Confusion in 911 Call Delays Aid in Dogs’ Attack

TEMPLE TERRACE, Fla. — At times during an invalid’s frantic 911 call, it seemed the two pit bulls that were mauling her as she lay helpless on the floor were growling right into the phone.

“Help. Pit bulls are attacking me. I’m bleeding. Help,” 68-year-old Margaret Cuscaden yells.

The dogs’ barks and growls are heard throughout the 911 tape released Thursday.

In the confusion, the emergency operator says, “Excuse me, get rid of that dog, ma’am. I can only listen to one person at a time.”

Later, he realizes what is happening and says, “We’ll be there shortly, OK?”

Cuscaden replies: “Shortly, I’ll be dead.”

She didn’t die but it took 24 minutes from the time Cuscaden called 911 to end Tuesday’s terror. Paramedics who arrived within nine minutes had to call police officers to shoot the dogs.

The dogs that got into Cuscaden’s home through an open door bit her on her chest, head, legs and neck. She was released Friday from Tampa General Hospital.