Police: Owner stabs, kills pit bull in self-defense during dogfight at Pacific Grove park

According to Pacific Grove residents, Lynn Rip Van Winkle Open Space is known as the “perfect” place to bring your pet, but owners are shaken after learning about a deadly dog attack, Tuesday morning.

“We’ve been with hundreds of dogs here, over the years, and no problem. This is really upsetting,” said Pacific Grove dog owner, Lowell March.

Pacific Grove Police said an off-leash pitbull ran after, and attacked, another dog near the park’s entrance. Even though both owners tried to pry the animals apart, police said the pitbull would not let go. After, the owner of the dog under attack pulled out a knife and stabbed the pitbull to death.

“I t’s a sad situation. No one likes to see an animal wounded. We saw that the gentleman was injured as well as the other dog. We realize it was a self defense type situation,” said Commander Rory Lakind with Pacific Grove Police Department.

Neither owner faces charges, but other Pacific Grove dog owners worry they’re the ones who will pay the price. Owners said this is the only place in the city where dogs can be off-leash, and fear the attack might take that privilege away.

“We don’t want to loose that privilege. We know it’s a privilege, so we get really worried when we hear about dog fights. It sounds like that one dog was terribly out of control,” said March.

Others said, off-leash or not, dogs can act unpredictably anywhere and anytime. “They interact with each other and hopefully your dog is well-behaved. Sometimes they’re not always well-behaved, and you have no control over what another person’s animal is going to do,” said Seaside dog owner, Erica Freestone.

Tuesday’s deadly attack is now seen as a reminder. “I feel so badly for that owner who innocently brought their dog to run in the dog park, and should’ve had that right,” said March. r