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dog attack

Dog that attacked people in South Main Street residence surrendered, euthanized

By Howard B. Owens
steve pitbull dog attack
Steve, a pit bull mix, being removed on June 22 from a residence on South Main Street after the dog attacked two people. 
Photo by Howard Owens.

The owners of a dog that bit two people on June 22 at a residence on South Main Street in Batavia was surrendered by the owners to the Genesee County Animal Shelter, and it has been euthanized.

The attack on a home health care aide and one of its owners was unprovoked, said City Police Chief Shawn Heubusch of the Batavia Police Department.

A mail carrier walking her route that afternoon heard screams from inside the house and intervened. 

"The incident could have been much worse if not for the actions of an uninvolved postal worker that came running to help," said Heubusch in response to an inquiry about the case from The Batavian on Wednesday. "The postal worker heard screaming coming from the residence and ran over to see what was happening and witnessed the dog attacking. The postal worker was able to spray a chemical deterrent on the dog, forcing it to release its bite."

Heubusch said that both victims were treated for their injuries and released. He said both injuries were severe, but he didn't have exact details.

"The healthcare worker had been to the residence once before and, during the previous visit, had not encountered the dog," Heubusch said. "It is the policy of the healthcare worker’s company that any dog be placed into a secure area while the visit is taking place, and this was relayed to the homeowner before the healthcare worker entered the residence. The homeowner acknowledged this regulation but failed to secure the dog."

The chief said there were no prior reports of the dog, named Steve, displaying aggressive behavior.  The owners said Steve, a pitbull mix, was six years old, and they told police of no prior issues. 

"The attack was completely unprovoked as the dog immediately attacked the healthcare worker upon her entering the residence," Heubusch said. "The family did surrender the dog to the Genesee County Animal Shelter with the expectation that it would be euthanized."

Undersheriff Brad Mazur confirmed on Wednesday that the dog was euthanized.

Previously: Mail carrier hailed as hero after stopping vicious dog attack in home on South Main, Batavia

Two dogs attack 70-year-old woman in Basom, still at large

By Billie Owens

A 70-year-old woman has reportedly been attacked by two dogs that are still at large at 590 Council House Road, Basom. Alabama Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 1:36 p.m.: Responders are told to go Meadville Road, just north of Council House Road.

Woman attacked by dog along Snipery Road, Corfu

By Billie Owens

A woman is sitting roadside on Snipery Road and bleeding severely after being attacked by a dog, which is now inside a house. Corfu Fire Department and law enforcement are on scene. Medics are responding. She has bites on her arms and legs. The location is north of the railroad tracks by the bend.

UPDATE 7:23 p.m.: The woman is being transported by ambulance to UMMC for treatment of her wounds.

UPDATE 7:24 p.m.: Corfu is back in service.

UPDATE 7:41 p.m.: The medic informs emergency room staff that the woman is 40 years old and has lacerations on her right thigh, hip and forearm.

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