Abused Pit Bull ‘Duncan’ Beyond Rescue After String of Violence

AVON – ‘Duncan’ the abused pit bull, who was fortunately rescued and renamed ‘Lucky’ in April by animal-loving passerby after escaping from his previous owners, has since then been involved in two violent biting incidents, one of which was fatal to a pet cat, and is now scheduled to be put down within a week.

Alen Pease tried to adopt Lucky after the original owners were arrested for animal abuse and the dog had recovered from extreme starvation, and says that the pit bull attacked and badly injured one of his two current dogs, Bella, when they were introduced, and that he later attacked and killed the resident cat at Perry Vet in Livonia, also biting the vet technician in the process.

“Duncan is obviously traumatized, any creature under his circumstances will have adjustment issues,” said Mark Grovanz, Director of Environment Health for Livingston County. “If there is something we can do to help him we will, but we just don’t know at this point. It is against our interest, that being protecting public health, to put him in a home where he could pose a risk to another animal or a person. He is under rabies quarantine and we are looking at his behavior to better understand his characteristics.”

Pease has been highly involved in the process of helping Duncan recover, and says that even though he himself was prepared to take the dog just a few weeks ago, these incidents have created a difficult situation for everyone who is trying to help.

“I really had to pry to get his jaws off of Bella’s leg,” said Pease. “She needed surgery, and the leg is all wrapped up and she is in a cone. He went back to Perry Vet, and later while a vet technician was walking him in the fenced-in yard, he pulled the leash out of her hand and ran back inside, and unfortunately got hold of the vet’s pet cat. He also ended up biting the technician.”

Pease added that he is grateful for the outpouring of community support that has come out of Livingston County residents for Duncan.

“This is absolutely not what we wanted, but we can’t have him attacking another animal, or a child,” said Pease. “We honestly don’t know what else to do. I don’t want people to think I’m a failure for trying everything in my power to help Duncan. I know there’s mixed emotions, and if there’s a better option out there I’m willing to listen, but there’s not much more that we can do for him.”

PHOTO CAPTION: Top – Duncan on the day he was rescued. (Photo/Alen Pease) Bottom – Duncan at Perry Pet the day he was rescued. (Photo/Livingston County Sheriff’s Office)

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