A pit bull on the loose Friday killed a Chihuahua in Hollister,
while a separate incident two days earlier involved a pit bull and
Chihuahua together attacking and killing three cats in a yard.
A pit bull on the loose Friday killed a Chihuahua in Hollister, while a separate incident two days earlier involved a pit bull and Chihuahua together attacking and killing three cats in a yard.
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 types of dogs, those two separate attacks occurred.
The first took place Wednesday on Fremont Way when a pit bull and a Chihuahua broke through a fence and killed the three cats, said police department spokesman Sgt. David Westrick. Neighbors called in the incident and when animal control arrived, the two dogs already had fled the area.
Animal control found the three cats, all of which appeared to have injuries caused by a dog bite.
The pit bull was later 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 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 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 is unclear if and when it was put down.
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.
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