Dog dies saving family from attack

By Emily Richmond (contact)

Monday, Jan. 27, 2003 | 11:10 a.m.

A North Las Vegas woman says her family dog died protecting their toddler and infant daughters from an Akita-mixed breed that leapt through a window screen and into their home.

About 5:45 p.m. Thursday, Debbie Miller heard scratching at the door of her home in the 2000 block of Hillscroft Court.

"I opened the door to see what the noise was and my neighbor across the street screamed at me, 'Don't open the door, it's a dog!' " Miller said. "I slammed the door and the next thing I knew this giant animal came through the window screen."

Adult Akitas, a powerful breed known for aggression toward smaller animals as well as people, are about 38 inches tall at their shoulders and males can exceed 150 pounds. The one in the Miller's house weighed at least 100 pounds, animal control officials said.

Bearly, the Millers' 7-year-old shepherd-chow, weighs half that. But within seconds the family's dog jumped between the Akita mix and the Miller children, 2-year-old Kaitlyn and 3-month-old Sara, Miller said.

"There's no question in my mind he saved their lives," Debbie Miller said.

Bearly took on the much larger animal as best he could but was quickly overpowered, Miller said.

With Kaitlyn screaming, Debbie Miller grabbed the Akita mix by the scruff of its neck and dragged the animal toward the front door, her own dog still clutched in its jaws. Once the animals were outside she ran back in and closed both children into the bathroom for safety before rushing back outside.

When she grabbed a stick and tried to force the other dog to release Bearly, the animal jumped toward her and snarled, Miller said.

"When he lunged at me I was afraid my throat was going to be ripped open with my children inside the house," Miller said. "I didn't want to leave Bear out there, but I knew I had to get more help.'

She called 911 and the call was routed to North Las Vegas Animal Control. It was at least 30 minutes before officers arrived and found the dog in the front yard, growling over Bearly's body, Miller said.

Animal control officers confirmed they found Bearly dead in the front yard with the Akita mix nearby. The officers also found the punched-in window screen, confirming Miller's account of how the animal invaded the home.

The circumstances of the attack are a first for North Las Vegas, police said.

"We get calls occasionally about dogs barking too much, or a kid getting bitten when they were playing rough," Officer Mark Martin, North Las Vegas police spokesman, said. "But I've never dealt with anything like this, a dog going through a window."

The Akita mix's owners were cited for having a vicious animal on the loose and the dog is under quarantine at Dewey Animal Shelter, Martin said. A hearing will be held to determine whether the dog will be returned to the owner or destroyed, Martin said.

It's impossible to know whether the Akita mix would have harmed Miller's children had Bearly not been there, Martin said. The animal control officer who responded to the scene believes the Akita mix jumped through the window when it spotted Bearly, Martin said.

"It may be the other dog was the only target, not the children," Martin said. "We'll never know for sure."

Animal control officers were delayed in responding to Miller's call because of an incident involving loose dogs at another address, Martin said.

Miller said she wonders if Bearly would have survived if officers had arrived more quickly.

"I watched out the window and part of me wanted to run out and help Bear," Miller said. "For 25 minutes he stood over my dog and there was nothing I could do."

Miller said she believes the animal belongs to one of her neighbors. Shortly after the attack, with Bearly's body still in the front yard, a young neighbor girl came over to apologize, Miller said. She said no one else has contacted her and claimed ownership of the Akita.

The family buried Bearly in the backyard and are trying to comfort Kaitlyn, who witnessed the death of her beloved pet.

"He was a wonderful dog, very affectionate, terrific with the kids," said Steve Miller, Debbie Miller's father-in-law. "He was a special part of the family."

"My daughter just keeps asking for her dog," Debbie Miller said.