First victim of Sandwich dog attack angles for dangerous pet regulations

SANDWICH — Two women in Sandwich were viciously attacked by the same pit bull in 2017. Now, one of them is pushing to change the town’s by-laws about how dangerous dogs are handled following a serious incident.

Elizabeth Hiatt needed 70 stitches in her left hand and still has trouble moving it today. She also was bit on the face and had several bones broken when her neighbor’s pit bull suddenly attacked her.

Hiatt was walking the 110-pound dog for her 80-year-old neighbor as a favor when “Bubba” immediately turned on her and started attacking her. She had walked the dog many times before without a problem.

Hiatt was hospitalized in Boston after the attack and is still in therapy as she can barely move her left hand.

Her attack, and a subsequent attack on another woman by Bubba, prompted Hiatt to start researching how dangerous dogs are regulated. She is now seeking changes.

“Given that it’s a mauling and requires severe medical attention, we are asking them to immediately impound the dog,” Hiatt said.

Other changes to how the town of Sandwich deals with a serious incident include requiring the dog be assessed by a trained animal behaviorist; having the dog’s home evaluated to make sure it’s appropriate; and guaranteeing euthanization is seriously considered.

“If an animal attacks a human once, they are very likely to attack a second time,” added Hiatt.

A state law passed in 2012 puts limits on what a city or town can do when it comes to regulating dangerous dogs in their community. For example, it is not permissible to ban a specific breed, like a pit bull.

“The reason for that is really that there is no research that shows that is an effective way to prevent dog bites,” Karen Holmquist of the MSPCA explained.

Holmquist believes the 2012 law protects both animals and the public. She says towns need to adequately fund animal control programs, and shelters need to make sure a home is suitable for a specific breed of dog.

“In our facility, we always look for that right match . . . between a dog’s energy level and the home life,” Holmquist said.

Hiatt has found trying to change the by-laws in the town challenging. She wonders how Bubba ended up with her elderly neighbors and grapples with her inability to quilt and enjoy her other hobbies.

“I think the hardest part, of all of this, is grieving the loss of ability,” Hiatt said.

A town meeting in Sandwich is scheduled for May 7.

If this effort is successful, Hiatt is planning to work on strengthening state laws.

MORE: Dog euthanized after attacking groomer at PetSmart in Hyannis

Cox Media Group