Prisoner in her own home

VICKSBURG, Miss. (Vicksburg Daily News) – On the morning of July 8, Ann Hearn was taking care of chores around her home, one of which was to cut her grass.  While mowing, Ann was viciously attacked by a pit bull that belongs to her neighbor.  Another neighbor had to distract the dog with their lawnmower so that Ann could retreat into the house to safety.

Ann, suffering injures to her face and arm, called for help.  Vicksburg Police, Fire Medics and Animal Control rushed to the scene, and while responders attended to Ann’s wounds, Animal Control captured the dog responsible for the attack.  Ann was transported to University of Mississippi Medical Center for more treatment.

Ann was told on the day of the attack that the dog was being taken into quarantine for 14 days before being put down. However, on July 21, Ann was stunned to see that her attacker was back home in her neighbor’s backyard.

City ordinance Sec. 4-3 (b) states: Whenever any domesticated animal has bitten a person, it shall be confined in such place as the police department or animal control may direct and for such period of observation as may be necessary, unless such animal is too vicious and dangerous to be impounded safely, in which case it may be killed and the head shipped to the state laboratory for rabies examination.

As it is written, the statute does not require that the animal is put down, simply observed. However, after the vicious attack, Ann was assured that the dog would be euthanized. Instead, she feels unsafe on her own property, unsure of when the next attack may come.

Alderman Alex Monsour spoke passionately about the Board’s commitment to protect the citizens of Vicksburg.

“We’ve been a little bit lax, but we are going to fix that,”Monsour said. “I’m going to protect the public.”