A Muncie man is in jail after police say he used his pet dog as a weapon.
According to reports, officers with the Muncie Police Department were summoned to the scene of a domestic dispute on Monday.
When police responded, they spoke to two woman. One of them said a man struck her, giving her a black eye, while the other said the same man stole money from her.
The cops confronted the suspect, Larry Lee Reed, 38, who attempted shut his door on them. They reportedly entered Mr. Reed's residence and put him in handcuffs.
Investigators say a pit bull then attacked Officer Matt Berger. Paramedics responded and transported Mr. Berger to Indiana University Health Ball Memorial Hospital for treatment of leg injuries.
Mr. Reed, meanwhile, was taken into custody on suspicion of resisting arrest and battery. Records indicate he has been charged with 11 crimes in the past 10 years, including five for battery.
Witnesses say Mr. Reed trained the animal to attack on command. But it doesn't take a trained attack dog to cause serious injuries.
An estimated 885,000 Americans seek medical attention every year for dog bite wounds, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Oftentimes, the victim is a child playing at the home of a friend.
Other times, animals break free of muzzles, leashes and other restraints and roam the neighborhood, where they happen upon victims. In some cases, dangerous animals even attack a member of their owner's family.
Whether deserved or not, pit bulls have a particularly nasty reputation. Of the 33 fatal dog attacks in the U.S. in 2010, pit bulls accounty for two-thirds of them.
While not inherently aggressive, defenders say, pit bulls and pit bull mixes are compact and powerful. Once they've seized a target with their powerful jaws, it is difficult to make them release.
By law, dog owners are required to keep their animals under control at all times. And while most pet owners live up to their commitment, an unresponsible few can paint animals, such as pit bulls, in a bad light.
Dog bite victims, especially children, have endured a painful and terrifying ordeal. They have right to be repaid for their medical expenses and compensated for their pain and suffering.
If you've been injured by a pit bull, contact the Indiana dop bite attorneys at Keller & Keller. We can provide you with a free consulation to let you know whether you injuries warrant a case.
