Man hospitalized, dog killed in Pit Bull attack

GROTON, Conn. (WTNH) -- A walk in the park turned into a vicious attack for a Groton man and his dog.

The 74-year-old man is struggling to recover from his injuries after a neighbor's dog broke its chain and went on the attack.

Lorraine Conwell's husband had taken Lacy, their three-year-old Silky Terrier for a walk in a ballpark Tuesday when it turned into a fight for their lives.

The Boxer/Pit Bull mix that is now in quarantine at Groton Animal Control, broke free from a South Road home and started attacking Lacy.

"It had a severe bite to the abdomen and there was a lot of damage," said Donna Duso, Groton animal control officer.

Her owner's arms and hands were ripped apart as he tried to save her.

"He was laying on the ground and I didn't see Lacy," Conwell said.

Her husband was actually laying on the ground for about a half an hour before he was discovered. He pretty much saved his own life because he took the chain, which was still attached to that attacking dog, and he was able to wrap it around one of the posts there to keep the dog in place and keep it from attacking.

"If he hadn't wrapped the chain around the pole he would not be here either. I know it," Conwell said.

Mike Conwell underwent hours of surgery at Lawrence and Memorial Hospital and will now have to see a hand specialist. Lacy could not be saved.

"He blames himself," she said, "but he did everything he could."

"Is there any indication that this dog was trained to attack others," asked News 8's Tina Detelj.

"It's still under investigation," Duso replied.

Duso says Pit Bulls were bred to go after other animals, so they need to be socialized to break that habit. People get hurt when they try to save their dogs.

The owners of the dog were not home when News 8 went by.

"I feel bad for them because they really didn't want this to happen," Conwell said.

The owners of the Pit Bull could face charges.