Friday, January 19, 2007
DAYTON (AP) -- Pit bull terriers being housed at the county animal shelter after being confiscated in dogfighting investigations have bitten workers, intimidated volunteers and prevented people hunting for lost dogs from freely roaming the corridors, officials say.
The dogs are so dangerous that visitors are warned to remove coats that could brush against the cages and be grabbed by the dogs' jaws, said Mark Kumpf, director of the Montgomery County Animal Control Center.
Most of the 72 dogs bark furiously at visitors, some propelling their muscled bodies several feet vertically into the air, banging against their cage bars, growling and baring their teeth.
The dogs were confiscated in raids by police, starting in July. The animals have been housed by the county at a cost to taxpayers of about 60,000 as the cases go through the courts.
Several workers at the animal center have been bitten, mostly breaking up fights between the dogs when they are removed from cages for cleaning or exercise, Kumpf said.
Some dogs shred the hard plastic flooring in their cages, destroy drain covers and tear water bowls off the wall. Barriers are attached to several cages so the dog inside won't be driven to a frenzy by the sight of another dog.
Built to hold about 100 dogs and cats, the center now operates at 145 percent of capacity, and additional workers were hired to care for animals, Kumpf said.