April 8, 2008

SECAUCUS, NJ -- Two Minnesota woman are recovering after separate attacks on their dogs left them with minor injuries and one of the pets fatally wounded.

The first attack occurred March 26th, as Margaret Johnston, 70, walked through the residential area while two young neighbor girls pushed the stroller that carried her grandson -- her miniature schnauzer Schultzie, was also in tow.

According to a police report, a pit bull mix came running up from behind the troupe and attacked 11-pound Schultzie.

Fearing for the children and her dog, Johnston attempted to break up the scuffle. But the pit bull turned on the woman, biting her on the leg before pouncing on her.

Both dog and grandmother tumbled down a hill. Apparently, Johnston punched the dog a number of times before the young girls came to her aid and the dog ran off.

Unfortunately, Schultzie was killed by the attack.

Johnston is undergoing the lengthy rabies treatment process and is expected to make a full recovery. In the meantime, authorities say they caught a dog they believe is responsible.

Animal control will hold the dog for a minimum of ten days before a decision is made about its fate.

The second attack took place Tuesday in Minneapolis – far from the St. Paul neighborhood where the first attack occurred.

Amy Rice said she a pit bull attacked her Labrador retriever April 1 after jumping a fence into her yard.

The dog, named Frances, clamped down on her Lab’s neck. When she couldn’t get the animal to let go, she bit it on the nose -- which was enough to convince it to release its grip.

“I broke the skin and had pit bull blood in my mouth. I knew what happened, and I knew that it wasn’t good,” said Rice.

The offending canine ran off after being bitten and was later picked up by animal control. Rice’s dog, Ella, suffered cuts to her neck and a collapsed ear canal. She’s in recovery after receiving several stitches, and according to Rice is now afraid to go for walks outside.

Frances had been in the care of a foster home when the attack occurred, and according to her care taker was waiting to be picked up by a No Kill shelter.

“I love dogs, and I kind of understand this woman’s motivation on one level, but I also feel she, too, is responsible for this dog,” said Rice. “When you take responsibility for an animal in that situation, you can’t take partial responsibility for what happened.

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Matt Van Hoven, Pet Pulse, Abby Simons and Paul Walsh of the Minneapolis Star Tribune contributed to this story.