Sad news from Chicago

[KIKO AND THE MAN]

Another death today.

A 3 year old girl was killed by a Rottweiler today. The dog broke free from the chain on which he was kept. Neighbors say he lived tied to the chain and that he was not taken care of very well(what a surprise).

Of course the report featured a picture of a Rottie and the words "viscious" and "killer" was used as much as possible.

I will update this thread as soon as I get more details.:(

[Elijah's Mom]

I just saw the Channel 7 news report on that story. Did you see the size of the chain the dog had been on? Channel 7 said it was rumored that the dog had not been fed for 2 weeks. This incident happened in the same neighborhood of Chicago as the one some months back where the baby was killed by a Rottie that was kept out on a porch.

How awful that another child has died because of an irresponsible dog owner. It just makes me sick. :(

[KIKO AND THE MAN]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/l...i%2Dnews%2Dhed


By Rudolph Bush
and Jill Blackman
Tribune staff reporters
Published August 22, 2001, 3:10 PM CDT


The owner of a dog that fatally attacked a child Tuesday on the South Side was cited with two violations of city ordinances but will not face criminal charges, a police spokesman said.

Patrick H. Tennant, 41, of the 6200 block of South Wood Street, was cited for not having a valid dog license and restraining an animal improperly, said police spokesman Matthew Jackson.

Earlier in the day, Ald. Shirley Coleman (16th) called for the dog’s owner to be charged with involuntary manslaughter, and repeated her call for stiffer city regulations governing owners of dangerous dogs.

“My fear is there will be another child that is killed by … a dangerous dog. It’s time to do something to make dog owners responsible,” Coleman said at a City Hall news conference.

Sierra Clayton, 3, was mauled to death Tuesday afternoon by a Rottweiler that broke free from its chain in the back yard of her mother’s Englewood home, police said. The girl was playing behind her duplex, which is owned by Tennant, in the 6900 block of South Parnell Avenue when she was attacked.

A family member beat the dog to get it away from the child, authorities said. Police later shot and killed the animal. Sierra died after surgery at the University of Chicago Children’s Hospital.

Coleman’s proposed law would require owners of Rottweilers and pit bulls to buy at least $100,000 in liability insurance. Violators would face a $1,000-a-day fine or, if the fine were not paid, 30 days in jail.

“I’m frustrated, as are many dog owners,” said Coleman, who owns a German shepherd-chow mix. “I’m open and looking for suggestions.”

Coleman introduced the ordinance in early May, shortly after a Rottweiler killed 1-month-old Javonne King at her home in the 5500 block of South Elizabeth Street.

In that incident, police said the dog escaped from a porch outside the apartment, wandered into the house and mauled the child, who was on a bed in a first-floor apartment of the six-flat building. The 8-month-old Rottweiler was later destroyed.

In the last 20 years, more than 300 fatal dog attacks have been reported in the U.S., according to the centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Copyright © 2001, Chicago Tribune

[WorkinDogz]

Is it just me or is Coleman "softening" in her breed-specificness and adopting a "dangerous dog" stand

I'm all for Dangerous DOG Laws; and I do feel owners should be held very accountable for any and all injuries caused by their dogs.

In the case of death....I can't believe I'm saying this...but I agree with Coleman and the Involuntary Manslaughter charge!

Come on......"Unlicensed Dog"??? Sure.....as a TACK ON; not the primary charge!!!

A child is dead......and this idiot is being written a ticket because he didn't license his dog????? :( Very sad.