Media Team
On Oct. 20, a pack of six dogs mauled their owners, a 16-year-old girl and her mother, in Ventura County. The pair attempted to exit their Manzanita Lane home when their six family dogs unexpectedly attacked the daughter on the family’s front lawn. The dogs began to attack the mother when she tried to intervene. Around 3:30 PM, 911 dispatchers received a call from a neighbor reporting a dog bite. The neighbor claims the dogs were on the mother and daughter. The neighbor said, “I went out there three times trying to divert the dogs away…They chased me. I got back in the gate, and they went right back onto them and they just continued.”
When first responders and animal services arrived on the scene, they tried using fire truck sirens, air horns, and pepper spray to get the dogs off of the women. Several officers waved their tools in an attempt to distract the dogs. In the end, the pepper spray proved most effective, as it helped get the dogs off the daughter.
The mother and daughter, who wish to remain anonymous, were hospitalized at Los Robles Hospital following the attack. The daughter suffered cuts, scratches, lacerations, and dog bite wounds to her head, arms, torso, and legs. In contrast, the mother only suffered minor injuries. The teen was transported in serious condition, but her injuries were not life-threatening. Authorities reported that both are expected to recover.
Five of the dogs were later revealed to be Cane Corsos, a breed of Italian Mastiff dogs, which are known to be 100 pounds or heavier, while the other one was a Pit Bull. Subsequently, Los Angeles County Animal Services impounded the dogs. Keeping six dogs under one roof technically violates a rule created by Animal Services which limits the number of dogs kept in a single home to three dogs unless the owner has a special license. This rule does not apply to service dogs. According to Eduardo Malagon, the Sheriff’s Captain at Ventura County Police Department, the cause and length of the attack were unknown as of Nov 13. There is an ongoing investigation by the Sheriff’s office. No new updates have been given on the status of the family or the dogs as of Nov 9.
The American Veterinary Medical Association reports that dog attacks are very common, as more than 4.5 million Americans suffer dog bites each year. 800,000 American dog bite victims require medical attention afterward. Half of this number are children.
Categories: Web Exclusive