Law and Order, Local Police Reports, Park Forest

Loose Dog Attacks, Kills Smaller Dog


dog attack
(MGN)

Park Forest, IL-(ENEWSPF)- A loose dog reportedly attacked and mauled a smaller dog Saturday. The dog that was attacked succumbed to its injuries and died, according to police.

A man told police that he was walking his five-year-old Australian Shepherd that night on a leash to his friend’s house. His friend lives on Hay Street. While near the intersection of Hay Street and Kentucky Street, a pit bull ran out and began attacking his dog.

The man said he grabbed a pole and began hitting the other dog so it would let go of his dog, according to police. Eventually, the dogs were separated, according to police.

The man said he carried his dog to his friend’s house. From there, his sister picked him and the dog up and took them home, according to police. The man said that the dog that bit his dog lived on Hay Street, according to police.

The man said that he didn’t call the police because he was in shock, but he had heard someone state that they were calling the police. He said it wasn’t an option for him to take his dog to the hospital that night; if the dog survived the night, he would take her in the morning, according to police.

The man was very distraught, and officers were concerned for him, according to police.

Police noted in the report that the Australian Shepherd was severely injured with many puncture wounds. An officer noticed a lot of blood loss, according to the report.

The dog was still breathing when the officer arrived, according to police. While waiting for paramedics, the injured dog passed away, according to police.

Andre Johnson, 56, 138 Hay St., Park Forest, was issued municipal citations charging animal bite, dog running at large, and required application issuance of tag when police were dispatched to the 500 block of Antietam Street in reference to a report of an animal bite, according to police.

Mr. Johnson told police he had his dog outside, then went inside to use the restroom. He then heard a man hollering. When he searched for his dog, he realized his dog was on the side of the house attacking a smaller dog, according to police. Mr. Johnson said he tried to get his dog off the other dog by striking him and that he didn’t get the other dog owner’s information.

When police cited him, Mr. Johnson asked officers how he could give up his dog.

About Police Reports

Please note that we repeatedly say “according to police” in these reports and often use “allegedly.” We are not asserting in any way that those police arrested and charged committed any offenses. We report on what is in the reports that the police furnish to us. As those accused are innocent until proven guilty, the burden is on prosecutors and police to prove all alleged crimes.

eNews Park Forest has continuously published the addresses of those arrested and will continue to do so. 5 ILCS 140/2.15 states that the governmental body (for these reports, the Police Department), shall release information on those charged, including their name, age, and address. This information is necessary to ensure the proper identity of those arrested.

Presumption of Innocence

An arrest does not mean that a person is guilty. The law presumes all those whom police arrest are innocent until proven guilty. It is the policy of eNews Park Forest not to remove items from the public record from publication. Suppose you find your name in the police reports. Our policy is that we will only add information relevant to the final disposition of the case at hand, e.g., “Mr. Smith was subsequently acquitted,” “Mr. Smith entered a guilty plea,” or “All charges against Mr. Smith were subsequently dropped.” We will do so upon receiving and verifying proof of such disposition.

We do not strike, “unpublish,” or delete news.

Police captured all the incidents in this report on body-worn and dash-mounted cameras by officers at the respective scenes, according to police. All Park Forest police officers wear body-worn cameras. Officials typically abbreviate these devices as BWC in the reports.

We encourage persons wishing to leave anonymous information on any criminal matters, including narcotics or gang activity, to call the Park Forest Police Department Investigations Division at (708) 748-1309.


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