The victim, Nicky Faibish, was 12-years-old.
(ABC7) |
The group will work quickly, Carl Friedman, the city's director of Animal Care and Control said today, as the mayor has given them 10 days to produce a report. The group must look at the things it "can do right now to minimize to the chances of this happening again," Friedman said.
The mayor appointed Friedman to lead the group. Members of the mayor's office, the city's Police Department, fire department, health department and city attorney's office were appointed to work with Friedman.
Two options the task force will likely consider are breed-specific permits and mandatory spaying and neutering of aggressive dogs, Friedman said today. The animal control department estimates that there are 120,000 dogs in San Francisco, approximately 12,000 of which are licensed. Friedman could not estimate the number of pit bulls in the city but approximated that the breed accounts for 40 to 50 percent of the dogs the department takes into custody for aggressive behavior.
One of the Faibishs' pit bulls, either Rex or Ella, was taken into protective custody by the department approximately one year ago but not for aggressive behavior. The dog had been stolen, and it was taken into custody when the person found in possession of it was arrested, according to San Francisco police Sgt. Neville Gittens.
The department currently has Rex in protective custody. It also has the body of Ella, shot by officers the day of the mauling. Both are being examined for evidence, according to the department.
Animal Care and Control will be investigating the dogs' histories, including where they were bred, how they were handled and how they were raised, to determine whether they have been aggressive before, Friedman said. Rex's owner has "surrendered" him to the department. That means when the investigation is completed, the department will decide what should be done with him.
Rex will not be returned to the Faibishes, Friedman said, and will most likely be euthanized.
Nicholas was discovered Friday by his mother around 3 p.m. when she returned to her home at 711 Lincoln Way in the city's Inner Sunset neighborhood, Sgt. Neville Gittens reported.
Last Updated: Jun 7, 2005