The 911 callers were frantic.
“We need a cop, really, really quickly,” one said. “There is a pit bull attacking a bunch of people here.”
“Where?” the dispatcher asked.
“Oh God, I don’t know where I am at.”
The operator asked again. “Where on Harbor Street?”
“I don’t know,” the caller replied. There did not appear to be a street sign at the intersection.
The caller grew upset: “The dog is attacking a lot of people.”
A second caller put the attack at Harbor and McKinnel Court, the street where a 93-year-old woman has called her home for many years. He also said the dog was attacking many people. So far the police have identified only the woman as having been attacked. Her injuries are serious.
That was one of the calls that came in to 911 Sunday and led police on a horrifying call — to a 93-year-old woman who was mauled by a pit bull.
Click on the video to listen to the two 911 calls.
The woman had just started her walk on a fine spring day. She walked with the aid of a cane. All of sudden the dog raced across Harbor Street and onto McKinnel. The dog saw her, threw her over and began mauling her leg. So far the police have reported a very serious injury to her left leg. She may need further surgery.
Police Officer Joseph Harrington, who conducted the investigation, said that the animal ran from inside of the owner’s home and attacked the victim as she was walking. A number of neighbors came to the aid of the victim and began fighting off the animal using her cane and a baseball bat until the owner could subdue and cage the animal. The cage was provided by someone who witnessed the attack, police said.
By the time police arrived the dog had been captured and caged by its owner, Matthew Radulski, 49, of 136 Harbor St. (the home pictured in the video). According to sources, the dog was a rescue dog and was new to the family.
The dog was taken to the Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter. Police would not allow shelter personnel to release any information about the dog, including his name and his age. He has been placed in quarantine pending the outcome of the investigation into the case.
Sgt. Richard Dahlin, who supervised the incident, said the victim sustained a massive amount trauma to her lower left leg. She was treated and transported by Fire Department paramedics to an area medical facility for serious injuries and later underwent surgery.
“We hope she recovers from this brutal attack,” Capt. Geoff Morgan said today. “These are very serious injuries.” Capt. Morgan could not be reached later Monday about the 911 calls reporting the dog attacked other people.
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This is why this type of dog is banned from all New York City Public Housing Authority properties.
Several states are also looking into requiring owners of these dogs to carry mandatory liability insurance and collar registration tags proving the insurance.
Massachusetts and Rhode Island have also passed special insurance legislation requirements regarding these dogs in public housing and condo associations.
These states are doing this because this type of dog is dangerous.