Dog Involved in Attack Will Be Killed

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Updated: 11:07 PM Jun 5, 2009 Dog Involved in Attack Will Be Killed Lincoln The 10-month old pit bull terrier that attacked a Lincoln boy Wednesday has been declared "vicious" and will be put to sleep. Posted: 2:27 PM Jun 5, 2009 Reporter: KOLNKGIN Lincoln Dangerous and Vicious Dog Ordinances	King, a Pit Bull Terrier declared vicious by Lincoln/Lancaster County Animal Control.

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The 10-month old pit bull terrier that attacked a Lincoln boy Wednesday has been declared "vicious" and will be put to sleep.

Lincoln Animal Control Manager Robert Westfall said the "vicious" determination means the dog cannot be returned to its owner and will be held at the humane society until it is euthanized.

"There's several criteria that we look at. In this case it was the severity of the attack," Westfall said. "We take into consideration whether or not the bite was unprovoked, in this case it ws unprovoked. We also take into account the number of wounds inflicted on the victim."

Westfall said the registered owner of the dog is Lisa Burton of Lincoln.

The dog attacked 10-year old Baylee Harris Wednesday as he rode his bicycle near the 3600 block of Huntington Avenue. Thirty stitches were required to close bite wounds. Baylee is recovering after being treated and released from the hospital.

Westfall said it's rare to declare dogs vicious.

"So far this year we've only declared two dogs vicious, this one being the second. The other dog was a German Shepherd declared in February."

"So far this year we've had 292 bites, 38 of those were from Pit Bulls, 27 were from Labs, 21 were from German Shepherds, and then it drops off considerably. Rat Terriers had 10, after that nearly any breed has at least one bite on there, so it's a problem with dogs in general," Westfall said.

Click on the link below for earlier coverage of this story.

Latest Comments

Posted by: John Location: Michigan on Jul 15, 2009 at 10:17 AM

Persons that don't care about little kids or anyone else, that their Dog attacked a Human, need to be severely punished Held Criminally Responsible.

Posted by: Ed Location: Panhandle on Jun 11, 2009 at 12:53 AM

Vicious dog being put to sleep? We let vicious malice killers live? Some thing is wrong here. Too all of you that have the kind caring dogs good for you but remember they are still animals and animals can attack at anytime! All pet owners need to follow the laws or you will get more laws. Don't let this happen! When your animal is running loose and poops in in a yard and you don't clean it up it is bad for all pet owners! They drop it you pick it up it's the law.

Posted by: Kath Location: Kansas on Jun 10, 2009 at 05:15 PM

I agree with the woman that said."Legislation banning particular breeds of dogs is no different than racial profiling of humans." Its wrong in every sense! God help us from people that wide spread judgments based of a few. I can see taking the dog and rehabilitatong it. But I can also see the upset and anger if it was my grand child. But who knows what this and other children have done to this dog on the way to and from school , before the day the boy got bit? I do know what all is said and done banning any breed is wrong.

Posted by: boxer Location: 27th and j on Jun 10, 2009 at 02:35 PM

so the next time i am riding by the boxer that nearly got me and im NOT carrying enough speed on my bike to power by, ill just hop off and kill it with my knife, as i should have today.

Posted by: Pam Location: Lincoln on Jun 9, 2009 at 05:26 PM

Ban the dog. Thats the easy way out. Band the owner. It's not the dog. It's not the gun. It's the owner, or the person behind the gun. I totally trust my daughters pit bull with my grandson. It is also the parents problem if there is a problem with the kid. The parents should be held responsible then.

Posted by: Karen on Jun 9, 2009 at 04:51 PM

I am just wondering of those 292 bites who identified these dogs? Were they pure breeds? Was there a DNA done? I know that Pits are a mixed breeds and that sometimes they have Lab, German Shepard and boxers to name a few. If you ban a certain breed how much of the mix will it take to ban them? Who will make this decision?I think your council should judge the deed and not the breed. Take actions on the irresponsible owners as well. The AKC does not recognize a Pit Bull as a breed. Just wanted to give you something to think about.Thank you for the time.

Posted by: Jennifer Location: Lincoln, NE on Jun 9, 2009 at 02:37 PM

Did anyone bother checking in on the information of the owner. The same dog that bit this boy, has also attacked someone else within the last 6 months also. There was nothing done about that bite, 'cuz it was on a relative. The owner also has a second pitt bull in her possession. Nobody's lokking at that, though. Quit blaming this kid and his mom. She DOES watch him and teach him right from wrong. This dog attacked him while he was coming home from school, 2 buildings down from his home. The owner didn't once check to see if Baylee was ok, she was only concerned about the fact that they were taking her dog. I know all about this story, 'cuz I'm Baylee's aunt and I was there while this kid was going through hell getting stitched up. He also had to go back to the hospital for 3 days, dealing with the infection in his arm from the bite. Don't judge what you don't understand. This boy is NOT at fault. The dog is.

Posted by: Jennifer Location: Lincoln, NE on Jun 9, 2009 at 02:07 PM

This comment is for all the people that seem to have a problem with this boy and his family. I am Baylee's aunt, and I am frankly sick and tired of listening to the stupid rants going on in this comment section. First of all, if you don't know the full story, then don't offer your negative comments. He was just simply trying to ride his bike home from school that day when he got attacked. He did NOTHING to provoke the dog in any way. Are you going to say now that he shouldn't have went to school that day so he could've avoided the dog in the first place? Come on people, grow up and get a clue. You weren't the ones that were there to see the three big puddles of this little boy's blood. Or the same blood all over him and his mother. You also weren't the ones that were there at the hospital, listening to this little boy's screams while it took over an hour and a half to stitch him up. Unless you know the whole story, don't pass judgement.

Posted by: Shirley Location: Lincoln on Jun 9, 2009 at 12:17 PM

So, once they banned pitbulls then which breed of animal is the media going to go after next? More strict laws on the owners is a great idea. Plus, add in parents that can not control their teenagers and let them run wild, to steal, harm, and destroy property. When is the teens going to get banned?

Posted by: Sara Location: Lincoln on Jun 9, 2009 at 12:12 PM

I agree that the owner should have the responsibility of thier animal. If the owner can not control the animal, then they should be banned from owning animals. It is unfair to declare one breed as the problem. If we ban pitbulls how long until we ban Labs,poodles,and cats because they bite. Not to long ago a little girl got kicked in the face by a pony at the Lancaster Event Center. Did the pony get put down? The owner of the pony said the pony was gentle and calm. So, we put down one animal but not the other. If we are going to start banning animals and putting them down, then all animals should be placed into this category.

Posted by: Michelle S Location: Lincoln, NE on Jun 9, 2009 at 12:06 PM

Don't ban the breed, impose fines, restitution, Registering, anything. These are more about the care and training of the animal than the breed itself. My daughter who is 23 Months, is quite fond of a pitbull that lets her Tug her ears, poke her eyes, and returns the favors with nothing but big puppy kisses. It would break my daughters heart not to get to see that dog again just because of the breed name. Why should we Discriminate in the canine race if we can't do it in the human race????

Posted by: Rachel Location: Lincoln on Jun 9, 2009 at 11:50 AM

How is the problem the owners.? Well im prettyy sure the owners have trained them and done whatever to make sure nothing happens. They didnt just wake up and say "oh hey, i want my pitbull to attack a little kid today" No, Its not the owners fault. Its the little kids faults for getting close enough to make the dog feel in danger. I agree with Tim ↓ because thats how it is, they can be the best dogs if they dont feel in danger.! It would be absolutly stupid if they end up banning them in Lincoln.

Posted by: Christine Location: Vermont on Jun 9, 2009 at 08:18 AM

I believe that this is very clearly a problem with the dog's caretaker. I would strongly recommend that the city mandate obedience/responsibility classes for those who live with dog breeds with a history of biting rather than banning the breeds.

Posted by: Sofia Location: Lincoln on Jun 9, 2009 at 06:46 AM

The dog should never be blamed for the irresponsibility of the owner. Breed-specific legislation is a lazy way to "solve" the problem of careless and cruel owners. Not to mention how unfair it is to the dogs and to responsible owners of pitbulls.

Posted by: Kathy Location: DeWitt on Jun 9, 2009 at 05:53 AM

The Breed is not the problem, it is the owner and lack of training for both the human and dog. I have had trouble with other breeds, do you plan on banning them all? Next will be the cats because they scatch and bite and cannot be as easily trained to obey.

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