Pit bulls plaguing First Ward

Published 2:44 pm Tuesday, March 29, 2005

By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
Loose pit bulls roaming through her First Ward neighborhood pose a safety threat not only to children, but to townspeople in general, Pauline Murray told Dowagiac City Council Monday night.
Murray, mother of Councilman Darron Murray, said, "I'm very concerned about these pit bulls. I've had a problem with them for at least a year. I've called Animal Control at least three times, maybe four. What really got me bent out of shape" was a close encounter while sending a 3-year-old child from her house to her daughter's behind hers.
Tunnel vision prevented her from seeing a dog approach the child from the side even as she stood at the door watching, Murray explained.
Her daughter-in-law, Deadria Murray, who recently moved here from South Bend, Ind., also addressed the council about pit bulls.
Their dog was attacked. "Had he gotten ahold of my nephew, Darron's son, it would have been tragic. I see dogs loose in the area all the time. I don't know if they're licensed. This dog wasn't being fed by anybody."