WILTON MANORS, FLA. (WSVN) - Broward County Animal Services have removed a dog from a Wilton Manors home after a woman and her small dog were bitten in what neighbors say is not the animal’s first attack.
Animal services could be seen parked outside of the home along Northwest 30th Court, just off State Road 816, for several hours on Monday, less than 24 hours after Maria Zapata and her small dog were attacked.
“He bit me here, on my arm, my hand. It’s very painful, but I take care. I went to the hospital,” said Zapata.
Surveillance video captured the moment the large canine came charging from an open gate of a nearby house.
“The supposed owner really had no control,” said witness Victoria Geschleider. “I honestly thought someone was playing with the dog, but as I got closer, the lady was yelling for help.”
“My first reaction was take my dog and take with me,” said Zapata. “I was thinking this dog was coming to attack my dog.”
They said the dog attacked about six or seven times. One of them said his dog is still anxious by the sight of the vicious canine.
“He’s still hurt by it because every time he comes out of the house, he looks down here,” said Don Proitto.
The owner of the dog has since been issued several violations and the canine was removed from the home just before 2 p.m.
Police said the owner was also forced to pay a fine for two separate incidents back in July.
Now that the animal is off the block, neighbors said they can breathe easy.
“I’m so happy it’s gone. It’s about time,” Proitto said.
“Oh, my God, it’s a prayer! I called Animal Control and the police 50 times in the last six months about that dog,” said a neighbor.
“The dog is a product of whatever they’ve failed to do,” said Zapata’s husband Ernesto.
The dog will be held in quarantine at the shelter for at least 10 days. Its fate after that is unclear.
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