Update: Even though police reports initially called the dogs involved "pit bulls", Animal Care and Control Commisioner Cherie Travis has said the dogs are "mixed breed". The Chicago Tribune is one of only two media outlets that spoke to anyone beyond the police -- including talking to Animal Behaviorist Suzanne Hetts who noted that there are a variety of different factors in dog attacks. "It's usually a perfect storm situation, with a lot of things that lead up to the attack."
One of the things that usually lead up to a significant attack are prior signs of aggression -- which these dogs apparently showed. Apparently Wilson, the victim, complained two weeks ago that the dogs had ripped his clothes.
The story has run in now over 250 media outlets -- with only one noting the animal control commisioner's "mixed breed" ID vs the police officer's "pit bull" ID. While breed is not a determining issue in dog attacks, it certainly is on the media's decision to report them.
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Fifty-six year old Johnny Wilson of Chicago was found dead in his South Side neighborhood home after being attacked by up to six 'pit bulls' that lived in their home. There were four adult dogs found in the home, and 2 puppies that belonged to Wilson's daughter. Wilson's daughter says she did breed the dogs.
The events that led up to the attack are unclear at this point -- although reports indicate that the dogs were not well socialized with Wilson as they were apparently afraid of him because of his deep, booming voice. It is unclear if the dog attacked him for some reason, or whether the dogs may have gotten into a fight that he tried to break up.
This news story has already been picked up by over 200 news sources (almost all of which posted speculation as to the cause of death before an autopsy was run) across the nation.
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