Cocker Spaniel attacked Guide Dog

Woman charged in her pet's attack on man, guide
dog

The Hill 'n Dale man says lack of law enforcement has
allowed several attacks against him and his guide dog
during the past year.
By DUANE BOURNE, Times Staff Writer

A Hill 'n Dale woman has been charged, and her cocker spaniel
impounded, in what authorities say was the latest attack on David
Bearden and his guide dog, Isaac.
The incident occurred about 11:30 a.m. Friday when a dog owned by
Helga Curtis, 80, bolted from her yard on Frampton Avenue and chased
Isaac, according to a Sheriff's Office report.
Curtis was charged with interfering with the performance of a service
dog.
The incident occurred one day after Bearden learned that the State
Attorney's Office will not pursue charges against the dog owners in
previous attacks. One of those attacks involved Curtis and her dog.
The attacks have drawn the attention of the National Federal of the Blind
and the Florida Association of Guide Dog Users, which earlier this
summer urged both the Sheriff's Office and the State Attorney's Office to
enforce laws that protect guide dogs and their owners. Bearden, 46, is
legally blind.
Assistant State Attorney Pete Magrino said Monday that his office closed
its investigation last week because there was insufficient evidence to
prove that the previous attacks involved reckless disregard on the part of
the dog owners.
Magrino said it would be premature to comment on Friday's incident
because paperwork had not been filed with his office as of late Monday.
Hernando: Woman charged in her pet's attack on man, guide dog Page 1 of 3

Bearden said four dogs, including Curtis' spaniel, have attacked him and
Isaac 11 times in the past year.
"They had more than enough evidence to charge them," said Bearden.
"What that means to me is that the State Attorney's Office is refusing to
follow the law."
According to state law, anyone who injures or kills, or permits a dog they
own to injure or kill a guide dog or service animal, may be charged with a
misdemeanor and, if found guilty, must pay restitution.
On Friday, Bearden said, he and Isaac were walking near the corner of
Hill Road and Frampton Avenue in Hill 'n Dale when he heard Curtis'
dog barking. In an instant, he said, the dog was charging them.
"The whole event must have taken 15 to 20 seconds," said Bearden.
"Isaac was running in circles, trying to get away. He's not ever supposed
to do that."
Bearden managed to shoo the dog away without an injury to him or Issac.
In May, the pair were attacked by another dog, leaving both Bearden and
Isaac, a German shepherd, with several puncture wounds.
Bearden wondered Monday why it has taken so long for someone to be
charged in any of the attacks.
"This is the first time someone was cited," he said. "They could have
stopped (the attacks) in the beginning."
Lt. Charles Hinkle, the District 3 commander, said Monday the Sheriff's
Office has taken the attacks seriously and has taken steps to remedy
Bearden's concerns and those of others who say dogs are allowed to roam
the Hill 'n Dale area illegally.
Since June, Hinkle said, the sheriff's community policing unit and
Hernando County Animal Control have patrolled the area east of
Brooksville, apprehending seven unrestrained dogs, issuing more than 20
written warnings for unregistered dogs and giving five citations for
unrestrained dogs.
"We can only do what the law allows us to do," Hinkle said. "We are
trying to do whatever we can for him."
Curtis could not be reached for comment.

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[gravylegs1]

When a pittie kills a Cocker you disable comments what a hypocryte.

[FUzupf]

@gravylegs1 ummmm ya... I have NEVER disabled comments. I've only blocked 1-2 users because all they did was personally attack me.

[gravylegs1]

@FUzupf My mistake I apologise. You wouldn't post videos on Pits killing Cockers.

[gravylegs1]

@FUzupf Yes the woman should have had better control of her Cocker.But If that was a Pit going after the guidedog, The Guide dog would have been wasted.

[EmilyLovesHerDogs]

Hello I just watched your video and I think people should stop and think that it is not the dogs fault it is how the owners train them and when people get a puppy they should train the puppy to like other dogs or people and never hit your pets because that is what makes them mean because I have a spaniel and she had a very bad past and she wanted to attack other dogs all the time but I showed her that no ones going to hurt her and now she has a lot of dog friends and human friends to please su

[khatanahlya]

red cocker spaniels have a breeding problem . Much agression calling cocker syndrom.

[RachelXdanger]

cockers have more of a bad rep for biting small childern...then the jack russel..