Woman's Face, Ear Injured In Pit Bull Attack

HARTFORD CITY, Ind. -- A pit bull attacked and injured a 69-year-old woman when she tried to stop it from bothering another dog Monday morning, police and a neighbor said.

The neighbor called 911 after the dog tore Sondra Miller's face and ear, and a responding police officer fatally shot the pit bull, which belonged to a different neighbor, authorities said.

Miller was taken to a Muncie hospital, where she was treated for her injuries and released. She might need to undergo reconstructive surgery, 6News' Jennifer Carmack reported.

Jayne Kovacs said the pit bull was trying to get at one of her dogs at about 7 a.m. in the 400 block of West Grant Street when Miller, her neighbor, came over to help.

"She was talking to the (pit bull). She knew its name and everything, and I wasn't sure whose dog it was," Kovacs said.

Kovacs said that when she turned her back, she heard Miller scream.

"It just happened so fast," Kovacs said. "All I remember doing is screaming at my daughter to call 911.

"Her lip was torn on both sides, and it was just hanging."

When police arrived, the pit bull was still outside. The dog then tried to attack another woman who was trying to see what was happening, police said.

Hartford City police Capt. Greg Bonewit said he stepped between the woman and the pit bull, and the dog tried to attack him.

"That's when I put the dog down," Bonewit said.

Authorities said the pit bull belonged to one of Miller's neighbors, Leonard Stevens.

Stevens said the pit bull was nearly 1 year old. He said he never had any problems with the dog.

"He was a good dog. I can't understand how this happened," Stevens said.

But according to police, the pit bull had recently bitten a child. Information on that child's injuries wasn't available.

Officials said the stiffest punishment Stevens could face is a $100 fine if he is accused of having an animal at large. Information on whether Stevens was cited Monday wasn't available.