RSSDeLand Police Warn Residents About Dangerous Dogs
DeLand police and other dog bite attorneys are warning residents to be watchful for a pair of dangerous dogs that has killed at least two cats and four ducks in recent weeks. The deaths of the cats and birds have been confirmed, but officers suspect that the dogs may be responsible for several other pets that have gone missing. Witnesses say that the dogs are pit bulls or pit bull mixed breeds, and DeLand police are asking anyone who sees the animals to report the location to the authorities immediately. Police have spotted the dogs and have taken photographs of them on at least two occasions but have been unable to apprehend them thus far.
DeLand resident Scott Krutsinger reported the dogs to police on March 11 when he was awakened by the dogs viciously attacking a cat outside his house.
"The two dogs were actually fighting with a cat and quite literally pulling it apart," said Krutsinger, who said that the dogs ran away when police arrived at the scene.
Residents Carmen Munoz and Leslie Blondell told police that they saw the dogs two weeks later as they jogged near the Volusia County courthouse. They saw the dogs attacking a duck near a retention pond and found the corpses of four other ducks nearby.
"These ducks did not die from natural causes," said Munoz. "They were attacked by those dogs."
"There was a dog on each wing, and they were just pulling him, and he was flapping and trying to get away," said Blondell.
Blondell told police that she began clapping her hands in order to distract the dogs and save the duck’s life, but had a scare when it looked like the dogs might attack her next.
"The dog stopped and they looked at me and kind of bristled up," said Blondell.
She said that she and Munoz now carry pepper spray when they jog to protect themselves until police or animal control officers catch the animals.
"There was a park right there and that’s where children play," said Blondell. "If they can attack a duck, why not a child?"
Krutsinger told reporters that he hoped that the dogs are caught and euthanized before they attack any people.
"We’re really not so much talking about a dead cat here, we’re really talking about a public menace," said Krutsinger.
It is not yet known whether the dogs are strays or are owned by someone in the area. If police determine that someone in the area does own the dogs, he or she could be held liable for any damages they cause. Pit bulls and other notorious breeds have extraordinarily strong jaws that are a capable of delivering disfiguring, even fatal, wounds. If you or a member of your family is the victim of a dog bite attack, call police or animal control as quickly as possible so the animals can be caught and tested for rabies. After contacting the authorities, you may wish to contact an experienced Orlando personal injury lawyer like Mr. Cunningham to protect your rights and explain your legal options for seeking damages against the negligent owner. To schedule a free consultation with Mr. Cunningham, call him today at 877-FL-INJURY (877-354-6587).
James O. Cunningham
Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.
Mr. Cunningham is an excellent and knowledgeable attorney.