Health Department issues alert following dog attack

by Mary Helen Sprecher
newsroom@baltimoreguide.com

Following a dog attack last Wednesday night that left a juvenile hospitalized with severe face and neck injuries, Health Department officials have issued a citywide alert asking residents to report dogs running loose.

The attack, which took place on Quantico Street, involved two pit bulls which according to health department officials, appeared to have escaped from an enclosed yard. The dogs were impounded and euthanized. The owner was located by police as well.

Because the weather is getting warmer, said the health department, more dogs sharing the great outdoors will be a fact of life, and therefore, there is more of a concern about animals running off-leash or getting out of yards.

“Generally our calls increase as the weather gets nicer,” said Ingrid Antonio, the department’s public information officer. “So we are receiving the usual increase in calls this time of year.”

The Health Department is asking the public to help keep neighborhoods safe by reporting dogs running loose. According to officials, residents can help by taking the following steps:

*Reporting cases of dogs running at large and showing signs of aggression towards people to the city’s 311 complaint line. Report as much information as possible, including the time of day the animal usually runs loose, the address of the dog’s owner if known and a good description of the dog in question, i.e., color, size, breed, and any distinguishing marks.

*Reporting any incidents of dog fighting (a felony punishable by up to three years in prison and/or fines of up to $5,000; being a spectator to a dog fight is also a crime punishable by law) and other forms of animal abuse to the 311 complaint line. Provide the 311 operator with as much detailed information as possible.

*Keeping pet animals restrained as required by Baltimore City Code. Unless in an official dog park or in a private fenced yard, dogs should not be allowed to run off leash. If animals are kept in a yard, the fencing should be adequate to keep the animals confined to that yard.

*Vaccinating all pets against rabies and keep the vaccinations updated, licensing dogs and cats. (Additionally, animal welfare groups report that spayed and neutered animals are less aggressive than their non-altered counterparts, and less apt to wander away).

*Reporting any and all animal-on-human bite incidents to the police or the health department. (All bites are required to be reported by law).