Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-04-19
Frightful MutilatiOn of Little Girl
by Dogs.

A shocking occurrence which will bring
death and desolation to the home of a
wealthy and respectable citizen occurred
last Tuesday evening in the upper part
of the Ninth Ward, Brooklyn. 1t is one
which will increase the growing aversion
to Spitz dogs, and probably lead to the
destruction of number of vagrant ours
which are constant menace to the COM
munity. The gentleman whose family
have suffered is Andrew Martin, we'll
to-do milk dealer, who, with his family,
occupies a cottage on the line of Union
street near Franklin avenue. Among the
members of his family is his daughter
Susie, bright, intelligent child of thir-
teen years. Shortly after six O'Clock on
Tuesday night last she left her home to
go on an errand to a grocery store. After
making her purchases she started to re-
turn to her fathers house Mr. Detman,
who resides in frame house on Union
street, between ClaSson and Franklin
avenues, has for some time been the own
er of two large dogs of the Spitz breed. In
the presence of their master the CANNES
were dociie enough, but toward strangers
they exhibited ferocity that was simply
appalling. They seemed possessed of evil
| spirits and were constantly attacking some
body. Their last victim was little Susie
| Martin. She was within sight of her ia
| theirs house when the dogs attacked her.
One of them seized the skirt of her dress,
| and the other, by far the largest and most
fer0ciOus, fixed his fangs in her left leg.
The little girl was thrown to the ground,
and the animals continued the attack.
The larger dog never let go his hold upon
her limb; but closing his teeth as firmly
and relentlessly as wise made them meet
in the quivering flesh. The leg was torn
and mutilated i'll frightful manner. The
clothing of Susie was torn in shreds. The
| dogs, while biting her, uttered loud howls
which, combining with the screams of the
child, created terrible uproar. 1t at
tracted the attention of a man who hastily
seized shovel and hurried to the spot
The dogs were so intent on their victim,
that they paid no attention to his ap-
proach until he struck them heavy blows
with the shovel. Then they ran
| teeth dyed with blood The unfor-
tunate girl lay bleeding on the
ground uttering faint cries. Upon reach
ing the house she tainted Her parents at
once put her in bed and summoned medi-
cal assistance. The usual remedies and
prevent;ves were applied. Since the oc-
currence symptoms have appeared which
show that the child is affected with the
rabies, and in all probability cannot re-
cover. Immediately after she was bitten
her leg began 10 swell. She complained
of a sharp shooting pain in the limb,
which later extended TO every part of her
body. For two days and nights she had
suffered from delirium. Ali last night
and the night before she uttered piercing
screams, and at times snarled and barked
like dog. Twice she sprang from bed,
overthrow the furniture and tore the pa
per from the wall. She also threw open
the window and made an effort to jump
out. This afternoon the pain had in
creased and the girl was suffering from
violent paroxysms. The doctor considers
the case serious one. After the biting
Mr.. Martin proceeded to the house of Mr..
Detman to kill the dogs. They were
taken to vacant lot and one was drowned
and the other was shot.-NeU York (Aprit
Il, dispatch to Chicago Times.