Dog goes on the attack, woman hurt

Friday, September 19, 2008

A Putnam County woman reported being attacked while walking her dog Wednesday morning.

Bobbi Belongia, 23, Mt. Meridian, was walking her dog around 8:45 a.m. Wednesday near her home. A stray pit bull ran up from behind her and began attacking her dog. In an effort to stop the attack, Belongia pulled on the leash of her dog.

Around that time, a passing motorist traveling on US 40 stopped to help her and while attempting to separate the dogs, the Pit Bull began attacking Belongia's left ankle.

The motorist was eventually able to separate the dogs by hitting it over the head repeatedly with a flashlight.

Belongia was transported to Putnam County Hospital and was forced to undergo surgery to repair the wounds caused to her ankle.

According to Indiana State Police Sergeant Rich Myers, Belongia's dog received minor injuries to its head.

Myers also wrote in a press release that the owner of the Pit Bull requested their dog be transported to Hendrick's County Animal Control and euthanized. The head of the dog was sent to the Indiana Department of Health to be tested for rabies.

The investigation into this case is still on-going as the Detectives are interviewing the Pit Bull's owners as well as neighbors. The State Police ask that anyone who may have information or have witnessed the incident contact the Putnamville State Police Post at 800-225- 8576.

Assisting in the investigation are Det. Deana Jones, Trooper DuJuan Mcfadden, Trooper Chris Harcourt as well as the Putnam County Sheriff's Department and Operation Life.