Pet Pit Bull Mauls Englewood, Fla. Couple; Both Airlifted To Hospital

A Florida couple in their 60’s was taken to a hospital following an attack by their pet pit bull.

The incident occurred Wednesday around 3:35 p.m. When rescue crews responding to reports of a woman suffering a seizure arrived at the residence in Button Quail Drive, they found the pit bull attacking 63-year-old Jay Barkow, the woman’s husband.

Officers used a taser to stop the dog from attacking and were able to chase it into a bathroom where they locked the pet, reported WWSB. The rescue crews found the woman, identified as Joan Barkow, having a seizure, with puncture wounds on her neck.

The husband suffered bite wounds on his right arm, a serious chest injury and puncture wounds on his back and neck, said police. The couple had the dog for the past three years.

According to a family member, the dog first attacked Joan while she was having a seizure and then attacked Jay when he tried to help her.

Multiple agency Charlotte County Fire, Englewood Fire and EMS responded to the dog attack.

The couple was airlifted to a hospital after first responders made a landing zone at an Englewood Walmart, reported WBBH. Joan's injuries were classified as a trauma alert in serious condition.

The pit bull is currently with the Animal Welfare League of Charlotte County and will undergo a 10-day quarantine.

Earlier this month, a 19-month-old baby was mauled to death in his family apartment in New York. The toddler was left in the care of his two older siblings aged 11 and 9. The eldest sibling told the police that the dog had previously attacked him too. Responding officers found the baby “bleeding heavily” from bite wounds.

According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, dogs either flee or attack when they feel threatened. “But if escaping isn’t an option, most animals will switch to a fight response. They try to defend themselves from the scary thing. So a dog can be afraid of a person or another animal but still attack if she thinks this is her only recourse,” states the agency.