North Side woman hospitalized after attack by her own dog

YOUNGSTOWN

Neighbors and family members Thursday had to hit a dog in the head with a baseball bat and run it over with a van to stop him from attacking its owner on Dearborn Avenue.

The woman was taken late Thursday afternoon to St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital for bites to the arms, legs and stomach from the attack, which happened at about 2:40 p.m. The hospital reported later the woman was no longer at the facility.

Dave Nelson of the Mahoning County Dog Warden’s Office called her injuries some of the worst he has ever seen. Nelson said he was told by Youngstown police that the victim was initially listed in stable condition, but later had to be rushed into surgery because of a problem with her stomach.

A friend of the victim said the 3-year-old pitbull named Jax had an abusive background before her friend adopted him.

Rick Tunison, also of the dog warden’s office, said Jax will be quarantined for 10 days and designated vicious. He said if the owner does not want the dog back after 10 days, it will most likely be put down. Tunison said the dog has bitten other people before.

“It is not adoptable,” he said.

Read more about the attack in Friday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.