- Font Size:
- Default font size
- Larger font size
BY ALLISON FASHEK
afashek@nwitimes.com
219.662.5333 | Friday, January 27, 2006 | (No comments posted.)
CROWN POINT | Police have cited the owner of two dogs after they jumped a neighbor's fence Wednesday and attacked a mutt, which later died.
Therese Struven, of 1843 W. 99th Ave., faces two counts in Crown Point City Court of dogs running at large, two counts of dogs entering another person's property and one count of harboring a dog that hasn't been immunized.
Struven, who was cited in Crown Point City Court for dogs running at large in March 2004, also has two other cases pending stemming from similar violations on Aug. 5 and 12.
Heather Wright had 4-year-old Hooper put to sleep at an animal hospital Wednesday because of the extent of his injuries, her mother, Susan Wright, said. Hooper was bitten in a number of places, including his neck, and was given several hours of medical attention.
"He was mauled by them. To me, it's lucky no one was home," Wright said.
On Thursday, Struven said she had an electric fence installed around her yard in August, after the last time her dogs got loose. But when she wasn't home Wednesday, her children took off the dogs' collars, which provide the shock when they stray, and let them out.
"We're very sorry and never intended for this to happen ever," Struven said.
Officers responded about 12:30 p.m. to the 1800 block of West 99th Avenue, where they found the two dogs attacking Hooper. A neighbor called police after throwing rocks at the dogs failed to get them to leave Hooper alone.
Police were able to stop the dogs, a male named Buddy and a female named Junkyard, by yelling at them, Assistant Chief of Police Eldon Strong said.
While police describe the dogs as pit bulls, Struven said the male is technically an American Staffordshire terrier, while the female is a German shepherd mix. Neither one has attacked a person or dog before, Struven said.
Police impounded the dogs and they were in quarantine Thursday. Strong said he didn't know what would happen to them.
Susan Wright said she thinks the animals should be put to sleep.
"The neighbors all have grandchildren that come," she said. "It's not only kids, they could attack anybody if they're loose."
If the dogs are allowed to live, Struven said she would not bring them back to the neighborhood. She said she would try to find them homes far away.
"We can't have this happen again," she said. "I try to put myself in their shoes. It's like a family member."
Back to story No comments posted.
- It wasn't clear, concise or focused on the topic in the story.
- It was a personal attack, vulgar, explicit or degrading, used actual or implied profanity or contained potentially libelous statements.
- It accused someone of being guilty of a crime.
- It promoted violence or illegal acts.
- It contained telephone numbers or street addresses, or e-mail addresses and links to Web sites other than nwi.com or government agencies.
In no way do these comments represent the views of The Times or Lee Enterprises.
Passionate views, pointed criticism and critical thinking are welcome. Name-calling, crude and profane language and personal abuse are not welcome.
Reader comments will not be edited - they will be approved or declined. They may be used in the print edition of the newspaper.
If you feel a posted comment has violated these guidelines, please email our New Media team the commenter's name, the comment and a link to the article.
For more information please read our Terms of Service.