A jogger from Chicago lost his left foot and part of his left leg during a dog attack that occurred along the shores of Lake Michigan. Two pit bulls attacked the jogger who was quoted as saying: "They gnawed at my body like hamburger."

The jogger attacked was under the impression that the dogs may have been trained to kill. The jogger's attempts to fight off the dogs may only have agitated the animals even more as the dogs became even more aggressive. Even an attempt to rescue the man from the animals did little to fend the animals off. The dogs finally were shot by the police to end the attack.

If the two dogs were trained to kill, it would seem almost inconceivable that an owner would not have the dogs restrained - especially in a major city like Chicago. However, that does seem to be what occurred here.

Criminal penalties and fines have not yet been a successful deterrent to individuals that allow such dangerous animals to roam free. Fines assessed upon the owner of the dogs could range anywhere from $200 to more than $10,000.

Unfortunately, such fines will do little to help the injured man who is now missing a left foot and will likely require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitative therapy. A civil lawsuit filed against the owner of the dogs is more promising in at least the injured jogger will have a chance to be compensated for his injuries and attempt to get on with his life.

Source: Opposing Views, "Chicago Jogger Joseph Finley Loses Foot After Pit Bull Attack," by Denise A. Justice, Jan. 23, 2012