Smithfield Dog Owner Cited After Pit Bull Injures Multiple Victims
SMITHFIELD, N.C. – A dog allegedly linked to two separate biting incidents in Smithfield has been seized after authorities say five people were injured over the course of several weeks.
The most recent attack happened March 21 on Forbes Drive, according to the Smithfield Police Department. Officers said a 62-year-old woman was working in her yard when the dog approached and bit her. Two individuals who intervened to help were also bitten during the incident.
The woman was transported by Johnston County EMS to a nearby hospital for treatment, while the other two victims were treated at the scene.
Investigators said the same dog had been involved in an earlier incident on March 5. In that case, two people were attacked after the dog reportedly broke loose. One victim suffered a lip injury, while another sustained moderate injuries to her arm and was taken to the hospital.
Police identified the dog’s owner as Keith Allan Cotoia, 41, of South Sixth Street. Following the earlier incident, he was cited for a leash law violation. After the March 21 attack, additional citations were issued, including allowing a dog to run at large and an animal bite violation—both under local ordinances.
After the second incident, Johnston County Animal Services took custody of the dog.
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39 Comments
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Here comes the ridiculous comments about Pit Bulls being dangerous dogs. Pit Bulls aren’t even a breed of dog. It’s an umbrella term.
“Pit bull” is not a single, official breed, but rather an umbrella term for a type of dog that includes several breeds and their mixes. It generally refers to dogs with similar physical traits—muscular, short-coated, and broad-headed—including the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
Dave,
Regardless of what you want to call it, I call it a biteing dog. Several incidents. Action has to be taken even if its a mutt.
Maybe reread my comment and comprehend it on the second go around. Wasn’t arguing the fact that the dog bit someone. I simply said the people would comment about Pit Bulls being a dangerous breed.
Whether it’s true or not that pit bulls bite and kill people more frequently than any other “umbrella” breed, there is a lot of scientific data out there saying that your umbrella breed is deadly, regardless of what you call them.
I’m guessing you don’t own a dog that is considered a “Pit Bull”. I have an American Staffordshire terrier mutt that was rescued from the street. He is the sweetest dog that I have ever owned and gets along very well with my American Fox Hound. In fact the Hound plays rougher than the American Staffordshire Terrier does.
No actually the sad thing is why pitbulls are blamed so much is because they are the only breed that is actually put in the media about attacks! So they look like this vicious breed! But like any breed of dog they can attack! But the biggest disappointment is the actually humans to this breed! If you ever see a vicious pitbull it’s because they were taught to be that way! I have owned Many of this beautiful breed and if they are loved and taught correctly just like any breed of dog they are amazing dogs! Its terrible this dog was turned bad and not shown correctly! But I would blame his owner. Just like kids aren’t born bad they are a product of their environment! Same goes for dogs! And to see you make a comment like this shows you know nothing about the breed you just go with what you have read about them!
As someone who was on the receiving end of a Pit Bulls terror, they certainly are a dangerous breed and can be triggered over absolutely nothing. I say that having met some of the most adoring Pit Bull’s prior to that. It’s just a risk that does not need to be taken.
I think it’s funny that you jumped into full defense mode before anyone said a word.
I think it’s absolutely hilarious that you couldn’t see it coming.
It’s the da*n dumba** owner who is to blame’ most idiots don’t deserve pets nor know how to treat/ train them…..
ha-ha, I think he needs a hug from the same PIT BULL
Good point.
Pitbull is also a musician.
“Timber” !!
Here comes the ridiculous comments about Pit Bull owners being disillusioned rednecks. Rednecks aren’t even a breed of people – it’s an umbrella term.
“Redneck” is not a single, official breed, but rather an umbrella term for a type of person that includes several breeds and mixes. It generally refers to people with similar physical [but mostly personality and mental] traits – maladjusted, singularly-minded, and bull-headed – including the Southerner, Northerner, Westerner and Easterner.
There – fixed it for you, Dave.
Yeah every dog under the umbrella term “pit bull” is dangerous. It is an umbrella term for dangerous dogs. That’s the point.
Your ignorance is showing!
They should take custody of the **** owner, too.
Animal Control turned them away.
It’s NOT THE BREED IT’S THE BREEDERS AND OWNERS! I have pit’s and they are the best breed I have ever owned. I have never had an issue with mine but, they have been trained right from wrong. Owners need to be held responsible for the actions of their animals as they should be for their minor children.
That seems to be what every pit bull owner says, but their dead victims’ families disagree.
There’s a lot of scientific evidence out there that disputes what you say. I’ve owned some wonderful pit bulls, have them professionally trained and loved them like family. I never had one bite anybody either.
I’m not going to argue or debate this, but do research on every breed and they all bite. No matter the breed it’s the owners who train them. These dogs are in the top 5 in IQ and that’s better than most people nowadays. They are also more loyal than 85% people walking around. If everyone would stop believing everything they’ve been told and educate themselves ,we would have less people whining about everything with little knowledge on the topic. This goes for everything in life not just about dog bites.
I agree! There are a lot of people bitten by “gentle” pit bulls. I’m personally not a fan of them, gentle or not.
Exactly right! Love my pitties💞
Sad now this dog will be killed bc of ********** of the owner
If you can’t raise a dog properly don’t get one, they all have teeth and they’re all capable of bites giving a situation that puts them in fear of defense mode. Or how about this get a Cat and keep it in the house and learn responsive pet ownership.
I really don’t care what breed it is, as an owner you should have a good indication if your dog is aggressive and take positive steps to prevent injury to others. My grandchildren can’t defend against an agressive animal and shouldn’t have to. Keep your animal under control and on your property, I won’t make excuses for protecting my children, grandchildren or others in the event you fail in your responsibility.
Dog definitely had an underlying health issues the owner didn’t know it randomly turned violent the owner was handicap and the dog helped the owner until one day it started having issues!
It’s very simple, put the man in jail and unfortunately euthanize the dog.
Put a handicap man in jail for his dog randomly turning violent ? lol OK THOMAS
Blame the owner!!!!!!!!! It’s the owners responsibility to keep its pet secure.
He’s handicap missing a leg be fr
Yall keep saying blame the owner the owner is handy cap missing a leg! The animal is a support dog who got loose like know the whole story before hating on a literal handicap man stuff happens out of our control sometimes it was a good dog until it wasn’t. It BROKE OFF the leash too it was never left to just roam.
Amen 🙏🏽 I’m his sister! 🩷
Okay, but why is a support dog biting the neighbor? Understandably the owner wouldn’t be able to chase the dog due to his disability, but why is the dog aggressive? I have multiple bullies and none of them are aggressive. I love all dogs, big or small. However, if you are unable or unwilling to control your animal and it injures someone then you should be held accountable.
The dog was a family dog, also an animal support and a protector. There no excuses of the biting at all. But at the end of the day it was someone baby. 💙
I recently had an unprovoked pit bull charge me from 100 yards away while I was walking my dog. I grabbed a brick and held it off until the owner was able to take control. Now I no longer support Pit Bulls as pets.
It’s all about how you raise them. Any dog can be mean as h*ll if you train them up to be… Pit bulls (if trained right) are smarter and sweeter than other breeds. Period
Highest Daily Aggression: Some studies on behavioral aggression (barking, biting, or lunging at strangers/other dogs) suggest small breeds like Dachshunds, Chihuahuas, and Jack Russell Terriers are actually the most aggressive, but their small size leads to fewer, or less reportable, fatalities.
💯🎯!
Pit bulls have a bad reputation primarily due to their history as fighting dogs, a muscular appearance that attracts irresponsible owners, and sensationalized media coverage of attacks. While they can be affectionate family pets, their ancestry and physical strength mean they can cause more damage if not properly trained or if mishandled, leading to disproportionate media focus and breed-specific