Stray Pit Bulls Terrorizing Residents In Midwood And Borough Park
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- In the Midwood and Borough Park sections of Brooklyn, there is increasing concern over pit bulls that are running wild, attacking dogs and even people.
There are two dogs on YouTube that a Midwood resident identified as attacking and seriously injuring her smaller dog. Natalie Reif said they are likely the same dogs that killed her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named "Rosie" in November, while she was out for a walk.
"One bit Rosie on the left ear. She went down on the side, then the other bit her on the top of her head," Reif told CBS 2's John Slattery.
With a swollen brain, the 3 1/2-year-old dog died of the injuries. However, dogs are not the only targets.
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"A child that was actually bitten by one of these. A 70-year-old woman who ended up at Maimonides Hospital as a result of being attacked by a pit bull," said Brooklyn Assemblyman Dov Hikind.
Hikind told 1010 WINS on Wednesday that the city needs to do whatever it takes to stop the menacing animals.
"These pit bulls are dangerous when they attack people, when they're roaming in the streets. We need to remove them. Period," he said.
Richard Gentles, a spokesman for NYC ACC told 1010 WINS in a statement: "Animal Care and Control has received six calls since April 2011 about stray pit bulls in Midwood. Inspectors have gone to the area several times, but did not observe pit bulls in the area. If people see dangerous or aggressive dogs, they should call 911. If they are not aggressive, people should call 311."
Hikind said with budget cuts, the city's Animal Care and Control is woefully understaffed.
"They only have one or two vehicles in the entire city. By the time their vehicle will arrive to deal with the pit bull, the pit bull is in Mexico, not in Brooklyn anymore," he said.
Tova Axelrod, who owns a Boston Terrier, said vicious dog attacks have made her more aware.
"There are two of them and they just attack randomly. They run up and take them out," Axelrod said.
Slattery reported that the dogs seem to congregate near the former LIRR tracks at Foster Avenue and Avenue I.
Assemblyman Hikind said with the attacks so serious, police should be responding.
"The police should do whatever they need to do with a Taser gun or with their regular gun. The point is has endangered people in our community," he said.
Are you more alert after hearing about the pit bulls? Tell us in the comments section below...
