Man Returns home to find family pit bull mauled father to death

Gavin Wright, 27 of Sante Fe, NM called 911 after coming home from work to report that his pit bull mauled father to death.

“My dad is f***ed up,” he said, becoming more agitated. “Did you not hear me? My [expletive] dad is dead. … I don’t think you understand, I can’t help him. You don’t understand, the wounds I’m talking about. He bled to death.”

The deceased, 74-year-old business owner, Clifford D. Wright used to own a pawn and retail shop, The Hock Shop.

Gavin Wright told Sante Fe New Mexican on Thursday that the 3 year-old dog, named Achilles, has not had any behavior issues.  Still Santa Fe police and Animal Control Services took the family’s pit bull from the home Wednesday. Three other dogs that were kenneled in the back of the house would be left with the family.

The Sante Fe New Mexican reported that a longtime neighbor had concerns about the dog and did not walk past the house anymore.

“It was clearly the kid’s dog, not the father’s dog” said the neighbor.

Gavin has agreed to have the euthanized after the owner said his final goodbyes and claimed that the dog and his father were once loyal companions.

With the uptick in fatal dog attacks, it is a good time to remind the public of the Pet Safety Tips created by the ASPCA.  Although the list is geared toward children, these useful and possibly lifesaving tips are all applicable to the elderly.  Small children should NEVER be left alone with pets nor should the elderly or any person that has an impaired physical or mental ability to defend themselves.

Pit bulls are known for their deadly attacks.  Here are some tips from the Pit Bull Awareness Center website.

It is necessary to understand that often when a pit bull attacks, it comes silently, without warning, and kills their victim quickly. However, when on a rampage they may growl and bark. They can shred another animal or human apart in seconds. Unfortunately, breeders are following suit from the old bull baiting days, they are taking the strongest pits and breeding them with their strongest counterparts. BIGGER, STRONGER, MORE POWERFUL PIT BULLS, running rampid (rampant) on the streets where we live, maiming and killing and trying to put the fear of God in everyone.

See also: Las Vegas boy dead after dog attack