BELLEAIR BEACH - A Pinellas County Sheriff’s deputy was successful in luring two allegedly aggressive pit bulls into his cruiser by tossing dog treats into the back seat of the vehicle.
The deputy captured the pair after they allegedly charged a woman and her Doberman puppy.
According to a sheriff’s report, Deputy Vance Nussbaum responded to a 911 call from Carolyn Sofer, 65, about 8:57 a.m. Sept. 24, at her residence on Fifth Street in Belleair Beach.
Nussbaum said the incident began when Sofer was in her front yard with her 4-month-old Doberman puppy and noticed two pit bills in a crouched position creeping towards her. Sofer snatched up her puppy and ran into the garage as the pit bulls were now running towards her. Sofer quickly pushed the button to close her garage, and the door shut as the dogs approached, the report said.
From inside the home, Sofer called 911 and watched as the two pit bulls circled her home allegedly looking for a way in. Sofer told the deputy that one of the dogs jumped into her pool and the two then left.
When Nussbaum arrived on scene, he checked on Sofer and then began searching the area for the pit bulls.
Moments later, Nussbaum spotted the animals and called out to them. The pit bulls came to the deputy but would not get into the vehicle. Nussbaum tossed some dog treats into the cruiser, the dogs went in after them and the deputy closed the door behind them.
Nussbaum delivered the pit bulls to Pinellas County Animal Services.
Timothy Franklin Montgomery, 20, of Indian Rocks Beach is the owner of the pit bulls, Nina and Cushman.
Linda Britland, enforcement officer for Pinellas County Animal Services, confirms that the same two dogs attacked and killed a family cat on Kennywood Drive in Largo on March 7 and then attacked another cat on Orangewood Lane in Harbor Bluffs on April 15.
The cat attacked on April 15 had to be euthanized due to the extent of its injuries.
Montgomery was issued a citation in April for allowing the dogs to run free and for having no tag. County jail records show that Montgomery was arrested on Sept. 21 on a charge of Failure to Appear on a Dangerous Dog Violation. He was released one hour later after posting a cash bond of $213.
Jail records show Montgomery was arrested on Sept. 25 for Failure To Appear on several charges and was released after posting a surety bond.
The pit bulls are now in the custody of Pinellas County Animal Services, which is conducting a dangerous dog investigation, according to Britland.
This is an update to a previously published story.
