Akita that attacked 16-year-old girl on Hillside road is put down
MIXED FEELINGS: Victim is sad over dog's death but says it was the only solution.
By TATABOLINE BRANT
Anchorage Daily News
Published: July 7th, 2005
Last Modified: July 7th, 2005 at 05:05 AM
An Akita that attacked a 16-year-old girl who tried to help it out of Hillside traffic has been put down, officials said Wednesday.
The owner of the male dog never came forward and attempts to find the person were unsuccessful, said Anchorage animal control spokeswoman Beth Wallan. The dog was killed Tuesday, she said.
Belinda Breaux, the mother of the girl who was attacked, said Wednesday that she had mixed feelings about the dog's fate.
"I hate to see an animal get put down. But at the same time, that dog could have done it again," she said. "That dog was a risk to the community."
Miranda Breaux, who suffered bites to her hip and shoulder and tears to her leg serious enough to require surgery, echoed her mom's thoughts about the dog's death.
"Being an animal lover, that's nothing to ever be happy about," she said. "(But) as unfortunate as it is, I think it was the only solution."
Miranda is expected to make a full recovery from the attack that occurred when she got out of her car to help the dog near O'Malley and Birch roads. She returned home from the hospital over the weekend, her family said. The South High student is "crutching around the house" and using a wheelchair.
"I have a new respect for people who are in wheelchairs," Miranda said, explaining that the few times she's tried to go somewhere have taught her that it can be difficult to get around.
The family said they are touched by the support from friends, family, Miranda's doctors and nurses, and even strangers. Miranda said the whole experience has taught her to not take things for granted.
"If you would have told me I'd be in the hospital for nine days out of the summer, I wouldn't have believed you," she said. "I really look at things differently. ... I know now that things can just happen. You have to love what you have, like friends and family."
Belinda Breaux said the family met the two strangers who helped break up the dog attack. She said the two construction workers, who used a hammer and a piece of lumber to scare the dog away from Miranda, didn't want their names used in the paper.
"They said anybody else would have done the same thing," Belinda Breaux said. "I hugged them and I said I beg to differ. As her mother, you've given me the most wonderful gift anybody could have given me."
Daily News reporter Tataboline Brant can be reached at tbrant@adn.com or 257-4321.
