Pit bulls —
Malevolent or maligned?
Some say they make great pets, other fear them

By Leslie Wood
Staff Writer

GALLUP — Vicious dog attacks are a common occurrence in McKinley County, particularly in residential areas.

The county humane society reported about 20 bites so far this year and a total of 47 attacks in 2006. In 16 of the 67 cases, pit bulls were the culprits.

Mentmore resident Cynthia Hiigel and her two greyhounds, Missey and Moosie, were the targets of such an attack on June 11 while walking along the 3400 Block of Chee Dodge. A pit bull broke free of its restraint and mauled the dogs, causing injuries that required more than $500 worth of medical care at the Cedar Animal Clinic.

Hiigel said she threw herself between the pit bull and her dogs, but the pit bull overpowered her and began biting Missey on her throat and back. The pit bull dragged Hiigel more than 10 feet during the mauling.

Fortunately, a good Samaritan saw the attack in progress and helped pull the pit bull off the severely injured dog.

"It ripped a huge hole in my dog's back," Hiigel said. " ... She had to cough to breathe."

A neighbor called 9-1-1, and an animal control officer was dispatched to the attack. The greyhounds' injuries were documented through photographs, and they were taken to the veterinarian for emergency medical care.

Animal control officers contacted the pit bull's owner, Carol Gonzales, about the attack. According to an incident report, Gonzales told animal control officers her pit bull could have been protecting her 10-year-old daughter and the dog had never reacted in such a manner.

Gonzales declined to comment to The Independent about the matter when she was contacted by phone Wednesday morning.

Romie Calderon, an animal control officer for the humane society, said Gonzales was cited for owning a vicious animal and must appear in municipal court July 5. The pit bull was current on rabies vaccinations, but had no city license. Municipal Judge Linda Gasparich-Padilla could order Gonzales to complete community service or pay a fine if she is found guilty of the allegation.

Calderon said he will attend the July 5 hearing to ask that Padilla demand the dog be kept away from people. The pit bull was not confiscated because the attack was the first documented incident that was reported to animal control officials, he said.

Hiigel expressed concern that police officers did not respond to the scene. When she contacted metropolitan dispatch's nonemergency number, she was reportedly told the incident "was not a police matter."

"After the attack, I got really mad at the police for blowing me off," Hiigel said. " ... My dogs are all I have."

Erin Toadlena-Pablo, a spokeswoman for the Gallup Police Department, said police officers will respond to the scene of dog attacks, depending on the volume of calls the agency is handling that day.

"It just depends on how busy the officers are with other calls," Toadlena-Pablo said of the agency that responds to a 100-plus calls a day.

Toadlena-Pablo said the humane society also has a certified police officer working at the facility.

Hiigel did praise Calderon for his work on the case.

With the recent reports of pit bull bites, some residents may wonder whether it's safe to own the breed of dog.

"I wouldn't recommend pit bulls as family pets," Cosey Balok, director of the humane society, said.

Pit bulls can be particularly dangerous because of the immense strength in their jaws and their often poor temperament toward some people.

"The damage from a pit bull is much worse than that of your average breed, such as a golden retriever," Balok said.

Balok said several cities in New Mexico have problems with vicious animals.

In Farmington, the humane society reported 124 dog bites in 2006, of that number 24 of the attacks involved pit bulls. The area has seen 51 bites so far this year.

Rual Chaidez, a pit bull owner of more than three years, said the dogs are perfectly fine pets and their temperament depends on how they were raised.

"I've had no problems with them being aggressive," Chaidez said.

Chaidez said his pit bulls interact with his children on a daily basis and they jump on the trampoline together.

"I don't think they warrant their reputation," he said.

Almost three weeks after the attack, Hiigel said her dogs are slowly recovering, but she can't help but be left with hard feelings toward law enforcement for how the attack was handled.

"There are kids playing in that area," she said of the location where the attack occurred.
To report a vicious animal, call animal control, 726-1453.