UPDATE: Philadelphia police are investigating a series of alarming pit bull attacks in Center City that have left several dogs injured and a woman in custody. The attacks, which occurred on December 26, December 29, and December 31, have raised urgent safety concerns among local residents and dog owners.
The most recent attack took place on Monday, December 29, shortly after 5 p.m. near 12th and Chestnut streets. Brian Lovenduski was walking his 12-year-old miniature pinscher, Ziggy, when he experienced a horrifying encounter. “Suddenly, I felt my dog’s leash pull backwards. A dog had come out from behind us and had his leg before we even realized what had happened,” Lovenduski recounted.
Witnesses report that Lovenduski screamed for help as two bystanders rushed in to assist. The brutal attack left Ziggy with a broken jaw, crushed bones in one foot, and ultimately required the amputation of one leg. Lovenduski, who was also bitten while trying to save his dog, expressed his shock: “I’m still in a state of shock. I can’t believe it happened.”
Philadelphia police believe the same pit bull, whose owner may be homeless, is responsible for two earlier attacks in the area. On December 26, a 53-year-old man was attacked while walking his dog at Juniper and Chestnut streets, followed by another incident on December 31 involving a 74-year-old man at 19th and Walnut streets.
As of now, the police have confirmed that a woman is in custody “in reference to these incidents,” but charges have not yet been filed. The whereabouts of the pit bull remain unclear, and authorities are actively searching for it. ACCT Philly is assisting in the investigation and urging anyone who sees the dog, described as a brown and white pit bull, to contact local law enforcement immediately.
Executive Director of ACCT Philly, Sarah Barnett, explained the legal complexities surrounding dangerous dog charges. “Unless the owner wishes to surrender the dog, filing dangerous dog charges is the alternative,” she said. Barnett emphasized that while the law requires due process, the community’s safety is paramount.
Ziggy is scheduled for jaw surgery on Wednesday, and Lovenduski hopes his experience will serve as a warning to others. “I just am concerned that there’s a potential danger on the street,” he stated.
As investigations continue, Philadelphia residents are left anxious over the potential for further attacks. Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
