A German Shepherd has bitten more than ten people in recent weeks in Vinyols i els Arcs, in Baix Camp, and this Thursday morning it attacked several neighbors again. The Mossos d'Esquadra (Catalan Police) traveled to the municipality to take a statement from the animal's owner, a woman of about forty-five years old who lives in the town center.
Tension in the municipality is growing because the attacks have been repeated for weeks and, despite this, the dog continues to be walked regularly without a leash. Among the victims are a minor accompanied by his mother and two elderly women.
The Mossos d'Esquadra received the alert at 12:40 PM
Police sources specified that the alert came in at 12:40 PM, when it was reported that, allegedly, a dog had bitten several people. Thursday's police action focused on identifying what happened and gathering the owner's version.
The Mossos d'Esquadra classify the possible sanctions for walking the animal without a leash as a municipal matter. This type of infraction is regulated by the ordinance on citizen security and coexistence.
In the town, concern has spread due to attacks that are not limited to a single episode. Residents maintain that the animal appears docile, but bites when someone extends their hand to greet it, a reaction that has increased unease about its behavior.
"We are terrified. We go out in fear because you never know when you might run into him. We fear he will end up seriously hurting someone" - residents of Vinyols i els Arcs
A resident places the attacks near the Escola Santa Caterina
One of the affected individuals explained that the owner lets the dog off its leash and that the animal moves freely throughout the municipality. In his account, he specifically mentioned the vacant lot next to the Escola Santa Caterina as one of the places where it usually passes.
That same resident suffered a bite on his thigh and several bruises. He also stated that, after that incident, the dog bit its own owner and that she blamed him for it.
"The woman lets the dog off its leash and the animal moves freely throughout the town, including the vacant lot next to the Escola Santa Caterina. It's a danger" - an affected resident
Among the petitions circulating among residents is that the competent administrations study measures against the animal's owner. The most concrete claim they convey is the withdrawal of the dog's custody.
The balance that the neighbors are managing already raises to more than ten people bitten in recent weeks in Vinyols i els Arcs, including a minor accompanied by his mother and two elderly women.