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Pit Bull Shook Terrier 'Like A Rag Doll' In Fatal St. Pete Attack

News Channel 8 photo by KATY HENNIG

Two roaming pit-bulls, now in the custody of Pinellas County Animal Control, attacked and killed Max, a Boston terrier, while he was out on a morning walk with his owner.

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By Stephen Thompson of The Tampa Tribune and Rod Challenger of News Channel 8

Published: June 16, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG - Jean Post was taking her Boston terrier for a walk Sunday morning when, out of nowhere, two pit bulls appeared, she said.

One of them grabbed her beloved Max. The 80-year-old woman tried to rescue her dog, even putting her hand into the mouth of the pit bull to pry the dog loose, but it was no use, she said.

"He shook him like a rag doll and threw him around and I am screaming," the 80-year-old woman said today. "My dog never made a sound."

"I knew he was gone right away because he was a huge pit bull and I know when they get their jaws clamped on something, they don't let go," she said.

Max died of his injuries. Post was taken to a local hospital and treated for the few bites she suffered when she put her hand into the pit bull's mouth.

The two pit bulls – one is named Money, the other Paco – have since been traced to owner Shermon Britten, who lives at 700 63rd Ave. S. That's not far from where the attack occurred, or from the condominium where Jean Post lives with her husband.

The dogs will be quarantined for ten days to ensure they don't have rabies, then Britten can plead his case to get the animals back. The dogs won't automatically be euthanized, Pinellas County animal control workers said.

Britten said it appeared his dogs took advantage of a loose part of the fence that kept them on his property, and forced their way through with their heads. He said the pit bulls, before Sunday's tragedy, had never been in a fight with another dog.

He was sympathetic of Post's loss.

"I feel sad, she lost a dog," he said.

Before Max's demise, Post used to tell her husband that that would be their last dog, but now they are contemplating getting another Boston terrier through a rescue, as they did Max.

Reporter Stephen Thompson can be reached at (727) 451-2336 or spthompson@tampatrib.com. Reporter Rod Challenger can be reached at (727) 536-9603 or rchallenger@wfla.com.

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