MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Witnesses recorded videos when a pitbull recently attacked a little dog named “Tico” for about 10 minutes in the parking lot of an apartment complex in Miami.
The attacker’s jaws were locked on the neck of the four-year-old schnauzer mix. Elda Gonzalez Batista intervened. She grabbed a traffic cone and swung it.
“That dog was killing him,” Gonzalez Batista said in Spanish.
The little dog survived, but the residents of Half Moon Towers of Miami, at 5055 NW 7 St., have lost trust. Some fear a child or an elderly resident could be next.
Miami police officers responded to the dog attack and filed an incident report.
Miami-Dade County Animal Services is investigating the case and sent Local 10 News the following statement:
On Feb. 16, 2024, a dangerous dog investigation was initiated by a witness to the attack, who was not the owner of the dog that was attacked. The witness alleges an American Bulldog mix attacked a Schnauzer dog. Miami-Dade County Animal Services reached out to the Schnauzer’s owner and provided the required documents, which are currently pending their submittal.
The owner of the victim dog has a two-week period to submit their affidavit along with any supporting documentation, such as police reports, veterinary records, and pictures. Upon receipt of this documentation, Animal Services will proceed to provide the owner of the attacking dog with an affidavit, affording them a similar two-week timeframe for completion. Following the collection of evidence from both parties, Animal Services will assess any potential violations and designate the dog accordingly. If any violations are established, the owner of the attacking dog may face citations in relation to the incident.
It’s important to understand that the dangerous dog investigation process is conducted consistently, whether the incident involves attacks on humans or other domestic animals. The determination of a dog as aggressive or dangerous, as well as any ensuing citations, hinges on various factors carefully considered during the investigation.
Miami-Dade Animal Services
“Tico” had to undergo surgery to have necrotic skin removed, and continues to visit the veterinarian regularly to have the dressings changed.
The owner of the attacker was apologetic and was covering the cost of the veterinary treatment, which as of Thursday was about $3,000.
Detectives were asking anyone with information about this or other cases to call Miami-Dade County Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477.