Louie's Law

A man in Lake Worth was attacked by two pit bulls in Lake Worth on Thursday, according to Palm Beach County Fire Rescue.

Firefighters arrived to find the victim with animal bite injuries, Fire Rescue spokesman Capt. Albert Borroto said.

The man, whose name was not released, was rushed to the trauma center at Delray Medical Center for treatment.

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It seems nothing launches the nature-vs.-nurture debate like whether pit bulls are suitable to work as service dogs. Back in the 1980s, the city of Yakima joined many local jurisdictions in banning the breed entirely within city limits, amid yelps from human pit bull defenders that the action singled out the dogs and ignored irresponsible owners and breeders.

The issue has simmered for a quarter-century; then in April, the Yakima City Council approved an exemption that allows pit bulls as service animals. The change came on the advice of city attorneys, who said the all-out ban violated the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. The exemption requires animals to be registered with the city, be restrained on leashes and muzzled in public, and the dogs must be kept in pens or locked enclosures when at home.

Pit bull supporters cheered, but opponents feared the exemption created an opening for dog owners…

The neighborhood did feel safe until Feb. 15. That afternoon, the small cul-de-sac where the neighborhood children played became the site of a vicious dog attack that injured three of her children and shattered the family’s sense of security.

The attack began when a shepherd-malinois mix escaped from the yard of a nearby home and attacked Gardner’s daughter, Adebisi Agunbiade, who was 6 at the time. Adebisi was playing outside the home of a family friend when the attack began.

Adebisi had the most severe injuries. She was taken to McLane Children’s Hospital Scott & White in Temple and underwent surgery that night. Her left arm is scarred.

But mental scars are far more difficult to cope with, Gardner said.

Tania Glenn, a psychologist who specializes in PTSD, said the disorder can be especially difficult for young children and teens.

“Kids don’t have the insight and understanding of the world…

A Port Orange family wants to know why the dogs that killed their beloved chihuahua have not been confiscated from their owners.

According to Port Orange police, the two dogs that killed the chihuahua on Friday on Bayview Lane got loose, and it isn’t the first time. The dogs’ owner has been cited previously for letting his animals run loose.

“All of a sudden I heard this really horrible screeching noise, like a cry,” said Christine Wilcox.

Christine and Bob Wilcox said their 6-pound chihuahua Macho wasn’t a match for two bigger dogs, described as a husky mix and a pit bull mix.

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“When the dog attacked, we called 911, because our kids were out there.”

Allen Smith said his three children — ages 4, 8 and 11 — saw the attack, and are now afraid to go outside to play. The Smiths live within Shelby’s city limits.

“Our 8-year-old son was going to walk our dogs out like he does every morning,” said Sherry Smith. “This morning just happened to be a little different. Our son leashed up our dogs and opened the door to walk out.”

Sherry said her son walked about 10 steps, then was met by a pit bull.

“The pit bull was going toward our son, but grabbed our helpless little dog instead,” she said. “Her name was Missy.”

The Smiths said they were too late to save Missy. Now, they want to give her a voice. Allen said he’d like to see stricter regulations for people who…