Google+ Running in Cork, Ireland: US Jogger loses left leg to dogs...

Thursday, January 19, 2012

US Jogger loses left leg to dogs...

US jogger Joseph Finley was out for his early-morning jog along Lake Michigan recently when two pit bulls viciously attacked him during , an assault that ended up with the loss of his left foot. "I couldn't believe these dogs were attacking me. I couldn't believe this was happening to me," he said from a hospital bed at John H. Stroger Jr., Hospital of Cook County on Tuesday. "The only thing in my mind was if this is happening to me, the only thing I can do is survive. So in my mind: survive, survive."
The attack went on for several minutes, he said, describing that the dogs were "yanking and biting and tearing and pulling and gnawing at my body like I was hamburger."

Report from NBC News HERE

10 comments:

Mr H said...

I keep saying, running is a dangerous sport! I have a painful scar behind my knee after a dog took a chunk out on the beach. All the owners said was 'oh you'll be fine. He's had all his shots!"

JC said...

That's a Shocking Story!!

There were 2 Pit-Bulls without muzzles or leads today as I was running down the old railway line near the Marina.

The owner didnt seem too concerned but didnt look like the most approachable kind so I said nothing, kept running and hoped the dogs could see that there wasn't much meat on me!

JC

John Desmond said...

This is the law regarding dogs in Ireland...

Rules relating to certain breeds of dog
The Control of Dogs Regulations 1998 place controls on 10 breeds of dogs namely the American Pit Bull Terrier; English Bull Terrier; Staffordshire Bull Terrier; Bull Mastiff; Doberman Pinscher; German Shepherd (Alsatian); Rhodesian Ridgeback; Rottweiler; Japanese Akita; Japanese Tosa and to every dog of the type commonly known as a Ban Dog (or Bandog).
The controls, which must be observed when the dog is in a public place, require that these dogs, or strains and crosses thereof, must be kept on a strong short lead [only up to 2 metres long] by a person over 16 years of age who is capable of controlling them. The dog/s must be securely muzzled too. Furthermore, the Control of Dogs Act 1986 gives specific powers to the courts to order that a dog, which the court considers dangerous, must be kept under proper control or be destroyed.

Anonymous said...

i remember eamonn coghlan having to sue a guy whose dog bit him while out on a training run back in the late 1980's. proper order too.

Anonymous said...

Sunday 2 weeks ago was chased by a dog 2 miles into my long run. Caught him with a sweet right foot under the chin.
Last Sunday he barked at me from behind the fence.
Joggers 1
Dogs 0

Anonymous said...

A while ago a dog went for me too. I dont think he was dangerous but my reflex action was to swing a kick at him.
By sheer luck I met him cleanly across the side of the head with a fair bit of force. I felt sorry after doing it though as the poor guy seemed a bit dazed after it. He just turned around and walked silently in the other direction

None the less its now
Joggers 2
Dogs 0

Anonymous said...

Wait until those two dogs that now know what it feels like to be kicked in the head decide that they aren't going to be so stupid next time and catch you on the shin as you swing your leg at them. Nobody wants to see a dog get put down for biting someone but then again people really shouldn't be kicking animals either, what kind of message does that send to young people and to dog owners? If someone drives by you and splashes you with their car you don't run after them and kick their wing mirrors off!!

Glenn said...

I think we can all tell of an episode or two involving dogs. The problem is that people out walking with their dogs don't have much respect for the laws, especially on public walkways where it is required for a dog to be on a lead.
And don't get me started on the dog fouling along such walkways!!

Anonymous said...

A giddy red setter bit my wife completely unexpectedly one morning while we were out for a run. I went straight in to the owners house to inform them that they would need to getting rid of that dog immediately. We never saw the dog again. We would've sued them too only my wife was too nice about it.

I live out in the country and I still have dogs barking and sometimes even running at me from completely irresponsible owner's houses. Any dog that comes running at me barking gets to feel the full force of my right foot I can tell you.

There's no point talking to their owners.

Anonymous said...

the gardai have no powers to get involved in attacks or dog incidents, they can only refer to the dog warden.if a owner denies the dog is his it is up to you to prove ownership