Tammy Hessler was walking her four-year-old toy poodle Friday night, July 26, on a leash, when a mixed breed dog, thought to be a pit bull, also on a leash but without a muzzle, lunged at the poodle, inflicting one deadly bite into the dog’s lungs and stomach. The poodle, Jackson, died from his wound said Eric Swansen, operations manager for regional animal services.

Swansen said the pit bull, owned by Christina Hart, was being led by a young boy.

“We are still investigating,” Swansen said.

Swansen said an initial news story that appeared on KING 5 surprised him, because a report hadn’t been made. He said Hessler reported it Monday morning.

“She was very distraught,” he said.

Neighbor Cassandra Miles said she heard screaming when the attack occurred.

“By the time I got out there the dog was dead,” Miles said of Jackson. Miles said the pit bull is usually muzzled.

Miles said Hessler is very distraught, but she wishes no ill will on Hart. She said Hart is very interested in animal rescue, and has a big heart.

“She (Hart) wants this dog to live, but it’s not okay for a dog to die of an inhumane act so this dog can be saved,” Miles said.

It was initially reported by KING 5 that the pit bull was startled as it came face-to-face with the poodle, but Miles said the pit bull was five houses down the street when it spotted Jackson and headed for him.

Miles said Hart has another pit bull she rescued that isn’t as aggressive.

Swansen said Hart has retained an attorney. The Highlands has covenants, conditions and restrictions (CCRs) that lay out a set of rules. It is his understanding that the homeowner’s association wants animal services to weigh in on the attack.

Rachel Garrett, Director of Community Operations for the Issaquah Highlands Community Association said the association is waiting for animal services to finish its investigation. She said the governing documents do include a breed restriction which prohibits pit bulls, any dog registered as a pit bull or Staffordshire Terrier, or has the look of the breed.

“We have every intention of enforcing the governing documents,” Garrett said.

However, animal services is having no luck talking to Hart.

“She has not told her side of the story yet,” he said. “We need a statement.”

He said the dog is still in Hart’s home.

Swansen said it’s important to report a bite immediately as it is often a matter of safety and health. He said if it’s life-threatening call 9-1-1 to get aid and the police to the scene. Swanson said neither animal is licensed in this case. If they were, it would make it easier to track incidents such as this, or if your dog is lost, they have the records which can help locate the animal.

“Neighbors don’t feel safe with this dog in the neighborhood,” Swansen said.

Miles said the dog has attacked other dogs twice before – none of it reported. Swanson said public safety is the service’s priority.

“Some of these behaviors are dangerous,” he said. “Our animal control officers know animal behavior very, very well. We have some level of presumption when an animal bites a human that rabies are a possibility, so we may have to quarantine an animal. Rabies is 100 percent fatal.”

Once the investigation is completed, animal services will issue a notice of violation. He said any time a dog is involved in a vicious attack, the animal can be ordered removed from the home.

“This isn’t the right neighborhood for this,” Miles said. “If she had a farm with 10 acres it would be better.”