A Winter Park dog owner is grieving the loss of his one-year-old dachshund after a horrific dog attack that happened Saturday. The man told WESH 2 a pitbull rushed up and grabbed his precious pet while they were out for a walk.David Lowe never had a dog growing up, so when he got two dachshunds as an adult, they became his whole world.“I actually got Delaney at the start of the pandemic because little Denis here was having some anxiety issues,” Lowe said as he gave his dog kisses.It seemed like there was nothing David, Dennis and Delaney couldn’t get through together. Plus eight-pound Delaney had a gift for making friends. “I’m sure everyone can say they have the best dog in the world. I think she probably took the cake. She was a super social butterfly,” Lowe said.Late Saturday night, they took their normal stroll in their Winter Park neighborhood when David says he saw two pitbulls rush up to them. “I went right here to attempt to pick up Delaney. I went right here to attempt to pick up Denis. This right here is where the dog latched onto us,” Lowe said. David says one pitbull latched onto Delaney’s head and neck and wouldn’t let go.“Looking at her dying in my arms, basically say OK, I have to hit her because I let go. It’s going to turn into a thrashing match,” Lowe said.That’s when he heard a neighbor yell out to him. Then they were able to call for help.“I just kind of sat there with her and told her, like, hold on. That she was a good girl, seeing the throat really made it apparent how bad everything was.” Lowe said.Delaney did not survive. Animal Services visited with the owner and sent us photos from the case but did not identify which dog was responsible. One dog was surrendered but David says it’s not the dog that took his dog’s life. “Nothing is going to come from this unless another dog has to die in a similar manner,” Lowe said.Animal Services said an animal must have severely injured or killed another domestic animal off their owner’s property more than once to be considered a dangerous dog. “Her safety was always in my arms so to know that she got to my arms and it still wasn’t enough I was probably the toughest part,” Lowe said.For David, losing a dog he called family, once is enough. WESH 2 News asked Animal Services for comment but said no one was available Wednesday.We reached out to the owner of that dog but have not heard back. Here is the policy statute, 767.11, provided by OCAS:“767.11 Definitions.—As used in this act, unless the context clearly requires otherwise:(1) “Dangerous dog” means any dog that according to the records of the appropriate authority:(a) Has aggressively bitten, attacked, or endangered or has inflicted severe injury on a human being on public or private property;(b) Has more than once severely injured or killed a domestic animal while off the owner’s property; or(c) Has, when unprovoked, chased or approached a person upon the streets, sidewalks, or any public grounds in a menacing fashion or apparent attitude of attack, provided that such actions are attested to in a sworn statement by one or more persons and dutifully investigated by the appropriate authority.”
A Winter Park dog owner is grieving the loss of his one-year-old dachshund after a horrific dog attack that happened Saturday.
The man told WESH 2 a pitbull rushed up and grabbed his precious pet while they were out for a walk.
David Lowe never had a dog growing up, so when he got two dachshunds as an adult, they became his whole world.
“I actually got Delaney at the start of the pandemic because little Denis here was having some anxiety issues,” Lowe said as he gave his dog kisses.
It seemed like there was nothing David, Dennis and Delaney couldn’t get through together.
Plus eight-pound Delaney had a gift for making friends.
“I’m sure everyone can say they have the best dog in the world. I think she probably took the cake. She was a super social butterfly,” Lowe said.
Late Saturday night, they took their normal stroll in their Winter Park neighborhood when David says he saw two pitbulls rush up to them.
“I went right here to attempt to pick up Delaney. I went right here to attempt to pick up Denis. This right here is where the dog latched onto us,” Lowe said.
David says one pitbull latched onto Delaney’s head and neck and wouldn’t let go.
“Looking at her dying in my arms, basically say OK, I have to hit her because I let go. It’s going to turn into a thrashing match,” Lowe said.
That’s when he heard a neighbor yell out to him. Then they were able to call for help.
“I just kind of sat there with her and told her, like, hold on. That she was a good girl, seeing the throat really made it apparent how bad everything was.” Lowe said.
Delaney did not survive.
Animal Services visited with the owner and sent us photos from the case but did not identify which dog was responsible.
One dog was surrendered but David says it’s not the dog that took his dog’s life.
“Nothing is going to come from this unless another dog has to die in a similar manner,” Lowe said.
Animal Services said an animal must have severely injured or killed another domestic animal off their owner’s property more than once to be considered a dangerous dog.
“Her safety was always in my arms so to know that she got to my arms and it still wasn’t enough I was probably the toughest part,” Lowe said.
For David, losing a dog he called family, once is enough.
WESH 2 News asked Animal Services for comment but said no one was available Wednesday.
We reached out to the owner of that dog but have not heard back.
Here is the policy statute, 767.11, provided by OCAS:
“767.11 Definitions.—As used in this act, unless the context clearly requires otherwise:
(1) “Dangerous dog” means any dog that according to the records of the appropriate authority:
(a) Has aggressively bitten, attacked, or endangered or has inflicted severe injury on a human being on public or private property;
(b) Has more than once severely injured or killed a domestic animal while off the owner’s property; or
(c) Has, when unprovoked, chased or approached a person upon the streets, sidewalks, or any public grounds in a menacing fashion or apparent attitude of attack, provided that such actions are attested to in a sworn statement by one or more persons and dutifully investigated by the appropriate authority.”
