Pit Bull attacks therapy dog

By Susan Hardee Steger

May 29, 2018 10:00 a.m.

"The Pit Bull was on a leash and was being walked by two older white females . . ." The unidentified females fled the scene. The Pit Bull was described as being black in color and with a red collar and a green leash." Police Report

Injuries sustained by "Dina" after being attacked by a Pit Bull on the beaches of Fernandina.

On May 22, shortly before 8:00 p.m., City of Fernandina Beach Police Officer James Carey responded to a report of a dog attack at Beach Access #2.  A Middlesboro, Kentucky resident Lance Burgess reported his dog, a Chocolate Lab/Australian Shepard mix, was attacked by a Black Pit Bull.

The Fernandina Observer contacted Casey Hagg, wife of Lance Burgess, who was with her husband as they walked their leashed dog "Dina" on the beach. Burgess was bitten by the Pit Bull on the hand and foot as he tried to separate the two dogs.   He is now undergoing rabies and vaccine treatments.

According to the police report, "The Pit Bull was on a leash and was being walked by two older white females . . ." The unidentified females fled the scene. The Pit Bull was described as being black in color and with a red collar and a green leash.

Hagg said, "The dog was on a leash but got away from the owner and ran about 50 yards towards us. Later, the owner told me that she knew the dog was aggressive towards other animals. The attack was unprovoked. The dog remained latched [on Dina] for 3 minutes (which felt like forever in the moment)."

"Once attacked, {Dina} did not fight back," said Hagg. "My dog has never attacked another dog and was recently certified by the University of Tennessee to be a therapy dog and visit nursing homes, hospitals and children at schools."

"The thing I feel worst about is that the dog that attacked Dina is still out there and will probably attack another dog. I hope your story can raise awareness! We thought Fernandina was a safe, pet-friendly place to visit and we wish someone had warned us!"