A 24-year-old Boulder resident is in the hospital with severe injuries following an attack by his own dog, an 8-year-old American Bulldog named Dutch. The incident unfolded at the family’s residence on Palo Parkway, where the victim’s mother, Tanya Jackson, expressed shock and disbelief over the sudden aggression of the canine.
Describing Dutch as a beloved member of the family, Jackson said, “It was my son’s best friend. My son loved his dog. We all loved the dog.” The attack occurred as the young man attempted to release Dutch from its kennel after bringing it to the family home on Sunday.
According to Jackson, the dog had been unwell, and the family suspected it might have had cancer. Recent veterinary visits had addressed bleeding issues, with the dog placed on antibiotics that temporarily alleviated the symptoms. A scheduled scan this week aimed to determine the dog’s condition.
Neighbors reported hearing screams during the attack, witnessing the victim attempting to fend off Dutch. Shawn West, a neighbor, intervened by using two knives to stab the dog in an effort to stop the mauling. When the police arrived, the dog turned its aggression towards the responding officer, who initially attempted to use a taser without success.
Interim Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn defended the officer’s decision to use lethal force, stating, “Tasers can be effective on animals, but it’s not always, and in this case, it did not work. I appreciate the fact that we tried less lethal means, but that’s not always going to work.”
The officer fired several shots at Dutch, ultimately leading to the dog’s demise. Redfearn believes the shooting was justified, preventing potential further injuries.
The victim, suffering injuries to his arms, legs, and torso, was assisted by two other officers who applied tourniquets, potentially saving his life. Police emphasize there were no prior reports of issues with the dog at the residence.
Dutch’s body has been sent to Colorado State University for a necropsy to determine the cause of death and potential factors contributing to its aggressive behavior. Redfearn emphasized the unpredictability of animals, stating, “You have to remind yourself at the end of the day they’re animals, and sometimes animals have unpredictable behavior.”
