'Never seen anything like it:' Incident report describes aftermath of dog attack that killed man in Johnston County
A man died after being attacked by two dogs in Johnston County on Monday.
Anthony Gerard Bastardi was 67 years old, and his daughter and son-in-law lived at the home. A Johnston County Sheriff's Office spokesperson said Bastardi was at the home to check on the dogs while the owners were away.
First responders arrived around 12:30 p.m. at a neighborhood on Eddlestone Court in the Powhatan community between Clayton and Wilson's Mills.
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.
A photo from the scene showed crime scene tape posted, an ambulance and Johnston County deputies talking with neighbors. JCSO told WRAL News one dog was a bull terrier breed while the other was a cane corso.
Deputies were seen escorting an emotional woman away from the home.
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.
