Wednesday, November 11, 2009

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Bulldog to be put-down after 2nd attack on woman

QUINCY, Mass. -- A couple in Quincy has agreed to put their English bulldog down after it attacked a neighbor on two separate occasions.

Lita Salvucci, 77, is recovering in the hospital after being attacked by the dog for the second time in two weeks.

Police say the woman was drenched in blood Sunday afternoon at her Patten Street home after the bulldog, named Cooper, bit her on her thigh, shoulder and both arms.

"She was on the ground in a fetal position and the dog kept going after her," said one witness.

The dog's owners are confused over the situation, as they said they have never had a problem with the dog attacking people in the past.

Salvucci was listed as being in "good condition" as of Tuesday.

Quincy police say that it appeared the dog had chewed through its leash prior to attacking the woman. The dog owner's property is in back of the victim's yard and is not separated by a fence.

Animal control officials asked the owners to have the dog put down due to the severity of the attack Sunday. A hearing would have been held if the owners refused.

Police were not called for the original incident involving Salvucci and the dog.

"We asked the dog officer about putting the dog down (then) and he said 'every dog gets one bite' so they're not going to do anything," said Cliff Edwards, the victim's son.

Salvucci is a life-long piano player and she is extremely worried that she won't be able to play anymore.

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