The Courier-Record

PIT BULL PACK PUT DOWN

Six pets euthanized after attacks on twoinin Crewe

OWNERS ARE ALLOWED TO KEEP FOURTEEN OTHER DOGS

Nottoway County and Town of Crewe authorities say charges are pending against the owners of six dogs — identified in veterinary records as pit bulls — that escaped a fenced backyard and mauled two men last week.

The attacks occurred last Tuesday, March 29th, shortly before 3:30 p.m. in the 400 block of Carter Avenue. Both victims were transported to area hospitals and are recovering from multiple wounds.

According to Senior Animal Control Officer Sheila Estes, the dogs — all born from the same litter 15 months ago — were owned by a couple in the 100 block of West Maryland Avenue.

Officer Estes said the dogs were surrendered to the County by their owners and that for safety reasons — as well as lack of space to safely confine the dogs at the County shelter — all six were humanely euthanized at a veterinarian’s office instead of holding them for the customary 10 days. Officer Estes said that five of the six dogs were still “aggressive” at the vet’s office.

Officer Estes was driving in her vehicle and said she witnessed Tuesday’s attacks in progress and immediately requested assistance.

She identified the first victim as 43-year-old Levar Shinette of Pennsylvania Avenue.

According to Officer Estes, Shinette was walking when the attack occurred, and that when she drove upon the scene, he was on the ground.

Estes said neighbor Edward Hodges Edmonds, 40, of Carter Street, had been doing yard work and was attacked when he came to Shinette’s aid with a stick.

Officer Estes said Shinette suffered puncture wounds to his arms, back, and groin area but was able to escape by jumping over a nearby fence. “He then appeared to shaking like he was going into shock.”

Meanwhile, she said, the pack turned on Edmonds, who was bitten on the hand and suffered a deep incision on his arm above his bicep. That wound was described at the scene as severe, exposing “muscle and bone.”

Edmunds was transported to Chippenham Medical Center by Nottoway Emergency Squad, and Shinette was transported to an area hospital by private vehicle.

Officer Estes said she received prompt back-up from law enforcement and that one of the dogs’ owners drove-up in a mini-van and was able to retrieve four of the dogs, while the owner’s son chased the other two back home.

Crewe Officer Phil Morgan said all six dogs had updated rabies vaccinations.

Animal Officer Estes said that in her opinion, the number of dogs kept at the residence is too many for the space the owners have.

Town of Crewe has no limit on the number of dogs a resident can own. Blackstone in 2005 adopted a limit of no more than four dogs or cats or combination of the two.

Officer Estes said that shortly after the litter of pit bulls was born last year, she made attempts with the owners to have them adopted individually or in pairs through the SPCA. “I’d already set it up, but they would not surrender them to me.”

Officer Estes said keeping a litter that large presents risks of the dogs developing a “pack mentality.”

The owners also own two other pit bulls and 12 hounds, said Officer Estes. “The pits are the parents to the dogs involved. Those two stay inside and weren’t involved. For the hounds, they have been given a compliance to get proper housing and make their pens bigger.”

Victim Shinette told CBS6 News that he owns three pit bulls himself and says the attacks shouldn’t be blamed on the breed of dog. He also said he’s thankful the victims weren’t children or elderly.

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