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Published on 10/02/1995 All articles from this issue

Los Altos 'pit' bull hearing unleashes tensions, emotions

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By Joanne Griffith Domingue / Town Crier Staff Writer

The victim of an attack by three "pit" bulls and the owner of the dogs faced off at a hearing last Thursday at Los Altos City Hall to determine the fate of the dogs. Hearing officer James Beard, a Los Altos attorney, will decide if the dogs are vicious according to the city code.

On Sept. 19, while Los Altos resident Gwen Francis walked her golden Labrador, Hogan, on his leash, Hank Harrison's three unleashed American bull terriers, known to some as "pit" bulls, attacked Hogan.

"It was vicious and unprovoked," Francis told the hearing officer. "The man had no control over his dogs. He yelled their names, and they just charged."

Francis was bitten, and Hogan received more than 50 puncture wounds, she said in an earlier interview.

The dogs were impounded because of the bite and have been kept for a 10-day quarantine at an undisclosed location, said Palo Alto Police Lt. Torin Fisher, who administers the Palo Alto Animal Shelter. Los Altos has a contract with Palo Alto for animal control services.

Mary and Michael Dionne stopped their car to help Francis.

"I saw Mr. Harrison swinging wildly at the dogs," Michael Dionne said. "My wife was screaming, 'Don't get out of the car.' All three pit bulls had their jaws locked onto Ms. Francis' lab. She was trying to pull her dog out while holding onto the leash. Mr. Harrison was trying to pull his dogs off. The Lab was suspended in the air. I thought he was dead."

Mary Dionne honked her horn and screamed for help.

Neighbor Rhonda Smith said she was reading to her 8-year old daughter when she heard screaming and a wail.

"I ran out into the street and got a hose and started to squirt at one of the dogs," she said.

Four neighbors testified that on other occasions they have seen the dogs jump Harrison's fence, wiggle out of the gate, or run through the neighborhood without a leash.

Harrison and his wife Triona Watson brought their mailman, who's "never had any problem with these dogs," and videos as character witnesses for their animals.

"My dogs did not attack aggressively," Harrison said. "My dogs did not bite her (Francis.) Her dog bit her. My dogs were nipping, not locked on.

"I did attempt voice commands during the attack," he said. But with the honking and the screaming, he didn't think his dogs could hear. He admitted the dogs were acquired for protection, and that they can climb a 6- or 8-foot fence.

He then showed videos of bull terriers climbing trees and romping with their trainers.

"This is ridiculous," Francis said.

Harrison turned to her. "You want my dogs dead? You're not going to get them dead."

Watson held back tears as she said, "Our dogs have never seen a pit. They are family pets bred to be mild mannered.

"We miss our dogs, and we want them back. I apologize from the bottom of my heart to Ms. Francis. But this was a simple dog fight."

Harrison said if his dogs are returned, "they will never touch Santa Clara County soil again." The couple is planning to move and the dogs would go immediately to relatives outside the county.

Beard's decision was not announced before the Town Crier went to press.

"I hope we've made it clear that these dogs are not vicious," Harrison said.

Francis disagrees.

"These dogs are dangerous, and they will attack again," she said.