Chronicle
An American Staffordshire terrier that escaped from an apartment complex attacked a Hernells resident and his dog yesterday, causing minor injuries including bites and scratches. The woman sustained injuries on her face and leg.
His bulldog suffered head, leg and chest injuries. An escaped American Staffordshire terrier was home alone and left an unlocked apartment door open by itself. The 34-year-old owner lodged several complaints after his return, police said.
Around 8:40 a.m., a resident other than the woman, who was later injured, called police after a loose dog jumped on her chest on the stairs. The man was able to push the animal back through an open apartment door and was unharmed.
The second time the dog escaped
But the dog opened the apartment door again by itself and ran out. At this point, the woman left her apartment with her bulldog. Both were attacked and injured by an American Staffordshire terrier. Arriving police officers used pepper spray to deter the dog from further attacks, and the injured woman was able to retreat to her apartment with her bulldog.
Officers of the Police Dog Unit also secured the dog. After some time, the owner of the American Staffordshire Terrier returned. He left the dog unattended in the apartment for several hours. The dog also relieved itself on the stairs, police said.
The owner of the dog had a gun in violation of the gun ban
The man was uncooperative and an airgun was found and confiscated in his apartment despite a weapons ban. He was repeatedly reported for violating the Arms Act and under the provisions of the Vienna Animal Cruelty Act on suspicion of recklessly causing bodily harm.
Accordingly, an American Staffordshire Terrier is a listed dog to which special regulations apply. The dog was currently in the care of a 34-year-old man. However, the vet was informed. Police spokesman Mattias Schuster said when APA asked if the animal had been taken from its owner that he would take further action.
