Pit Bull That Attacked Poodle On Leash In Ocean Gate Now In Quarantine

OCEAN GATE, NJ - It was a horrific photo. A pit bull viciously attacking a much smaller dog as it struggled to get away.

And that's why Patch decided not to run it.

Now the dog responsible for the attack that killed Saphira is in quarantine at her owner's Ocean Gate home for 10 days. After that, it will be up to Berkeley Township Animal Control to decide what to do with the pit bull, Ocean Gate Lt. Michael Kuchta said.

When police arrived, the attack was over. The pit bull had been pulled off the little dog and was back in her house. The First Aid Squad arrived to treat Saphira's owner, who was bitten by the dog trying to protect his own.

He was advised to take the little dog to the Red Bank Veterinary Hospital. Saphira lost her right eye and had numerous deep puncture wounds on her body. Despite all efforts to save her, Saphira died on Tuesday morning, her owner said.

Kuchta said Cassandra Bohack, the pit bull's owner, was ordered to quarantine the dog for 10 days. She was issued two summonses - one for letting a dog run at large and one for violating peace and noise provisions of borough ordinances.

Any dog on the street is required "100 percent" to be leashed, Kuchta said.

The owner will have to appear in municipal court to answer to the violations, but no date has been set yet, he said.

Barbara Hulbirt-Jackson said her husband was so traumatized by the attack he had to take the day off from work on Monday. He also had his first series of rabies shots. But Hulbirt-Jackson said the pit bull's owner furnished proof that the dog had been vaccinated against rabies, so her husband won't have to have any more shots.

A gofundme page has been established to help the family with veterinary bills. As of Wednesday, 79 people had donated $3,597 to help reach the goal of $7,000.

To donate to the gofundme account,click here.

Image: Courtesy of the Jackson family.