Yorkie killed in attack - YorkieTalk.com Forums

flutterby · 12-23-2007, 10:07 AM

Sorry if this was already posted somewhere... Crazyy...

http://www.abcactionnews.com/news/lo...1-6800e5bc106a

and heres the newspaper article..

SEMINOLE - Still a bit groggy from having just woken up, college student Tyler Maraia was told by his mother to go outside and help a man she saw in a ditch with some dogs late Thursday morning.

From the edge of the ditch, it merely looked as if a bunch of dogs was tangled up in the ditch, perhaps by their leashes, and that an elderly man was in the ditch with them, Maraia, 18, said.

When he jumped in, however, the aspiring lawyer realized two greyhounds were pulling apart a Yorkshire terrier as if in a tug of war and the terrier's 80-year-old owner was trying to stop them, Maraia said.

"He said, 'Help me, Help me. They are going to kill my dog,'" Maraia said.

Four to five greyhounds had escaped from their home nearby and attacked Richard Graeber at about 11:30 a.m. as Graeber was walking two Yorkshire terriers and a miniature collie, Pinellas County sheriff's spokeswoman Cecilia Barreda said.

Graeber suffered some bite wounds on his hand, but the Yorkshire terrier being pulled apart died, according to Barreda and Maraia.

Five greyhounds were under quarantine late Thursday, either in a veterinary facility or in their owners' home, and were expected to remain so for 10 days until whether they had rabies could be established, said Welch Agnew, assistant director for veterinarian services with Pinellas County Animal Services.

No charges have been filed. The dogs have no prior history with animal services, and it appears they escaped from their owners' property as the result of an accident, Barreda said.

At the point Maraia jumped into the fray, one of the Yorkshire terriers and the miniature collie had escaped and ran back to the Graeber home, just a couple of blocks away from the attack in the 10800 block of Huston Lane, Maraia said. Graeber had been knocked down in the ditch with his remaining pet.

All told, there were four greyhounds in the ditch with Graeber and his Yorkshire terrier when he jumped in, Maraia said. Maraia said that when he pulled the collar of one of the greyhounds with the terrier in its mouth, Graeber told him to stop for fear he would inadvertently cause more injury to the terrier.

Graeber told Maraia to put his hands around the dog's throat and try choking the dog instead. At about this time, Graeber managed to free the terrier from one of the greyhounds and got bitten in his efforts. But the other greyhound, that had the terrier by the throat, started "twirling it around like a rag dog," and Graeber pulled out a pocket knife and stabbed that greyhound in the neck, Maraia said.

All four greyhounds then retreated as Maraia and Graeber brought the terrier to the Maraias' front porch, Maraia said. "The old guy he was in a lot of shock. He realized that was it. There was nothing we could do about it," Maraia said.

After he was treated at the scene for bites to his hand, Graeber was later taken to a hospital by a family member, Barreda said.

The four greyhounds seen by Maraia, plus one other owned by the same couple - Joseph Eisbacher and Katherine Koufas-Eisbacher, of 14845 Wildwood Drive - were quarantined, authorities said. One of them does not have an up-to-date rabies vaccination, Agnew said.

The couple could not be reached for comment.

That one - a 4-year-old male named Dakota whose vaccination expired in January 2007 - and Iris, the 8-year-old female stabbed by Graeber - are being quarantined at a veterinary hospital, he said. Three others - Rachel, an 8-year-old female, Max, an 11-year-old male, and Tootsie, an 8-year-old female - are under quarantine at the Eisbacher home, Agnew said.

If they are alive after the 10-day quarantine, they do not have rabies, Agnew

ladybugg74 · 12-23-2007, 10:18 AM

How terrible. I would have jumped in the middle of those dogs myself.

yorkiekist · 12-23-2007, 10:34 AM

How horrible for that lady!!! Its too bad as thats what Greyhounds are bred to do. They are sight hunters.

MyFairLacy · 12-23-2007, 02:13 PM

That's aweful! Those owners need to be sued for what their dogs did and those dogs need to be put to sleep!

saphire · 12-23-2007, 02:58 PM

That is such an awful story. And at this time of the year too. How sad.

Akhong · 12-23-2007, 03:09 PM

That is so sad

I'm glad that the other two little guys got away and ran home though...

Baby Madeleine · 12-23-2007, 03:12 PM

Oh, that is so sad

I bet the owner is just heart broken.

For My Coby · 12-23-2007, 08:16 PM

How horrible!! I never really thought of greyhounds in any sort of attack mode. But being bred to chase that bunny around the track would instill that desire, I assume.

That poor owner! How horrific. I just can't imagine..............

Riddicks Mommy · 12-23-2007, 08:34 PM

Oh how sad!!!

I think I would have thrown myself over my dog.. But being 80 you're a little frail to do that.. I hope those dogs are put down..

chattiesmom · 12-23-2007, 09:05 PM

How terrible!. I just cannot imagine the pain the poor man is going through. My thoughts and prayers are with him.

It is so very sad that even though there are leash laws that are supposed to protect everyone, that it isn't safe to walk your dog.

betsi · 12-23-2007, 09:05 PM

It's not the fault of the greyhounds. EVERY greyhound owner knows they have to stay in a fence or on a leash, so once again..irresponsible owners are at fault! Greyhounds are born with a prey drive for small moving things, even if it's a plastic bag. Then with more than one greyhound together, the pack instincts kick in and..well..we just read what can happen. My yorkie and my greyhound are very best buddies, but I don't let them play outside together, just to be on the safe side. I have had the greyhound for years. She is retired from the track and she is the most docile, sweetest dog ever. She's old now, and has a difficult time getting around. I'm SO sorry this happened to ANYBODY, but especially an older person. Glad there was somebody nearby willing to help. But let's not be so quick to think animals need to be put down. Put in a responsible owner's home, maybe..but not put to death because they weren't properly handled.

MyFairLacy · 12-23-2007, 09:25 PM

If a dog attacked or killed my dog, I'd want it put down, as well as the owners punished. What if it happened again to someone else? I never want to see animals hurt, but if one killed mine, it wouldn't be living anymore either.

MyFairLacy · 12-23-2007, 09:31 PM

and I'd sue the owners. There is just no excuse for irresponsible behavior and letting dogs run loose that end up ripping apart another dog

I think my three biggest fears are:

My dog getting run over by a car
My dog getting stolen
My dog getting attacked by another dog

betsi · 12-23-2007, 09:45 PM

I totally agree. The owners should be held responsible. The thought of a pack of dogs, ANY dogs, doing that to one another is so frightening. I'm so sorry about the yorkie. My elderly parents had a shih tzu that they were very attached to. I hate to think of someone, especially that age, watching their dog be so brutally killed. I don't post much..just a lurker I suppose

but I was moved to comment because I have a greyhound, and I'm SO disturbed because the dogs were off lead. Responsible greyhound owners know better than that.

Riddicks Mommy · 12-23-2007, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by betsi

It's not the fault of the greyhounds. EVERY greyhound owner knows they have to stay in a fence or on a leash, so once again..irresponsible owners are at fault! Greyhounds are born with a prey drive for small moving things, even if it's a plastic bag. Then with more than one greyhound together, the pack instincts kick in and..well..we just read what can happen. My yorkie and my greyhound are very best buddies, but I don't let them play outside together, just to be on the safe side. I have had the greyhound for years. She is retired from the track and she is the most docile, sweetest dog ever. She's old now, and has a difficult time getting around. I'm SO sorry this happened to ANYBODY, but especially an older person. Glad there was somebody nearby willing to help. But let's not be so quick to think animals need to be put down. Put in a responsible owner's home, maybe..but not put to death because they weren't properly handled.

Ya, that is true.. I hope the owners get a nasty fine then and should have to pay the man for the lose of his Yorkie..

12-23-2007, 10:07 AM	#1
flutterby YT Addict Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 402	Yorkie killed in attack Sorry if this was already posted somewhere... Crazyy... http://www.abcactionnews.com/news/lo...1-6800e5bc106a and heres the newspaper article.. SEMINOLE - Still a bit groggy from having just woken up, college student Tyler Maraia was told by his mother to go outside and help a man she saw in a ditch with some dogs late Thursday morning. From the edge of the ditch, it merely looked as if a bunch of dogs was tangled up in the ditch, perhaps by their leashes, and that an elderly man was in the ditch with them, Maraia, 18, said. When he jumped in, however, the aspiring lawyer realized two greyhounds were pulling apart a Yorkshire terrier as if in a tug of war and the terrier's 80-year-old owner was trying to stop them, Maraia said. "He said, 'Help me, Help me. They are going to kill my dog,'" Maraia said. Four to five greyhounds had escaped from their home nearby and attacked Richard Graeber at about 11:30 a.m. as Graeber was walking two Yorkshire terriers and a miniature collie, Pinellas County sheriff's spokeswoman Cecilia Barreda said. Graeber suffered some bite wounds on his hand, but the Yorkshire terrier being pulled apart died, according to Barreda and Maraia. Five greyhounds were under quarantine late Thursday, either in a veterinary facility or in their owners' home, and were expected to remain so for 10 days until whether they had rabies could be established, said Welch Agnew, assistant director for veterinarian services with Pinellas County Animal Services. No charges have been filed. The dogs have no prior history with animal services, and it appears they escaped from their owners' property as the result of an accident, Barreda said. At the point Maraia jumped into the fray, one of the Yorkshire terriers and the miniature collie had escaped and ran back to the Graeber home, just a couple of blocks away from the attack in the 10800 block of Huston Lane, Maraia said. Graeber had been knocked down in the ditch with his remaining pet. All told, there were four greyhounds in the ditch with Graeber and his Yorkshire terrier when he jumped in, Maraia said. Maraia said that when he pulled the collar of one of the greyhounds with the terrier in its mouth, Graeber told him to stop for fear he would inadvertently cause more injury to the terrier. Graeber told Maraia to put his hands around the dog's throat and try choking the dog instead. At about this time, Graeber managed to free the terrier from one of the greyhounds and got bitten in his efforts. But the other greyhound, that had the terrier by the throat, started "twirling it around like a rag dog," and Graeber pulled out a pocket knife and stabbed that greyhound in the neck, Maraia said. All four greyhounds then retreated as Maraia and Graeber brought the terrier to the Maraias' front porch, Maraia said. "The old guy he was in a lot of shock. He realized that was it. There was nothing we could do about it," Maraia said. After he was treated at the scene for bites to his hand, Graeber was later taken to a hospital by a family member, Barreda said. The four greyhounds seen by Maraia, plus one other owned by the same couple - Joseph Eisbacher and Katherine Koufas-Eisbacher, of 14845 Wildwood Drive - were quarantined, authorities said. One of them does not have an up-to-date rabies vaccination, Agnew said. The couple could not be reached for comment. That one - a 4-year-old male named Dakota whose vaccination expired in January 2007 - and Iris, the 8-year-old female stabbed by Graeber - are being quarantined at a veterinary hospital, he said. Three others - Rachel, an 8-year-old female, Max, an 11-year-old male, and Tootsie, an 8-year-old female - are under quarantine at the Eisbacher home, Agnew said. If they are alive after the 10-day quarantine, they do not have rabies, Agnew __________________ Kenya - Mommy to Brooklynn , Bailey , Bella (biewer), and Peyton Last edited by flutterby; 12-23-2007 at 10:09 AM.

12-23-2007, 10:18 AM	#2
ladybugg74 Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 1,054	How terrible. I would have jumped in the middle of those dogs myself. __________________ Heather - Mamma to Gracie & Hallee

12-23-2007, 02:13 PM	#4
MyFairLacy Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 11,003	That's aweful! Those owners need to be sued for what their dogs did and those dogs need to be put to sleep! __________________ ~Magnifique Yorkies~ Purchasing from backyard breeders, pet shops, and puppymills perpetuates the suffering of other dogs. Educate yourself and buy from reputable breeders or rescue.

12-23-2007, 02:58 PM	#5
saphire Lil' CoCo, Lotta Coffee. Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: South Africa Posts: 3,115	That is such an awful story. And at this time of the year too. How sad. __________________ Sheilagh CoffeeAbigail-Ceana. CoCoMurfee & Winston

12-23-2007, 03:09 PM	#6
Akhong Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Vancouver Posts: 175	That is so sad I'm glad that the other two little guys got away and ran home though... __________________ Tobi's mom

12-23-2007, 10:34 AM	#3
yorkiekist YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: HOT, HOT, HOT AZ Posts: 3,150	How horrible for that lady!!! Its too bad as thats what Greyhounds are bred to do. They are sight hunters.

12-23-2007, 03:12 PM	#7
Baby Madeleine Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Stuart, Florida Posts: 1,094	Oh, that is so sad I bet the owner is just heart broken. __________________ Monica and Madeleine Member of the Spoiled Rotten Club

12-23-2007, 08:16 PM	#8
For My Coby Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,139	How horrible!! I never really thought of greyhounds in any sort of attack mode. But being bred to chase that bunny around the track would instill that desire, I assume. That poor owner! How horrific. I just can't imagine.............. __________________ Diane, and my boys ..... Coby and Reggie !! Striving to be a YTPP - a YT Positive Poster! In Memory of My Beautiful Mother 7/22/28-8/27/08

12-23-2007, 08:34 PM	#9
Riddicks Mommy No Longer a Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 468	Oh how sad!!! I think I would have thrown myself over my dog.. But being 80 you're a little frail to do that.. I hope those dogs are put down..

12-23-2007, 09:05 PM	#10
chattiesmom Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Alabama Posts: 17,674	How terrible!. I just cannot imagine the pain the poor man is going through. My thoughts and prayers are with him. It is so very sad that even though there are leash laws that are supposed to protect everyone, that it isn't safe to walk your dog. __________________ Silk Step-In Harnesses www.foxypups.etsy.com

12-23-2007, 09:05 PM	#11
betsi Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: texas Posts: 624	It's not the fault of the greyhounds. EVERY greyhound owner knows they have to stay in a fence or on a leash, so once again..irresponsible owners are at fault! Greyhounds are born with a prey drive for small moving things, even if it's a plastic bag. Then with more than one greyhound together, the pack instincts kick in and..well..we just read what can happen. My yorkie and my greyhound are very best buddies, but I don't let them play outside together, just to be on the safe side. I have had the greyhound for years. She is retired from the track and she is the most docile, sweetest dog ever. She's old now, and has a difficult time getting around. I'm SO sorry this happened to ANYBODY, but especially an older person. Glad there was somebody nearby willing to help. But let's not be so quick to think animals need to be put down. Put in a responsible owner's home, maybe..but not put to death because they weren't properly handled. __________________ Mom to Boomer and his BIG brother, Jack and his little sister Layni

12-23-2007, 09:25 PM	#12
MyFairLacy Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 11,003	If a dog attacked or killed my dog, I'd want it put down, as well as the owners punished. What if it happened again to someone else? I never want to see animals hurt, but if one killed mine, it wouldn't be living anymore either. __________________ ~Magnifique Yorkies~ Purchasing from backyard breeders, pet shops, and puppymills perpetuates the suffering of other dogs. Educate yourself and buy from reputable breeders or rescue.

12-23-2007, 09:31 PM	#13
MyFairLacy Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 11,003	and I'd sue the owners. There is just no excuse for irresponsible behavior and letting dogs run loose that end up ripping apart another dog I think my three biggest fears are: My dog getting run over by a car My dog getting stolen My dog getting attacked by another dog __________________ ~Magnifique Yorkies~ Purchasing from backyard breeders, pet shops, and puppymills perpetuates the suffering of other dogs. Educate yourself and buy from reputable breeders or rescue. Last edited by MyFairLacy; 12-23-2007 at 09:32 PM.

12-23-2007, 09:45 PM	#14
betsi Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: texas Posts: 624	I totally agree. The owners should be held responsible. The thought of a pack of dogs, ANY dogs, doing that to one another is so frightening. I'm so sorry about the yorkie. My elderly parents had a shih tzu that they were very attached to. I hate to think of someone, especially that age, watching their dog be so brutally killed. I don't post much..just a lurker I suppose but I was moved to comment because I have a greyhound, and I'm SO disturbed because the dogs were off lead. Responsible greyhound owners know better than that. __________________ Mom to Boomer and his BIG brother, Jack and his little sister Layni