The Antelope Valley Times

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County enhancing enforcement to curb dog attacks

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ANTELOPE VALLEY – Citing an increase of dog attacks in the Antelope Valley, Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich this week announced that the County’s Department of Animal Care and Control has increased sweeps, with multiple-day patrols in Lancaster, Palmdale and unincorporated areas.

The initiative has actually been taking place for quite a while, officials say, but community awareness is now a top priority.

“We really want to get the message out to all of the animal owners,” said Derek Brown, Deputy Director of Shelter Operations for the North County.  “Loose dogs can pose a threat to public safety.”

An additional Animal Control Officer will be stationed at the Lancaster shelter starting Jan. 29. This will assist with response times and overall productivity, officials said.

“We have really good officers out here that make a great team,” said Brown. “They work really hard to keep the community safe.”

These three dogs escaped confined and mauled a 6-year-old boy earlier this month. The county is enhancing enforcement in the AV to prevent future dog attacks.
These three dogs were running loose when they mauled a boy last month. The county is enhancing enforcement in the area to prevent future attacks.

In keeping the community safe, residents must understand the importance of keeping their dogs properly confined, Brown added.

Last month, a 6-year-old boy in Lake Los Angeles was viciously attacked by three big dogs who escaped confinement from a neighboring back yard. (Read more here.)

Dog attacks in the Antelope Valley are a common threat, many residents say.

“I almost witnessed an animal attack late last year,” said Palmdale resident Sarah Q.  “I wasn’t sure who to call and was scared out of my mind. So much could happen in such a short time, and people usually panic.”

“I see dogs roaming the desert constantly,” stated Annabel W., of Lancaster. “It breaks my heart because I am worried they’ll either be hit by a car, or they could even attack someone else’s pets.”

Antelope Valley residents can help curb dog attacks by calling the Lancaster Animal Care Center at 661-940-4191 to report loose dogs.

“We want the dogs to stay home with their families that love and take care of them,” said Brown. We certainly don’t need more animals in the shelters, but we would rather them be there than on the streets.”

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27 comments for "County enhancing enforcement to curb dog attacks"

  1. I was walking my two German Shepherds when a little chihuahua came up to us and tried biting my dogs. Thankfully my girls are well trained and didn’t bite back, just kinda shook her off. If you can’t be a responsible pet owner then you shouldn’t have pets. I think most people get them for the “aww they’re so cute factor” and forget they are like children, a full time responsibility and commitment.

      • Thanks, yes they are. I believe that if you have a strong willed breed that you need to make sure they are trained and good members of society. :)

  2. I was attacked by 2 young pink nosed pit bulls, they managed to bite me on the back of the knee. My dog saved my life by attacking the dogs, and killing one. My son got bit on left hand and had to get stitches. The 2 punks with the dogs were telling them to attack me because at first I was alone. My son had gone 1/2 mile away with our dog. I had to strike at the loose dogs with a stick. I screamed a lot and told the 2 punks get your dogs they’re biting me; they did nothing. Suddenly, my dog came running then my son who tried to break up the dog fight. Again, the 2 punks did nothing except to start hitting my dog with a stick. I pushed them away, but was unable to help my son from getting bit. After the drama, the young punks threatened to shoot our dog and us. I called 911. I could go on and on, but there are too many dog’s running around and no one can guess as to their health of whether they’ll suddenly attack. I sure hope this program helps as no one helped us (even though I called/emailed gov. agencies –no response). Fine the owner’s if found.

    • Sorry for what you, your son, and your dog have endured. However, the two pos’s who owned the dogs are the ones to blame…..this is a prize example of negligent pet owners…to bad we can’t give these two fk’s exactly what they deserve!

      • Yes I agree. This story is a perfect example of people who shouldn’t be allowed to own dogs or any animals for that matter. It sounds like the 2 dogs were doing what they were being told and taught to do. Sanadia said that they were telling them to attack…effin ridiculous! I’m sorry Sanadia that you and your son had to go through that and it sounds like you are putting the blame on the idiots that owned the dogs which that’s exactly where the blame should be, on the owners. Glad your dog attacked in a protecting manner to help you. I remember a years ago my mom and her husband were out walking their Springer and mutt and someone’s huge yellow lab broke open the screen door it was behind and charged them and the dogs. The Springer immediately jumped in front of the mutt and my mom and husband and went into protect mode and defended them against the lab that was much bigger than him. It took the stupid owner like 15mins to realize that their dog broke the door down and was outside in the street attacking. My mom’s husband was able to grab onto the lab’s collar and throw him on the ground to hold him down while my mom controlled their dogs (who were on leashes) and walked them away. And then the owner finally came out and got their dog…but yet then acted like it wasn’t their fault that the whole situation happened.

    • I have never heard of pink nosed pitbulls. Dog attacks are a drag, been there. It always seems worse when nobody helps you…been there too. It could have happened with any kind of dog, I hope you know that. My stitches are from a German Shepherd. 72 stitches.

  3. It is a sad fact that you have to be on your guard if you want to do the right thing by your dogs – that is to walk them daily.I always carry a metal bat, my neighbor carries wasp spray.Things happen fast with a loose dog running around.

    • I carry a leash and take them home with me. Have them checked for a chip, run an ad in AV Press (free) and post on Craigs List. Make posters for the area where I find the dog, fax posters to vets and groomers, notify every neighbor I have email for, and post on Lost Dogs Facebook page.
      If I can’t find the dogs owner after doing all of the above and more, then I make sure the dog is spayed or neutered and chipped, has it’s shots and I find it a new home.
      I keep a dog for up to 3 months and continue looking for it’s owner before I rehome it.

    • Metal T-ball bat is the perfect size. I have to carry one with me every time I walk my dogs. It’s ridiculous. It’s funny how its my fault when their dog is loose and comes at me and my dogs, and I am ready to do some batting practice with their dog. Stupid FUK’s, some people do not need to own dogs.

        • Well I am not going to let my dogs or me get mauled by another dog. I’ve had owners just stand there as there dog is coming at us snarling and barking. And then all they have to say is sorry. I blame the irresponsible owners, but at that moment they are not the threat. So hate me all you want, but I am gonna do what I have to to protect myself and my dogs.

      • I too carry a metal bat, which is a real pain when walking two dogs but having lost a dog to an out of control neighbors ‘dog I do not intend to lose another.Sprays do not seem to help as there is too much random movement.

        • Sure glad I don’t live in your neighborhood.
          I walk dogs about 3 to 5 miles everyday and don’t come across wild attack dogs very often. I have had 1 incident but it wasn’t serious enough for animal control to make an effort to contact to dog owner. It was scary but I can’t imagine actually fearing for my life because of a dog attack. I pray that never happens to me or my dogs.

    • It is sad that because of irresponsible owners that the dogs have to take the hit and like you said you have to protect yourself and your dog. My mom always has to carry an big stick with her when she is out walking her doxie especially when the neighbor’s pack of border collies realize that she is walking by. When I lived there and used to go walking with her we would always have to swing sticks at them to get back into their yard and then we’d have to watch our backs because they would sometimes follow. But yeah I currently have 3 pitbulls (one pit is a foster) and 1 mini doxie and all are amazing. They act tough behind their fence but get them on a leash and out of their “safe zone” and they turn into little cowards and practically glue themselves to my side. And yeah if something were to run after them you can bet your a$$ that I would be jumping right in between to give that dog a boot to the mouth or chest because nothing and no one are going to hurt my fur-babies. When I lived in San Diego and I had my great dane/pit mix, I’d walk him every day to the dog park so that he could play. He loved it and he would always find one dog to make his BFF for the evening and they would play the entire time together….and then there’s always that idiot owner that brings their jerk dog to the park. Once a boxer tried to dominate my dog who wanted nothing to do with and wasn’t even paying attention to him because he was too busy playing with a labordoodle. The owner wasn’t even near his dog so I grab my dog and kicked the boxer to make him cry a run off. Then a massive unaltered lab tried to dominate him and the owner was standing there laughing and kept saying “oh he’s just playing” no he’s not playing when he has my dog’s neck in his mouth and is shaking him. I had to yanked this dog off of mine just so that I could grab hold of mine and then had to put a boot to his face when he decided to charge after my dog again and the owners still stood there doing nothing and just yelled at me to not kick their dog.

      • Unfortunately that is the problem with dog parks.The same idiots who don’t train and socialize their pets take them to the park and let ’em go.You really have to size the place up before you take them in.Too bad because it’s a perfect place for socialization if the owners are watching their animals.

        • I must agree with you on this dog park issue. There are a few people who show up and think all their dog needs is exercise so they let it run and jump all over the other dogs. They never consider that their dog really needs them to get off their fat ass and walk them around the park a few times on a leash.

  4. This is neither here nor there…I have a Jack Russell terrier and a pit bull and both are indoor dogs and walked on harnesses. I feel that I am a responsible pet owner-they have shots a rabies certs which I can’t really afford, but since I chose to have pets, I take responsibility for their expenses.
    I was attacked by a small dog (min pin) many years ago and had to have 14 stitches on my face. I didn’t blame the dog, the owner was no where to be found and the dog was loose in the neighborhood, completely untrained and undisciplined (I tried all the standard commands).
    If I have a point with this it’s that any dog can attack for any reason and it really is up to an owner to control them and if you can’t or don’t want to, then don’t have a dog. Pets of any kind are a HUGE responsibility, but dogs especially since they need socialization and manners.

  5. Mr. Brown it is the ignorant pet owners that are not responsible and neglect the care of thier pets…to bad you can’t track them, pick them up in the trucks, and take them to the shelter…how bout 4-6 in each cage!