Community Corner

Humane Society Quarantines 2 Dogs After Woman Bitten

Puncture wounds prompted hospitalization after attack on public property in Bahia.

The is asking for public assistance as it investigates two Novato dogs that have a history of threatening behavior against people.

Residents of the Bahia area in northeast Novato have been asked to share details about their contact with Blue, a neutered male pitbull/miniature pinscher, and Precious, an unspayed female pitbull, according to Humane Society spokesperson Carrie Harrington. Both dogs are 1 1/2 years old.

On June 22, the Humane Society received a report about a dog bite in the Bahia neighborhood, and the two dogs were taken into custody as part of the investigation, Harrington said. A woman in her 60s was transported by ambulance to Novato Community Hospital for multiple puncture wounds to the upper leg, said Deputy Chief Eric Nickel of the .

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The said it is not involved in the investigation and referred all inquiries to the Humane Society, which is contracted by the city of Novato to handle such animal-related incidents.

Harrington said the two dogs allegedly charged and cornered a man and his dogs March 19, and one of the dogs, Blue, bit a member of his household in October 2011.

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The dogs' behavioral history is taken into account to determine whether there will be a hearing about the most recent incident and what consequence might be extended to the dogs' owner or the dogs, Harrington said. The severity of any possible punishment also depends upon neighbors' and victims' willingness to speak with Humane Society investigators, she said.

"It’s important to report any incident where a dog threatens public safety or when an animal is loose and unattended," Harrington wrote to Novato Patch.

A viscious dog hearing is to take place soon and the dogs will be kept at the Humane Society until then and possibly after then, depending on the result of the hearing.

Anyone familiar with the dogs is asked to call the Humane Society at 415-883-4621.


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