At a Glance
- A 59-year-old man was killed by a pit bull named Bean on Sunday, Jan. 25 in Staten Island.
- The dog was tranquilized and placed on a 10-day rabies observation hold.
- The New York Police Department is searching for the owner and investigating potential criminal charges.
The fatal pit-bull attack that unfolded in a Staten Island residence on Sunday, Jan. 25 shocked residents and raised new questions about dog-control policies in the borough.
Incident Overview
The incident occurred at a home on New Dorp Lane, Staten Island, N.Y., when the police received a dog-attack report around 4 p.m. local time. The NYPD arrived to find the 59-year-old man deceased, with wounds on his arms and thighs described as consistent with dog bites. Multiple outlets, including CBS News and ABC7 Eyewitness News, confirmed that the victim was mauled by a pit bull.
Witness Accounts
Neighbors provided starkly different descriptions of the animal’s behavior. Robert Lambert, who lives on the block, called the dog “violent” and said, “It has a dark side. He bit my friend over five times.” Joseph Dantuono, who was walking past the property that day, recalled the dog “jumping on the gate. It was kinda like a tiger jumping at me.” An unnamed neighbor added that the dog had been “abused” by its owners, noting that the owners had recently kicked the dog out and chased it down the street.
Dog’s Background
The dog, named Bean, has a documented history of aggressive incidents. Prior reports from the same address involved unrelated drug offenses, indicating that the property has been a site of multiple police visits. The animal’s violent history and the neighbors’ claims of abuse suggest that the dog may have been in a state of distress when the attack occurred.
Police Response and Animal Control
After the attack, the NYPD tranquilized Bean and handed him over to the Center for Animal Care and Control (CACC). The CACC placed the dog on a 10-day rabies observation hold, a standard procedure for dogs that have bitten a human. The NYPD is currently searching for the owner to determine possible criminal charges. Neither the NYPD nor the CACC responded to a request for comment on Monday, Jan. 26.
Investigation Status
The NYPD is conducting a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack. According to ABC7 Eyewitness News, investigators confirmed that the victim did not live at the residence where the attack took place. The agency is also looking into whether the dog’s owners complied with local animal-control regulations.
Community Reaction
The incident has sparked a debate among Staten Island residents about the enforcement of dog-control laws. Some neighbors expressed frustration that a dog with a known violent history was allowed to roam the neighborhood. Others called for stricter penalties for owners who fail to secure aggressive animals.
Legal Context
Under New York State law, owners of dogs that have bitten a person are required to report the incident to the local animal-control agency. Failure to do so can result in fines or criminal charges. The ongoing investigation will determine whether Bean’s owners met these legal obligations.
Animal-Control Measures
The CACC’s 10-day observation hold is a precautionary measure to monitor the dog for signs of rabies before it is released or euthanized. If the dog tests negative for rabies, it may be returned to its owner or placed in a shelter, depending on the outcome of the investigation.
Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Sunday, Jan. 25 | Police receive dog-attack report at 4 p.m. |
| Same day | NYPD arrives, finds deceased victim; dog tranquilized |
| Same day | Dog transferred to CACC for 10-day rabies observation |
| Monday, Jan. 26 | NYPD and CACC not yet released statements |
Key Takeaways
- The 59-year-old man was killed by a pit bull named Bean on Jan. 25.
- Bean is under a 10-day rabies observation hold.
- The NYPD is investigating the owner and potential criminal liability.
- The incident highlights the need for strict enforcement of animal-control laws.
The tragic loss of life in Staten Island underscores the importance of responsible pet ownership and the enforcement of animal-control regulations to protect communities from future incidents.
