May 18, 2005
W.V. Girl Killed, Firefighters Bravely Fight off Pit Bull
"Pit Bull Kills Toddler in West Virginia
By Associated Press
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. -- A pit bull that bit a neighbor last week fatally mauled a young girl before being subdued by firefighters using a fire extinguisher, officials said.
Two-year-old Arianna Fleeman was pronounced dead at a hospital following the attack Tuesday at the dog owner's home, police said.
"The girl, her mother and at least two other people were apparently hanging out on the house's porch," Sgt. Dan Underwood said. "The homeowner apparently told them all to stay out of the house where the dog was."
It was not known what provoked the dog. The attack occurred inside the house, Mayor David Felinton said Wednesday.
Huntington firefighter Jason Price said the dog was wild-eyed and the hair on the back of its neck was raised, and that it rammed the door like a bull.
"Hollywood couldn't have made this dog look more evil," he said.
The girl's mother, Brittany Fleeman, tried to fend off the dog and was hospitalized with injuries to her hands, a relative said.
Eric Mason, who lives on the same street as the pit bull's owner, said the dog bit him last week.
The pit bull's owner, who was not identified, had posted several "beware of dog" signs and was keeping the dog inside the house because it had previously bitten another person, said Debbie Young, office manager for Huntington-Cabell-Wayne Animal Control.
"A lot of people are under the impression that once they put those warning signs, they are in the clear. ... They are responsible for that animal," Young said.
No charges have been filed, authorities said Wednesday.
Young said animal control officials will ask a judge to order that the dog be destroyed. The animal was in isolation at an animal shelter." To story
*Should there even be a debate about putting this dog down? I was attacked by a pit bull while on duty and there was no judge needed to consult on that mutts fate!
By Associated Press
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. -- A pit bull that bit a neighbor last week fatally mauled a young girl before being subdued by firefighters using a fire extinguisher, officials said.
Two-year-old Arianna Fleeman was pronounced dead at a hospital following the attack Tuesday at the dog owner's home, police said.
"The girl, her mother and at least two other people were apparently hanging out on the house's porch," Sgt. Dan Underwood said. "The homeowner apparently told them all to stay out of the house where the dog was."
It was not known what provoked the dog. The attack occurred inside the house, Mayor David Felinton said Wednesday.
Huntington firefighter Jason Price said the dog was wild-eyed and the hair on the back of its neck was raised, and that it rammed the door like a bull.
"Hollywood couldn't have made this dog look more evil," he said.
The girl's mother, Brittany Fleeman, tried to fend off the dog and was hospitalized with injuries to her hands, a relative said.
Eric Mason, who lives on the same street as the pit bull's owner, said the dog bit him last week.
The pit bull's owner, who was not identified, had posted several "beware of dog" signs and was keeping the dog inside the house because it had previously bitten another person, said Debbie Young, office manager for Huntington-Cabell-Wayne Animal Control.
"A lot of people are under the impression that once they put those warning signs, they are in the clear. ... They are responsible for that animal," Young said.
No charges have been filed, authorities said Wednesday.
Young said animal control officials will ask a judge to order that the dog be destroyed. The animal was in isolation at an animal shelter." To story
*Should there even be a debate about putting this dog down? I was attacked by a pit bull while on duty and there was no judge needed to consult on that mutts fate!
