Dog attack instills fear in Pukalani pet owner

Dog owner Jean Southmayd is "very fearful" about walking her dogs in her Pukalani neighborhood after a pit bull attacked her Cavalier King Charles spaniel, Lily, as they were walking home from a nearby park early Wednesday evening.

She said she and Lily were two doors away from their home when they were attacked.

"This dog was unrestrained, unleashed and shot out of the driveway. It happened so quick, you wouldn't believe," Southmayd said Thursday.

"I yelled to the owner, 'Restrain your dog.' I yelled it twice. It was too late, the dog was attacking my dog."

Southmayd said she was knocked to the ground by the pit bull and hit her head. The 28-pound Lily was on a leash when she was seized by the larger dog, suffering puncture wounds in a leg and an ear.

Although she was a "little dazed" after falling down, Southmayd said she tried to use her pepper spray to subdue the pit bull that she estimated was around 100 pounds.

Her 64-year-old husband, who was walking their other dog, Sophie, was able to pull the pit bull off Lily, Southmayd said.

The owner of the pit bull finally came out to take his dog, saying, "'Oh it was just an accident.'"

Southmayd said she and Lily will be fine and were resting at home Thursday. But she said the injuries to Lily could have been worse and she wants something done about it.

Maui Humane Society officials said Thursday afternoon that they are investigating the incident and may have more details today after animal control officers have prepared a report on their findings.

Southmayd said she is worried about the community along Ipolani Street where the incident occurred.

"This easily could have been a child," she said. "If my husband hadn't been able to pull that dog off, our dog would have been dead now. People have to be responsible for their animals.

"Reality is you read about these things all the time and what gets done about it?"

Southmayd said walking her dogs to a park next to the pool at the Hannibal Tavares Community Center is a daily event.

She said she has seen the pit bull that attacked her dog sometimes on a short rope. At other times it was unleashed, but the owner was always around to restrain the dog when they walked by.

Police also were called to respond to the incident and Southmayd was examined by paramedics, but did not need to go to the hospital.

Lily was taken to a veterinarian to be treated for her wounds.

* Melissa Tanji can be reached at mtanji@mauinews.com.