Man Attacked By Pack Of Pit Bulls In Detroit Remains Hospitalized, Dogs' Owner In Custody
DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - Police say a man mauled by a pack of pit bulls in Detroit remains hospitalized with significant injuries.
The man who, as of Saturday evening, had not yet been identified by authorities, was "completely naked" when police arrived at the scene following Thursday night's attack on the city's east side.
Police said he lost his hands, feet and much blood in the attack. He remained unconscious and in critical condition at Detroit Receiving Hospital Saturday evening.
Police killed one dog at the scene and rounded up at least 11 others. "Twelve of them (were loose)... We believe that at some point all of the dogs played a role," said Sgt. Michael Woody.
Meanwhile, reports say the owner of the dogs, who was arrested Friday on an unrelated warrant for failing to pay child support, remains in custody. Woody said investigators did not initially suspect the dogs' owner was involved in dog fighting, although nothing has been ruled out.
The remaining dogs will be euthanized.
Neighbor Andrew Sims, who lives two doors away, says he heard a call for help but couldn't see the victim. Sims told the Detroit Free Press that all he could see was an aggressive pack of dogs.
Woody said police do not know what the victim was doing in the neighborhood at the time of the attack as an investigation continues.
Operations Manager at Detroit Dog Rescue, Christina Rinaldi, says there are dog problems reported in the city every day.
The reason? Not enough resources, she says.
"There aren't enough Detroit police, there aren't enough rescues out there, there aren't enough Animal Control," Rinaldi said. "From what I've heard, neighbors had called on this house several times, but — in the course of the day with everything that goes on in Detroit, how short-handed everybody is — there just aren't enough people to get out until something like this happens."
Rinaldi says the way to prevent tragic situations such is this is to educate pet owners.
"We need more spay and neuter programs in the city of Detroit; places where they can get free or low-cost spay or neutering," Rinaldi said. "From what I saw, they were carrying puppies out of the house. So this probably started with two dogs, that turned into six, that turned into eight."
MORE: Police: Naked Man Loses Hands, Feet In Detroit Dog Pack Attack
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