animals
Chihuahua Attack in Tempe Leaves Woman Injured and Heartbroken
TEMPE, Ariz. — A tragic incident involving a chihuahua occurred at Dwight Park on November 19, leaving one dog dead and a woman injured. Donna Steen, 71, was walking two chihuahuas she was babysitting when the confrontation unfolded.
Steen noticed a family nearby, including two women, a man, and two boys with pit bulls on retractable leashes. According to her, one of the women began hurling insults and recording the encounter on Facebook Live. Steen stated, “She accused me of being a child molester, just everything vile – a pedophile predator, a ‘Karen,’ which I had never even heard the term before.”
The situation escalated rapidly. Steen claimed that the woman attacked her physically, stating, “She grabbed my staff and beat me across the chest and across the face twice.” After being pushed to the ground, Steen soon saw one of the pit bulls, named Mia, with Trixie, one of the chihuahuas, in her mouth.
Witnesses confirmed the deterioration of the situation, noting that the pit bull had previously been linked to multiple attacks in the community. “This dog is responsible for several attacks in our community,” one witness said, expressing concern for dog owners at Dwight Park.
When approached for comment, the sister of the alleged assailant denied any wrongdoing and described past conflicts involving her family. She expressed regret over the escalation but noted that the pit bull involved belonged to a friend of her children.
The Tempe Police Department stated that misdemeanor charges would be considered against five individuals involved in the encounter. They are conducting a comprehensive investigation into the matter.
The City of Tempe emphasized its commitment to pet safety within parks, expressing sorrow over Trixie’s death. A statement underscored the importance of keeping dogs leashed in public areas, stating that enforcement would continue to ensure the safety of both pets and park-goers. Residents were encouraged to report instances of dogs off-leash to the authorities.
