Andrew Rothman
Member
See? Here's a good reason to carry all the time, even in "safe" neighborhoods (Deerwood has a population of 590).
A big, fat "bravo" to 37-year-old mom Teresa Catlin, for taking on two attacking Pits armed only with a flashlight. But then subtract some points for not carrying something more effective.
http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/5515758.html
Ya think?
A big, fat "bravo" to 37-year-old mom Teresa Catlin, for taking on two attacking Pits armed only with a flashlight. But then subtract some points for not carrying something more effective.
http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/5515758.html
Survivor, rescuer recount pit bull attack in Deerwood
Associated Press
July 20, 2005
DEERWOOD, Minn. -- David Deziel never imagined when he set out on his morning walk June 23 that it might be his last.
Deziel was attacked on the walk by two pit bulls. He survived, thanks to Teresa Catlin, who helped the 60-year-old stranger and called 911.
Deziel spent 16 long and painful days at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis before being released. He's now recovering at his home, wrapped in bandages from his abdomen down to just above his feet.
Sitting in his recliner with his feet up and with Catlin by his side, Deziel recounted his ordeal Tuesday in an interview with the Brainerd Dispatch.
"This was the last thing in the world I'd ever would have thought would happen to me,'' Deziel said. "I never anticipated to be attacked by two dogs.
"It was so frightening. I couldn't comprehend this and I still can't. If a wild animal would have attacked me I could have handled that, but two pets?''
He said he had just turned around to head home when he looked ahead and saw a full-grown pit bull rushing at him. He said the dog had been hiding in the tall weeds on its owner's property and he suspected the dog was waiting to ambush him.
Deziel said the pit bull which was the larger and stronger of the two, grabbed his right knee with its teeth.
"I told it to stop and I was being nice to the dog,'' said Deziel. "I didn't want to panic. And before I knew it a second dog came and attacked me. That is when I started to panic.''
The second pit bull attacked Deziel's other knee. A third, smaller dog was also present and ate pieces of flesh that had been torn by the other two dogs.
Deziel punched the dogs and tried to tear the pit bulls off his body. He was bitten all over, with both legs suffering the most damage, but the dogs also bit his mouth under his lips and also chewed on his ears, tearing a piece of one ear off.
"It seemed like an eternity,'' Deziel said. "It all happened so fast. I thought I was going to die. And when Teresa came here with the flashlight all I wanted to do was die and for it to be over.''
Catlin, 37, said it was a coincidence that she was driving by. She first saw the dogs, but not Deziel. When she got closer she slowed down and saw him lying in the tall grass. It took her a moment to realize what was happening.
"I pulled the van over, put it in park and looked around for something to use on the dogs and I found a flashlight,'' she said. "I ran out of the van yelling and waving the flashlight and one of the dogs backed off. I got right between the dog and David and called 911.''
When she arrived, one dog was at Deziel's feet and he had the other by the collar.
"I didn't have time to be afraid,'' she said. "I had to do something. Otherwise this guy was going to die.
"I don't know why I was not attacked. All I do know is that God was with us and he helped us. The dogs were panting and they laid down like nothing happened. I sat there with David and I prayed.''
One dog fled when emergency personnel arrived. Officers shot the other dog to allow medics to treat Deziel.
"When the police came I shut my eyes and was on the verge of giving up. I then heard a gunshot by my head and it scared me to death,'' he said.
He was taken to the Cuyuna Regional Medical Center in Crosby and then to HCMC, where he said he came close to death on his fourth or fifth day in the hospital.
Deziel, who bit his tongue a few times in pain during the interview, said doctors at HCMC told him it would be a few months before he would be released. He got out in 16 days.
He said he's been overwhelmed by the support from his family, neighbors and the community — and Catlin.
"How do you repay someone for saving your life?'' Deziel said. "What is a human life worth? There are no words to describe my feeling about her ... I'm so proud of her, she's my hero. I don't know how to thank her.''
Catlin said the dogs had caused problems before. She said her son was biking on the road last summer when one of the pit bulls ripped his pants. She said she called authorities, but nothing was done. She said the pit bulls also broke into her neighbors' kennel and killed their dog.
Crow Wing County Don Ryan said the case is being reviewed for possible charges against the dog owner.
Ya think?
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