Sep 13, 2008 1:04 pm US/Central
Charges Pending In Attack By Pit Bulls
WAUKEGAN (Lake County News-Sun) ―
No charges have been filed against the owner of three pit bulls that attacked a 19-year-old woman in north suburban Waukegan, ripping a part of her ear off and chewing up her arms and legs.
Kiara Lynn, who is recovering from injuries at Vista Medical Center East, was attacked Thursday afternoon as she walked to a gas station with her friend, Christopher Terry, in the 2100 block of Waverly Place.
Waukegan Deputy Chief Dan Greathouse said the owner of the dogs will not be charged until authorities have interviewed witnesses and obtained a statement from Lynn.
As of Friday, the dogs had not been turned over to Waukegan Animal Control, authorities said.
Anthony Smithson, director of environmental health services for the Lake County Health Department, said the owner told the organization he will make a decision Monday on whether to surrender the animals to county officials.
Smithson said that if the owner refuses to turn over the dogs, legal action will be taken.
A Circuit Court judge would then rule on whether authorities can seize the animals.
"Hopefully the owner will bring them into custody," he said.
Smithson said the dogs had been involved in previous biting incidents, but nothing as serious as the attack against Lynn.
According to a Waukegan ordinance adopted in 2007, when a dog has caused severe injury or death to any person, the animal warden is required to impound and hold the dog.
The ordinance also states that the owner shall immediately notify the animal warden when a dog has been classified as dangerous when it is loose or unconfined, has bitten a human or attacked another animal.
If the animal warden rules that the dogs are dangerous, it is possible the animals could be put down.
Lynn's aunt, DeShonda Rice, told the News-Sun that the young woman was not up to speaking after she was informed by doctors that they would not be able to permanently reattach her damaged ear.
"It is just sad news," Rice said.
(Source: Sun-Times News Group Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2009. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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