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Man badly injured in bloody dog attack

Thursday, June 08, 2006

(New York -WABC, June 8, 2006) (WABC) -- A man from Queens is out of the hospital and talking only to Eyewitness News about a horrifying dog attack. The man suffered severe bites to his arm and the attack has outraged a neighborhood.

Eyewitness News reporter Kemberly Richardson is live in Elmhurst with her exclusive interview.

They used poles, sticks and one man even grabbed an axe to try and get the Rottweiler to let go of Michael Connolly. The 64-year-old spent the day at the hospital after beginning his morning routine with an unexpected surprise.

Michael Connolly has never been so happy to see his dog, both bruised and bandaged, but alive.

Michael Connolly, Victim: "I just wish people would put dogs on leashes. That's it. I mean it's not fair."

The Rottweiler may have looked harmless, but seconds earlier Maryann Lattanzio says she watched in disbelief as the dog relentlessly bit and chewed Michael Connolly's left arm.

Thick bandages to cover his deep wounds were visible as he was rushed to the hospital.

Maryann Lattanzio, Witness: "The dog is not letting go of this man. Just ripping out his arm!"

Marilyn Connolly says her husband was walking their two-year-old Shitz tsu Rosalita along Maurice Avenue. She was on a leash, but the Rottweiler wasn't.

Michael's only concern was his small dog.

Marilyn Connolly, Victim's Wife: "He grabbed Lita up in in his arm and apparently the dog jumped up and grabbed him."

Witnesses say the dog pulled them both to the ground.

Steve Denner, Witness: "I had an axe in my hand so I was going to kill that dog."

Steve Denner got between Connolly and the Rottweiler. It was finally leashed and police issued the owner a ticket.

Maryann Lattanzio, Witness: "The owner of the dog walked home with him! Walked home with the Rottweiler, on a leash! Goodbye! He walked up the street, the cops let him go."

Witnesses are furious and want to know why the large dog wasn't immediately taken from the owner.

Steve Denner, Witness: "He went home with the dog and it's a crime. What makes it sickening is they let big dogs run in this field across the street, loose, every day."

In fact we caught a dog off its leash, that is until its owner spotted us. Many here worry that if police do not crack down on pet owners a child could be next. We found loads of kids playing at a playground.

As for the Rottweiler, Marilyn has mixed feelings.

Marilyn Connolly, Victim's Wife: "I love animals so it's hard for me to say putting something to sleep."

Police have not yet released the Rottweiler owner's name but the Health Department has stepped in. They will look at the dog's previous bite history, today's incident and will monitor the animal for ten days and decide what, if anything, needs to be done.

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