Dix Hills community on edge after multiple pit bull attacks
DIX HILLS, Long Island (WABC) -- Residents in a Dix Hills neighborhood say they are concerned about public safety after two dogs that escaped from a home were allegedly involved in multiple attacks, including incidents that injured a husband and wife on Blossom Street.
Police responded to reports that the couple had been bitten by dogs that escaped from a nearby home. Neighbors told Eyewitness News the two pit bulls have bitten four people and said they do not feel safe in the community.
Larry Ballereau said he was attacked by the dogs while trying to help his wife.
"Bleeding, knocked over, scratches, bruises everywhere," Ballereau said.
Video provided to Eyewitness News showed Ballereau being attacked by two pit bulls.
"I was spinning around and saying, 'stop stop get off!' And the dogs were just gnawing at me, one here and one over there," Ballereau said.
Ballereau said he was headed to help his wife, who was at a neighbor's house after she was allegedly mauled and bitten by the same dogs while jogging.
"My wife got torn up, her shoulder her back," he said.
According to Ballereau, a good Samaritan assisting the 63-year-old jogger was also bitten by the dogs on Aug. 10. He also said the dogs allegedly went after a child on an e-bike in July.
"The dogs are just out and they are vicious, they are predators," Ballereau said.
Dog owner Anastasia Carnaras disputed that characterization.
"We don't have vicious dogs; we're here 25 years we have dogs," Carnaras said.
Carnaras said the dogs escaped after a back gate on Penn Drive was accidentally left open during two separate incidents, once by a landscaper and another time by a realtor.
"What happened is horrible, horrible," she said. "I understand what happened with the neighbors is horrible and I feel terrible about it."
Carnaras said new locks have been installed on the gates. However, some residents said that measure does not go far enough and have called for the dogs to be removed.
"This is a problem that has to be remedied and it feels like we are the ones that have to fight the town and Suffolk County," resident Patrick Stanton said.
According to a district spokesperson, the Town of Huntington has served the dogs' owner with three dangerous dog articles on behalf of the local district court.
"We should not be working so hard to make the streets safe from an obvious threat," Stanton said.
The owner was also issued a notice to comply for code violations related to the containment and control of animals.
"I am looking for a behaviorist for her, I have been assured by the town they are not looking to take my dogs," Carnaras said.
Ballereau said he believes the dogs should not remain in the neighborhood.
"They can't be here, they are hurting people in the neighborhood and it seems the owners are completely oblivious," he said.
Carnaras is scheduled to appear before a district court judge Friday. Residents said they plan to attend the hearing to voice their concerns.
----------
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
* Download our connected TV app
Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News
Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.
