Dog owner cited, dog walker charged after attack in Palatine
PALATINE - Police in Palatine say the owner of two dogs that got loose and attacked two smaller dogs and their owners is facing 13 citations.
In addition, a relative of the owner, 32-year old Julia Paulino, who was walking the pit bull mix and Akita mix at the time, has been charged with four counts of reckless conduct.
Investigators say Paulino failed to secure the dogs with a proper collar.
The incident happened on Tuesday, May 18 around 6:50 p.m. in the 200 block of West Washington Street in Palatine. Police say the larger dogs escaped their leashes and attacked a smaller white dog and its female owner.
The owner tried to shield her dog but was bit by one of the attacking dogs, police said.
Shortly after the woman and her dog got to safety, the pit bull and Akita saw another small white dog and attacked, police said.
The dog and its male owner were also bitten, police said.
The male and female were transported to Northwest Community Hospital with injuries not considered life threatening, police said.
The dog in the first attack was taken to Golf Rose Animal Hospital, where it died, police said. The other small dog was also taken to the same animal hospital, where it’s being treated for its injuries.
The owner of the pit bull mix and Akita mix was identified as 23-year-old Meleina Teodoro, police said. She has been cited.
The attacking dogs were taken into custody and sheltered at Golf Rose Animal Hospital.
The Palatine Police Animal warden is investigating.
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Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.