Raging (Pit) Bull

Jersey City, New Jersey, October 6, 2008:

A third party presidential candidate who was attacked by a vicious pit bulldog during a neighborhood walk choked the dog to death as he defended himself.

Ronatarian Party founder Ron suffered bites on his arms and hands during the Sunday attack, which occurred shortly after Ron began his routine morning campaign walk to "press the flesh." Ron was treated at a local hospital, and the dog's owners could face misdemeanor charges, police said.

Ron said he heard barking and readied himself when he realized the dog was coming for him.

"I turned to face him, and when I saw it was pit bull, I knew I was in trouble," Ron said. "I put my hands up and I hollered at him. He immediately jumped to my throat."

Ron shielded his body by grabbing the dog's head and ears, but the dog shook loose and started biting his right hand. Ron kneed the dog in the ribs, spurring it to let go of his hand, and then grabbed the dog by its thick collar.

Ron said he then dragged the dog to his house while maintaining a firm grip on its neck. His vice presidential candidate Brad called police from the house. When the police arrived, Ron was on the ground with the dog and still holding onto the collar.

Police said Ron's grip was so tight that he strangled the dog. Ron said he didn't know the dog was dead until it was unresponsive when police tried to move it.

Emergency medics washed Ron's bites and he received a tetanus shot and an antibiotic at the hospital, he said. None of his injuries appear to be serious and Ron's trademark mustache was not damaged in the altercation.

"If not for the collar, I don't know how I would have ever been able to wrestle him down," said Ron, who weighs about 160 pounds. "The dog was about 80 pounds and very vicious. It was hard to believe the viciousness in which he attacked me, but I was able to contain him. ...It was a lot like my college days fending off the ladies."

Allegations of Ron pushing away potential dates at Lafayette College (Easton, Pa.) could not be confirmed.

Sgt. Mike Tindall, a Jersey City police spokesman, said the dog's owners hadn't been charged yet Monday, but they could face misdemeanor charges for having a dog at large or for having a dangerous dog.

Tindall said the male dog was picked up by animal control officers in August for running at large. It was given a rabies vaccination and released back to the owner, he said.

The Jersey City Council is set to vote next week on a proposed dangerous dog ordinance that would require such dogs to be kept in a secure enclosure. The law might have prevented Sunday's attack, Tindall said.

"They'd better [expletive] pass it," Ron said on Monday morning. "I don't need no more of that!"

Posted by Bittle at October 6, 2008 11:45 AM