Increasing Number of Pit Bull Encounters in Wichita
Posted: June 23, 2008 08:08 PM CDT
Updated: June 24, 2008 02:11 AM CDT
Greg Mikesell was forced to make a choice.
"Essentially I had two options-either up a tree or in the river," says Mikesell.
Mikesell, an avid runner, was on his usual path down the Arkansas River last week when he was met by two pit bulls.
"I ran right up on them. They were right at the edge of the trail and the immediately attacked me. No warning, no barking."
He was bitten on the leg, but managed to escape.
"I was able to shimmy up the tree and get away from the dogs."
Mikesell's attack happened just as Wichita Animal Services is finishing a study it plans on presenting to the city council.
Here are some of the numbers from the first quarter (January-March) of this year:
41 (32%) of dog attacks and bites involved pit bulls
10 (67%) of the dogs deemed dangerous were pit bulls
23 (24%) of the dog bites were caused by pit bulls
615 (22%) of complaints involved one or more pit bulls
354 (24%) of all dogs impounded were pit bulls
Summary of pit bulls encountered by Wichita Police 2004 through 2007
In 2004 66% of all dogs encountered by PD were pit bull dogs.
In 2005 80% of all dogs encountered by PD were pit bull dogs.
In 2006 74% of all dogs encountered by PD were pit bull dogs.
In 2007 87% of all dogs encountered by PD were pit bull dogs.
"I think that when you look at the numbers and percentages and you have to say there's something wrong here," says Dennis Graves, Director of Wichita Animal Services.
Animal Services is not advocating a ban, it's been asked to present the city council with statistics. Overall, it's is finding it spends about a quarter of its time dealing with pit bulls.
"Everybody pays for it," says Graves.
The numbers from the second half the study are expected to be complete sometime next month.
http://www.kansascw.com/Global/story.asp?S=8544103
Jodi Preis
Bless the Bullys
Education...Awareness...Advocacy