Dog suspected in mauling not a pit bull

From staff reports
The Daily News

Published March 21, 2007

FRIENDSWOOD — The dog believed to have killed a woman Saturday was not a pit bull, as authorities originally reported, but a mix between an American bulldog and a Catahoula, police said Tuesday.

Pamela Rushing, 50, was found mauled to death in her backyard Saturday.

A police officer had to shoot the animal to keep it from attacking, police reports show.

Rushing apparently was by herself at home in the 300 block of Meadow Trail Court while her family was out of town, police officer Lisa Price said. Rushing had been dead for about four hours when police arrived.

Friendswood Animal Control has two of the woman’s other dogs, a golden retriever and an Australian shepherd, in city facilities while the investigation continues. They will be tested for rabies or other diseases. The Australian Shepherd had to be tasered by police officers after police arrived.

A municipal court hearing to determine the disposition of the two dogs probably will be held before the end of the month, authorities said. The dogs could be put to death if it is determined they had anything to do with the mauling, Price said.