The family that owned a pit bull and Chihuahua that killed three
cats in a yard while on the loose had prior issues with their pets
reported by residents, while all of the dogs involved in two recent
attacks have been put down.
The family that owned a pit bull and Chihuahua that killed three cats in a yard while on the loose had prior issues with their pets reported by residents, while all of the dogs involved in two recent attacks have been put down.
A female pit bull on the loose Friday killed a Chihuahua in Hollister, while a separate incident two days earlier involved a male pit bull and Chihuahua together attacking and killing three cats in a yard. The dogs involved, meanwhile, have been put down.
Less than a week after the Hollister City Council decided to postpone a decision on its proposed ordinance to require spaying and neutering of the two breeds, those two separate attacks occurred.
The three dogs involved in the separate attacks were all “intact,” said police department spokesman Sgt. David Westrick.
The first took place Wednesday on Fremont Way when a pit bull and a Chihuahua broke through a fence and killed the three cats, Westrick said. Neighbors called in the incident and when animal control arrived, the two dogs already had fled the area.
The dogs were owned by the same family, which received prior reports of their dogs’ behavior, said Westrick, who did not have details on the prior matters before press time.
Animal control found the three cats, all of which appeared to have injuries caused by a dog bite.
The pit bull later was found on the loose in Veterans Memorial Park, and the Chihuahua was run over by a car on Liberty Drive and found dead, Westrick said. The pit bull was released from his owners and put down at the animal shelter earlier this week.
The second incident occurred Aug. 20 as a pet owner was walking his Chihuahua down San Benito Street when a pit bull confronted the two. The pit bull lunged and grabbed the Chihuahua by the neck and took off running, according to police. The dog was violently shaking the smaller dog in its mouth.
The pet owner chased the dog and got the Chihuahua out of the pit bull’s grip. The Chihuahua was rushed to a veterinarian but was pronounced dead because of its injuries.
The pit bull was found later that day and sent to the animal shelter. It was put down earlier this week.
Animal control wants to remind all dog owners to check their fences daily for broken boards and make sure their pets are secured in their yard at all times.
The public is urged to report all dogs that are at large and any incidents involving aggressive dogs to local law enforcement or the Animal Control Bureau at (831) 636-4320.
Look back for more on this story.
