In August of last year, a seven year old boy from San Ignacio was killed by two Rottweilers. He and his nine year old brother had jumped a neighbor's fence to pick coconuts when the attack occurred. The nine year old escaped, but seven year old Dualdin Alvero was killed on the spot. That incident did not affect or change any laws relating to ownership of Rottweilers. Now, almost one year after that tragic incident, another breed of dogs known for its aggressive nature, and commonly kept by Belizeans as a form of muscular protection is being blamed for the death of a 65 year old man. Jim McFadzean has the story.
Jim McFadzean, Reporting
The death of 65 year old Edmund Spain is being blamed on these two young pitbulls, a two year old male and an 18 month old female. According to Hattieville police, they responded to an eyewitness report of two pitbulls attacking a male person in front of this residence located in the Tropical Park area just outside Hattieville. After scaring off the dogs with gunshots in the air, the dogs apparently retreated into this fenced yard. The vicious mauling occurred more than two weeks ago on May 31st, but one week after being admitted to the hospital for injuries he received, Spain passed away. Spain who worked as a caretaker for this neighbouring residence was said to be making his way home from an errand. The dogs which belong to his neighbours are said to have been off their leashes.
Leon Lopez, Dogs owner
"I can't really give a comment because I really don't know how it happen."
Jim McFadzean
"Do you know Mr. Spain personally?"
Leon Lopez
"I can't say that much because we only live here like a month now."
Jim McFadzean
"And your dogs have never attacked anyone before?"
Leon Lopez
"This is the first time."
Jim McFadzean
"What exactly have you done since the incident now to secure the dogs?"
Leon Lopez
"Well from day one my dogs have been on a chain 24/7 they were not running about. The only reason why they were off the chain when the incident took place was because an incident took place at my house while I was away. So to protect my wife family she had the dog off the leash. That is the only reason why they were off. "
The Certified K-9 expert hired to investigate the incident says this unfortunate incident is another reason why authorities need to address the future of such aggressive dogs in the hands of an untrained public.
Joshua Trapp, Certified K-9 Instructor
"This is the second incident that has happen in the country where someone lost their life regarding dog bites. But again like I said If other countries are doing it they are seeing something that we are not seeing in the country of Belize regarding the pitbulls. So I would say yes it would be good for Belize to step up and start banning the pitbulls. This dog travelled 45 feet from where he was first tied to the gate and 93 feet more to where he had his victim. It is just to tell you how aggressive the dog is aggressive."
Trapp has worked as a K-9 instructor for the last 18 years. He has worked for several Law Enforcement Agencies, including the BDF, Prison and Belize's largest private security firm, KBH. Hired by the Police to conduct an evaluation on the dogs, Trapp has handed over today a preliminary report to the Police to assist them in their investigation of Spain's death.
Jim McFadzean
"You have been asked to come in and give your expert opinion, your expert evaluation on the dogs involved in this tragic incident. What have you evaluated in terms of the temperament of these dogs?"
Joshua Trapp
"Ok, the male dog has a very aggressive temperament, I did a couple of tests on the dogs this morning and he showed that if he tries to attack someone and you try to defend yourself he will attack you more. That only brings us to one thing that he was being trained or someone tried to work with him and got him aggressive and can't back him down anymore. They don't know what else to do. The female, when I went and did the test on her she barked after me and she went back she didn't want to come forward anymore when I went to her and I touched her she was pretty cool. That is just showing you that the male is the one that did all the attacks and the female was here just to back up. She is not the alpha, the male is the alpha."
Jim McFadzean
"Now this property from the first look at it one would assume that it is fairly secured. I am right?"
Joshua Trapp
"Yeah if you look at it Jim without taking a good look you would say it's pretty much secure for the dogs. But actually it's not and I would advise the owners of not only pitbulls, but if you have a dog that bites to please make sure your property is secure."
Jim McFadzean
"Did you know Mr. Spain personally?"
Leon Lopez
"No, I didn't know him all that personally because we only got here like a month. However I am tragically sorry for what took place with him. But like I said it's beyond control but I would like to give sympathy out to the family that in whatever we could help and we already assist, we would like to do more."
Jim McFadzean
"As the body of Edmund Spain is laid to rest today, the grieving family is left with the lingering question: Could his death have been avoided? And for the larger society, the question remains, will Spain's death have an impact, if any, on the future of Pitbulls and other aggressive dogs in this country? Reporting for Seven News, I'm Jim McFadzean."
The two pitbulls are still in the custody of their owners, and which is why the evaluation conducted by Trapp is important for authorities in deciding their fate.
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