A Seattle woman walking her Great Dane, Lily, passed by some RV dwellers on the street when a woman in one of the RVs opened her door and three dogs bounded out and attacked Lily, reported KIRO7.
“She opened the door of the motorhome, opened the door, her three dogs were right there and just came running, teeth bared,” Leslie Shelton said. They were going for Lily, a dog her owners say is gentle, so Shelton moved to protect her. “That’s when the dogs started biting me, pulled me down to the ground, and then Lily was able to get away.”
A traumatized Lily is now recovering from bite wounds.
“I am scared to death, I am scared to death to take her out again. Not only for her life but for mine,” Shelton said tearfully.
Earlier, she was also afraid for her husband, who ran outside when he heard the screams and pointed – but did not fire – his gun at the dogs.
Neighbors say the area near Sixth Avenue South and South Snoqualmie Street (photo above) has been a favorite spot for RV parking. They counted 21 RVs Friday.
They told us they showed the problems to City Council member Lorena Gonzalez earlier this week. In a statement, she told us, “I have reached out to our Human Services Department and the Seattle Police Department to identify potential resources available to address the public safety needs of this area.”
“My heart goes out to Ms. Shelton and her family as she recovers from these injuries,” Gonzalez said.
“The Seattle City Council needs to get off their butt and start protecting the citizens that make a difference in this community,” said Shelton.
The three dogs that attacked her are in the custody of animal control.
According to the Sheltons, police say they will not recommend charges against Shelton’s husband for pulling his gun.
Perhaps he did intend to use it, but the situation shifted and he stood down.
What always mystifies me about so many homeless people is why they take on the responsibility of animals when they can barely feed themselves. Yes, it seems cruel to say, “Give up your pets” to those who might be truly needy, but we’ve seen plenty of young people (twenties, maybe thirties) with “Please give” signs and dogs. If you’re that needy, do what’s right for the animal and give it up to a home where it will be cared for and fed. Don’t use it in your campaign for handouts.
The dogs in the RV that attacked this woman were clearly stressed — maybe starving. You can’t tell me the people in that RV truly loved those animals.
“…should get a metal.”
Most likely that would escalate to a neighborhood metal detector.
PS: don’t pull a gun unless you intend to use it.
The guy that pulled the gun to protect his loved ones should get a medal.