BALLWIN, Mo. (First Alert 4) – Chris Stroker said last August when he saw two dogs attacking another dog, he came out to help and got bit himself multiple times.
When First Alert 4 visited the neighborhood Monday, it was apparent residents are still on edge.
“My wife and I don’t walk much around here anymore,” said Terry Aldridge.
Terry Aldridge said since a dog attack last summer, he refuses to walk near the dog owner’s house in the Mayfair subdivision; his daughter feels the same way.
“She freaked out going down the other direction, she wanted to go around, because she knew about the dogs,” said Aldridge.
The Aldridge’s now walk in nearby parks instead after an incident last August. According to the police report, Stroker was hospitalized after receiving 108 puncture wounds.
Wounds his attorney said he got while helping a dog under attack.
“The dogs actually turned on him and attacked him and took him to the ground,” said Jim Avery, Storker’s attorney
Avery tells First Alert 4 that if they don’t reach a settlement with the homeowner’s insurance, a lawsuit is likely coming.
“If you’re going to own a dog, you have a job to be a responsible dog owner,” said Avery.
Stroker said no criminal charges have been filed.
We’ve repeatedly reached out to Ballwin’s prosecuting attorney, Chris Graville, since last Thursday, and haven’t heard back.
“We have to use the civil justice system because the criminal justice system usually fails us,” said Avery.
Monday, we found multiple “dangerous dog” signs on and around the house. It’s a St. Louis County and city requirement after an animal attack.
The dog owner, who we’re not identifying since they haven’t been charged, came outside and declined an interview. But her next-door neighbor came out and told her side of the story.
She refused an interview but said it was not the homeowner’s fault, as she was away from home. She also said the dog owner has been traumatized since this incident and has been harassed by neighbors, even going as far as putting in two fences in her backyard.
Stroker said Animal Control removed the dogs after the attack, but they eventually returned.
According to Ballwin city law, quarantined dogs must go to the St. Louis County shelter. But it appears that’s largely to check for rabies. There is a process in both the county and in Ballwin to euthanize dogs after an attack, but it’s unclear how much that’s put into practice.
Back in the Mayfair subdivision, Aldridge says he’ll continue to walk the opposite direction until it’s resolved.
“It’ll be good for the neighborhood. It’s not going to be the same until something happens,” said Aldridge.
We reached out to the St. Louis County Health Department asking about the process and the August dog attack. They say they hope to have more information Tuesday.
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