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Nov. 23, 2000 By Katharhynn Heidelberg Local residents are reminded to control their pets, after an elderly man was attacked by a pit bull on Nov. 15. The attack occurred on South Elm Street. William Runck, 89, was returning from a walk downtown when the dog leapt out at him, according to his wife, Norine. The dog, which apparently belonged to the out-of-town guests of a resident, was tied to the back of a vehicle. Runck sustained bite wounds, plus numerous cuts and bruises, when the dog knocked him down, and was at the hospital for most of that day receiving treatment and tests, his wife said Wednesday . "This is an experience you just wouldn’t want to have," she said. According to Cortez Animal Control officer Lari Ann Pope, dogs are required to be on a leash and under the owner’s control at all times whenever the dog is not on personal property. Pope said that although the dog was restrained, and on private property, its lead was long enough to allow it to reach the street. The dog has been impounded for 10 days for observation, as required by state law. The owner is liable for all financial charges stemming from the dog’s stay at the animal shelter, Pope said, but added that the victim chose not to pursue a complaint. "We didn’t want to cause those kids (the dog’s owners) any trouble," Norine Runck said. However, she advises anyone owning pit bulls or Rottweilers to "have plenty and plenty of insurance." Pope also filed a report concerning the incident with the health department. Owners can opt to voluntarily destroy animals who attack, or in extreme cases, judges can order that the animals be put down. In the case of impoundment, if the dog is not reclaimed by its owner after the 10 days have elapsed, the shelter will be forced to destroy it, because it is too great a liability for the city to adopt it out, Pope said. |
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Copyright © 2000 the Cortez Journal.
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