Pit Bull Attacks Yorkshire Silky Terrier in Rockford.

Bill Creed was working in the garage attached to his home yesterday afternoon when a Pit Bull bounded up their block-long driveway. "Lucky," the Creed's faithful Yorkshire Silky Terrier that shadows Bill everywhere, was just outside the open door when the Pit Bull charged. Lucky raced into the garage for protection.

Bill let out a blood curdling war cry just as the dogs flashed past him to the closed doorway leading into the house, but the Pit Bull had already sunk his teeth deep into Lucky's flank and was mauling the terrified terrier, with intent to kill.

"My battle instinct kicked in and saved Lucky," Bill said. His outcry reverberated in the garage and scared off the vicious attack. Fortunately, the dog did not turn on Bill. About a month ago, the dog had charged Bill, when he was shopping at the local Exxon MiniMart Station in Rockford, a few blocks from his home.

In an interview this morning, he said, "My throat's sore from the force of my yell. My battle instinct just kicked in." The pit bull retreated instead of charging Bill.

He and his wife, Kathy, raced Lucky to Pioneer Veterinarian for medical care, 15 miles away. The little dog suffered puncture wounds and deep bruises on his flank, which was shaved to reduce the danger of infection. Seth Valentine, Lucky's veterinarian, reduced his operating room fees. "Consider it a belated Christmas gift," he said. Valentine is well known for loving each animal under his care.

Rockford's Pit Bull Ordinance, No. 90.3, specifically prohibits the Pit Bull Terrier breed. It states in part, "The breeds attack without warning for the purpose of killing their victim."

Pit Bull ordinance: Section 2 A states, "It is unlawful to keep, or harbor, own, or in any way possess a Pit Bull Dog within the city of Rockford."

Section 4 states specific Penalties, including fines, imprisonment and destroying of the dog. The Ordinance has been in effect since 1990. However, so far this Section has not been invoked.

The Creeds brought the issue of this particular dog, which roams all over the town, to the Town Council several times previously. When they called the Town Hall again yesterday, Deputy Clerk, Brenda Gambrill, phoned Spokanimal, which is charged with investigating complaints of problem animals. She was told that Spokanimal would return to Rockford Wednesday (today) to investigate this Pit Bull again.

Every time Rockford requests a Spokanimal investigation the town is billed for time and travel, which is usually well in excess of $100, according to Clerk, Darlene LaShaw. Spokanimal has been called out to investigate three times already.

According to the October 11, 2011 Town Council meeting minutes, Kathy Creed "… spoke of the Pit Bull that is at the trailer behind the yellow house by the Grange Hall. Steve Kelley asked if it is licensed. Darlene explained that Spokanimal had been called out for that dog. The Spokanimal employee thought it was the nicest dog she had reviewed.  The owner claimed it was his daughter’s dog, not his dog.  It was just visiting.  Darlene noted her frustrations with Spokanimal."

Kathy said, "Mayor Mickie said at that time, 'she would talk to the dog owner.'"

Darlene explained that problem dog owners circumvent the law in various ways, such as taking the animal out of town overnight and then returning it the next day, or claiming it isn't their dog, or just plain flouting the law. Since there is an Ordinance, and when Spokanimal doesn't remove the dog as a menace, the owner can't be fined.

The Creeds have an injured pet to comfort and care for, a vet bill, and a heap of frustration and fear.

The dog remains in Rockford, despite the Ordinance banning the breed.