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Dog-bite season is here Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell Because it attacked a dog and injured a young girl, this pit bull is scheduled to be euthanized on Thursday. Animal control officials said the dog became a problem after her owner allowed her to roam without control. By JILL BRISKEY Mail Tribune The brown and white pit bull has no name, but she's got a tail that can wag hard enough to rattle the walls when she spies Jackson County Animal Shelter Director Colleen Macuk. Dancing from paw to paw, the 65-pound dog focused her gaze on Macuk Tuesday afternoon while issuing soulful whines, hoping for a little attention. But there is no hope for this pit bull after it attacked and mauled a Dachshund last week in Medford, injuring a 12-year-old girl who tried to defend her pet. The pit bull is scheduled to be euthanized on Thursday when her 10-day quarantine period ends. "Person to person, she's great, but when you get her around another animal," said Macuk, her voice trailing as she patted the dog's bobbing head. The pit bull's attack, although extreme, isn't uncommon this time of year. It's just one example of a local phenomenon that takes place every year and keeps shelter workers hopping from one case to another. "Right now, with this beautiful sunshine, we've been getting dog bites like crazy," Macuk said. "It happens every year in the springtime." On Monday and Tuesday, five dog bites were reported. Last week, animal control officers responded to eight bite reports, three of them serious. Four dogs are currently quarantined at the shelter for serious bites, including a German shepherd mix slated to die this week for attacking and seriously injuring a 3-year-old child. Twelve dogs have been placed in a 10-day home quarantine under their owners' care for minor biting incidents. In 2001, there were 271 reports of aggressive dog encounters, including 267 bites. Animal control officers euthanized 24 aggressive dogs that violated the county's dangerous dog ordinance last year. In Medford, officers are often the first at the scene when an aggressive dog encounter is reported, said Sgt. Roy Skinner. Once or twice a month, officers will spray mace into a dog's face if attempts to subdue it are unsuccessful. Animal control officers will spray attacking dogs with salicylic acid, a milder substance. "That's been very effective," Skinner said. "It's unfortunate, but the alternative is to shoot the dog. This is a way around that." Macuk said the dog bites in spring are sparked by a number of factors, such as people leaving doors and gates open, allowing their dogs and children to wander freely in neighborhoods. Not every dog that bites or attacks is quarantined at the shelter or euthanized. Following each report, animal control officers evaluate the dog, its history and living conditions. Dogs that bite because of pain, fear or territorial defense aren't necessarily considered dangerous, Macuk said. Animal control officials work with owners by providing education, requiring changes to the animal's environment or making referrals. Dogs that lose control of their aggression and cause serious injury to a person or animal are considered dangerous, and therefore must be euthanized, she added. "A bite does not make a dog dangerous, uncontrollable or aggressive," Macuk said. "There's a line there. When it's crossed, that's when we get into a dangerous dog situation." Unfortunately, Macuk said unattended dogs, such as the doomed pit bull that was allowed to roam, often become animal-aggressive. Unable to rehabilitate many of these animals, Macuk said the only safe option is euthanasia. Reach reporter Jill Briskey at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.