 18-year-old woman holding the Pit Bull was unable to restrain the animal and it attacked the Airedale.  The Airedale’s owner tried to separate the dogs and suffered dog bites to his right thumb and his right leg near his knee .  The Airedale suffered bites to the neck and ears.

The female could not hold the Pit Bull as it took off to attack the other dog. The victim attempted to stop the attack on his dog by the Pit Bull by separating the dogs.

“The 28-year-old Benicia man then exited the store and separated his dog from the Airedale and the victim,” said Daley.  “The 28 year-old-male then quickly entered his truck with his dog and drove from the area.”

The victim was transported via ambulance to an area hospital for treatment of his thumb and knee bites. The victim's dog is at a Veterinary Hospital and received treatment for the injuries to its neck and ear.

“Later in the evening, Benicia Police located and stopped the 28 year old male in his truck,” said Daley.  “He agreed to surrender his dog for quarantine. 

At this time, Benicia Police and our Animal Control Officer are investigating the incident to determine the extent of any criminal negligence in this incident.  No arrests or citations have been issued at this time pending the completion of the investigation.

Chapter 6 of the Benicia Municipal Code states the dogs must be on a “substantial leash, no longer than 6 feet” when they are in any part of the city except places designated as off leash area or in their yards.  It also states, “A person who owns or keeps an animal and who allows, permits or causes the animal to be at large in or upon a public street, sidewalk, park, or other public property, or in or upon the premises or private property of another person, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor if the animal bites, attacks, or causes injury to any human being or other animal.”

The Pit Bull is currently in quarantine for 10 days at the county dog shelter.  If the city decides to hold a Dangerous Dog hearing the dog will be quarantined an additional 30 days.

Police were unable to give a status report on the condition of the Airedale’s person but did report that the dog is expected to survive.

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If there’s something in this article you think should be corrected, or if something else is amiss, call editor JB Davis at 707-628-0051 or email him at benicia@patch.com.