In calls to 911, neighbors describe fear, 'watching helplessly' as man was mauled by dogs
Neighbors who called 911 on Monday to a dog attack described feeling scared and helpless as they watched a man struggle for his life.
Anthony Gerard Bastardi, 67, was killed by two dogs – a bull terrier and a cane corso – owned by his daughter and son-in-law. He had gone to check on the dogs after another person who the couple hired reported that one of the dogs bit them.
As the dogs mauled Bastardi, neighbors made several calls to 911 to describe that attack and to ask for help.
One caller said the victim had been walking the dogs; another said he lost control of them. Several of the callers told dispatchers they could not help the man because they were afriad of being attacked themselves. One caller said she was “watching helplessly.”
The first on the scene was a Wilson's Mills police officer, who encountered a dog at the head of the driveway, with blood on its face and barking aggressively. The officer shot that dog when it came toward him, according to the incident report.
The officer then saw Bastardi on the ground, with another dog looming over him.
"Its eyes looked evil. It is hard to describe in words the look in the dog's eyes. I have never seen anything like it before," the officer wrote.
The officer shouted at the dog, and, when it did not move, shot it.
"I shot the dog to prevent it from attacking the male on the ground, the EMS crew, fire crew and/or me," the officer wrote.
Neighbors told WRAL News they usually saw the owners walk the dogs regularly with no issues or signs of aggression.
According to the Humane Society, 77 percent of dog bites involve "familiar" dogs. Here are some tips on how to protect yourself if you encounter a dog that becomes violent.
- Experts say that when a dog approaches, do not make eye contact and don't run away.
- NC State University veterinarian Dr. Margaret Gruen said if a dog knocks you over, the best response is to pull yourself in tight, like a rock, protecting your head and neck.
- Former NC State veterinarian Dr. Brenda Stevens said human excitement can quickly trigger a dog. To reduce any threat, she says don’t move at all. Be still, it helps calm the dog, too.
