Pit Bull Attack Victims Identified

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — The St. Petersburg Police Department is investigating a Monday morning attack involving five pit bulls that managed to get loose from a 21st Street South home.

According to the agency, officers were called to the home in the 2100 block of 21st Street South just before 9:30 a.m. July 3. The dogs had reportedly attacked and bitten two people and remained loose.

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When officers arrived on the scene, they noticed two open windows on the home. The windows, an email from the police department said, also had no screens.

Police attempted to contain the dogs, but found themselves under attack as well. “The dogs would charge at the officers when they attempted to exit their patrol cars,” the email said. The officers had to use fire extinguishers to force the dogs away.

A Pinellas County Animal Control officer responded to the home to help contain the dogs. Police said she also found herself fighting off a dog.

“At one time when the dogs all jumped back inside, officers were able to use OC spray to keep them back while they closed the windows,” the email noted.

The dogs’ owners were not home during the attack. Police say they did return home and helped animal services officers load to dogs. The animals have since been placed into quarantine while the investigation continues.

The original attack victims are both women. Police say 52-year-old Laquanda Butler was bitten on the leg. Robin Macon, 62, was bitten several times. She "was taken to the hospital with severe injuries," the agency said.

The case remains under investigation with no further information available at this time.

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