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Pit bull mauls terrier

Police describe dog as vicious

By Scott Bellile


Police labeled a pit bull vicious after she mauled a dog that was later euthanized because of her injuries.

The pit bull, Macy, attacked a 5-year-old Yorkshire Terrier named Lillie on April 22, one month after biting a person, according to New London police.

Macy lives at 611 W. Jennings St., a house on the northeast corner of the Jennings and Oshkosh streets intersection.

New London Police Chief Jeff Schlueter told the Press Star earlier this week that police anticipated hearing from Macy’s owner about his plans for the pit bull on Tuesday, May 8.

Schlueter said the owner has cooperated with police and he did not expect any problems with the final decision, whether he chooses to follow the rules outlined in the city’s vicious dog ordinance, send Macy out of town or euthanize her.

Macy’s owner, Ray Thompson, did not respond to a request for comment.

New London Police Department typically declares a dog vicious after it attacks two humans and/or domestic animals without provocation, Schlueter said.

Macy previously bit a person unprovoked one month earlier on March 21, according to a letter that Schlueter sent to Thompson on April 23. Thompson was cited for that incident. Macy’s vaccinations were up to date.

City ordinance defines a vicious dog as, “Any dog with a propensity, tendency or disposition to attack, cause injury or otherwise endanger the safety of human beings or other domestic animals as evidenced by its habitual or repeated chasing or snapping, or barking and/or snarling in a threatening manner.”

Under city ordinance, the owner of a vicious dog:

• Cannot have the dog outside unless it is securely leashed and muzzled. The leash can be no longer than 4 feet, and cannot be tied to trees, posts or buildings.

• Must keep the dog indoors or inside a locked kennel with a secured floor when it is not leashed and muzzled.

• Cannot keep the dog within a multiple dwelling, which is a structure containing two or more living units.

• Must display a “Beware of Dog” sign in a prominent place as well as on the dog’s kennel or pen.

• Must maintain $50,000 public liability insurance coverage for in the event of injury or death to a person.

The fatal dog attack was reported on April 22 at 4:43 p.m.

According to the police report, Macy was chained up on the lawn at 611 W. Jennings St. when she pulled her chain out of the ground and attacked a small dog passing by, Lillie. The attack left Lillie with “significant injuries.”

“I could clearly see the small dog had a broken shoulder and the break was a compound fracture,” New London officer Ryan Denu said in the police report.

Denu stated Thompson told him Macy had bitten other dogs in the past. Thompson was cooperative with police and agreed not to keep Macy outside unattended, Denu stated.

Denu did not issue Thompson a citation because the pit bull had been chained up before she broke free.

Thompson’s deadline was Monday, May 7, to confirm his compliance with the vicious dog conditions, according to Schlueter’s letter.

Connie Daul of New London was walking Lillie when the dog was mauled by Macy. Lillie belonged to her son, but Daul often looked after her.

Macy did not bark a warning before attacking and taking Lillie in her mouth, Daul said.

“That dog just came out of nowhere,” Daul said. “She just was on [Lillie]. I could not get her off.”

Lillie escaped alive but with lacerations down the back and shoulder, a bleeding chest, severed arteries and torn nerves, Daul said. She decided to put Lillie down after evaluation at an animal hospital.

Lillie’s death would have been prevented had Macy’s past attacks on dogs been reported to police and she were declared vicious earlier, Daul said.

Daul said her goal is to never have this happen to anyone else.

“I know there’s so many people out there that say she’s just a dog, but she’ not just a dog,” Daul said. “As any person who has a pet knows, she’s a member of the family.”

NLPD typically declares a dog vicious once or twice a year, Schlueter said. Most dog owners send their vicious pet out of town or euthanize it rather than keep it.

Owners who do not follow the vicious dog ordinance are fined for each day of noncompliance.

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