Woman Bitten / Attacked by Dog

Posted on Mar 26, 2009

A Manchester, NH woman was injured when her son's pit bull bit and held onto her leg.  The dog attack occurred in the women's home at approximately 8:15 p.m.

Police report that Mary Tate opened her basement door when the dog, usually crated in the basement, lunged at the woman and latched onto her right leg.

The dog's owner had to pry the dogs jaw off Tate's leg to free her from its grip.  Neal Vogler, Animal Control Officer, said that the victim did not know that the dog was loose in the basement.  The animal was outside but entered the home through the basement's bulkhead. 

The pit bull was a rescue dog and according to its owner had "nipped" at people but had never bitten anyone.  In addition, the owner knew that the dog had issues and had warned Tate not to be alone with the dog.

The owners are considering having the dog put down and have voluntarily given custody of the dog to the city's animal control officer. 

If the owners do not decide to have the dog euthanized Vogler said that the case would go to court because of the severity of the injury.  A lawyer would be necessary for both parties and a judge would decide the fate of the dog.