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County euthanizes pit bull after 3rd bite

An animal on Hillsborough County's dangerous dog list is euthanized and its owner is arrested after the dog attacks a pedestrian.

By KEVIN GRAHAM
Published February 24, 2005

PLANT CITY - The owner of a pit bullterrier on Hillsborough County's dangerous dogs' list was arrested Tuesday after the canine attacked for the third time, officials said.

Donna K. Aldridge, 49, of 521 N Forbes Road in Plant City, faces a third-degree felony charge for having a dangerous dog that caused severe injury, according to Hillsborough County Animal Services. Records show that Aldridge was released from jail Wednesday on $2,000 bail.

Animal services confiscated 4-year-old Coco, Aldridge's white pit bull mix, and euthanized the dog Wednesday morning after Aldridge relinquished ownership. Tuesday's attack was the third one documented with the county and the first since the dog was placed on the county's dangerous list, said Jennifer Vermillera, an animal services spokeswoman.

Wyman Smith, 61, of Plant City was walking by Aldridge's home about 3 a.m. Tuesday when the pit bull left the yard through a gap in the fence and "charged" at Smith, Vermillera said. The dog bit Smith several times on the arm and dragged him to the ground. The attack continued until Aldridge called off the dog, Vermillera said.

The first complaint against Aldridge's dog was registered with the county on Jan. 28, 2004, for a minor bite. The second bite occurred on March 3, 2004.

"That time the dog was declared dangerous," said Vermillera, describing that bite as "borderline."

During the March 2004 attack, the dog knocked down an elderly man and bit him on the ear, she said.

"People need to consider that all dogs have teeth and all are capable of biting," said Vermillera. "Whether it's a chihuahua or a Great Dane, as far as we are concerned, a bite incident is a bite incident."

According to a county ordinance, if a dog attacks without being provoked after being declared dangerous, the owner is guilty of a criminal offence. The dog's owner may file an appeal with the county to keep the dog from being killed.

The fee in Hillsborough for registering a dangerous dog is $500. The fine for an attack by a dangerous dog is $450. As of Wednesday, Vermillera said, Hillsborough's dangerous dogs list contained 57 names.

"Not everybody thinks their dog is going to bite someone until after it happens," Vermillera said. "And at that point, it's too late."

[Last modified February 24, 2005, 00:53:06]