Pit Bulls Who Attacked Woman Are Caught

Authorities caught two pit bulls who bit a woman Monday night, but were still searching for two other pit bulls who bit a man outside his home the same night about a block away.

Veronica Arce identified the pit bulls, a male and a female, that attacked her as she was walking near Gaynor Avenue about 7:30 p.m. Monday, leaving her with bites on both arms and her left leg, according to city Department of Animal Services officials. Her wounds were treated at the scene by paramedics.

Nearby residents told authorities that their dog was also attacked by the pit bulls when the dogs pulled its head through a fence.

The pit bulls that attacked the woman were caught at Frost Middle School by animal-control officers who had received a call from school officials. There were no injuries at the school.

Authorities were searching Tuesday for the owners of the dogs, which are being kept at the West Valley shelter. The animals will be euthanized if the owners do not claim them, said animal regulation officials, who added that the owners might be cited.

“We are holding the dogs hoping that the owners will claim them,” said Jackie David, a spokeswoman for city animal services.

The second victim, Gary Guerrero, was attacked after 7:30 p.m Monday at his home about a block from the first attack. He was treated and released from Olive View-UCLA Medical Center in Sylmar.

Authorities thought the animals they had in custody were also responsible for the second attack until Guerrero and his cousin, Armando Hespinoza, who witnessed the attack, could not identify the animals, David said.

David said pit bull attacks are common in Los Angeles.

“If the dogs aren’t properly socialized, or not treated well, then they will attack,” she said.

Gini Barrett, western regional director of the American Humane Assn., said that owners should not allow their pit bulls to routinely roam loose because they become aggressive and more likely to attack. “They are a humane disaster and a public safety nightmare,” she said.

Authorities were searching for a marbled male pit bull with cropped ears and a tan male.