A New York man was nearly killed earlier this month in a vicious dog attack in the Bronx. 62-year-old Francesco Bove was walking to church on Belmont Avenue early Friday Sept. 11 when two pit bulls burst free from their harnesses and attacked him. The dogs bit, clawed, and trampled him so badly that bystanders were sure he had been killed. In fact, the priest from Mount Carmel Church gave Bove Last Rites in case he succumbed to his injuries.
Good Samaritans, police officers, and firefighters rushed to his aid with hoses, chains, and bats and were eventually able to pry the two dogs off of him. Rescue crews arrived immediately after and rushed Bove to a nearby St. Barnabas Hospital where he underwent five hours of surgery to repair the multiple bite wounds to his arms and throat. The dogs ripped his left ear nearly off and bit so deep into one of his arms that Bove could see the bone.
The dogs, owned by Cynthia Oliver, had a history of biting individuals and were clearly not properly restrained. Oliver was arrested by the NYPD on eight separate counts of assault and two counts of reckless endangerment. She was held on $35,000 bail. Her two dogs will likely be euthanized.
Dogs such as pit bulls can be deemed to have vicious propensities under the law. Pet owners living in New York City have a responsibility to keep their animals under control at all times. If they fail to do so, owners can be held financially responsible for any injuries caused by their animals .
Bove, who has a pit bull himself, made it clear in a statement to reporters that Oliver was clearly unable to control her dogs. It was that inability which led directly to his injuries.
If you have been attacked by an uncontrolled animal, contact an expert dog bite attorney in New York City to discuss the legal options available to you. Call the Law Offices of Nussin S. Fogel for a free consultation at or 212-385-1122 to learn your rights.