Boy's mauling death spurs Eastpointe to review dog law

Friday, April 24, 2009
'Get rid of' pit bulls, family says
Boy's mauling death spurs Eastpointe to review dog law
Christine Ferretti / The Detroit News
Eastpointe -- They posted a Beware of Dog sign in the yard to warn strangers, never imagining their 5-year-old pit bull mix would prove most dangerous inside their own home.

Now, a grief-stricken Eastpointe couple is warning others about the dangers of a breed that's "sent from Satan" after the dog latched onto their infant son and mauled him to death in front of their eyes Wednesday. He didn't even growl or bark beforehand, a family member said.

The tragedy robbed the 40-something couple of the child they'd finally conceived after 17 years of marriage. The infant, who police have declined to identify, would have celebrated his first birthday on May 3.

"We were preparing for his first birthday. Now we have to prepare for a funeral," the child's uncle, Terrence Lovejoy, said Thursday. "This is a passionate plea to those with these animals. It doesn't matter how much you think you know that dog ... neighbors, parents: Get rid of them. They are sent from Satan."

Eastpointe officials already are taking action. They're asking police to compile statistics and dog complaints and plan to review the city's ordinance for dangerous and vicious dogs at the next City Council meeting.

"Any time something like this happens, it devastates the entire community. It's a sad, senseless incident," City Manager Darwin Parks said. "With all you hear about dangerous pets, it is so important that parents think carefully about the animals they have in their homes when they have small children."

Eastpointe Mayor Suzanne Pixley said the incident is believed to be the first of its kind for the city that already has "tough rules" for pet owners.

"We'll review what we have in place and see if they (laws) are effective or need to be changed," she said.

Eastpointe is among at least a half a dozen Metro Detroit communities to consider, pass or revise animal ordinances in recent years.

Farmington Hills, Southfield, Allen Park, Redford Township and Wyandotte have either evaluated policies singling out so-called "bully breeds" or beefed up rules for owners of dogs deemed "dangerous."

In Waterford Township, Melvindale, Grosse Pointe Woods and Ecorse, "bully breeds" are prohibited. Others, like Dearborn Heights and Westland, have passed laws regulating pit bulls.

Sharon Keillor of the Bull Terrier Club of Metro Detroit said passing laws against the breed is unfair.

"They are wonderful dogs. They are smart and very people-oriented," she said. "Any dog can be overwhelmed by a toddler. In spite of their very best behavior, dogs are dogs."

Police said the family's frantic call came in at 2:47 p.m. Wednesday. The toddler was standing on his parents' bed when, without warning, the dog suddenly grabbed him. The parents were in the room. They never left the child unattended with the dog, which they had raised from a pup and which had no history of aggression with the family, Lovejoy said.

The father fired his .45-caliber handgun eight times, killing the dog. But it was too late.

Neighbors say the mother came out of the home screaming, "The dog got the baby by the head!"

The husband followed, covered in blood and unable to speak.

"It was a sneak attack on my nephew. He just grabbed him," Lovejoy said. "It took my nephew."

Across the street, neighbor Jason Rodriguez, who owns a pit bull-Labrador mix, said he's saddened when he hears bad things about pit bulls.

"It's the way you bring them up. I treat her right," said Rodriguez, 35. "I feel terrible for what happened to their baby and the dog. They are both gone now."

Police said they had not received any previous complaints about the dog, which was not licensed. And the father had a permit for the handgun.

cferretti@detnews.com (586) 468-0343