I have been walking for exercise since Feb. 2004 in the morning. I leave my home anywhere from four to six in the morning and return an hour later. I never walk anywhere in my neighborhood without some means of protection and I am well lit up with red flashers and a head lamp. From the above date to the present, I have had fourteen documented dog attacks. One is too many.
On Nov. 1, 2008 I was coming home from a friend”s house at or about 5 p.m. I was attacked by a pit bull mix four doors from my home. I saw the dog charge me from the side and was able to dodge and swing my iron cane. I caught him on the left shoulder. As he went by me, I immediately put my pocket knife in the end of my cane just in time to catch him as he turned and charged me again. I stuck him somewhere in the chest and he broke off the attack and went back in the unfenced front yard. The attack did not last more than 10 to 15 seconds at the most. The woman that owned the dog stood in her driveway, watched and did nothing. This was on a public street in front of her house. The front yard is not fenced and the dog was not on a leash. This story gets better!
No more than five minutes after the attack I called the Lake County Sheriff”s Dept. (911). I explained to them what happened. I was told that they did not handle animal problems and they would have animal control contact me, which they did. I explained to animal control what happened. The woman”s response was, “You do what you have to do to protect yourself.” That was the end of the conversation with animal control.
About an hour after the attack, four California Highway Patrol officers and at least six sheriffs cars showed up out in front of this lady”s house. I was arrested, charged with 597(a), felony animal cruelty, jailed and had to post $10,000 bail, which friends of mine were kind enough to post.
The following Monday I contacted animal control and was told very abruptly that the Sheriff”s Dept. told them that they were not to talk to me about the case; they were handling it now. I have since read the police report and the story the dog owner told them has nothing to do with reality. Fortunately, I have a witness who saw her dog running loose that same morning. I have a preliminary hearing March 20, at 1:15 p.m. It is very hard to believe this is happening to me. I was under the impression you had to be in control of your animal and have it on a leash at all times. Seems as though dogs have more rights than people. Let”s hope not! Some way, some how these people who allow their animals to run loose are going to have to be made accountable and responsible for their animals. I don”t want to hear the excuse that it escaped.
Brian Hagan
Clearlake Oaks
