By Susan Hardee Steger
October 31, 2017 2:56 p.m.
On October 27, 2017, two tan pit bulls attacked another dog and its owner around Fernandina’s Beach Access 28. The owner of the pits bulls, a middle aged brunette with short hair, eventually took control of her dogs, but not until after a dog and its owner were injured. All dogs involved were untethered.
According to an information report on file at the Fernandina Police Department, David Lash and Celia Cart were “walking with their dog on the beach around 3:00 p.m. Lash had let his dog off the leash to let the dog swim when two tan pit bulls came running down the beach and attacked Lash’s dog and his wife, Celia Cart. Lash advised they asked for the owner’s name, but she refused to answer.”
Officer William J. Haney, who completed the information report, went to Nassau Baptist Emergency Room and spoke to Cart. Haney described the wound as “a large bite on her left arm where the skin was ripped.”
The identity of the pit bulls’ owner is unknown. Officer Haney spoke to residents and individuals in the area who were unaware of the attack.
Unable to verify if the pit bulls were inoculated against rabies, the Officer was advised that Cart will begin a series of rabies shots.
I personally do not want dogs on the beach but everyone seems to think that is a great thing. I have been attacked and bitten by a number of dogs over my lifetime. All of them off a leash. Owners always feign sympathy “oh muffy has never done that before” spare me, you she be sued, or fined, or have that dog taken away for the safety of others.
Worse than not taking responsibility for complying with the leash regulations is not taking responsibility for your pet’s actions, especially when they attack others. Hopefully the owner of the pit bulls will come forward or will be identified by others.
We were at the beach today between Seaside Park and Peters Point and there were several dogs out with their people. Most were on leash – but some were not. There seem to be some people who think that the rules about having their dogs on a leash don’t apply to them. And in most cases, my observation is that the animals that are off-leash are there to have off-leash fun – but are not necessarily well-trained or well-socialized. In this case, I hope the owner of the dogs that attacked will come forward and take responsibility for the actions of her animals. It is the right thing to do.
I have a dog who would LOVE to run free on the beach — but I always abide by the leash law — not only is it the law, it is a safety issue & courtesy for all people who are on the beach. I have often seen people with unleashed dogs & I let them know there is a leash law & have been insulted & cussed out many times. We need to have enforcement of our laws
Surprised this doesn’t happen more often as our “introduction” to living here on the beach was when my LEASHED mutt was attacked by a loose German Shepherd a distance away that ran from its owner to attack my dog, who is very non-aggressive and couldn’t even fathom why another dog would attack. So this is NOT, by the way, a “pit bull” thing. Luckily I had a thermos of cold water which I threw on the dog to distract from what would have been horrific injury, and the owner arrived a minute later. A couple of witnesses (with little children in tow) were also yelling at the man and he became belligerent very quickly.
My dog was ok but very traumatized, as were we, and we’ve called the sheriff several times since to report other loose dogs that do not seem under control by owners. Dogs off leash (and unscooped poop) is rampant on the beach and though the sheriff responds, the offenders are usually long gone by then.
I don’t blame the dogs of course. The responsibility is with thoughtless owners, and if these incidents continue or a child is injured, dogs will be banned from the beach as they’ve been at other beaches.
The solution is a large sign posted at EVERY beach access that says “Your dog must be leashed at all times. Failure to comply will result in a $10,000 fine.”
Boom. Problem solved.
Hopefully someone will know who the woman in…a vet?
They should be put down.