Woman accused of ordering pit bull to attack neighbour in US

A pit bull was shot dead in North Carolina after allegedly attacking a man on the orders of its owner, according to police and court filings.
Court documents from Wake County District Court state that 58-year-old Sheila Marie Hunter told her dog to attack her neighbour, Eli Santos Blanco, during a dispute outside their apartment complex.
The dog bit Blanco repeatedly, causing deep puncture wounds to both arms.
“It’s a hard pain to explain. She was tearing my tendons and muscles apart,” Blanco told WNCN, showing his bandaged arms. He said he managed to fight back until a bystander intervened, fatally shooting the dog.
Hunter, who has a lengthy criminal record, faces charges of assault with intent to cause great bodily harm, animal cruelty, and disruptive behaviour while intoxicated. Police said she refused to help the injured animal and instead hurled insults at officers.
Appearing by video in court on Monday, Hunter had her bail set at $30,000. If released, she is barred from contacting Blanco or owning animals. Her next hearing is scheduled for October 6.
The case comes amid a string of fatal pit bull attacks worldwide. In August, a man in Chennai, India, was killed by a neighbour’s dog.
In July, a baby died in a similar attack in Fargo, North Dakota. And in November 2024, three pit bull-type dogs mauled a security guard to death in Lagos, Nigeria.
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The incidents have reignited debates on dangerous breeds, owner accountability, and the need for stricter safety regulations. For Blanco, though, the ordeal remains personal:
“I just thank God someone was there to stop it before it got worse,” he said.