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Article Archive > Officials: 7-pound Shih Tzu mauled to death by large pit bull in Hazlet Officials: 7-pound Shih Tzu mauled to death by large pit bull in Hazlet HAZLET - A "very large pit bull" mauled to death a 5-year-old Shih Tzu, after breaking thought a plastic backyard fence with its head and attacking the small dog, according to Victor "Buddy" Amato, chief law enforcement officer for the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). Police were called to the scene at 12:12 p.m. Saturday by a babysitter at the Fleetwood Drive address of the small dog, according to authorities. Township police officers Richard Jaeger and Ryan McAndrews and Sgt. Arthur Lynch discovered the pit bull in the backyard at 79 Fleetwood Drive, with the fence damaged and evidence of digging in the ground on both sides of the PVC fence, explained Police Chief James Broderick. Lynch attempted to use a snare pole on the animal, but could not grab hold of the dog before it charged at the officer, Broderick said. Animal control officers from the Associated Humane Societies and the SPCA were called in to assist, Broderick said. The SPCA arrived to find the more than 100-pound pit bull, "Otis," standing guard over the dead 7-pound Shih Tzu "Bella", Amato explained. Two children were home with the babysitter at the time of the incident, explained homeowner Christine Sellitti Pellikan, who was called home from work by the babysitter. When authorities attempted to snare the dog, the pit bull again charged at a police officer and Amato, but stopped short of them by about 10 feet, Amato said. Eventually, Amato and the officer collared the dog, but not without a struggle, Amato said. "He almost pulled me over the fence, that's how strong he was," Amato added. The dog was walked to an animal control vehicle, and calmly hopped into the vehicle, Amato said. The Associated Humane Societies took the dog away for observation, and a judge will determine its fate of the dog, Amato said. "There really is only two options at this point. The dog will have to be placed in a dangerous dog pen, or be put down. The judge will decide," Amato said. "I'm just terrified for my children, and they will never be allowed in our backyard as long as this dog is still around," said Pellikan, who is pregnant with her fourth child. |